I have just purchased a RAV 4 PHEV. I used this review to help guide me to my decision. I like the Auto Bears reviews, no nonsense and informative. Thank you.
Great review Dave. However the car is awd and computer controlled. The trail mode locks a spinning wheel and sends power to the wheels that have traction. It work very similar to a limited slip dif. I have a RAV4 hybrid and would love to have the PHEV for my next car but sadly out of my price range.
Thank you for your comment. I do tend to mix 4wd and AWD but essentially the power goes to all 4 wheels. With the RAV4 the 2 electric motors help spread that power.
Same here, just out of my company car limit. Curiously the top model of this is sold by Suzuki with their badge on but still made by Toyota for £2000 less! But even though its the same car from the same factory, the lease rates on the Suzuki version are much higher because the industry perceive a Suzuki as being less reliable/desirable than a Toyota so the residual value is much lower.. its the same car! crazy.
Hi Dave, Love the video, I have chosen, to get a Rav 4 Hybrid When I change my car later this year, I love the Idea of the plug in hybrid too. I watch a channel on TH-cam called thecarcarenut He is a Toyota Master Diagnostic Technician, and his Video on the Rav 4 Prime ( Dynamic in the UK ) Plug in is very interesting, he only works on Toyota & Lexus car's... love the channel keep up the good work, great to see your supporting Help for Heroes. All the Best Peter..
Just drove the RAV4 in Iceland for a week through 2 bad snow storms never let me down all RAV4 hybrids in Iceland are plugin hybrids. It had heated seats in front and back plus heated steering wheel etc.
Nice car ,50k . Ouch , pcp deals is how they will sell these . Interesting to see these in 18 months when they come back from pcp ...however they will probably go on a second lease . But looking at the numbers these are the future of driving , so while a PCP deal might cost around £250-£300 a month . The running cost will be so low , you know it might just make sense .
US RAV4 are not Japanese, made in Toyota factory in Kentucky, even hybrid. Actually US get more specification but its anecdotal that US market version of many cars (not just this one) are built to a cheaper standard to keep the cost down as US customers are more demanding on price, they won't pay stupid European prices! but they will accept a lower quality point, even if its subtle such as cheaper sound proofing and less quality control on the finishing.
Hi ! I have had a 2003 RAV4 from new. And I hope the RAV4 prime comes to NZ later on this year. We plan to buy one in June 2022. If it doesn’t come by then, how do you feel about the upcoming 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV or the Kia Sorento PHEV ? And are you watching the live Mitsubishi Outlander 2020 launch on the 16 February ? Auckland. NZ
As an Australian I was hoping that the plugin hybrid would soon be available here as well, but now that I see that it does not come with a spare tyre this means that it is not really a great option for Aussies, so now I will go and order the 'older' version but there is still a 7 month wait.
pricing seems to be aimed at the company car market... and although expensive, go for one at the right time of year(toward the end of that 6 months registration period), you will get thousands off..
Thank you for the comment Iain. With a majority of people buying on finance or contract hire that is how cars like these will be bought. But I do agree at the right time , you can get a great deal on any car.
Hi Dave, I am thinking of getting a RAV 4 or Volvo or Tiguan but non are as comfrotable and quiet as my 2007 Lexus 450h hybrid and it has a CD player! Only advance seems to be keyless starting (making them easier to steal) Progress? The Lexus was £6.5k a year ago by the waywith 50k miles.
Hi Jonathan. Thank you for your comment. Have you thought about going back to Lexus? Their current cars do come with a CD player still. Next generation NX I believe will be without it.
The drivetrain (transaxle) on this car is the P810, same as in the Highlander and Sienna (Hybrids). This car does not (technically) compare to Prius, Corolla or even the standard RAV4 Hybrid.
@@AutoBears Yes, it's using the plantary gear set tech that is in all Toyota Hybrids. However, my point was that the RAV4 PHEV are using the more robust version of it, the P810. This does not really compare to the P710 used in the RAV4 Hybrid (and Corolla), or the P610 in the Prius, since the P810 is designed for heavier (trucklike) workloads. Technically this car is more of a "small Highlander" than "a RAV4 hybrid with a big battery". The "heavy" build and the battery capacity carries a high build cost, aka. high price. This one will probably last forever as a daily driver.
@@AutoBears Probably not. he, he. Another small thing, somewhat regarding your review, this car will always turn on the ICE on a reglur basis - even when always in "EV mode" and daily socket charging done. This due to need for lubrication, and the ethanol mix used in fuels of today. If no/low amount of fuel used during daily driving, then You should never fill the tank above 25 ltr (half empty). The car might ask You to fill up due to long time stored fuel (in the tank) - the fuel needs mixing (ethanol).
The price is ridiculous 😂. Its a shame as we were looking at trading our 2019 hybrid in for one. Had prices several months ago from my dealer. Will wait for bz4x prices next year.
That's the official combined figure which is widely published on the internet. Not sure how they calculate it though. Theoretically the MPG is infinite because you could use electric only if you only made short trips!
I still don't understand the mpg figures for these cars! The real mpg is more like 70 so how on earth do they get away with saying it's 280? How do they calculate it? With 8 gallons of fuel and a full battery there is no chance in hell that you could drive 2,286 miles without refuelling!
December 2021 45k Plus the fuel save MPG You can get your Cake and eat it As for the extras that you get in a premium What price for comfort and the safety of modern technology if you take out a three year contract and divide it by three For an Example Display on your windscreen I am not a car salesman but a person that want to look after my wife
@@vitorafterglowferreira2172 No it's not. Aisin was not ever asked for Toyota PEHD trans. They made some high torque multistage RWD 8speed (real speed) for hybrid Lexus LC500h, LS500h. Rav4 use "in house" cheap (price and feeling) FWD Prius ecvt with biger MG1 and MG2. Despite that planetary gear on MG1 it's a cheap CVT.
@@racherumarius yes that's what RAV4 have and it's a big-big difference between that and this (AISIN HT) with real changing speeds and engine rev sound: th-cam.com/video/Ehgwf_C5zgY/w-d-xo.html
HI Auto Bears, Now June 2022, Great review well-spoken and very knowledgeable on the subject, Information given implies you can get more specifications, can you please give me a link for my records. Regards welshman2081
I have just purchased a RAV 4 PHEV. I used this review to help guide me to my decision. I like the Auto Bears reviews, no nonsense and informative. Thank you.
Great review. This will help me choose my next hybrid car. Keep up the good work.
Great review Dave. However the car is awd and computer controlled. The trail mode locks a spinning wheel and sends power to the wheels that have traction. It work very similar to a limited slip dif. I have a RAV4 hybrid and would love to have the PHEV for my next car but sadly out of my price range.
Thank you for your comment. I do tend to mix 4wd and AWD but essentially the power goes to all 4 wheels. With the RAV4 the 2 electric motors help spread that power.
Same here, just out of my company car limit. Curiously the top model of this is sold by Suzuki with their badge on but still made by Toyota for £2000 less! But even though its the same car from the same factory, the lease rates on the Suzuki version are much higher because the industry perceive a Suzuki as being less reliable/desirable than a Toyota so the residual value is much lower.. its the same car! crazy.
If you throw in bomb proof reliability which Toyota's are known for it's a damn fine car. Great review Dave. Ps, I have a Toyota. 🙂
Thank you for your comment Ross. Yes the reliability and warranty are hugely appealing to new buyers. I’m glad you enjoyed the review.
Hi Dave, Love the video, I have chosen, to get a Rav 4 Hybrid When I change my car later this year, I love the Idea of the plug in hybrid too. I watch a channel on TH-cam called thecarcarenut He is a Toyota Master Diagnostic Technician, and his Video on the Rav 4 Prime ( Dynamic in the UK ) Plug in is very interesting, he only works on Toyota & Lexus car's... love the channel keep up the good work, great to see your supporting Help for Heroes. All the Best Peter..
Just drove the RAV4 in Iceland for a week through 2 bad snow storms never let me down all RAV4 hybrids in Iceland are plugin hybrids. It had heated seats in front and back plus heated steering wheel etc.
Thanks for the video
I'm sorry though I don't understand the 282mpg?
Can you please explain?
Hello there, great review! 86.4 mpg with the battery not charged? is that possible?
Nice car ,50k . Ouch , pcp deals is how they will sell these . Interesting to see these in 18 months when they come back from pcp ...however they will probably go on a second lease . But looking at the numbers these are the future of driving , so while a PCP deal might cost around £250-£300 a month . The running cost will be so low , you know it might just make sense .
Great review ❤
Interesting car. Hybrids are still pricey though. Great review, Dave
Thank you Michael. Yes they are but the numbers are very impressive.
I'm shocked how expensive this car is in the UK. It's a lot cheaper here in Canada and the US, despite all being built in Japan.
US RAV4 are not Japanese, made in Toyota factory in Kentucky, even hybrid. Actually US get more specification but its anecdotal that US market version of many cars (not just this one) are built to a cheaper standard to keep the cost down as US customers are more demanding on price, they won't pay stupid European prices! but they will accept a lower quality point, even if its subtle such as cheaper sound proofing and less quality control on the finishing.
All RAV4 prime are built in Japan.
Hi ! I have had a 2003 RAV4 from new. And I hope the RAV4 prime comes to NZ later on this year. We plan to buy one in June 2022. If it doesn’t come by then, how do you feel about the upcoming 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV or the Kia Sorento PHEV ?
And are you watching the live Mitsubishi Outlander 2020 launch on the 16 February ?
Auckland. NZ
As an Australian I was hoping that the plugin hybrid would soon be available here as well, but now that I see that it does not come with a spare tyre this means that it is not really a great option for Aussies, so now I will go and order the 'older' version but there is still a 7 month wait.
The spare tyre depends on the versions. Talk with the dealer about it, first.
The 282 per gallon, is that in hybrid mode?
pricing seems to be aimed at the company car market... and although expensive, go for one at the right time of year(toward the end of that 6 months registration period), you will get thousands off..
Thank you for the comment Iain. With a majority of people buying on finance or contract hire that is how cars like these will be bought. But I do agree at the right time , you can get a great deal on any car.
Hi can you do a review of the 2022 nissan x trail in the near future thanks Lee.
Great review Dave 👍🏾
Thank you Leon. Was a great day out.
Hi Dave, I am thinking of getting a RAV 4 or Volvo or Tiguan but non are as comfrotable and quiet as my 2007 Lexus 450h hybrid and it has a CD player! Only advance seems to be keyless starting (making them easier to steal) Progress? The Lexus was £6.5k a year ago by the waywith 50k miles.
Hi Jonathan. Thank you for your comment. Have you thought about going back to Lexus? Their current cars do come with a CD player still. Next generation NX I believe will be without it.
The drivetrain (transaxle) on this car is the P810, same as in the Highlander and Sienna (Hybrids). This car does not (technically) compare to Prius, Corolla or even the standard RAV4 Hybrid.
I did mean comparing Toyotas self-charging hybrids in general? As that was the point I was making.
Thank you for your comment Tinny.
@@AutoBears Yes, it's using the plantary gear set tech that is in all Toyota Hybrids.
However, my point was that the RAV4 PHEV are using the more robust version of it, the P810. This does not really compare to the P710 used in the RAV4 Hybrid (and Corolla), or the P610 in the Prius, since the P810 is designed for heavier (trucklike) workloads. Technically this car is more of a "small Highlander" than "a RAV4 hybrid with a big battery". The "heavy" build and the battery capacity carries a high build cost, aka. high price.
This one will probably last forever as a daily driver.
Thank you very much for the clarification. I’m not sure the dealers are going to know this information to present to their customers.
@@AutoBears Probably not. he, he.
Another small thing, somewhat regarding your review, this car will always turn on the ICE on a reglur basis - even when always in "EV mode" and daily socket charging done. This due to need for lubrication, and the ethanol mix used in fuels of today. If no/low amount of fuel used during daily driving, then You should never fill the tank above 25 ltr (half empty). The car might ask You to fill up due to long time stored fuel (in the tank) - the fuel needs mixing (ethanol).
Prius Plus is not PHEV version of Prius as you suggesting. Prius Plus is a 7 seater, different car .
The price is ridiculous 😂.
Its a shame as we were looking at trading our 2019 hybrid in for one.
Had prices several months ago from my dealer.
Will wait for bz4x prices next year.
Prices are out now for the bz4x
How long does it take to charge up?
2.5 hours with a wall box
Fifty Thousand Pounds!!! If they stuck a Lexus badge on it they might get a few takers for that price.
Thank you for your comment Ian.
Yes the price tag for the RAV 4 is steep and as a result will appeal to a lot of fleet/business buyers.
282 mpg? Citation.
That's the official combined figure which is widely published on the internet. Not sure how they calculate it though. Theoretically the MPG is infinite because you could use electric only if you only made short trips!
I still don't understand the mpg figures for these cars!
The real mpg is more like 70 so how on earth do they get away with saying it's 280?
How do they calculate it?
With 8 gallons of fuel and a full battery there is no chance in hell that you could drive 2,286 miles without refuelling!
Expensive yes but ok. It will sell.
The fleet market is the place to be for it.
December 2021 45k
Plus the fuel save MPG
You can get your Cake and eat it
As for the extras that you get in a premium
What price for comfort and the safety of modern technology
if you take out a three year contract and divide it by three
For an Example Display on your windscreen
I am not a car salesman but a person that want to look after my wife
What did you go for Dynamic or Dynamic premium?
Top of the range with all the bells & whistles
My Thoughts of learn about the future
5.6 0-60 tested by car and driver on the weak sauce American gasoline!
Stupid expensive for a cheap CVT. I don't understand why CVT when they have Aisin near by. Cost effective... no way.
It is a planetary ecvt, the p810, made by Aisin.
@@vitorafterglowferreira2172 No it's not. Aisin was not ever asked for Toyota PEHD trans. They made some high torque multistage RWD 8speed (real speed) for hybrid Lexus LC500h, LS500h. Rav4 use "in house" cheap (price and feeling) FWD Prius ecvt with biger MG1 and MG2. Despite that planetary gear on MG1 it's a cheap CVT.
th-cam.com/video/O61WihMRdjM/w-d-xo.html&feature=share
@@racherumarius yes that's what RAV4 have and it's a big-big difference between that and this (AISIN HT) with real changing speeds and engine rev sound:
th-cam.com/video/Ehgwf_C5zgY/w-d-xo.html
Most Overrated car of the year award goes to ..... Rav4 Prime. hehehe
Thank you for your comment. It’s not really overrated over here. A recent new addition to the Toyota line up.
@@AutoBears Almost 50K US dollars here in the US. For a Rav4 with its interiors is a joke.
Dave, this is by far the ugliest car you have ever reviewed.
Boring suv
HI Auto Bears, Now June 2022, Great review well-spoken and very knowledgeable on the subject, Information given implies you can get more specifications, can you please give me a link for my records. Regards welshman2081