RAV4 Owners & Aficionados

Way off topic for this site but often see fellow Taco owners referring to their RAV4's so I know they're out there!

I'm getting set to buy a 2022 unless I stumble on a '21 which I have come across but they're scarce. I have only looked through 1 forum and need to search for more on the subject but I'm looking for any thoughts from those that have some experience with the model.

Anything to watch out for?

Things I should make sure I get on it?

I'm really mixed on the Hybrid version. I'd love the mileage, I do want AWD but even though it's an 8yr/100k warranty on that element, like my TRD, I plan to be buried in it and the same applies with a RAV4. I'm just afraid of what anything related to hybrid is going to cost in repairs and complexity should something go haywire out of warranty. I'm less concerned about the remaining non EV powertrain.

As of now, the XLE appears to fit the bill for us. That's configured about like the TRD Off Road without Premium features. Same tech and similar sound system. There's a package that offers SofTek seats so we're pursuing that.

Last night there was a bitchin Lunar Rock that was almost perfect but lacked the SofTek so we didn't dive in. Probably should have as I'm sure its gone today.

Anyway, any thoughts or info to share as I seek this puppy?

 

I bought my wife a 2021 XLE with the premium package and have been very happy with it so far. The only thing I don't care for is the engine shutting down at stop lights , but that can be overridden with the push of a button. Some people have said that the 2.5 is noisy. It doesn't bother me tho.

 

I have a 2012 bought new in that year. Love it, would rather drive that over my Tacoma
Just a great all around rig.

https://www.rav4world.com/forums/ for me detailed info... good luck

 

I can tell you 100% that the hybrid rav4 is one of the most reliable cars we sell.

The 2022 has little changes, the 2019 was the rough model year to avoid.

Avoid the XSE models, they ride quite rough and for long term XLE is ideal.

I'd only consider a hybrid model currently. They are much better to drive now and have huge results with fuel economy.

 

WOW, my little thread just got a big wake up call tonight!

Well, I'm a RAV4 Owner, now. Went into the dealer a week ago yesterday at about 3:30pm to make an appt for the Taco and was very lucky to lay eyes on a fresh out of PDI but still filthy XLE AWD w/All Weather package in the rare Lunar Rock flavor. Essentially what we had just passed on and regretted.

I drove 5 minutes away to the high school and got my wife and they had it washed up for us to drive when we got back 20 minutes later. Needless to say, we're still there after closing time at 6:00 finishing up with paperwork!

The 2 of us absolutely LOVE this thing! It's bitchin!

Previous to the find, I had sworn off the Hybrid version. I lack confidence in what the after warranty future brings with the Hybrid Systems. I know they are good but the plan for us now is to have it "forever."

Here she is....




I've got a set of Diode Dynamics SS3 Pros coming to fill the voids where the 2022's got shorted fog lights and I'm going to set up a 30" DD Stealth light bar in the lower section of the grill next. The roof is getting a satin black wrap like the gloss on an XSE and windows will be tinted as well. We're getting ready to order the Clazzio perforated leather set for front and back, too. That's the only interior option we didn't get that we wanted and all the Premium pkgs that are coming through are FWD only.

 

^Congrats, my sister bought herself a 2021 RAV4 Hybrid AWD XLE in Blizzard White and loves it. I tried to talk her into the Lunar Rock or Cement, but she adores the pearl white color.

In this market, she got a great deal and it helps that there is no sales tax in Oregon.

 

Blizzard Pearl was our only other desire. It looks real nice and my wife loved and insisted on it.....up until she saw Lunar Rock! Her tune changed quickly! All the danged Blizzard were coming in with Premium pkgs and FWD only. I "almost" settled until I lucked out on this one.

 

^ You got the trim level you wanted and didn't have to over pay. The lunar rock is where it's at imho. Such a unique a rare color to be honest. I like the blizzard pearl white but imho, it doesn't scream off-road adventure to me. It says, lets go drink some wine tonight with my girl friends after a long spa day.

 

I really like Blizzard, too but your take on it is with absolute precision!

One thing that really miffed me on the Premium was the chrome finish 19" wheels! They would look decent done in black but 19" is just ghetto. I need some more tire wrapped around that thing!

Oh...and I did overpay! 6 months ago when buying the Taco, I beat back the MSRP by 2% and payed NO market adjustment. The dealer was pulling that at the time but was preparing to. This time it was MSRP and a $3k markup. Nothing I could do about it. Take it or the next guy would get it. The other outlying Toyota Dealers are doing $5k. One called me back and had an XSE Hybrid for me if I wanted it. It was coming in a few days later. I got them to half the adjustment but the car was $41k plus. I didn't feel good about the corner they backed me into. It was bullshit and greedy. I'm done with them for all services.

 

They are ungodly expensive to put tires on, plus new its like 9/32nd so they don't last.

17-18 is the sweet spot for sure.

My wife has the old 2017 popular colour. Purple haha.

 

Congrats on the Rav4 and in the best color I might ad. We love our 2019 Adventure in Lunar Rock. 27k trouble free miles so far. We are avid skiers and the AWD does awesome in the snow.

 

My mom's got a 19 RAV4 adventure which will get eibach springs and some different tires down the road. I have a 97 that I wanna restore and swap in a 3sgte. Just need the time.

 

I got the 17's and already Plasti-dipped 'em! They came out awesome.

I don't think I have seen Nurple! I must look for it. That was my favorite color most my life. I was harrased as a kid for that!

 

Congrats, got my wife a 2021 XSE hybrid last June, we love ours, this was prior to the crazy crazy with this market, we managed $500 under MSRP after spending months locating one.

 

^ We want get into a new RAV4, 4runner, or Highland in that particular order. We're not in a rush and hope to wait out the market. If we can wait out the market, I can apply that $ towards mods.

Nothing you can do about the mark up in todays market. You paid a good price imho with todays pricing. You're in the Norcal area and those dealers are taxing hard up there. My sister got hers for around $41 OTD and that's because there is no tax. They marked it up as well but it was exactly what she wanted and like you, it just came off the truck hours prior to her arrival. She saw it, test drove it and the rest was history. He was tired of pouring money into her hand me down Chrysler Sebring.

 

We pay 7.75% for my city/county and the dealer's city/county rate is 8 or 8.25%? They charge based on our residence location rate, though. What pisses me off more is that I pay taxes on that market adjustment, too. Another $200+ in taxes just on that!

 

FYI, Forerunner will be 4 cylinder turbo'd next year. That doesn't sit well with me. Buy NOW!

 

Thanks, but that means we're going for a RAV4 then. lol. It's for the wife and she wants the RAV4 and she does like the Highlander. Pros and cons to both as the highlander will be easy to not do any mods. I don't want to deal with turbo or a supercharger and we may looked used on a 4runner. I don't think she likes the size of the 4runner as I'm pushing it on her.

I love nothing more than an N/A engine.

 

That was our reaction too. I never consider the Rav4. My wife's mom has a 2016 and I didn't really think it was very attractive but when we got to dealership and saw the new Adventure in Lunar Rock we immediately loved it. Originally went there to look at the new Supra I was first on the list for but as I was sitting in it looking at the interior and then under the hood and visually looking at the build out I realized I was looking at a BMW Z4 with Toyota badging. I told the salesman, whom I've bought two other vehicles from in the past, I'd like to look at that grayish green cool looking Rav thingy. Done and done.

Mods as of today
All terrains on 17" Black Rhynos
1" leveling kit to raise the front end eliminate the ridicules rake
Line X on the front and rear silver chins. (Now black)
Interior LED bulbs swap. I found OEM to be way too dim.
AVS in channel rain guards
15% carbon tint all around
Diode Dynamics SS3 yellow fogs SAE bought but not installed yet
Toyota Racing Stripes vinyl graphics

And one sticker

 

Congrats!! I picked up a ‘21 rav4 hybrid last month for my commuter vehicle. To be honest sometimes I enjoy driving it more than the Tacoma just for the comfort and mileage! Bought some SS3 pros for it and it’s just perfect.