New Daily Driver, AWD and over 40MPG

While I’ll likely never part with my 2017 Tacoma I do need a reliable daily to keep the miles (and salt in the winter) off of it.

Previously I had been driving my wife’s left over 2013 Hyundai Elantra that we kept after she got a new vehicle but with over 130,000 miles and a few problems starting to pop up I figured it was time for a new daily.


So here it is, 2020 RAV4 XSE in MGM (matches the Taco!). Black Rims, Black Trim, Black Roof.

The new body style looks a lot better than the older ones, to me anyway.

If I didn’t mention it’s a Hybrid, which means it’s AWD, has more HP and is faster than the Gas model, and gets over 40MPG, WIN, WIN, WIN!!

Im on my very first tank of gas still from the dealer but 433 miles on the clock I’m getting 40.4MPG and have a distance to empty of 83 more miles. I believe it should get between 500-600 miles on a tank. Pretty incredible.

Just wanted to share my joy, oh it’s also super nice to drive, quiet, comfortable, moon roof. I really like it. Taco is gonna be in the garage even more now.

 

ive seen a new 4 Runner Hybrid recently wonder how many MPGs that gets

 

Boy that’d be cool! But I would fear that it would defeat the purpose of an economical commuter, at least for me. I love the T4R but boy they’re expensive. I wouldn’t say my RAV was cheap but it must be 10-20k less than a 4Runner

 

the hybrid 4runner must be crazy expensive

 

Yeah I wonder, I’ve never even heard they were making one, I wonder which gas engine it uses as the base.

 

My RAV4 Hybrid has been great so far. I’m averaging 46mpg. The AWD system is plenty good for inclement weather and light offroading. You’ll come to find Toyota hybrids are super simple in terms of maintenance also.

 

46 MPG!!!! That’s incredible! Well above the EPA Rating. That’s sorta what I could not believe about this. That’s every bit of the actual rating and I don’t drive really any city miles (electric) that are better anyway. Though to be fair my commute is most 55MPH roads which is pretty ideal for gas mileage. Did you notice yours got better as the engine broke in?

 

Most of my commute is through the city/suburbs area, so more stop and go which contributes to the better mpg. You’re getting what should be expected based on your drive. I’ve been averaging 45-46 per tank since I got it back in May, so there was no break in period that I noticed. Mine the LE version, but I’ve done a few modifications, mostly for long term durability. I have an LP Aventure skid plate underneath for more protection and easier servicing, wet okole custom neoprene seat covers to preserve the seats, and weathertech mats for the carpet. It’s been great so far though I haven’t driven it as much. We have an unlimited mileage warranty on our Prius for the next year and a half, so we’ve been racking up miles on that.

 

Nice does that skid actually make a difference? Does it replace some of that plastic or just go around it? My wife has an adventure (2019) and uses hers a little more than i wish she would and has some scuffing on the lower plastics on the front and rear lol... eh i guess she’s happy. Mine honestly will never do more than dirt-roading on canoe trips and thing more serious I have a Taco w/ 3” lift and 255 85 R16’s and full skids/ sliders.


The Wife’s Adventure.

i am super impressed so far though, i can’t find a thing about it i don’t like.

thanks!!

 

It replaces the plastic underneath and gives easier access for oil changes. I won’t be taking this on more than dirt roads and fire roads, but it’s good peace of mind.

 

That's a good looking vehicle. I don't understand getting a brand new daily for the purposes of keeping the miles and salt off a three year old vehicle. I definitely could not afford a '17 Tacoma just for fun so maybe that's why I'm wrapping my head around it.

 

Yeah, the Taco has always been just a toy since I got it. It’s got about 30k miles on it 95% are from vacations and traveling around the country. I did have the camper off it this spring and drove it to work, since with COVID I literally didn’t have anything else to do that was fun so I just went to work A LOT. Like I mentioned I had been driving my wife’s old Hyundai, before that an older Impreza, Mazda 626, you get the idea. I’ve always had a cheap daily driver and kept the truck for fun. I figured I’d splurge on a daily this time that I can keep for 8 or 10 years meanwhile keeping the Taco nice. Idk, it’s just our hobby (my wife’s and mine) so I like to keep it nice. I think part of it is we have a lot of money tied up in the Tacoma and it’s a 17 so the last year ever without all the nanny TSS safety stuff, which i really prefer in an Offroad truck.

 

looks good. my wife has a 2019 rav, we love it

 

Wife and I would love to pickup one of those new RAV4s, love the look. Only problem is her car is almost paid off and the gas mileage is even better than yours. Best 50 mile average was a lil over 63mpg, and regularly get mid 50s when cruising on freeway. Diesel Chevrolet Cruze. Such a BLAH car, but it serves its purpose......

 

that is awesome! I work with a guy who has a DD that’s a Golf Diesel, same kind of mileage. Only problem for me is I NEED AWD/4WD we live by Syracuse and way out in the country. We regularly have a foot of snow or more on the roads by the time they get to us. I’m a shift worker so i keep really odd hours and a lot of times the plows had gone home by the time I’m going into or camping home from work. I hear ya though. I’d hang on to a paid off diesel!

 

Also a great camping car if you spend time on the road. With the back seats folded down, I can sleep comfortably at 6’2” 200lbs. I may eventually get a Yakima or Thule roof box and a hitch. Waiting to see how much the roof boxes affect mpg first from other. I figure a hitch will be usefully for towing kayaks, canoes, and other light loads.

 

Nice!! Enjoy it! A friend of my neighbor got the off road version back in February and he loves it.

 

How does one afford a 17 Tacoma and a 40k daily gas saver?

 

Work. Save. Priorities. It can happen.

For my wife and I we have an advantage a lot don't. We are DINKs.

 

My parents saved really well, they chose different priorities than cars and drive really nice crapboxes now, 2011 baby bluetblue car, and 2013 Chrysler minivan, burns oil super bad, even with regular oil changes. Stuff no one else would want. Sometimes stars align and you are able to find the right opportunities for your skills, gives me something to shoot for I guess.