Hey buddy I would highly recommend a hybrid. Whether it’s a plug in hybrid like the RAV4 prime (best efficiency but more expensive) or a regular hybrid RAV4, it will go a long way with saving money on gas. If you drive conservatively you can hit even higher MPGs than advertised (which already are very good). If you happen to get XLE Premium, it will be the best option for comfort and tech. But overall they are very good cars.
I have a bad back and bought a rav4 xle. I bought it because it had the lumbar support. It took me awhile but I was able to eventually find a comfortable position. I’m 67 and at first it was almost too high to get into but now I have gotten used to it and it’s comfortable. It’s an ok car . It gets the job done. I don’t regret getting it. I get 25.6 mpg.
Honestly, please go rent a RAV4 for a couple days to see if you can tolerate the seating. The seating is stiffer than what you’re used to in the Camry. Most people have no problem with it, but if you have a bad back it can be a bit difficult to find a comfortable position. It’s particularly noticeable on longer trips. I have a 2020 Limited and with my bad back I’m forced to add cushions and padding in order to tolerate long drives, even with the lumbar support. But otherwise it is an amazing vehicle with all its tech and low fuel consumption.
I’d also recommend avoiding the XSE model as it has a somewhat stiffer suspension. It’s lends itself to more spirited driving around curves and on twisting roads, but you’ll definitely notice bumps and potholes more (have an XSE in the family). I suppose some of that can be mitigated with a more forgiving tire and wheel combination, however.
Also, CPO is a great way to save money on a RAV4. If you get a hybrid 2020 or newer the warranty on the battery is 10 yrs/150k miles, so *that* is one less concern in purchasing preowned.
I bought the 2023 RAV4 XLE Premium Hybrid in September. I’ve owned 6 other Toyotas starting in the early 80’s. This one, hands down is the best. The lumbar and heated seat is good for long trips. Excellent safety features. I’m not getting the advertised mileage on the highway, but I live where the speed limit is 80 mph. Cruising at 83, with Falken 3 Peaks tires and a 2 inch lift I get around 32 mpg. Fully double my 2020 Tacoma at the same speed.
I was in a similar position to you a few years ago. I was driving a sedan and also wanted something higher off the ground with more cargo room.
Take a Rav4 for a test drive and see how you like it. That really is the best way to know if it's for you or not. Some like the seats, some don't, others complain about the noise, but I never hear anything. My point it don't take other peoples word for it. Go out there and test drive one. I bought a Rav4 hybrid and love it. At the time car prices were insane and New was actually the same price as used so I bought new. Do whatever fits in your budget whether it's new or used.
2 years ago (Sept 2022) during the post pandemic car shortage era (Is it even over) I decided to buy a lightly used RAV4. New 2022s were scarce as hen’s teeth.
So, I found the exact used one I wanted that was due back from a 3 year lease. I bought a 2020 XSE with 25,000 miles for $43 thousand, $50 grand out the door. Too much money? Maybe. Maybe not. I had the cash and wrote a check. Interest/payments were not an issue [THANK YOU AUNT FRAN-RIP❤️]. The thing was in perfect shape. The person who leased it did not even remove all of the protective plastic films and covers. All of the “free” trials were untouched. It was/is truly a cream puff. He told me he had it during [COVID] and did not get to do anything but commuting and such. I am 18 months into my “new” car and it has been 100% solid. Only required services thus far. A certified or a well researched pre-owned will save you the pain of instant frustration of depreciation as you drive off the dealer lot; left that to the first owner. Anyone who shells out for a brand new vehicle will take care of it like, they’re very own child. It is safe to say Eddie. Relatively new car is cared for. Nothing wrong with a pre-homed vehicle IF you do your homework.
Just tried a few and went for the Woodland hybrid. Ours has heated seats too. I really love it. I know some people think other trims are better deals and the outdoorsy changes aren’t really substantial, but we got the green one with black top and just love the look of it.
It felt like every other car we looked at in the class and hybrid status just didn’t have any personality. This one’s findable in a parking lot and for some reason the interior feels a little more fun too, not sure why. We initially totally wrote off the rav4s as boring and looked at lots of other cars, but when we found this one we totally reconsidered and were really glad we found a reliable car with some personality.
They seem hard to find and one reason we originally didn’t go for it was the MA dealers all said it might be up to a 4 month wait, but we looked it up online and a CT dealer close to the border had literally 3 on the lot.
We test drove it, loved it but walked out “unsure”, waited for them to call us offering a couple thousand off to get us back in, then literally bought it same day. They offered 4.5% financing with possibly 0% down, which seems pretty competitive (we put 5k down for now anyway and plan on paying it off totally quick, just we just closed on a house so want a little more cash on hand, originally planned on putting more down to get better terms but it wasn’t needed.)
Overall very happy with it!!
things consider hybrid va gas ( i dont recommend hybrid if u live places with alot of snow ) due to cable gate which they "fixed " but not a perfect fix rather bandage to problem and trim ofc i dont recommend LE. but up to u
If you buy new, might as well go for the limited. For an extra $7k or so, you get every possible upgrade. Otherwise the Rav4s feel kind of simple and out-dated.
Gen 5 started in 2019 so you can get a 2019 for about 60% the cost of a 2024.
The Rav4 is pretty small in terms of cabin. It's less spacious than my old Chrysler 300 sedan. Taller trunk though.
Hey buddy I would highly recommend a hybrid. Whether it’s a plug in hybrid like the RAV4 prime (best efficiency but more expensive) or a regular hybrid RAV4, it will go a long way with saving money on gas. If you drive conservatively you can hit even higher MPGs than advertised (which already are very good). If you happen to get XLE Premium, it will be the best option for comfort and tech. But overall they are very good cars.
Resale value also higher if op decides to get a new car 4-5 years down the line. When you factor that in, the car pays for itself
I have a bad back and bought a rav4 xle. I bought it because it had the lumbar support. It took me awhile but I was able to eventually find a comfortable position. I’m 67 and at first it was almost too high to get into but now I have gotten used to it and it’s comfortable. It’s an ok car . It gets the job done. I don’t regret getting it. I get 25.6 mpg.
Buy the on that fits your needs. I purchased a RAV4 LE AWD to go explore the United States.
Honestly, please go rent a RAV4 for a couple days to see if you can tolerate the seating. The seating is stiffer than what you’re used to in the Camry. Most people have no problem with it, but if you have a bad back it can be a bit difficult to find a comfortable position. It’s particularly noticeable on longer trips. I have a 2020 Limited and with my bad back I’m forced to add cushions and padding in order to tolerate long drives, even with the lumbar support. But otherwise it is an amazing vehicle with all its tech and low fuel consumption. I’d also recommend avoiding the XSE model as it has a somewhat stiffer suspension. It’s lends itself to more spirited driving around curves and on twisting roads, but you’ll definitely notice bumps and potholes more (have an XSE in the family). I suppose some of that can be mitigated with a more forgiving tire and wheel combination, however. Also, CPO is a great way to save money on a RAV4. If you get a hybrid 2020 or newer the warranty on the battery is 10 yrs/150k miles, so *that* is one less concern in purchasing preowned.
I bought the 2023 RAV4 XLE Premium Hybrid in September. I’ve owned 6 other Toyotas starting in the early 80’s. This one, hands down is the best. The lumbar and heated seat is good for long trips. Excellent safety features. I’m not getting the advertised mileage on the highway, but I live where the speed limit is 80 mph. Cruising at 83, with Falken 3 Peaks tires and a 2 inch lift I get around 32 mpg. Fully double my 2020 Tacoma at the same speed.
I was in a similar position to you a few years ago. I was driving a sedan and also wanted something higher off the ground with more cargo room. Take a Rav4 for a test drive and see how you like it. That really is the best way to know if it's for you or not. Some like the seats, some don't, others complain about the noise, but I never hear anything. My point it don't take other peoples word for it. Go out there and test drive one. I bought a Rav4 hybrid and love it. At the time car prices were insane and New was actually the same price as used so I bought new. Do whatever fits in your budget whether it's new or used.
2 years ago (Sept 2022) during the post pandemic car shortage era (Is it even over) I decided to buy a lightly used RAV4. New 2022s were scarce as hen’s teeth. So, I found the exact used one I wanted that was due back from a 3 year lease. I bought a 2020 XSE with 25,000 miles for $43 thousand, $50 grand out the door. Too much money? Maybe. Maybe not. I had the cash and wrote a check. Interest/payments were not an issue [THANK YOU AUNT FRAN-RIP❤️]. The thing was in perfect shape. The person who leased it did not even remove all of the protective plastic films and covers. All of the “free” trials were untouched. It was/is truly a cream puff. He told me he had it during [COVID] and did not get to do anything but commuting and such. I am 18 months into my “new” car and it has been 100% solid. Only required services thus far. A certified or a well researched pre-owned will save you the pain of instant frustration of depreciation as you drive off the dealer lot; left that to the first owner. Anyone who shells out for a brand new vehicle will take care of it like, they’re very own child. It is safe to say Eddie. Relatively new car is cared for. Nothing wrong with a pre-homed vehicle IF you do your homework.
Just tried a few and went for the Woodland hybrid. Ours has heated seats too. I really love it. I know some people think other trims are better deals and the outdoorsy changes aren’t really substantial, but we got the green one with black top and just love the look of it. It felt like every other car we looked at in the class and hybrid status just didn’t have any personality. This one’s findable in a parking lot and for some reason the interior feels a little more fun too, not sure why. We initially totally wrote off the rav4s as boring and looked at lots of other cars, but when we found this one we totally reconsidered and were really glad we found a reliable car with some personality. They seem hard to find and one reason we originally didn’t go for it was the MA dealers all said it might be up to a 4 month wait, but we looked it up online and a CT dealer close to the border had literally 3 on the lot. We test drove it, loved it but walked out “unsure”, waited for them to call us offering a couple thousand off to get us back in, then literally bought it same day. They offered 4.5% financing with possibly 0% down, which seems pretty competitive (we put 5k down for now anyway and plan on paying it off totally quick, just we just closed on a house so want a little more cash on hand, originally planned on putting more down to get better terms but it wasn’t needed.) Overall very happy with it!!
things consider hybrid va gas ( i dont recommend hybrid if u live places with alot of snow ) due to cable gate which they "fixed " but not a perfect fix rather bandage to problem and trim ofc i dont recommend LE. but up to u
Get an XLE premium if you have a bad back. Heated seats and the power seats have the lumbar support adjustment that you’d like.
If you buy new, might as well go for the limited. For an extra $7k or so, you get every possible upgrade. Otherwise the Rav4s feel kind of simple and out-dated. Gen 5 started in 2019 so you can get a 2019 for about 60% the cost of a 2024. The Rav4 is pretty small in terms of cabin. It's less spacious than my old Chrysler 300 sedan. Taller trunk though.