Ordered a new RAV4 GR Sport Phev today

[SpenToy]

Been a long time lurker here.  Have a 2021 corolla icon tech.

Wanted something higher off the ground as don't like lowering myself into the car, call it age.

Also wanted all the bells and whistles, which I thought I would not miss, like folding wing mirrors, auto wipers.  I'm surprised how much I did miss these things.

Thought it would take a few months to come.  The dealer said in about 11 days.  Have said we want the plug in charger that Toyota are offering for free before hand, then the car.  Looking forward to getting the car.

If Toyota did the Corolla Cross would have got that instead, I think...maybe. 

[ernieb]

You'll enjoy the view from the RAV and the PHEV's abilities.  Good luck getting the charger installed, it's been problematic for some. I have used and continue to use the 240V granny charger. This easily chargers overnight so don't panic if the charger takes time to fit you'll still be able to use the EV mode and a full charge.

The Corolla Cross would be my option after this RAV if it ever becomes available in the UK. 

[IG6]

13 hours ago, SpenToy said:

Been a long time lurker here.  Have a 2021 corolla icon tech.

Wanted something higher off the ground as don't like lowering myself into the car, call it age.

Also wanted all the bells and whistles, which I thought I would not miss, like folding wing mirrors, auto wipers.  I'm surprised how much I did miss these things.

Thought it would take a few months to come.  The dealer said in about 11 days.  Have said we want the plug in charger that Toyota are offering for free before hand, then the car.  Looking forward to getting the car.

If Toyota did the Corolla Cross would have got that instead, I think...maybe. 

I ordered the Rav4 gr sport phev with sunroof mid April. Told July delivery but might be sooner.
Update last week is it will be August now… 

[philip42h]

5 hours ago, ernieb said:

The Corolla Cross would be my option after this RAV ...

... and, probably, would be mine too!

I like the practicality of the RAV, but I don't really need or want anything quite as big. I need AWD, and I would quite like a PHEV:

• The Corolla Cross doesn't offer a PHEV option and isn't available in the UK anyway.
• The Yaris Cross is a size too small (and no PHEV option).
• The C-HR isn't available in AWD in the UK and is a bit compromised in terms of practicality (and the PHEV is FWD only).

The way things are progressing, someone will come out with a full EV that works for me before Toyota offer a desirable replacement for the RAV4 that I have today ... 😉

[ernieb]

1 hour ago, philip42h said:

... and, probably, would be mine too!

I like the practicality of the RAV, but I don't really need or want anything quite as big. I need AWD, and I would quite like a PHEV:

• The Corolla Cross doesn't offer a PHEV option and isn't available in the UK anyway.
• The Yaris Cross is a size too small (and no PHEV option).
• The C-HR isn't available in AWD in the UK and is a bit compromised in terms of practicality (and the PHEV is FWD only).

The way things are progressing, someone will come out with a full EV that works for me before Toyota offer a desirable replacement for the RAV4 that I have today ... 😉

Exactly my reasoning to be honest. I’ll probably keep the RAV for at least 2 more years and maybe longer. I just hope there is something like the Corolla Cross PHEV/AWD (preferably) available when I come to make that decision.

if you come across anything give us a shout?

[SpenToy]

3 hours ago, IG6 said:

I ordered the Rav4 gr sport phev with sunroof mid April. Told July delivery but might be sooner.
Update last week is it will be August now… 

Left the dealer yesterday, today it is showing in MyToyota app as on its way to dealer. I did not go for any optionals on it either. So that probably helps with the timescale.

[SpenToy]

Do you know if it comes with wireless Android Auto or still have to use a cable

[IG6]

Just now, SpenToy said:

Do you know if it comes with wireless Android Auto or still have to use a cable

As far as I know wireless Apple CarPlay, but cable Android Auto. 

[IG6]

4 minutes ago, SpenToy said:

Left the dealer yesterday, today it is showing in MyToyota app as on its way to dealer. I did not go for any optionals on it either. So that probably helps with the timescale.

That makes sense as I when ordering, had I gone for one without the sunroof it was showing as June delivery. 
MyToyota app says still processing order. 

[Nick72]

If there was something between CHR and RAV4 sized, PHEV with 40+ miles, and AWD I'd probably have gone for that ahead of the R4P.  I don't quite need all the size but it is handy.

But I do need the ground clearance so that would be a factor.

And want a pan roof.

Not really many options?

[SpenToy]

48 minutes ago, Nick72 said:

If there was something between CHR and RAV4 sized, PHEV with 40+ miles, and AWD I'd probably have gone for that ahead of the R4P.  I don't quite need all the size but it is handy.

But I do need the ground clearance so that would be a factor.

And want a pan roof.

Not really many options?

Not really.

We went for the corolla 3 years ago because thought the Rav4 was too big for us. Never had a SUV style car and also thought give time to see if the corolla cross came to the UK.  Went to the Florida earlier this year and drove a RAV4.  Really liked the space inside the car.  Car did not feel huge; I am aware the roads and parking spaces there are much wider so the car would have felt smaller over there😀

Agree with you that something between would be good.

[Nick72]

2 hours ago, SpenToy said:

Not really.

We went for the corolla 3 years ago because thought the Rav4 was too big for us. Never had a SUV style car and also thought give time to see if the corolla cross came to the UK.  Went to the Florida earlier this year and drove a RAV4.  Really liked the space inside the car.  Car did not feel huge; I am aware the roads and parking spaces there are much wider so the car would have felt smaller over there😀

Agree with you that something between would be good.

Felt big yesterday down a very narrow walled road chicane on a mountain with an X5 d.h. coming the other way. 😅 If I hadn't folded the wing mirrors in they'd have come off. 

[SpenToy]

9 hours ago, Nick72 said:

Felt big yesterday down a very narrow walled road chicane on a mountain with an X5 d.h. coming the other way. 😅 If I hadn't folded the wing mirrors in they'd have come off. 

Better than having to come out and manually fold in the mirrors 🤣 

 

[SpenToy]

Well, this afternoon picked up the car....Lovely car.  Have not had a chance to sit in it and play as yet.

My sales person was excellent but the customer experience could have been a lot better at collection as planned to collect it a week and half in advance.

No electric charge in the car.. why would you not charge a car for the customer that runs on electric 🙄 Yes it also runs on petrol but that is hardly the point.

Anyway I have agreed with the dealership that they will put a further £10 of petrol in the car as they had a 1/3 of a tank in there and that I can charge the car whenever I want at the dealership until my Homecharge comes; dealership is about 10 mins away. 

Probably wont take them up on that though as I will use the 3 pin charger at home for now, unless I want a faster charge and have something doing in that area. 

Currently it is charging at approx. 10% per half hour on my 3 pin charger.

[Nick72]

18 minutes ago, SpenToy said:

Well, this afternoon picked up the car....Lovely car.  Have not had a chance to sit in it and play as yet.

My sales person was excellent but the customer experience could have been a lot better at collection as planned to collect it a week and half in advance.

No electric charge in the car.. why would you not charge a car for the customer that runs on electric 🙄 Yes it also runs on petrol but that is hardly the point.

Anyway I have agreed with the dealership that they will put a further £10 of petrol in the car as they had a 1/3 of a tank in there and that I can charge the car whenever I want at the dealership until my Homecharge comes; dealership is about 10 mins away. 

Probably wont take them up on that though as I will use the 3 pin charger at home for now, unless I want a faster charge and have something doing in that area. 

Currently it is charging at approx. 10% per half hour on my 3 pin charger.

TBH you'll want to get some mileage on the engine. Can't recall the recommended figure before you can hammer it.

[IG6]

Took delivery of my RAV4 GR Sport PHEV yesterday.

Lovely vehicle, and surprisingly quick for its size. I’ve come from a BMW 340d so quite a change.

Really impressed by the comfort, features and refinement albeit only travelled locally as yet.

Not sure I believe the trip computer saying 199mpg on a 10 mile round trip yesterday evening, but let’s hope!

So far, very impressed.

[Nick72]

6 hours ago, IG6 said:

Took delivery of my RAV4 GR Sport PHEV yesterday.

Lovely vehicle, and surprisingly quick for its size. I’ve come from a BMW 340d so quite a change.

Really impressed by the comfort, features and refinement albeit only travelled locally as yet.

Not sure I believe the trip computer saying 199mpg on a 10 mile round trip yesterday evening, but let’s hope!

So far, very impressed.

Glad to hear.❤️

You'll probably get above 50mpg real. 56mpg is not uncommon. 

This time a year you'll get above 50 miles per charge. 58 is attainable at a push.

Performance is best with the ICE activated and warmed up. Takes about 5 minutes this time a year. Before that the system only gives you about 240hp. I think that's to protect the engine.

0 to 60 times are generally quicker than the 5.7s Toyota claim and in the right conditions 5.4s has been recorded. 

I'll be getting a replacement for my 2021 R4P Dynamic Premium in just over a couple of weeks. GR Sport R4P in pearl white bi tone with pan roof. Lots I'm looking forward to. Some I'm dreading as it's a minor downgrade or new laws meaning I have distractions I need to disable before driving. Still, the best car by far to meet my needs. 

Not sure if there's a break in period anymore for the engine. I think I put about 1000 miles on mine before caning it. 

[IG6]

17 hours ago, Nick72 said:

Glad to hear.❤️

You'll probably get above 50mpg real. 56mpg is not uncommon. 

This time a year you'll get above 50 miles per charge. 58 is attainable at a push.

Performance is best with the ICE activated and warmed up. Takes about 5 minutes this time a year. Before that the system only gives you about 240hp. I think that's to protect the engine.

0 to 60 times are generally quicker than the 5.7s Toyota claim and in the right conditions 5.4s has been recorded. 

I'll be getting a replacement for my 2021 R4P Dynamic Premium in just over a couple of weeks. GR Sport R4P in pearl white bi tone with pan roof. Lots I'm looking forward to. Some I'm dreading as it's a minor downgrade or new laws meaning I have distractions I need to disable before driving. Still, the best car by far to meet my needs. 

Not sure if there's a break in period anymore for the engine. I think I put about 1000 miles on mine before caning it. 

Thanks for the info. I’m running the car in for the first 1000 miles or so before trying anything like 0-60.

I have the pan roof, and it makes a real difference I think. I test drove one without and felt it was a little dark with the black headlining. 

You mentioned the distractions - that’s my first real gripe - the speed limit warnings have to be turned off each start, and can only be done whilst stationary. It also involves several sub-menus of finding it too. I wondered if I could use the voice recognition to do it, but haven’t managed to succeed.

Also, the memory seats only save the seat position, and not the mirrors, which is a bit daft.

The suspension in the gr-sport is also very good, comfortable but without excessive body lean. Like I said coming from a 340d (which was on rails) I was worried the R4 would be too wallowy, but it isn’t.

Trying my first longer distance today, which includes motorway, so looking forwards to seeing how it fairs.

[lookoutthewindow]

On 8/11/2024 at 11:02 AM, IG6 said:

The suspension in the gr-sport is also very good, comfortable but without excessive body lean. Like I said coming from a 340d (which was on rails) I was worried the R4 would be too wallowy, but it isn’t.

Trying my first longer distance today, which includes motorway, so looking forwards to seeing how it fairs.

Hi, how are you getting on with the Rav4 GR?

I'm looking at Rav4 with a sensible head instead of opting for a 23d X1.

 

 

[philip42h]

7 minutes ago, lookoutthewindow said:

Hi, how are you getting on with the Rav4 GR?

I'm looking at Rav4 with a sensible head instead of opting for a 23d X1.

A 4.5 is very easy to live with. Folk moan about this and that but it is perfectly sound and reliable. It "does what it says on the tin".

The only way to know whether you might prefer a 4.5 or the X1 would be to test drive both ...

But, out of idle curiosity, why might it not be sensible to opt for the X1?

[lookoutthewindow]

That's a leading question 😉

The BMW for the same money, has many more bells and whistles and better performance. I've got six figure mileage experience of X1s but nothing in a Toyota ( unless you count the Asin gearbox in the X1! ) .

But in my experience the BMW will cost a lot for that performance in servicing and warranty.

Also I'm chewing over whether running a diesel for the best part of ten years is the best idea compared to a petrol hybrid.

New BMWs are now suffering from:

* touchscreen overload.
* DCT
* less power than previous models.
* mild hybrid unit cutting into boot space.
* recalls on recalls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Nick72]

Looked at X1, X3 and Volvo XC40 and XC60. And all the new EVs. 

Every time I'll go for the RAV4 PHEV. I'm handing back my 2021 for a 2024 GR Sport in a couple of weeks. Company car refresh every 3 years. Could have picked any car to over 80k value. 

1. It just works. Solid work horse. Over 450k miles on some of these cars in the USA. And only minor repair jobs. 

2. The economy is good. 56mpg (real) for my driving. Much more if factoring the EV mode. Generally over 53 miles per charge of EV driving this time a year.

3. Minimum recall faff going forwards. Three times in 3 years but it was a new type. DCDC converter, DCM software, brake actuator. 

4. Lovely smooth drive without the gear change clunks. Seamless transition between uber smooth electric drive and hybrid.

5. Power access is instant at all speeds. Generally from proper tests and that of others I'm seeing 0 to 60 in about 5.4 to 5.5s, quicker than Toyota's conservatism of 5.7s. Quicker than a Supra 50 to 70mph. So it's very quick but there are quicker. 

6. Good ground clearance and suspension travel. I need this and the AWD for some of my use cases. 

7. No ULEZ charges AFAIK.

8. Plenty of room.

 

What you may not like...

 

A. Drab interior.

B. Below average stereo.

C. Not the same league of infotainment and displays as BMW.

D. Poor sound proofing at speed on the motorway. Wind noise.

E. Whining CVT when power applied.

F. Having to deal with Toyota dealerships, unless you are lucky enough to live near the 1 in 10 that are competent pros.

 

 

Depends what you want. Operational or decorational?

 

[IG6]

On 9/3/2024 at 3:10 PM, lookoutthewindow said:

Hi, how are you getting on with the Rav4 GR?

I'm looking at Rav4 with a sensible head instead of opting for a 23d X1.

 

 

Really like it. I have bought a memory foam pad for the centre armrest to give me a bit more arm support, but other than that it’s great.

Quick enough for my needs, in fact probably a bit quicker in truth.

It’s the cost to run that’s amazing me. I have a 60mile round trip to work, and it does maybe 54 miles on elec, so only using fuel for the last 6….. and even then at higher speeds.

I have an energy deal for charging a vehicle @ 7p/kwh so my commute costs are less than £2 / day very roughly.

I’ve even figured out the button sequence on the steering wheel to disable to speed alerts very quickly.

Struggling to find something to moan about really - well manhandling the cable to charge it when it’s wet…..😂

[Vainona70]

There will be a sharp intake of breath when the vehicle excuse duty bill drops on the mat at the first anniversary of ownership!

[SpenToy]

1 hour ago, Vainona70 said:

There will be a sharp intake of breath when the vehicle excuse duty bill drops on the mat at the first anniversary of ownership!

There was a sharp intake of breath when the dealer told me what the VED would be on the first anniversary. 

Could feel myself crying at the time. 

I'm hoping that not having to fill up much with petrol will make me feel minted by then so it does not pain so much 😁