Is Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Cruiser Worth The Price ?

Hi OzBargainers, I am wanting to buy a new car and was considering buying the Toyota RAV 4 Cruiser.

However keeping in mind the wait time (8-10 months) and with the new model launching in February 2022, is it worth preordering the RAV4 Cruiser. Approx. price would be around $50000+/- . Or one should wait for some other hybrid cars to appear in the market as this will provide more options with the price range. I was also considering getting a demo clearance RAV4 Hybrid Cruiser, but keeping in mind the demand and supply I don’t think Demo cars would be available.

Just wanting to understand if it is worth to buy the car around $50,000 or I should wait and once the cars are back to normal level stock the price will reduce?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

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Comments

    • +2

      Wtf are you on about? 😂 WA pays the highest stamp duty, and our most expensive awd Cruiser is ~$54k drive away

    • +2

      Pretty much everything you’ve said is wrong. The Toyota website shows a 2WD Cruiser Hybrid for $50,420 D/A in NSW.

      Also the only model with a regular auto transmission is the Edge non hybrid variant, which is $55,876 D/A.

      • +1

        👍👍👍

  • -1

    get an older model for 35k

  • +3

    Why not consider Plug-in Hybrid so you have the option of fully electric for short-range and petrol for long-range

    I would consider Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV with 10 years factory warranty for the same price as the RAV Hybrid

    • Cause Toyota's been in the hybrid games for years and they're quite well known for it.

      • -2

        That logic is not always true. If we apply the same logic then,
        Toyota should be better than Tesla and
        Nissan should be better than Tesla (Nissan March EV has been out there for a long time)

        • +1

          Tesla don't make hybrids.

          Also Nissan isn't known for their EVs. Sure they've been in it longer but their reputation isn't they make the best EVs.

          • @Munki: Toyota does not sell PHEV in Australia. PHEV is big upgrade over regular hybrids as:
            (1) Most will be able to use EV mode for short trips and need to use petrol only for long trips resulting in greater savings
            (2) those with solar will be able to charge their vehicle without having to export for pennies under the new feed in tariffs

          • +1

            @Munki: In the EV world Nissan is seen as pioneer of EVs, and the Leaf is a bullet proof car in all respects outside the passively cooled battery, which was a conscious design choice (albeit a poor one in most peoples opinions). Ask any owner, they would happily buy another Nissan EV if they provided more options

            • @Jackson: That's like saying Toyota's are bulletproof except their engines die quickly. Good batteries are the cornerstone of a good EV, Nissan stuffed up real bad and most of their former customers are Tesla owners now.

              • +1

                @Dogsrule: Well, not really. The economics of a Leaf are still great compared to ICE vehicles, practically no servicing or petrol and 9 year old cars still have more range than most city folks daily round trip and feel as tight as new, so they are still quite economical. The issue is that compared to actively cooled batteries they suck, so yes people are leaning towards Tesla, Hyundai and practically anyone else. Nissan has seen the light though and all their new models will have active cooling and drop chademo for CCS. Plenty of people had concerns about electric motors and they were completely unfounded. Since the 24kWh leaf the chemistry has changed and the batteries have gotten larger, so a 10 to 15 year battery life is more like at least 15 to 20 potentially. In that time most people are saving 2k a year in petrol and 1k in servicing, and then a new battery for about 10k to bring the car back to new might not sound like too much (and it may even be cheaper by then)

                • @Jackson: The Leaf was over $50K when it came out (and still is now) while a Corolla started at low $20k. Add in a $10k battery replacement, and that Leaf would never, ever beat the Corolla on a TCO basis, even if electricity was free and nothing else went wrong with it. The $35K difference in purchase price and battery costs buys more petrol and servicing than the Corolla would ever need in its life, and that's putting aside the Corollas advantages in driving range and resale value.

                  Not much has changed today, even with a Corolla hybrid at ~$30k. The $23k difference in purchase price will never be made up over the Leaf's lifespan, and that's not counting the inevitable battery replacement. And guess what - you still can't use them for a roadtrip without huge delays to your trip due to their terrible thermal problems:

                  https://cleantechnica.com/2021/04/23/nissan-leaf-still-not-s…

                  I'm very pro EV, I love my Model 3, but EV's like the Leaf give the whole concept a bad rep. The Leaf sucked/sucks, period.

                  • +1

                    @Dogsrule: The initial price is high for sure, but a car kept for 15 years while saving a 3k/year is 45k in savings. That the price many people paid for the car (the lowest it hit new was $39990). Even the early 24kWh Leaf looks like it's battery will make 15 years as long as the range doesn't force people to upgrade it (and yes I am talking city people, regional people I know with he car have already spent on upgrades of the battery or vehicle). Comparing a 20k Corollas is disingenuous as it's no where as well equipped as a Leaf, a friend has a 4 year old base model and it's not a patch inside on the original 10 year old Leaf as far as standard equipment. If we are comparing it should be apples to apples, so Corolla should be starting closer to 30k. Also say you buy a Leaf battery at 15 years, it will be at least 30kW and the pay back will be much faster than he initial car.

                    I don't want to sound like I am defending Nissan, AFAIC they have been terrible, but the car itself is excellent. Go on any Leaf groups and you will see how loved the car is.

                    • @Jackson:

                      but a car kept for 15 years while saving a 3k/year is 45k in savings.

                      According to the ABS, the average Australian motorist does about 13,000km/year. Up until 2 months ago, ULP91 has averaged $1.35L since 2012, and a city driven 2012 Corolla will use about 8L/100km. 130X8X1.35= $1404 of fuel. Add in $500 of servicing and repairs per year (being generous) and an average motorist will spend $1904 per year on that old Corolla. Electricity cost for the Leaf will be 130 X 15k/Wh per 100km X 15c/kW/h (off peak TOU tariff) =$292 per year. I'll be generous and give the Leaf no servicing cost. The Leaf will save $1900-292= $1612 per year, for a total saving of $24180 over 15 years.

                      So, Corolla at $23K + $24K fuel and servicing = $47K TCO over 15 years (minus tyres, rego, insurance + other costs common to both ICEV and EV)

                      Being very generous and assuming you snagged a Leaf at the historical low price of $40K:

                      $40K + $4.4K electricity + $10K battery replacement = $54.4K TCO

                      It still doesn't add up even being miserly toward the Corolla and generous toward the Leaf. Plus after all of that you're stuck with a car that has 150km of real world range (24kW/h battery). No out of city trips for you now without hiring another vehicle.

                      Comparing a 20k Corollas is disingenuous as it's no where as well equipped as a Leaf,

                      And yet, the Corolla its own very significant advantage that is highly valued by most people - range. If I were to use your style of comparison, we should be comparing the Corolla to the $65K Leaf e+ which goes some way to matching that advantage.

                      I don't want to sound like I am defending Nissan, AFAIC they have been terrible, but the car itself is excellent. Go on any Leaf groups and you will see how loved the car is.

                      I've been on the Tesla forums and have seen the blind defense of glaring issues with Tesla vehicles, so I've learnt not to pay attention to zealots of any vehicle brand, despite being a Tesla owner myself. If I have issues with mine, you can bet I'll be here telling everyone about it, but I doubt the Leaf enthusiasts will be as honest. Anyway, the Leaf is pretty much history now, hopefully Nissan does better with their new EV's.

                      • @Dogsrule: I have been wanting to respond to this but it's too long :) Try not to accuse people of bias and then be biased. Petrol hasn't been 1.32 until 2 months ago, it's been bouncing up to 1.70 on occasions since the pandemic began. 13k might be the Avg, but it's not the median, that's around 15k I reckon but no time to verify. I will take the leaf no servicing cost, because really if you don't service it until 150k or 15 years you will be fine (at 15 years you need to change the coolant) . Then you are including the 10k for the new battery, you shouldn't be, that battery will be buying you another 20 years by then to make your money back. It would be fairer to say what the market value is at that stage, but that's hard to say. You are also forgetting that people charge all over the place for free, and at home for free using solar. It's a very small stretch, so count out least half the electricity cost. 500 bucks a year for servicing and repairs if an ICE car? I dont think so, what's the service interval for a 2012, it can't be more than 6 months 7500, that's 2 services a year, plus what about when it hits 100k, now we have major serving costs, easily 1k. Not to mention at 10 years you have alternators, starter motors, led acid battery at 5 years, brakes which don't last as long as with EVs since no regen. All this adds up

                        I guess what I would say the upshot of this is EVs give you an amazing opportunity to game the crap out of the system, but you need to use it. Most people I know getting Leafs now are buying Jap imports for between 20-40k depending on if they get 30-62kW batteries, so the economics of those is even better. Not to mention the no emissions at the tailpipe, better fuel security, and better for the environment, the main reason for people getting them. For most people that's enough, even without the better driving experience, no visits to the petrol station

                        • @Jackson:

                          I have been wanting to respond to this but it's too long detailed and thorough :)

                          Try not to accuse people of bias and then be biased. Petrol hasn't been 1.32 until 2 months ago, it's been bouncing up to 1.70 on occasions since the pandemic began.

                          https://fleetautonews.com.au/historical-pump-prices-in-austr…

                          Average price of ULP has been $135.9 from 2010 to 2020, the most recent yearly record.

                          13k might be the Avg, but it's not the median, that's around 15k I reckon but no time to verify.

                          A 1 min Google search was too time consuming for you? You've got it the wrong way around, the median for passenger cars is lower than the average, not higher due to commercial vehicles travelling much longer distances dragging the average up. Oh, and I was actually wrong, the average for passenger vehicles is down to 11,000km per year from 13,000 last I checked:

                          https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/industry/tourism-and-trans…

                          You are also forgetting that people charge all over the place for free, and at home for free using solar. It's a very small stretch, so count out least half the electricity cost.

                          Do most people work from home during the day so they can charge from their solar energy when the sun is out? For the people who don't work at home, do they have free chargers at their work carpark? Come on now…

                          Then you are including the 10k for the new battery, you shouldn't be, that battery will be buying you another 20 years by then to make your money back

                          No, that battery was consumed to get you that X years/X km of driving and is included in the TCO up until that point. If you don't spend that $10k, the car has no utility value and therefore resale value - off to the crusher it goes, then you include the full purchase cost of the car in your TCO as depreciation, which would be even worse than my original calculation.

                          500 bucks a year for servicing and repairs if an ICE car? I dont think so, what's the service interval for a 2012, it can't be more than 6 months 7500, that's 2 services a year, plus what about when it hits 100k, now we have major serving costs, easily 1k. Not to mention at 10 years you have alternators, starter motors, led acid battery at 5 years, brakes which don't last as long as with EVs since no regen. All this adds up

                          Yeah pretty much, maybe a bit more if you're unlucky/especially rough on your cars. Intervals for the old ones are 6 months/10k, new ones are 12 months/15k. Again, this is a Corolla we're talking about, they're pretty famous for going big distances with just fluid and filter changes, and don't forget that Leaf's also have a lead acid battery for the control electronics and accessories, even my Model 3 does. The brake thing is a fair point, negated if you buy a Corolla hybrid. My old Prius still has its original brake pads at 350,000km due to regen.

                          Most people I know getting Leafs now are buying Jap imports for between 20-40k depending on if they get 30-62kW batteries, so the economics of those is even better.

                          That's not a viable solution for the mainstream. There are only so many cheap Jap imports available to purchase, Nissan need to price both variants of the locally sold Leaf at least $10K cheaper and put a liquid cooled battery in to prevent a $10K bill 10 years later. Like I said though, its too late now, Tesla, Hyundai, Polestar and even MG have stolen Nissan's thunder and shown everybody how EV's should be done.

                          • @Dogsrule: ok you've referenced some good material, the reasons it takes time is because the first thing I tried to verify was the Corolla service intervals and costs which actually isn't easy when looking up 2012 models, because it's ages ago and no one cares about old cars. From what I can tell the interval is 7500 and 6 months, so we'll take 6 months. Getting costs was even harder, nothing online for that model, so I spoke (yes, involved me picking up the phone, such is my dedication to ozbargain and because you are clearly making a good effort, which I appreciate) and I was told 6 months and standard is $295 and major is $1200. The interval on the major service I was given was only 40k km. So if we take 300 x 2 per year = 600, then add in the major service and in 15 years (195k@15 years) we're talking an additonal $3200, which bring my calc to about $21,000. Still not including pads etc. I presume which are only changed when worn. Now I'm not the sort of person to use factory services at the dealer outside of warranty, but they are the costs should people do so.

                            On the petrol side, it would be good if you went from 2012, since the first 2 years will be surely bringing the price only down, not sure by how much

                            Regarding kms, maybe I was drinking salesmen cool aid when I thought 15k km/year was average, or maybe it's just where I live, but there's at least a few months of lock down in those figures so it probably was higher previously (if you can find those numbers?)

                            Most people don't work from home, but at the same time most people only need to charge their car (with such low kms as you quoted) once or twice a week depending on battery size and distance travelled, so if they charge on the weekend it will go most of the week. Plenty of places e.g. westfields have park and charge, where if you are shopping for a few hours on the weekend you can come back to a full car.

                            Regarding lead acid battery, yes Leaf does have one, but most leaf owners I know are still on the first one from new, and that's going back to 2012 now so 9 years, it will be interesting to see how long that lasts, I know a couple of people who've changed their's, but I don't know the history of those batteries (e.g. were they left flat for ages).

                            We definitely agree on the need for battery thermal management, it sucks not having it. On the residual price, currently second hand leafs from 2012 are fetching comparable prices to Corolla from the same year, so the car isn't a total write off.

                            On the regen side, early models of Leaf ease up on the regen to 'protect' the battery. I don't know how much protection it actually gets, but it would be nice to know the detail on that. Again, I'm maintaining that it's close enough when worked the right way that someone who considers the benefit to the environment and other factors can still make the jump and not feel out of pocket. Another point is that when in a 2 car family and one doesn't use petrol, you tend to use that one when you can (maybe not in your situation?) which would increase the benefit of the EV. What might be a more interesting comparison in this day would be the RAV4 vs the MG ZS EV, as they are closer in style cars, albeit the MG may not be as refined.

                            • @Jackson: You make some good points, and I appreciate that the Leaf was pretty good back when it came out, but time has passed it by, some of the engineering (cost?) choices Nissan made back then have not panned out so well in retrospect, and Nissan have not done much to correct those decisions.

                              Yeah a subset of people whose driving requirements fall within a certain band can do well with a used Leaf, but new ones are hopelessly outclassed by the competition, and remember, we have to transition our entire fleet of ICE’s to electric over the coming years. The Leaf is not suitable for that task, even as a niche player.

                              Hopefully their new gen of EV’s catch up to the competition and offer a good value proposition to mainstream buyers, we sure need it.

            • @Jackson: Could not agree more. Although the range of Nissan Leaf was not great, nevertheless it was revolutionary at the time of its introduction in 2010.

              Hybrid was a great option in the era of Petrol only vehicles but now there are better cost-competitive options.

              • @utsc: There are definitely no better cost-competitive alternatives than Toyota hybrids in 2021. No EV comes close to a Corolla/Camry hybrid on a TCO basis. EV's can be shopped against ICE competitors in their own price range and be clearly superior, but those price ranges are still too high for mainstream buyers in the class of vehicle they are seeking. And no, a Ranger Wildtrak is not class comparable to a Model 3 SR+, despite having similar price tags.

                • +1

                  @Dogsrule: Sorry for not being very clear. I agree that Tesla is much better than Nissan leaf but cited Leaf as an example that the first to introduce a new technology does not mean that they always remain ahead.

                  My post was primarily related to the advantages of the cost-competitive PHEV vs Hybrid.

                  My view is that an Outlander PHEV is cost-competitive compared to RAV 4 Hybrid

                  • @utsc: Fair enough, I don't mind the Outlander PHEV actually, but do they go the distance? I'm not sure, but I am sure that a RAV4 hybrid will be completely reliable, cheap to service and have excellent resale value based on Toyota's lengthy history of hybrid excellence. If I had to recommend one to a family member, it would be the RAV4.

                    • @Dogsrule: Toyota definitely has a better resale value

                      However, Mitsubishi has a 10 factory warranty and has capped price servicing. I wish Toyota did the same

                      • @utsc: You do have to service exclusively at Mitsubishi dealerships to get the 10 years though, the ACCC has confirmed that Mitsu can legally stipulate that as a condition. The capped price servicing gets pretty expensive as time goes on as well.

    • On paper this sounds great but PHEV owners will get taxed twice: One with fuel excise at the bowser, one with Road Use charges for EVs.

      I’ve been interested in PHEV technology as well but the economics just don’t add up yet.
      The logic has been that I can run it in EV mode for most work days and use petrol on long road trips.

      • +1

        Not if you travel less than 80kms a day you may never have to fill up. Is PHEV still taxed as an EV?

        • In Victoria they are.

  • +2

    I think Plug In Hybrid are the way of the future in Australia due to our long distances. I'd wait for one of those.

    • +1

      The new Outlander Plug In Hybrid will be awesome. Full family size, 5 + 2 seats, true EV drivetrain, petrol for range-anxiety, cheap, and it’s a really nice car. Made in Japan for bonus points.

  • Ordered ours in Dec 2020 and picked it up in Jan 2021, paid 50k with AWD as well.
    From memory adding Hybrid was an extra 4k which I still think is worth it.
    Better fuel economy, no annoying stop-start, runs off battery when stopped and low speeds. (go up the driveway at night and doesn't wake the doggo's)
    Couple of things I don't like but overall very happy with it and importantly, so is the missus.

  • Side topic but what sort of household income do people think warrants spending $50k on a car? My vote is $200k minimum.

    • Cars are seen as a status symbol, I’d say people would generally buy something “better” than what they need/should buy. For example I know of several low income families, with landcruiser 300’s.

      • if you earned $200k a RAV4 is a bit downmarket

        the reality is many people just put a deposit on one and just take 5yr loans. If the monthly is bearable then good for you.

        OR

        they roll it into their mortgage

        • they roll it into their mortgage

          How do you do that?

          • @Kangal: what happens is that if you have say a $250,000 mortgage left on your house.

            You can now make it $300,000 and get your $50k RAV4 and your mortgage increases from say $1,500 a month to say $1,750 a month.

            Not recommened IMO but I'm not your financial advisor and obviously those figures are made up.

            • @tonyjzx: They stopped doing that a long time ago. At least as far as I know.
              You cannot withdraw more from your mortgage unless it is related to the investment. Such as making renovations. And even then, banks want to see receipts and dockets. This is to force people to go for loans appropriate to the purchase; Car Loan for cars, Business Loan for work, Credit Cards for gifts, etc etc. The interest rates on those products are usually higher than mortgages, and the banks don't want to lose out on those profits.

              Unless you were trying to say something else, and I've misunderstood.

              • +1

                @Kangal: It’s pretty easy to get around those requirements. Simply refinance with another provider for $X more than your current mortgage balance, they will then deposit $X into your offset account upon settlement which you can withdraw for any purpose.

                Several work colleagues have done that recently.

        • -4

          if you earned $200k a RAV4 is a bit downmarket

          Why? It's a lot of money to be spending on a depreciating asset. I don't understand how so many people are comfortable spending so much on a car.

          I earn more than that and splashed out $22k for a 2 year old car a little while ago and thought that was a bit excessive to be honest.

        • +1

          I knew a guy who was on 500k and bought a white Corolla hatch in Standard trim. He was 6 and a half feet tall too. He had it for at least 4 years. I pride myself on being economical but even that was too tight for me

          • @Jackson: sounds like my kinda bloke (and a real ozbargain hero).

            have an upvote

      • +1

        I mean to be fair, the Landcruiser doubles as a dwelling for when your house gets repoed.

    • +1

      Depends entirely on the person - I love cars, I'd spend 50% of my salary on one if I could, others wouldn't spend 10
      It's all relative…

    • each to their own, but people who spend loads on cars (high yield investment A45 AMG) or buy big fuel guzzlers (Landcriusers for picking up the kids from school) then complain about cost of living, fuel prices, poverty, on the breadline etc can go and get themselves fuked

      most new cars these days are ultra reliable with the minimum maintenance as required by the warranty and service manual (yep even those shitty great wall cars)

  • Eclipse PHEV

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kWoW-dc66g

    But also Mitsu was caught fudging fuel figures, so I dunno.

  • +2

    Have you checked out the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV - Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (https://www.mitsubishi-motors.com.au/vehicles/outlander-phev…)
    Means you can travel up to 130km/hr on full electric and can go around 50km on electric/ battery. Toyota hybrids the engine kicks in after getting up to about 50km/hr.
    Check it out you might be surprised and they might be giving some good deals as new outlander out this year.

  • +5

    If you want a hybrid, buy the RAV4. Every other manufacturers hybrid system sucks compared to Toyota’s, they’ve been doing it for 24 years and made over 17 million of them now.

    They have a basically unlimited lifespan aside from the HV battery which lasts around 12-14 years. $3k replacement when that happens, then drive another 12-14 years. My 2010 Prius (donated to a family member) is at 350K kilometres and drives like new. Nothing but fluid and filter changes and still on the original HV battery, 4.5L/100km lifetime fuel consumption.

    • +2

      +1
      there's a reason why so many taxis are Priuses. Because they are built like a damn tank.

      • +1

        Yep, Camry hybrids as well, plenty on Gumtree with 6-700,000km on the clock.

        • +2

          Agreed. We have a Camry hybrid from 2011. Gets on average 6-7 L/100 km from mixed city/highway driving. Excellent manoeuvrability, accel, decel. The money saved from the hybrid technology (battery not yet replaced) offset the initial upfront cost from about 3-4 years mixed city/highway driving.

          I only complain about the touchscreen/Bluetooth system… first world problems! Also the USB connection/ports are flimsy. Then there's the terrible sound system…more first world problems.

          Anyway, it's done so well for our family so we invested in another hybrid!

          • +2

            @Bargains4lyfe: Easy to modernise the screen with aftermarket units if you're prepared to go down that route. Fascia kits easily available

          • +1

            @Bargains4lyfe: Nice one, did you get the new Camry Hybrid? I test drove one and was very impressed with the excellent ride quality, Toyota have really turned a corner with their suspension and chassis design. A work colleague gets under 5L/100km in his, absolutely fantastic for such a large and comfortable car.

            • +2

              @Dogsrule: Yep! We’re very happy with it so far but not sure about the mileage as yet because we’re not doing much with it… it appears about the same as your colleague’s, maybe a bit more in recent days with traffic returning to normal. Highly recommended.

  • +1

    Worth it, can give you a broker that is very popular in the RAV4 community.
    Have heard that there’s a lot of unallocated Edge Hybrids due early 2022.
    Otherwise the XSE would be a good alternative with shorter wait then the Cruiser.

  • +1

    prefer either gas or full electric.

    • Gas is too expensive, and sometimes hard to come by, these days.

    • Ive seen gas priced at around $1.10 at the moment

      Where as with 7/11 app and a bit of fudging I can get E10 for $1.40 at the moment.

      The savings of gas vs petrol are insignificant, but with the added stress that not everywhere sells auto gas

  • +1

    I had a ride in a rental and can understand the long line of orders. A quiet comfy compact suv, just what doc ordered.

  • I've been keen on getting a rav 4 hybrid, but in a GXL.

    Some friends of mine pointed out that we are on the cusp of changing technology and that within the next few years, more and more companies will be releasing cars that aren't petrol or hybrids, but straight EVs.

    They've said that with the world increasingly taking up EVs and with a projected lower demand in fuel going forward, OPEC might continue to restrict supply and force the fuel users to pay more per dollar for each litre of fuel.. With how petrol prices are expected to be manipulated, would it be feasible to keep a rav4 hybrid for more than 10-15 years?

    We've always been assuming that petrol will just rise with inflation, but is that a good assumption to make?

    • Hard to say tbh, on one hand yes OPEC probably will, on the other hand doing so would likely hasten oil retreat and improve cost differentials with other technology. Also seems more feasible a date will be added to phase out ICEs then Hybrids before then switching to EV. Battery tech is good rn but i still think it's worth waiting 7-10 years anyway as you'd rather a gen 2 and a lot is currently happening behind the scenes.

      • yeah, probably won't be able to wait that long for a new car, my old corolla is on its last legs lol

  • +1

    Better get Kluger Hybrid GX model (around 55k)

    • +1

      Actually looking into a Kluger Hybrid, but in true Toyota fashion, their internals seem so dated.

      • +1

        Agreed. However, If you compare Kluger with other Toyota cars, its much better :)

    • Besides the size, why would you go from a top of the range to an entry level…?

        1. No. of seats
        2. More Power
        3. Drive is better
        4. More leg space
        5. Better Interior and Exterior

        Even in base model of Kluger you get everything except:
        1. Seats - Leather, Heated
        2. Sun roof (Which is very small in Rav 4)
        3. JBL Sound System

        • +2

          More Power

          11kW/21Nm, yet car is 300kg heavier

          Drive is better

          See above. Power to weight is actually better on the RAV4

          Better Interior and Exterior

          Subjective, but in top trim it's nicer than bottom trim.

          Even in base model of Kluger you get everything except:
          1. Seats - Leather, Heated
          2. Sun roof (Which is very small in Rav 4)
          3. JBL Sound System

          360 Panoramic View Monitor
          Wireless Phone Charging
          Heated & Ventilated Seats with 2 person memory, electric driver & passenger
          Roof rails
          7" MID
          Sat-Nav
          Back-Guide Monitor
          Wireless Phone Charging

          Oh and Kluger needs 95 RON, RAV4 is tuned for 91 RON…

          • @spackbace: I'm using both so I know about the Drive :) Kluger is much much better than Rav4

            Look like you just booked Rav4 :)

            • @MrBeast: Check the associated tag ;)

              • +1

                @spackbace: Anyone can select that tag :) Still it does not tell which is better :D

                • +2

                  @MrBeast: If you need 7 seats, then the Kluger GX. For all other purposes, the RAV4 Cruiser.

                  • @spackbace: what about the Rav4 GX or GXL? Or is it worth spending a bit extra for the Cruiser?

                    • @pippohippo: GXL over the GX but all comes down to budget

                      • @spackbace: Thanks! Either of the 3 models is within budget. Upgrading from a 2011 Corolla and 2000 Camry so we've been out of the car market for a very long time and unsure of all the new features and if they're worth it or if people really use all of it. The most sophiscated feature is Bluetooth calls and cd player on the corolla!

                        Also, we mainly do simple road trips and mainly inner suburb driving - is it worth getting the AWD hybrid model?

                        • @pippohippo: Not really, unless you want the extra towing ability (1.5T). Others will chime in about the benefits of AWD, and the added power, but meh it's an extra 3k as well.

                          Consider the XSE if you want something that looks different, as it'll have a black roof and black wheels (same alloys as Cruiser)

                          • @spackbace: Is the XSE the camry?

                            I was looking more at the rav4 because of the hatchstyle boot storage. After getting the corolla, we noticed it can store more things than the Camry by putting the seats down and being "opened"

                            edit: nevermind, found it as the 2022 model

                    • @pippohippo: I drove and looked at both the GX and GXL rav4 hybrid

                      Nothing the GXL offered over the GX made me want to part ways with more money to get one (additional 4k)

                      They both drive the same, I bought the GX in the end.

                      the main differences I took away from the GX vs GXL were; different fancy wheels, different reversing camera, "premium seats", "premium oval tail pipes", smart entry, privacy glass and a few other worthless items (like wireless phone charging)… GX has the ability to upgrade to a normal sized spare wheel, where as the GXL has no ability for this and must stay with the space saver.

                      Looking at toyotas published RRP prices, the price difference between the hybrid GX and GXL is $4,000

                      premium seats is pointless as anyone with kids will get aftermarket seat covers and cover that up
                      privacy glass.. I just got aftermarket window tinting

                      • @MrThing: Are you happy with your GX? 2WD?

                        • @chrig: very - who couldn't be happy with 5lt/100km

                          usual Toyota quality - simple, reliable and functional without unnecessary tack

                  • @spackbace: Are you saying the Kluger Hybrid Grande isn't worth it?

                    • @Munki: When? The question posed was for Kluger GX instead of RAV4 cruiser

                      • @spackbace: Ah, OK. Then comparing the different Kluger range, is the Hybrid Grande good value? I do like the features from what I can see…Just wondering if the Hybrid vs V6 petrol drive any differently?

  • +1

    I bought brand new RAV Hybrid basic model in July-2019 for $39k.
    It's spacious and very good on mileage. We are loving it.

    • +1

      Fyi they've had at least 2 price rises since then

      • oh ok.. sorry but that's a good surprise :)
        any idea how much they are selling the basic Hybrid model now?

        • https://www.toyota.com.au/rav4/prices

          Add $1k for Sat-Nav (was standard on your car, not any more as of this month)

          • @spackbace: Thanks

          • @spackbace: @spackbace - are you seeing any discounts on the XSE? I was told by a Qld based dealer to follow up with my employer about a form b and head back there.

            • @jj212: We don't discount much

              Form B is if you're entitled to novated lease or a car allowance

  • +2

    They are absolutely worth it.

    The fact that people are paying $55K - $63K for a second hand one, rather than wait 6-12 months, says it all.

    • +2

      It does say a lot does it, that's people have more money than sense, and we live in a world of instant gratification

      • The market is the market mate

  • Depends on what you are upgrading from and what are your expectations for it. For me, I did not like it. The boot-space was really small and inside was not very comfortable either for what you pay. (I had a corolla 13 hatch back then).

    • +2

      Boot space isn't small compared to a Corolla…

      Corolla hatch - 280L
      RAV4 - 580L

      • Not one to one yes. But upgrading from a corolla, it didnt seem like it’s worthy enough. Having owned a corolla, rav4 was what I was thinking first, but space, tech and features was a big let down.
        I briefly considered Edge, but then it occurred to me at that point it defeats the purpose of owning a rav4.
        Hopefully in 4-5 years time with solid state batteries next car can be a toyota 🤓

  • +1

    Well, now you need to pay $47.5k for a Honda Civic. RAV4 looks like a much better deal for $50k after all?

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