Tacoma and??? Vehicle for my Wife

^Co-signed^

My brother has a Highlander and has said the same thing and more. He’s had great luck with towing in it too

 

We have a ‘19 Limited RAV. Great vehicle in every way. Very easy for my elderly mother in law to get into. Quiet. Comfortable. Great stereo. Decent fuel economy. Actually really competent off-road within reasonable expectations. (Fields and fire roads and deepish snow) Still looks great.

 

I just got my 24 hybrid XSE in January. Not much snow this winter but the one big storm I drove it in I was pleasantly surprised with how good it did.

Fuel economy is amazing. I have been averaging over 40 mpg on every city/highway mixed tank once it was broken in. Highway is about 36 mpg at 75 mph which is great for an SUV, and city I get over 45 mpg which is ridiculously good.

 

I got my wife a Grand Highlander and we couldn't be happier with it.

 

If Musk doesn't keep crashing into the "guardrails" with is politics, I'd say buy a Tesla Model Y with current good price and financing.
My wife has a 2018 Model 3 that she loves. No problems. And she is tough on vehicles!

 

Been looking for a small suv to replace my wife’s 2013 crv. I’ve always thought the RAV4 was going to replace it. Now I’m not so sure. I’m leaning toward the CRV. The RAV4 seems “old” to the updated CRV. Honda makes great engines. The CVT tranny has proven reliability. Can’t go wrong with either though.

 

eCVT > rubber band CVT. Can't change my mind.

 

CVTs are 100% steel and don’t pull like a fan belt. They push. While I would trust a normal A/T tranny more, Honda makes their own CVT and it’s a good one.

 

The eCVT has nothing to do with a regular CVT. There is no belt just a planetary gearset and two electric motors. So much simpler than a normal AT.

 

Having driven all of them here is my opinion:

eCVT>regular AT>CVT

I know this is blasphemy especially in this forum, but the instant throttle response, acceleration, and electric motor torque of the eCVT puts it on par with a manual.

 

Honda does not use planetary gear set. Watch this for comparison between the two systems. The car care nut is the best.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fg3W-qzZJrg

 

GR Corolla no CVT, and none of that hybrid crap it also sits low to the ground.

 

The Dynamic Force engine family started in 2017 and the T24A-FTS started in 2021 so the new era engines are more proven than some seem to think. The latest Consumer Reports podcast covered turbo and modern engines reliability. Data across brands showed a lot of recent reliability issues not the engines. That modern complex engines are overall quite reliable and last. Of course there are exceptions.

I'm not following how you're thinking a Highlander is less efficient than a Tacoma. Also, for AWD a must you have to get a Limited or consider a Land Cruiser for the new smaller TNGA-F based vehicles. TNGA-K (Highlanders, Sienna etc...) offer more AWD options.

We still have a car to complement our pickup and got the pickup for honest pickup truck needs including long bed. For general motoring around several other Toyotas would be nicer than driving a pickup all the time. The whole Highlander family and Siennas are great. Now the Crown Signia will be an option.

 

Based on your size comments, you'll probably be happier in the Highlander Hybrid. This has essentially the same powertrain as the Rav4 Hybrid, and gets a little worse mpg due to the added size (note we're only talking about low 30s vs high 30s).

We like our Rav4 due to everything listed here, and the smaller size, but we are smaller people. Best part though, you can easily test both back to back at a dealer. The Highlander will also run about $5-10k more, depending on the trim.

 

U want more room lower height minivan is your answer .

 

^ Sienna comes with the same 2.5L hybrid configuration as the Rav and Highlander. AWD is an option, though, so make sure when you're shopping.

We considered one when Rav4 shopping, but A) we wanted a smaller vehicle, and B) AWD availability was non-existent down here when we were searching.

 

Some additional indepth information on the Honda system.

https://hondanews.com/en-US/honda-a...378955-honda-two-motor-hybrid-electric-system

https://hondanews.com/en-US/honda-a...d3a76e7285afd03f86b-2023-honda-cr-v-press-kit

I like the Toyota system better since there are no clutches to wear, and the motor rpm is always decoupled from vehicle speed. That being said, I am sure both a solid reliable drivetrains.

 

Basically it's one long continuous first gear... and I'm one of those folks who drive a 6MT taco.

Esp in the Rav4 Prime, in HV mode it's instant torque, and gobs of it, off the line. Acceleration doesn't taper off until 80mph or so.

 

If set eyes on Toyota, go with Rav4 Hybrid or Prime
Toyota has done a phenomenal jobs to put the drivetrain together. Very responsive in all regions of the power band. Roomy and comfy on long trips

 

Our other ride is a '24 Pathfinder Rock Creek for longer trips as a family or if in laws come visit. You can either get it with middle captains chairs or bench seats so seats 7 or 8 depending on then. 3.5l V6 with a 9 speed ZF transmission and plenty of cargo room with rear folded and surprisingly good amount with rear bench up. Not the fastest thing out there but at least the RC comes with chunkier tires.