Excel vs Dynamic trim

[PeteB]

24 minutes ago, ernieb said:

@PeteB, suggest you look at Michelin CrossClimates as an alternative to an all year around tyre.

Thanks.  I've been pretty happy with my Vredestein Quatrac 5 SUV tyres so far, they ticked all the boxes you mention except I've haven't seen them really tested in snow.

IIRC the Michelins wouldn't work because of the full size spare wheel - this ruled out a number of makes, and many were directional, and I think some had another reason but a can't remember what it was.  But also, a previous experience with Michelin means I avoid them at all costs.  I'll discuss it privately if you're really interested.

[PeteB]

18 minutes ago, Au175 said:

What’s the stereo like on the stock system? I require bass but according to some forums even the jbl is sub standard

I tried my USB stick during a 2 day test drive in a RAV4 with the standard audio system, although mine has the JBL upgrade (which I didn't  actually want, just had to have it to get the panoramic camera system).

Everyone will have their own measure of what is good or bad in a sound system, but I remember thinking the stock system sounded pretty good.  That said, I don't think my hearing is particularly sophisticated.  The upgraded system that I have gets 9 Speakers (not sure how many the stock system has) including a pretty large woofer in the boot.  TBH I didn't notice it to be any better that the base system.

The one disappointment I have is that unlike previous Toyotas I've driven sine 2012 the system wouldn't recognised playlists on my USB stick.  Fortunately, it does work with playlists on a copy of my music library on my phone via bluetooth, but that's a bit less convenient.

[ernieb]

I have the standard Toyota Speakers in my car and I’m not particularly happy with the quality especially with the spoken word, I like audio books. I’m not the type to go over the top with car setups as I can not usually see the  point it’s hardly the environment for decent HIFi. In an attempt to improve the middle/top range I’ve ordered some JBL Speakers to replace those fitted in the windscreen area. This is a replacement that had been done by a number on the US forums with an improvement in clarity, it’s  reversible. I’ll report how it goes if anyone is interested?

[PeteB]

2 hours ago, Au175 said:

What’s the stereo like on the stock system? I require bass but according to some forums even the jbl is sub standard

Is it possible to get a test drive and take some music with you so you can check for yourself?

[Au175]

12 minutes ago, PeteB said:

Is it possible to get a test drive and take some music with you so you can check for yourself?

Yes, I’m test driving one on Monday. They said I could take it home or wherever for an hour.

[PeteB]

Just now, Au175 said:

Yes, I’m test driving one on Monday. They said I could take it home or wherever for an hour.

Great.  Be interested to hear what you think.

[Au175]

10 minutes ago, PeteB said:

Great.  Be interested to hear what you think.

Anything I should be looking out for which could potentially be an issue/annoyance? I’m no expert, just need a nice cruiser, plenty space and something that can shift if required. I currently drive a bmw 320i M sport, obviously it’s a totally different type of ride so I’m under no illusions here but at my stage in life (40s) and with a young family, I need something more practical.

[Cyker]

While I'm not particularly impressed by the JBL system in my Mk4, one thing it doesn't lack for is bass (If anything it has too much bass as certain frequencies make the tinny doors rattle!)

[PeteB]

1 minute ago, Au175 said:

Anything I should be looking out for which could potentially be an issue/annoyance?

If you've not driven a Toyota/Lexus Hybrid before, make sure you can live with it.  For some people (like me!), it's addictive, other not so much.  I've had Hybrids since 2002 and done over 330,000 miles in them.  I've also 'chatted' (mostly online) with a lot of other owners and enthusiasts world-wide.

One theme that I and so many others have found is that, though they perform reasonably well (depending on what you've been used to and whether you're like Jeremy Clarkson [aka "Klaxon" in some older chat groups]), it has the effect of making you feel 'chilled'.  Many have found they don't go as fast, don't race away from lights as much, though they could if they wanted to.  That said, I see plenty being driven like bats out of hell!

If you give lifts to older relatives, or have taller family members particularly if they are less agile, check to see if the can get into front and rear passenger seats easily enough.  It's a comfortable car once inside, but I and a number of older friends find it hard getting in and out because the cushion is high relative to top of the door aperture.  I don't have a problem with the driver's seat because I used the 2 memory buttons to move the seat between driving and entry/exit position every time I enter or leave the car.

The bottom of the instrument screen is hard to read in many light conditions, so it's worth selecting the digital speedo from the menus.  It's near the top of the screen and better shielded by the small cowling.  Both screens are poor resolution and clarity by today's standards.

Other than that, just check out the things t5hat are important to you.

Before delivery, if it appeals, it worth asking the dealer to enable the feature that allows you to open all windows from outside by pressing and holding the fob's unlock button.  Holding the lock button closes any open windows.  For some reason this is disabled by default, and it can't be enabled via either of the car's screens.  Many dealers didn't even know this feature existed until I found it while wading through some thousand pages of e-manual!

Lots of things can be changed by the driver - it took me about 20 minutes to set all the features to my liking before setting off on the test drive and again when I took delivery of my car (and I know my way around the menus!).  In fact, when I took delivery of my previous Toyota, my salesman asked if he could sit in while I set everything up so he could check his knowledge of the cars systems!

[Heidfirst]

9 minutes ago, PeteB said:

In fact, when I took delivery of my previous Toyota, my salesman asked if he could sit in while I set everything up so he could check his knowledge of the cars systems!

On handover of my current Avensis the dealer's "product specialist" was meant to show it all to me but I showed him many things that he didn't know about the Avensis (it is my 3rd ...). He ended up asking if it was OK to phone me if he or a customer had any questions re. Avensis ... 🤣

[Cyker]

Mine just gave me the keys, took me to the car and left!

Thank smeg I had already test drove one at the other dealer's launch event some months before or I'd probably have been sat there trying to figure out how to start it   (This was my first 'automatic' and first keyless car! :O  It's a whole new world and it's full of stars!)

 

[PeteB]

2 minutes ago, Cyker said:

Mine just gave me the keys, took me to the car and left!

Thank smeg I had already test drove one at the other dealer's launch event some months before or I'd probably have been sat there trying to figure out how to start it   (This was my first 'automatic' and first keyless car! 😮 It's a whole new world and it's full of stars!)

 

The original Prius had a normal type ignition key.  You turned it though accessory, ignition, and to a start position like you would to operate the starter motor or a conventional car.  Just the briefest flick to the 'start' position put the car into READY Mode.

During 2003 a Toyota lady joined the Yahoo Prius chat group and invited some owners to a pre-launch event for the Gen 2 Prius.  They have us a nice buffet, some wine and let us crawl all over (but not drive) a left-hand-drive pre-production car.  They sat us down individually with marketing people and asked lots of questions.

The car they showed us had the keyless entry and start.  (and guess what - at the and of the afternoon, it's 12V Battery was flat!). 🤣

Six months later, the car hit the showrooms and I arranged a test drive.  The sales manager took me out to the car and ask a nice young lady from his sales team to accompany me.  Once in the car, she handed me the key fob and I confidently put my foot on the brake and pressed start.  Nothing happened.  After I tried several times, moving the key about, the young lady fetched the sales manager who popped the key into a slot in the dash and told me to "try now".  Of course, the start went into READY Mode.  Sheepishly I explained that the one I'd been shown had keyless entry, to which he replied he'd never heard of it.  It didn't appear in the UK for quite soem time after that.

But I felt such a chump!

[philip42h]

1 hour ago, Au175 said:

just need a nice cruiser, plenty space and something that can shift if required

Skip the test drive and just buy one! Seriously though, that is exactly what the RAV4.5 is - a spacious cruiser that can shift when required, but otherwise is very pleasant to dive in a relaxed manner. And, for a bus that size, the economy isn't bad either and it's reasonably well screwed together and well equipped for a mass produced car.

Yes, there are 'niggles' - "oh why did Toyota do that" - though I can't think of any off hand worth mentioning on the 4.5. And there are plenty of folk on here who wish it had this or that. But it's perfectly OK as it is. If there is anything that you really can't live without make a note before the test drive and check with the dealer / car that it is to your liking.

There's absolutely nothing difficult about driving one (OK, it is my third RAV4) - it's an automatic; you need to press the brake pedal when you press the button to make it start; after that you just drive it.

A 1 hour test drive is probably enough to know that it doesn't suit you, but nowhere near long enough to know that you really do - it's the kind of car that grows on you the more you drive it and you learn to live with it's quirks.

I never wanted a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) - it just wasn't on my spec list - but it was on the car I took for a test drive and I realised just how useful it was when I got back to the dealership car park. So, like Pete above, I'm 'stuck' with the JBL sound system as well ... shame. 🙂

[Cyker]

@PeteB - Ahahaha! I did the same thing!!! My dad's old Corolla Verso had the same keyless-but-not system, and the first time I borrowed it I assumed it was one of those newfangled keyless entry things but just couldn't get it to start. Dad came out and started laughing at me before pointing out the key slot...

 

[Saxacat]

I got mine in May, replacing my 2009 Volvo S60 D5. I'm really happy with the RAV, its very comfy, economical and can shift when I need it to. Yes, there's a couple of things missing that I'd like, wireless Android Auto mostly, and more functions on the MyT app, but I've certainly no regrets.

 

 

[Rav Rob]

4 hours ago, PeteB said:

Did you stay with the stock tyres, or switch to Winter or All-Seasons?

I used winter tyres from October to March in my last 2 cars, but on my RAV I've elected to try All-Seasons.

My dealer is still swapping them twice a year and storing the unused set, and when the original summer tyres have reached 3mm I'll decide whether to use All-Seasons all year or go back to summer and winter tyres.  It's making placement of the 5 tyres (I bought a full size matching alloy spare) interesting, as I'd like all 5 summer tyres to reach my preferred limit of 3mm at about the same time.

I've only had a couple of brief drives in moderate snow in the RAV and it seemed to cope reasonably well on the All-Seasons, but the jury's still out.  Whilst I'm not exactly hoping for bad winters, it would be useful to get another test or two before decision time.

The Outlander PHEV was stuck with stock tyres as company car, it was far harder to stop than other SUV I had with stock tyres, CR-V, Wife's Tucson. Its that extra half ton of Battery weight on PHEV's does it so yes winter tyres would be idea.  Not had the weather to try the standard (lighter!) RAV in snow yet.

Either way swore would never go 2WD ever again, not since that day in Merthyr Tydfil, the snow was unpredicted and epic, I was trying to get up a big hill in a Honda Accord but every time I got momentum people in front stopped and I lost it, frustrating. Then a fuel tanker further up started sliding down sideway and I shoved it into reverse and desperately scrambled out its way. Any 4WD as I found in later years could happily pick its way among the stranded and be on its way. The CR-V and me did well and kept working through many winters worst days.

[Au175]

Some fantastic pointers here, thank you everyone. It does sound like my type of car and exactly what I’m looking for…..a cruiser. I like most suvs in terms of the height and driving position, so as long as it drives well, then I’ll be getting one. Good point re the height of seating, I’ll have to see whether my parents are able to get in and out of it easily before pulling the trigger. 

[_dct_]

Cross referencing katashiki codes in Toyota official tech doc, Excel is the top trim whereas Dynamic is mid trim with an expensive option (bi-tone colour). This is for the normal hybrid as I haven’t looked at PHEV.

[Rigsby]

I had the “Excel v Dynamic” dilemma before opting for the Dynamic.

There we’re a few options on the Excel that I would class as “nice to have” such as 

Memory seats (but it’s only me that drives it so would probably never be used)

Heated Steering Wheel (had one on my last car, quite handy on occasions)

Leather seats (had them on my last car, but with grandkids and dogs, not really practical for me)

Windscreen wiper de-icer (sounds like a good idea)

Headlight washers (again, had them on my last car and weren’t that effective)

All I would list as nice to have but nothing than I couldn’t live without.

To me, the Dynamic stands out from the other versions with its bi-tone paintwork, black alloy wheels and its gloss black trim around the wheel arches, front and rear bumpers (which I think looks much better than the Matt trim)

Both models have a similar list price so Its all about personal choice, some may agree with me, many won’t, but I’m more than happy with my choice.

[Au175]

1 hour ago, Rigsby said:

I had the “Excel v Dynamic” dilemma before opting for the Dynamic.

There we’re a few options on the Excel that I would class as “nice to have” such as 

Memory seats (but it’s only me that drives it so would probably never be used)

Heated Steering Wheel (had one on my last car, quite handy on occasions)

Leather seats (had them on my last car, but with grandkids and dogs, not really practical for me)

Windscreen wiper de-icer (sounds like a good idea)

Headlight washers (again, had them on my last car and weren’t that effective)

All I would list as nice to have but nothing than I couldn’t live without.

To me, the Dynamic stands out from the other versions with its bi-tone paintwork, black alloy wheels and its gloss black trim around the wheel arches, front and rear bumpers (which I think looks much better than the Matt trim)

Both models have a similar list price so Its all about personal choice, some may agree with me, many won’t, but I’m more than happy with my choice.

What does bi-tone paint actually mean? I agree that it deffo looks better externally and some of the internal stuff on the excel are nice to haves but not essential. I have a fully loaded beemer and I hardly use any of the stuff, not even the sat naV as I find Google maps better. I would prefer real leather tho. Memory seats don’t bother me as I’m the driver 99% of the time. I was 50/50 On the gloss or Matt trims. I think the Matt trims blend better with decuma grey as otherwise they could look ‘cheap’.  Not sure how they look on white/Pearl white in person as that’s a colour option I’m also considering. The glossy trims may show scratches. It’s all swings and roundabouts. Think it comes to whether u want the exterior look or the internal luxuries, but that’s not to say that the excel doesn’t look good externally, it still does.

[Rigsby]

17 minutes ago, Au175 said:

What does bi-tone paint actually mean? I agree that it deffo looks better externally and some of the internal stuff on the excel are nice to haves but not essential. I have a fully loaded beemer and I hardly use any of the stuff, not even the sat naV as I find Google maps better. I would prefer real leather tho. Memory seats don’t bother me as I’m the driver 99% of the time. I was 50/50 On the gloss or Matt trims. I think the Matt trims blend better with decuma grey as otherwise they could look ‘cheap’.  Not sure how they look on white/Pearl white in person as that’s a colour option I’m also considering. The glossy trims may show scratches. It’s all swings and roundabouts. Think it comes to whether u want the exterior look or the internal luxuries, but that’s not to say that the excel doesn’t look good externally, it still does.

Bi-Tone basically means you get a metallic black with blue fleck Roof, Rear Spoiler and Door Mirrors.

You only get a choice of 4 Colour combinations on the Dynamic model, White Pearl, Silver Blade, Decuma Grey and Obsidian Blue all with the black as above.

I was drawn towards White Pearl and Obsidian Blue but the Pearlescent White / Black combo won the day.

[philip42h]

... and I'm pleased to see someone who chose the Dynamic 'defend' their choice - it is their choice.

I suspect that most would agree it would be better if Toyota allowed a selection of "option packs" rather than the fixed grades (Excel and Dynamic). We could then have:

• A 'plus' pack - that provides the features that are common to the Excel and Dynamic in addition to the Design
• A 'comfort' pack - that provides the additional creature comfort features of the Excel
• A 'style' pack - that provides the styling features of the Dynamic
• A 'premium' pack - that provides the extra extras like the pan-roof etc. (as indeed we do / did)

But that's not how Toyota chose to do it ... 😉

[Rigsby]

4 minutes ago, philip42h said:

... and I'm pleased to see someone who chose the Dynamic 'defend' their choice - it is their choice.

I suspect that most would agree it would be better if Toyota allowed a selection of "option packs" rather than the fixed grades (Excel and Dynamic). We could then have:

• A 'plus' pack - that provides the features that are common to the Excel and Dynamic in addition to the Design
• A 'comfort' pack - that provides the additional creature comfort features of the Excel
• A 'style' pack - that provides the styling features of the Dynamic
• A 'premium' pack - that provides the extra extras like the pan-roof etc. (as indeed we do / did)

But that's not how Toyota chose to do it ... 😉

Agreed Philip, it would be good to offer more options but unfortunately we are stuck with what we have.

When I ordered my last car (Jaguar XE R-Sport) you could specify virtually any option you wanted (some options were in the form of “packs”).

I went to the Jaguar factory on a tour with work, each car on the production line was a different specification, some with panoramic roofs, some power boots, dedicated wiring looms specific to that vehicle.

Obviously Jaguar don’t produce anywhere near the volume of Toyota and you are paying a premium but it can be done.

[Jozel]

On 9/4/2021 at 10:50 AM, Au175 said:

I didn’t realise that there was no spare on the new excel, that’s a bummer!

It does still have a wheel well below the boot floor, so you can always add your own spare.

My Excel only came with an inflation kit (which due to past experiences have not always proven trustworthy), so I have a added my own space saver kit, for peace of mind.

[Jozel]

On 9/4/2021 at 12:18 PM, Rav Rob said:

WLTP ratings put a right spanner in the works, every pound of weight counts now for keeping the CO2 down, My current Excel under the old system was 103g/km so very company car tax friendly. I think under WLTP its now 129g/km and with some companies setting a ceiling on permitted company cars by CO2 they will allow their employees to have - 130g/km being quite common, its a big market for Toyota which they are very aware of the situation so are wisely (Sales wise) shaving things off to keep CO2 down, a spare is an easy target but not one I am happy to lose. If it pushes the car off company car lists, I can't think of anything else they can junk to save the same sort of weight instead of the spare.

I will get a cheap 3rd party spacer saver and chuck that in when car arrives.

That’s exactly what I have done….as (from prior bad experience) I would never, ever rely on just an inflation kit.

I was told by a Toyota sales person that my Excel model didn’t come as standard with a spare wheel, because it has the glass panoramic roof, hence both would effect Co2 / emissions rating, due to their combined weight?