Hay all, my daughter(16)'s 2008 subaru outback is having motor trouble and it's gonna be a while before we get it back from the shop. We recently had a new motor put in and there have been a bunch of issues from that. When it comes back, I'm going to keep it as my airport car and use it to teach her younger sisters how to drive stick.

I'm considering getting her a rav4 hybrid to replace the car, her mother is getting tired of driving her around again after a half year of self sufficiency. I found a 2017 with 37000 miles Limited trim option(near the top) for $25000. It looks like a decent price from my research. Does anyone have a rav4 hybrid and like it/love it/hate it? Any and all opinions are welcome.
I really want to get into the hybrid technology and see it for myself and I know Toyota has millions of miles of knowledge on their prius platform so I think the hybrid should be a reasonable choice.
I wasn't looking to spend 25k on a kids car, but prices are outrageous and I want to see the hybrid. I know I can get a regular rav4 in an older model for about half that.
My only requirements are it MUST be 4x4 or awd. We live off 3 miles of dirt roads that turn into a soupy mess in Colorado during snow melt. Even in the outback I ended up in the ditch trying to get out of our neighborhood, twice. Something economical and that will hopefully last year for at least 10 or more years, unless she wants to get rid of it sooner.

If you have a rav4 hybrid, let me know what you like and dislike about it.

When we bought our slightly used Highlander recently the dealer had two of them, new for $32k and 35k respectively. Different trim levels. I thought that was pretty decent for new hybrids. I do not like the idea of elect. But have kind of come around on a hybrid. Toyota has that figured out.

Coworker has one, he really likes it, has been trouble free, sips gas

Taken care of it should last her a good long time

quote:

Something economical and that will hopefully last year for at least 10 or more years, unless she wants to get rid of it sooner.

.

If that 2017 has the original batteries in it, I can't see it going ten years. Have you checked battery replacement cost on it?.

I would go with a base model new Subaru non hybrid for around that price and get ten years out of it.

IIRC VTail's wife has one, maybe he'll chime in

My wife's been driving hers since new in 2019 and it's been trouble free. She loves it and I like it enough that if I didn't need a truck I'd be tempted to get one. Limited trim and she averages 46 mpg. It's kind of a louder vehicle to drive but the radio covers the road and wind noise. Backing up makes a ridiculous noise to alert pedestrians but overall a nice vehicle.

Lots of people love Rav4s. They’re good vehicles.

I test drove one after driving a Subaru Outback for almost ten years. The ride and handling of the Rav4 left a lot to be desired. I didn’t get one.

If I was going to get another Subaru, it would probably be a Forrester. The Mrs. drives a Crosstrek and loves it. I would recommend a Subaru any day.

What did I get? A Taco Love that little truck.

The Crosstrek also has a hybrid option, IIRC

My wife bought a new RAV4 Hybrid, Limited trim, AWD, on July 4, 2019. The hybrid drive is solid; Toyota has done a bazillion of them and has this down pat. Wife is an "energetic" driver -- not aggressive with respect to others, but she does accelerate with authority and enjoys using the capabilities of the car. With those driving habits, she gets around 40 mpg in suburban commuting traffic. A more conservative driver would probably get at least 10% better fuel economy.

The hybrid drive train has been 110% reliable and trouble-free. Some of the fancy-schmancy stuff has had problems. Power liftgate decided to open about halfway. Nav system decided to quit. Check Engine Light activated for no apparent reason. All of these problems were solved by the Toyota dealer, most of them at no cost or very reasonable cost, but somewhat annoying to have to take the time to go and sit on her tuchas in the customer lounge for hours, while the techs did their work.

Overall, a good vehicle, but a bit disappointing with the tech stuff. Because of this, I would suggest the comprehensive extended warranty; without it, the tech stuff can be very costly to repair. I guess that's true of just about any new vehicle nowadays. Not like old times, where a screwdriver and a pair of pliers would be enough to keep you going.

quote:

Originally posted by rizzle:

If that 2017 has the original batteries in it, I can't see it going ten years. Have you checked battery replacement cost on it?.

I would go with a base model new Subaru non hybrid for around that price and get ten years out of it.

That's kinda my worry, but I'm not looking at pure electric or plug in. I'm thinking the hybrid should be ok with batteries. I don't hear any complaints about the batteries on the prius' so I would think the technology is the same? Maybe, maybe not? Those things have been around forever and I've not heard any grumblings about battery replacement?

Linky

Eric Schad · Updated on Jun 2, 2023

Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.

On average, a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid battery replacement costs between $2,000 and $5,000. The exact price will depend on whether you buy a new, used, or refurbished battery.

But before you pay that amount of money, take a look at your hybrid battery warranty first. For RAV4s made prior to 2019, Toyota’s warranty on hybrid batteries was eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever came first.


If your battery isn’t under warranty, you may want to request quotes from a couple of auto shops in your area before committing to a mechanic. Requesting a quote on the cost of repairs will also help you get a clearer picture of what you can expect to pay.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
The Crosstrek also has a hybrid option, IIRC

Yeah, but last I looked they were stupid expensive. 10k or more than a toyota. Might have to check again

My mother has one. She really likes it. My middle daughter just ordered one as well. She ordered the LE which is the base model to avoid all the $$ whistles and bells. Really sound platform from what I've researched.

I have a 2017 RAV4 Hybrid and love it. Bought it because my wife has a 2016 RAV4 Hybrid, and she loved hers.

Both bought new, and other than scheduled maintenance, neither has been in the shop.

just bought a new to me RAV4
2021 XLE AWD for 25700, with 63K

so far, all good after 1500 miles, or so,

and avg is 31 MPG running in eco mode

quote:

Originally posted by jeffxjet:

quote:

Originally posted by rizzle:

If that 2017 has the original batteries in it, I can't see it going ten years. Have you checked battery replacement cost on it?.

I would go with a base model new Subaru non hybrid for around that price and get ten years out of it.

That's kinda my worry, but I'm not looking at pure electric or plug in. I'm thinking the hybrid should be ok with batteries. I don't hear any complaints about the batteries on the prius' so I would think the technology is the same? Maybe, maybe not? Those things have been around forever and I've not heard any grumblings about battery replacement?

The batteries go through charge/discharge cycles. They will need to be replaced within the 10 years that you hope to own it. Just a heads up on future costs, the savings on fuel may or may not be beneficial since it's a 2017, and you have not owned it since new.

Not a deal breaker, but it does add to the other things involved with cost of ownership.

We have a 2016 XLE with AWD and have only one problem, early on - the liftgate. Toyota fixed it under warranty. Otherwise in 46,000 miles we have had to replace the lead acid starter battery (not the hybrid one) for $300+ since there appears to be no source for it other than Toyota and it is shoehorned into an odd space under the trunk floor. A cheaper battery is available IF you're willing to change out the cables which looked like more trouble than paying the extortion for the battery. That's it.

It got 33.3 mpg lifetime average over the first 46,000 mi. On an 80-85 mph 140 mile run to Houston on the I-10 raceway it got 30, in totally local traffic it gets 45. The acceleration with the assist from the electric motors is brisk. The noise level is higher than my 2019 F--150 or 2003 Infiniti FX35. The handling is not on par with either - but acceptable. I've had to reload the link to the phone once or twice to maintain access to the fuel price, Yelp and other data - not sure if Toyota or Apple (it uses a phone link) is to blame for that. It uses an HD link (?) to get weather radar and that sometimes isn't available, and doesn't zoom in tight enough for me. All minor complaints. Reliability in getting me around is perfect.

We're going to give it to the son and daughter in law and replace it with a Sienna or Highlander hybrid if they ever get rational pricing. If Toyota maintains their insane MSRP+++ maybe a Mazda CX-90 instead.

I'm not necessarily a huge Nissan fan but we have driven Altimas since 2013. It is not a Cadillac or a sports car but it is safe, rides comfortably and currently is getting 41 MPG on road trips and about 38 MPG back and forth to our small town 6 miles away on shopping trips. Our electricity is not cheap per kw hour. I can't make any sense out of a hybrid or electric for us but to each his own. All our circumstances are different. The weight of the battery package does not help fuel economy when running on the engine which has to work hauling it around. If I lived in Chicago, six blocks away from everything, I might see it differently. If a person your age and with your driving experience has had trouble staying on your road occasionally I would be very concerned about any 16 year old avoiding any problems. 4 wheel drive does not solve all problems though it may avoid some.

We chose the Highlander over the rav4 because we are old! As stated above, Rav4s are a little noisy, and not the smoothest ride. May be a little small if you are large.
Very dependable! A buddy of mine’s daughters each have one and love them!

My wife was a dyed in the wool Toyota buyer. The last one she owned was an ICE Rav 4, a 4cylinder model. It was passed on to me after 3 or 4 years. Seemed like mere moments after it was out of warranty the transmission developed a well known fault.
We talked to the dealer from whom she had bought beaucoup cars. They didn’t want to hear about it. I called corporate. I explained the mileage/months on the car, our brand purchase loyalty record. Toyota was aware of the problem and told me that that is what warranties are for, and we no longer had one!
Corporate did even want to help w/ a partial cost. Never will I buy another car from them. If I won one, I’d sell it.
Contrast that to my experience w/ Honda, who replaced the tie rods in a 2nd hand Civic out of warranty for free and took note of the fact that it was the fifth Honda I’d owned.
I own a Subaru right now, but I’d buy another Honda in a heartbeat if they made a model that suited me. Toyotas are a hard pass in this family.