PHEV verdict... Been off road, light trails, very steep narrow dirt tracks

[Nick72]

Last 2 weekends. 2ft of snow up on one fell. Wet and muddy today. Dodging fallen trees, drove through a stream about a 1ft deep, etc.

Performed brilliantly. Never looked like it was ever in trouble. Great work Toyota.

Stock tyres.

I do have an extensive survival kit under the floor panel in the boot including blankets, first aid, water, military compact shovel, rope, etc. Long list. Just in case.

[ernieb]

I have to agree that so far the OEM fitted Yokohama tyres are working pretty and I currently don’t feel the need to change them until they wear.

[Nick72]

2 hours ago, ernieb said:

I have to agree that so far the OEM fitted Yokohama tyres are working pretty and I currently don’t feel the need to change them until they wear.

Same Ernie. Was thinking of a switch to cross climate 2 or better but to be honest, zero need.

[philip42h]

That's good to hear. Despite being a PHEV, it's still a RAV4 and that's the behaviour I would expect from a RAV4 ...

On the question of tyres - the stock tyres, particularly in their first season or two, are perfectly fine in terms of traction when used in conjunction with the AWD system. Cold weather tyres really come into their own when it's below freezing and your are going downhill on ice or packed snow ...

I don't want to restart the "4WD vs winter tyres" debate because it rapidly gets 'silly', but I run on all season tyres because I want a better chance of stopping at the bottom of 'our' hill ... 😉

[Nick72]

7 minutes ago, philip42h said:

That's good to hear. Despite being a PHEV, it's still a RAV4 and that's the behaviour I would expect from a RAV4 ...

On the question of tyres - the stock tyres, particularly in their first season or two, are perfectly fine in terms of traction when used in conjunction with the AWD system. Cold weather tyres really come into their own when it's below freezing and your are going downhill on ice or packed snow ...

I don't want to restart the "4WD vs winter tyres" debate because it rapidly gets 'silly', but I run on all season tyres because I want a better chance of stopping at the bottom of 'our' hill ... 😉

That's my position too Phillip. What was surprising was no problem up or down the 30 degree dirt tracks in the snow and mud. Occassional kick in of the traction control but no problem. I took a risk.

[ernieb]

I was fully prepared to buy my favoured CrossClimates when I collected the car but as I said the OEM Yokohama Avid’s seem to be coping with all I’ve managed to throw at them which includes ice/snow and standing water. I can usually tell if the tyre is going to not be comfortable in cold weather as when the temperature drops the side was become very stiff and the ride much more hard. With the current PHEV set up the ride does not change due to lower temperatures. Right now I’m happy to keep the cash in my pocket and will review the need for new rubber as they wear.

[Nick72]

4 hours ago, ernieb said:

I was fully prepared to buy my favoured CrossClimates when I collected the car but as I said the OEM Yokohama Avid’s seem to be coping with all I’ve managed to throw at them which includes ice/snow and standing water. I can usually tell if the tyre is going to not be comfortable in cold weather as when the temperature drops the side was become very stiff and the ride much more hard. With the current PHEV set up the ride does not change due to lower temperatures. Right now I’m happy to keep the cash in my pocket and will review the need for new rubber as they wear.

Me too Ernie.