So, my partner and I are stuck between these three options and can’t seem to make a decision. We’ve test-driven all of them multiple times, and we’re still undecided.
Here’s our situation: We need a commuter car for highway driving three days a week, with some city driving mixed in. It’ll also be our road trip car, and we have two dogs that will be riding along from time to time. No kids right now, but that could change. Our budget is under $54K before out-the-door costs.
Highlander Hybrid: It’s bigger than what we actually need. Not a fan of the captain’s chairs, but the ride quality is nice and there’s plenty of space. I’m worried it might be hard to maneuver in the city, but maybe I’ll get used to it.
RX350H Premium: It’s a Lexus, which we love, but the hatch might be too small for one of our dogs. The interior is amazing though, and it feels like a dream car.
RAV4 Prime XSE: Fun to drive! The price is higher than we expected for a RAV4, but my commute would be covered by the electric charge alone. The interior is okay, and the size is kind of in-between the other two.
Also, we test drove the Toyota Crown Signia, but it felt too small, especially for taller people (5’11" and up).
The RX350H drives the best, and it has the nicest interior. But, you should probably check if your dogs will fit. If they don’t, go with the Highlander.
Shinji said:
The RX350H drives the best, and it has the nicest interior. But, you should probably check if your dogs will fit. If they don’t, go with the Highlander.
We thought about bringing our dogs to the dealership, but we weren’t sure if that’s allowed. We might have to do it if we can’t stop thinking about it, though!
You should check out the Toyota Crown Signia. It’s smaller than the Highlander, bigger than the RAV4, and a couple of inches longer than the RX. The interior is almost as luxurious as a Lexus, especially with the Limited trim and tech package. Plus, you could probably stay under $54K out the door.
@Kemper
Nevermind! I saw your post about it feeling too small. That’s too bad! People did mention the XLE version has more headroom than the Limited because it doesn’t have the panoramic roof.
Between your options, I’d go with the Highlander Hybrid. It’s more comfortable, and if you end up having kids later, it’s well-suited for that. The Highlander is only about two inches longer than the RX, so it’s not a huge difference, but parking could be a bit more challenging if that’s something you deal with.
I really wanted to like it, but when we drove it, it felt much smaller than the specs suggested. I also couldn’t justify the price for the size. The steering was super loose, too—it felt like I had to turn the wheel way too much for simple maneuvers.
I’d pick the RAV4 Prime. I work at a Toyota dealership, so I might be a bit biased, but I think the plug-in hybrids are the best option if you plan to keep the car for a while and have access to charging. They’re reliable and luxurious.
@Gyllenhall
But you’re thinking about the RXH Premium? If cost is a concern, why not go for the regular RAV4 Hybrid instead? It’ll save you on gas, and you’ll have some extra money left over.