My 80 year mom is ready to buy what she assumes will be her last car. She really wants a small SUV (CUV?) hybrid and has narrowed it down to these 2 choices. She plans on financing the purchase if she can get rates less than what she can get with a CD (~5.5%). I'm interested in real world feedback on either model as well as insight into current financing offers. Whatcha got??
Both are great vehicles, there is no looser here... but Toyota wrote the book on Hybrid. Honda has experience in hybrids but their hybrids have always been "lesser" than what the Toyota Hybrids are.
Link to my shopping experience with 80 yr old M-I-L. In this case, egress was the single most important factor. Be sure to test egress!!!
There is also the lesser known and slightly smaller (probably less expensive) Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid.
If you're considering a Rav4 with all the options then maybe also consider the Toyota Venza which is similar in size to the Rav4 just more "premium" and with hybrid as standard.
Toyota pricing seems to be:
$28k-$31k Corolla Cross Hybrid
$31k-$39k Rav4 Hybrid
$34k-$42k Venza (Hybrid)
My wife has a 2019 Rav4 Hybrid (current model) and it's been great. The onboard readout has been between about 5.5 (new) and 5.7 (now) L/100km. My only real complaint is the lack of headroom in the front, but we're both fairly tall (6'3" and 5'11") and it really only affects us if we're sitting very upright with sunglasses on top of our heads. My wife dislikes the power hatch, but others would probably disagree. I believe both of those could have been avoided by getting a base model versus the XLE we got. I quite like how they did the AWD system, as it's quite a clever solution with a FWD gas powertrain and an electric rear axle to save on the cost and weight of the transfer case and driveshaft. It helps make the hybrid only a little more expensive than the gas AWD version.
We're currently on the wait list for the Rav4 Prime as its future replacement. The inlaws have a current model CRV with the 1.5T and it's also good.
I really don't think you could go wrong with either.
I tend to like the Rav4, but have no experience with the hybrid. But as others have said, they have vast hybrid experience and would be the first one I'd look at.
My in-laws bought a CR-V hybrid last year and love it. I've driven it a few times and came away impressed, they're averaging in the low 40s for mileage with a lot of in-town driving (where hybrids do best).
I was looking at RAV4 Hybrids back in January, but was told that there is about a one year waiting list at the time. That may have improved by now, but you may want to investigate that.
Quick update - she bought a 2024 CR-V hybrid yesterday. Sh spent two me with both and liked the Honda better. I'm looking forward to seeing it when she comes to town in 2 weeks!
You'll need to log in to post.
