I’m looking to buy a RAV4 this spring but not sure if I should go with the hybrid or the regular one. I’ve driven a truck my whole life, so I don’t have much experience with smaller SUVs. I go camping and mountain biking in the summer, so I need a trailer hitch for a bike rack and might pull a small trailer sometimes. Not sure how well hybrids handle towing.
I also drive about 25 miles each way to work, mostly highway, and I live in Wisconsin where winters are rough, and the roads get covered in salt. I’d love to hear from people who own one—what do you think would be the best choice for me?
Hybrid is the way to go. More power, better gas mileage, smoother ride, and way quieter. Plus, the brake pads last much longer. I’m in Denver, where we get snow, and it does great.
@Fin
The gas RAV4 uses a small 12-volt battery to crank the engine, but the hybrid uses a high-voltage battery and an electric motor to do the same. The hybrid battery has way more power behind it, so you should be fine even in cold weather.
ToyotaLeez said: @Raven
Actually, in Toyota hybrids, the 12V only powers the electronics. The engine itself starts using the hybrid battery.
Yeah, the 12V battery is just for powering accessories and computers. The hybrid motor is strong enough to start the engine easily, even in freezing weather.
@Fin
Something to consider: I own a hybrid, and in winter, it takes longer to warm up since the engine doesn’t run constantly. If you like to let your car warm up before driving, it might not heat up as quickly as a gas model.
@Raven
If you’re doing mostly highway driving, the hybrid won’t save you as much fuel as it would in the city. The savings come mostly in stop-and-go traffic.
Shinji said: @Raven
If you’re doing mostly highway driving, the hybrid won’t save you as much fuel as it would in the city. The savings come mostly in stop-and-go traffic.
That’s not exactly true. While hybrids are better in the city, they still improve highway mileage too. I get around 36 mpg in my hybrid RAV4, which is better than a gas-only model.