Hey everyone … I’m looking to buy my first brand new car and I’m considering the RAV4. I like how it looks but I don’t know much about cars so any advice would help.
I’m switching from a 2002 Ram 1500 and I’ve heard a lot of good things about Toyotas. The thing is, I live in a rural area and the nearest Toyota dealership is about 1.5 to 2 hours away. I’ve also looked at other options like the Chevy Trax and Buick Envista, which are cheaper, but everyone seems to love Toyotas.
My main concern is having to drive so far if I need repairs or maintenance. So, is the RAV4 worth the higher price and the distance to the dealership? What do you like or dislike about the RAV4? Any thoughts would be great … thanks!
Think about the practicality … if your RAV4 breaks down and it’s AWD, you’d need to tow it 1.5 hours to the dealership. Also, every oil change would mean a long drive unless you have a good local shop or can do it yourself.
If you live in an area without salt on the roads, the RAV4 could last 500k miles or more, which makes it a great investment. But if you plan to upgrade in 6 years, maybe it’s not the best choice.
I like the RAV4’s ride, visibility, safety features, and hauling capacity. The heated steering wheel is awesome. Downsides … it’s heavy, and the gas mileage isn’t great on the non-hybrid models.
Since you’re looking at crossovers, you might want to check out the Toyota CHR. It’s smaller but has a CVT transmission, better gas mileage, and good acceleration. It’s better than the RAV4 in many ways except for size.
Del said: @Sai
You mentioned the CHR has a CVT transmission. I’ve heard CVTs in Nissans have a lot of issues. Are Toyota’s CVTs more reliable?
From what I know, Toyota’s CVTs are some of the best. They’re durable and reliable, though not great for towing. Toyota also uses a gear to get the car moving, which helps avoid common CVT problems.
Del said: @Sai
You mentioned the CHR has a CVT transmission. I’ve heard CVTs in Nissans have a lot of issues. Are Toyota’s CVTs more reliable?
I’m in Canada too (Ontario) and I’m also looking at the RAV4. I have a 2010 Escape right now and I’m new to buying cars. Can we compare notes? I’m looking at the base model LE AWD.
There’s none in stock nearby. It would take 3-4 months to order.
They wouldn’t give me a written quote, which worried me. Is that normal?
They finally printed a price breakdown … $38,084.50. There are dealer options like key fob replacement for $699, hazard rim for $300, and Etch (antitheft) for $999. I’m not sure if I need these.
They won’t appraise my trade-in until the car arrives. That makes sense, but it’s still a bit frustrating.
@Sai
I recently drove the 2025 CHR and compared it to the RAV4. The RAV4 is better in almost every way.
The CHR’s engine is loud, especially compared to the RAV4. The steering is good for city driving but not as comfortable at higher speeds. The trunk is small … we barely fit our weekly groceries.
The CHR is light and quick at first, but the performance drops off. The cabin is cramped too … my 180cm brother didn’t fit comfortably.
I drive a RAV4 HEV AWD, and it’s much better overall. But I agree with your other points about the CHR.
I’ve had my 2025 Hybrid RAV4 XLE for a month now, and I love it. Coming from a Prius, there are a few things I’ve noticed …
It’s a bit noisy on the highway. I heard they removed some insulation to improve the 40MPG rating. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s noticeable.
The remote start feature is free for the first month via the app. After that, it’s $20/month. I think remote start should be included, not a paid feature.
Other than that, I have no complaints. The RAV4 is spacious and comfortable. If you find one available, I’d say go for it. They sell fast.
One last thing … the Venza is quieter, but if noise isn’t a big issue and you want more space, the RAV4 is the better choice. Good luck!
@Pierce
Thanks for the reply! The noise thing doesn’t bother me … my old Ram was super loud. It’s good to hear the cons are minor. This makes me feel better after hearing so many negatives about other cars.