RAV4 PHEV Dynamic plug-in arriving this week. Good or Bad?

[Scottydog007]

So my plug-in Dynamic will be ready this week. Will I be disappointed? Now I am part exchanging my 69 RAV4 Excel that had every accessory you could get but wasn’t repeated on the Dynamic. No top of the range JBL music system, no full surround camera, no ‘his and her’ seat positions. The only thing better on the Dynamic I see is rear heated seats.

Has anybody been able to get these done after purchase? So taking to a specialist and getting these added?

Is the performance of the new Dynamic that much better as I did not do a test drive, I was too busy. Also will I really get 100 mile electric range with the plug-in?

[nlee]

Depends on how much wanted and used the "toys" you are losing.

From a perspective I don't think you'll be disappointed. Yes, it's more powerful. You can squeeze up to 302 bhp if you need to. It's also a bit quieter with extra sound dampening.

I'm not sure where you've been told you'll get 100 miles EV only range. Toyota say something like 46 miles but you can get mid 50's in summer and more like 40 in winter. You'll get neither if try to drive at 302 bhp though!

[philip42h]

No, you won't get 100 mile EV range from a PHEV - the PHEVies report around 50 miles, less in winter - which is pretty much what Toyota claim. 👍

And it has always struck me a little odd that Toyota have yet to produce a PHEV Excel (or equivalent thereof) - but it would get a bit pricey for a RAV4

[philip42h]

2 minutes ago, nlee said:

Depends on how much wanted and used the "toys" you are losing.

Exactly so ... I regard memory seats as 'essential' - on longer journeys I share the driving with my wife and want to be able to get back to my driving position at the press of  a button.

I was 'suckered' into PVM on the test drive - it looked quite useful so I added it to my order. And now I really wouldn't want to be without it - it makes parking and other such low speed close manoeuvring so much easier. So it's now pretty much a must have 'toy' though I dare say that I could get used to life without it.

And on the other hand I don't miss the PHEV performance bonus - simply because I have never had it. Though I wanted it, I've accepted that I bought a HEV instead and that is perfectly performant enough (for me, now) ...

[ernieb]

An annual average EV range is very much in line with the 46 miles suggested by the Toyota figures.

I don’t have the extras and yes it would have been very nice to have had them included but overall the car performs so well in all other respects that I’m very happy with my purchase. Right now with the state of the market and where we are with BEV’s etc., I’m more that happy to have the PHEV. Most of my local mileage is covered by the traction Battery power and even on a long trip with the ICE functioning the car still performs and feels very much smoother than a standard ICE powered car, holds the road well, comfortable.

With two drivers you’ll find the lock of seat memory a right pain, it’s bad enough when the car gets serviced and the seating is moved. However that said I can now very quickly reestablish my position, I guess it’s a case of working with what’s you’ve got or an expensive retrofit.

[Flatcoat]

Who told you a 100 mile EV range?! Have you read any magazine road tests or long term reviews about the car? I am sure you can have retro-fitted any number of options, at a heck of a £price…… my guess is the cost will be utterly ££££astronomical. I am fortunate in having a dynamic premium which has options I really don’t need (such as HUD) but unfortunately doesn’t have the one item that was on my theoretical ‘must have’ list, PVM. In practice I am ok without and suspect you too will not miss the options you refer to. 

[Scottydog007]

100 mile range! Well the salesman told me this, and I laughed at him. I remember so clearly because he was insistent it was true. But to be honest I had not intended to buy the car, I had not done any research on it, and I didn’t even take test drive either. I had come to the end on my ‘lease to buy back’ gone there to get a service and that is when they made quite a good offer. All be it without the accessories I asked for. In fact I did get the accessories but after putting a deposit they rescinded some accessories 2 days later

I’m not concerned too much about the range. But I am concerned about the negativeness I get from the garage when ever I ask for something. 
So when I received the the 69 Rav I noticed the lights were pointing in all directions. I told them and they said this cannot be as they are set in the factory. I told them that you don’t have to be a brain surgeon to see they are wrong, when you shine on a wall. And I was right, they checked and they were way out and corrected this.

I asked for side mouldings to be added to both old model and to this new model and both occasions they didn’t want to do this. They said take the car away and come back to get it done. I said no.

In the catalog of the 69 RAV it said I could have windows opened using the key remote. They said no I cannot have this, yet many other have had this done. It is just plugging in the Techstream to the  ECU and changing the standard setting. And even now they have no idea and probably will not do it. They even told me to take it to another dealer to get that done. I said if I do that then all my servicing will go to that dealer and that will be the last they hear from me. Astonishing attitude.

It goes on and on.

Look what about a spare tire? I drive long distances and often in Europe, I do not want to faff around with a stupid foam pump kit. So I put a full tyre and mounting kit in the old 69 RAV and will transfer it over to the new one. They never gave me any direction on doing this. 
I want a number plate with ‘UK’ on it so when driving around Europe I do not stand out to the police have a different plate to everyone else. But no they can’t do this. So I will have to go to Halfords and get one made up, drill the holes and put on. Man what a pain after spending £50 grand.

[mobi]

8 hours ago, Scottydog007 said:

part exchanging my 69 RAV4 Excel that had every accessory

Why? Is it just because you want PHEV?

[Lawnmowerman]

1 hour ago, mobi said:

Why? Is it just because you want PHEV?

Peter said he is changing due to end of lease.

[Lawnmowerman]

For what it's worth Peter, I changed from a 4.4 HEV Design to a Dynamic PHEV. And I really, really like it. Effortless power delivery when required is the stand out.

When I purchased the 4.4 I made a significant saving as it was the runout model. Made great savings on it and as there were no deals on the then new 4.5 I would have had to dig deep to make the change. Also, I just didn't like the styling of the 4.5 - I do now hence the change. 

[Flatcoat]

Scotty, if the dealer was so unhelpful last time and again this time, why haven’t you taken your business elsewhere? Or, reported the salespersons unhelpful attitude to the dealer principal? I don’t quite understand why they are being so unhelpful….. 

[Scottydog007]

I changed it due coming to end of ‘lease and buy back’ and they made quite a good offer on the new one.

So yesterday I got the call to pick it up this Thursday. They will change the setting for windows open with key remote, (shuts them as well) that is an additional £75. All they have to do is plug into ECU connector, and use Techstream to change the setting.

They will add side moulding with matching colour £220, I am amazed not many people have this done, as I had this on previous 69RAV and to me looks good.

I will swap over spare wheel kit, sounds as though I will need to buy a jack as someone told me you do not get a jack kit any more (is that true?)

Ill go to Halfords and buy number plates with ‘UK’ on them for when travelling in Europe so I do not stick out like a sore thumb to the police.

I will miss the 2 position seat setting though.

[philip42h]

19 minutes ago, Scottydog007 said:

I will swap over spare wheel kit, sounds as though I will need to buy a jack as someone told me you do not get a jack kit any more (is that true?)

Yes. If you have a tyre repair kit. rather than a "get you home" spare, Toyota do not supply a jack or wheel brace.

Also, if you have a full size spare, rather than a simple space saver, check the wheel and tyre sizes to make sure than it is useable over an extended duty ...

[Centaur]

2 hours ago, Scottydog007 said:

They will change the setting for windows open with key remote, (shuts them as well) that is an additional £75. All they have to do is plug into ECU connector, and use Techstream to change the setting.

Does the 'global opening / closing' function of the windows not operate from the key remote as standard or does this have to be set up by the dealer?  Most cars that I have owned did this as standard.

 

2 hours ago, Scottydog007 said:

They will add side moulding with matching colour £220, I am amazed not many people have this done, as I had this on previous 69RAV and to me looks good.

What side mouldings are you having fitted?  I wasn't aware that any were available - maybe that is why few people have had this done?

[Naimart]

3 hours ago, Scottydog007 said:

I will swap over spare wheel kit, sounds as though I will need to buy a jack as someone told me you do not get a jack kit any more (is that true?)

Some discussion on here about the PHEV needing an 18" rim spare rather than 17".

The similar Suzuki Across, which comes with a spare  ( God Bless them 🙂 ) has an 18" I believe.

Anyway might be worth checking rim size and diameter.

And yes no jack - not sure how you are supposed to take the wheel off in an emergency!

[ernieb]

My get you home spare is an 18”, Road Hero.

[Scottydog007]

1 hour ago, Centaur said:

Does the 'global opening / closing' function of the windows not operate from the key remote as standard or does this have to be set up by the dealer?  Most cars that I have owned did this as standard.

 

What side mouldings are you having fitted?  I wasn't aware that any were available - maybe that is why few people have had this done?

Picture of side mouldings on my old car, my new one should be the same as same colour.

So for opening windows on a hot day, while walking to the car I will be able to keep pressed the ‘open’ on the remote and the doors unlock but all the windows come down. So cooling the car a little bit. Also if passengers leave windows open you can press ‘lock’ for a few sessions door obviously lock, but all windows close as well. But function is set to off, and Toyota can set this for you or you get the Techstream software on your laptop and connect to go to ECU with a connector that can be easily bought.

[Scottydog007]

3 hours ago, philip42h said:

Yes. If you have a tyre repair kit. rather than a "get you home" spare, Toyota do not supply a jack or wheel brace.

Also, if you have a full size spare, rather than a simple space saver, check the wheel and tyre sizes to make sure than it is useable over an extended duty ...

I always had a spare for 69RAV, exact size and bolt hole pitching, but the new car will be 19” wheels not 18”. Not necessarily a big issue. I haven’t seen a spacesaver in 19”. I will imagine a spacesaver will be a lot lighter than a full-size wheel, so something to be considered. Oh and I bought a locking clamp that locked the wheel to car chassis. There is already a screw hole available specifically for this.

[Flatcoat]

Spacesaver do not need to be the same size. 

[ernieb]

The recommendation for my Spacesaver was 18” for my 19” PHEV.

[kucyk]

Mine originally came with the spare wheel and accessories from Toyota, can check the diameter if you want? 

[ernieb]

22 minutes ago, kucyk said:

Mine originally came with the spare wheel and accessories from Toyota, can check the diameter if you want? 

Which country Luke?

[kucyk]

32 minutes ago, ernieb said:

Which country Luke?

Ireland

[ernieb]

1 hour ago, kucyk said:

Ireland

Thanks so different to the UK as we get just the junk and inflator.

[Nick72]

On 3/13/2023 at 7:33 AM, Scottydog007 said:

So my plug-in Dynamic will be ready this week. Will I be disappointed? Now I am part exchanging my 69 RAV4 Excel that had every accessory you could get but wasn’t repeated on the Dynamic. No top of the range JBL music system, no full surround camera, no ‘his and her’ seat positions. The only thing better on the Dynamic I see is rear heated seats.

Has anybody been able to get these done after purchase? So taking to a specialist and getting these added?

Is the performance of the new Dynamic that much better as I did not do a test drive, I was too busy. Also will I really get 100 mile electric range with the plug-in?

Toyota claim 42 miles. I get that in winter with air con and heated seats on. I get 53 to 59 in summer with Aircon on low. Not trying at all so I'm sure if I drove like miss daisy I could add another 3 miles. Still pretty good.

48mpg without factoring the Battery contribution.

But use the full power of the warp core and it won't be too economical but still better than most. Depends how fast you wish to get to Alpha Centuri.