I have nothing to complain about -> but New RAV in weeks

[Nick72]

Folks here are awesome and I'm humbled by the support over the last 3 years even though the 2021 RAV4 PHEV has hardly had any issues. It's weird for a car forum no?

I'll be sad to say goodbye to the existing one. The registration plate is my wife's initials and year of birth and there are 3 letters which sum up what I do. Bizarre coincidence on the reg plate. Truly bizarre.

Hoping I can provide a detailed comparison of the old 2021 versus the new GR Sport PHEV in September. May help buyers looking at new versus second hand, or folks thinking of making the switch, especially company car drivers like me. 

I'll be be swapping the tyres to CC2 SUV ASAP. Need the wet, snow and ice grip and stopping distance. 

 

Looking forward to...

Stiffer suspension. The pitch n dive and roll don't seem quite commensurate with the power on tap in the 2021. Each to their own but I prefer a slightly stiffer ride but hope it's not too stiff for the UK pot holed B roads. 

Higher resolution infotainment display.

Digital drivers display configurability. Not much, but a little. 

The more buckety bucket seats.

Better safety solutions? See also what I'm not looking forward to.

 

Absolutely not looking forward to...

The new laws and having to constantly disable the lane Tracing and road sign over speed beeping when I'm not over speed. That's just ******g painful.

Loss of vented seats. I've used them every drive when it's hot. They are a godsend.

Crappy stereo. No JBL which was barely acceptable to start with. 

Unnecessary flappy paddles. 

 

Is it an upgrade? A tiny amount, but offset by bizarre decisions by Toyota. There. I've found something to moan about.

[Cyker]

Good luck with the new car, I look forward to hear your comparison!

[Torrox]

Yes good luck with your new rav4. I agreed the paddle shifter is a gimmick and Speakers aren't that great.

[Broadway One]

20 hours ago, Nick72 said:

"I'll be sad to say goodbye to the existing one"

Hi all...I will be in a similar position in the next few months, my 5th Rav.
Your posting raises a measure of empathy on this occasion around what was normally a straight forward decision always subject to a good deal of course.
However not as simple on this occasion due to the future of the PHEV's v EV question.
The former suits my needs 100% & would be without hesitation my choice. I always pass on my RAV'S to a family member hence my concern where PHEV's are likely to figure in 6/7 years.
A recent posting on Substack leaves me somewhat spooked at staying PHEV as much as I like the RAV & that amazing drivetrain/CVT combination. 

  https://open.substack.com/pub/hannahritchie/p/are-plug-in-hybrids-booming-or-fading?utm_source=direct&r=31whpy&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&comments=true

Barry Wright, Lancashire.

 

 

     

 
 

[Nick72]

2 hours ago, Broadway One said:

Hi all...I will be in a similar position in the next few months, my 5th Rav.
Your posting raises a measure of empathy on this occasion around what was normally a straight forward decision always subject to a good deal of course.
However not as simple on this occasion due to the future of the PHEV's v EV question.
The former suits my needs 100% & would be without hesitation my choice. I always pass on my RAV'S to a family member hence my concern where PHEV's are likely to figure in 6/7 years.
A recent posting on Substack leaves me somewhat spooked at staying PHEV as much as I like the RAV & that amazing drivetrain/CVT combination. 

  https://open.substack.com/pub/hannahritchie/p/are-plug-in-hybrids-booming-or-fading?utm_source=direct&r=31whpy&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&comments=true

Barry Wright, Lancashire.

 

 

     

 
 

There's a cross over point coming and which will be different for every driver.

It's likely after this next PHEV that I may well go all BEV, looking for 400+ miles real world range vehicle. That might be possible in AWD SUV form by 2027 when I need to switch again. But, even if it is possible and there's a more powerful, more economical, 70 plus mile Battery range R4P with a decent interior and decent stereo then I'm still in. 

Otherwise it could be a BMW, Merc, or Volvo BEV. Perhaps a smaller Rivian.

[Uragan]

Im hopefully going to look at a new one soon …but I want to wait to see what the my25 change is going to look like 😊.. it’s got to be good to compare to my black edition 😊

[throt]

Hiya Guys and Girls,

Just ordered my PHEV RAV4 GR.

Was tempted to wait for the new facelift but that would mean a January / February 25 delivery.

Just a couple of questions - the sound system, is it okay and, wind noise at motorway cruising, is that okay ?

Tia 😃

[Torrox]

2 minutes ago, throt said:

Hiya Guys and Girls,

Just ordered my PHEV RAV4 GR.

Was tempted to wait for the new facelift but that would mean a January / February 25 delivery.

Just a couple of questions - the sound system, is it okay and, wind noise at motorway cruising, is that okay ?

Tia 😃

Not sure the new facelift is scheduled for 2025. The sound system is average not much to write home about. 

[throt]

57 minutes ago, Torrox said:

Not sure the new facelift is scheduled for 2025. The sound system is average not much to write home about. 

Many thanks.

You hear all sorts, sales guy said to me , if you order a RAV4 for 2025, then it'll be the facelift 🙄

All the speculative renderings are different too 

Ridiculous that T didn't allow a JBL sound system option on the GR, oh well.

 

[IG6]

2 hours ago, throt said:

Hiya Guys and Girls,

Just ordered my PHEV RAV4 GR.

Was tempted to wait for the new facelift but that would mean a January / February 25 delivery.

Just a couple of questions - the sound system, is it okay and, wind noise at motorway cruising, is that okay ?

Tia 😃

Tia,

Just got my new Rav GRSport PHEV.

Sound system - I think it’s fine. I don’t play music loud anymore, but my previous car had a Harmon Karmin surround system with silly watts….. the Rav is comparable, but has better base.

Motorway noise - again, comparing to my last car (BMW 3 SERIES 6 cyl diesel), it is noisier but not obtrusively so. Wind noise is there, but both my wife and I commented how relaxing the cruising at 80mph is.

I wouldn’t worry about either issue.

[throt]

1 hour ago, IG6 said:

Tia,

Just got my new Rav GRSport PHEV.

Sound system - I think it’s fine. I don’t play music loud anymore, but my previous car had a Harmon Karmin surround system with silly watts….. the Rav is comparable, but has better base.

Motorway noise - again, comparing to my last car (BMW 3 SERIES 6 cyl diesel), it is noisier but not obtrusively so. Wind noise is there, but both my wife and I commented how relaxing the cruising at 80mph is.

I wouldn’t worry about either issue.

Awesome, bud, thanks so much 👍

I did have a play with the sound system in their demo and it sounded like the majority of the audio was coming from the front Speakers

Myself and the sales guy could not find the "fade" function to adjust the audio sound more in to the rear of the Rav4 , can this be done ?

Tia..

[IG6]

8 hours ago, throt said:

Awesome, bud, thanks so much 👍

I did have a play with the sound system in their demo and it sounded like the majority of the audio was coming from the front speakers

Myself and the sales guy could not find the "fade" function to adjust the audio sound more in to the rear of the Rav4 , can this be done ?

Tia..

Yes, you can set it to front, rear, or either side. Also adjust treble mid and bass.

[Nick72]

12 hours ago, throt said:

Hiya Guys and Girls,

Just ordered my PHEV RAV4 GR.

Was tempted to wait for the new facelift but that would mean a January / February 25 delivery.

Just a couple of questions - the sound system, is it okay and, wind noise at motorway cruising, is that okay ?

Tia 😃

Awesome.

Sound system on my current R4P dynamic premium 2021 is very average and that's the JBL unit so am expecting below average on the GR Sport which bizarrely doesn't come with the JBL. 

Road noise on the motorway is very loud at 70mph true speed. Loudest of any previous car I've had over the last decade and a half. But it's bearable.

But many new additions and changes should more than make up for it.

My order has been delayed to mid September. Just found out. Was due 1st September. But of a faff as I now need to schedule service and MOT of the existing one as the 3 year company car lease is up. Faff faff faff. My diary is bonkers.

Looking forward to the new car.

 

[Cyker]

I'd be very interested to see how you find the stock system vs the jbl...

[balalogic]

10 hours ago, Cyker said:

I'd be very interested to see how you find the stock system vs the jbl...

The JBL system provides more of an "audiophile" sound which is "neutral" with no emphasis on the base, mid, or treble. The standard system sounds bland in comparison with muted midtones. Tastes vary, so it's best to book a test drive and carry a few of your favourite tunes on a USB stick.

Those looking for thumping bass and ultra sharp treble will need to look for third party solutions.

[throt]

I cranked up the volume in the demo, it sounded okay to me but, as I said , myself and the sales guy couldn't find the the audio settings to tweak it.

Certainly a lot better than my GR Yaris Circuit Pack though, the system in that is pants.

[throt]

I don't think you can replicate a JBL system in the RAV4 GR Sport though cause it only has a six speaker system against the JBL's 11 which two of them are set in the A-Pillars 

Crazy why they didn't offer it as a option on the GR

[Nick72]

4 hours ago, throt said:

I don't think you can replicate a JBL system in the RAV4 GR Sport though cause it only has a six speaker system against the JBL's 11 which two of them are set in the A-Pillars 

Crazy why they didn't offer it as a option on the GR

It's exactly the same car as I have now with the JBL so I don't follow unless I've missed something. 

Only differences in the GRS R4P to my 2021 R4P Dynamic Premium are...

1. Stiffer suspension. Much needed. A little too much pitch, dive, and roll on mine. Looking forward to it.

2. Different seats which lose the cooling function which I love and am going to miss a lot this time of year. Hoping the additional comfort and body hold is going to make up for it a little.

3. Updated infotainment and driver display. Much needed. Looking forward to the high res infotainment display as I use AA a lot.

4. External very minor cosmetic differences. Wheels are nice. Little in it though as I like the silver and black alloys on mine. 

5. Unnecessary flappy paddles. Pointless. More clutter on the controls and no new functional benefits.

6. Poorer stereo. Not at all looking forward to.

7. Pan camera and better reverse cam resolution. Much needed since I'm forever opening the driver's door to look, moving the mirrors, and trying to discern what's on the VHS long play poor quality reversing camera on my model.

 

Unless I've missed anything, everything else is the same.

 

I won't know how much of an upgrade and downgrade it is until I get it. Now delayed until mid September. But, looking forward to it overall. It's a great car. Economical and goes like a rocket whilst still being economical which is miraculous.

I will however be swapping tyres to CC2 SUVs within a few weeks of delivery. Stock tyres are not great. CC2s should be just as good in the dry but substantially better in the wet and snow for braking distance and going around corners. Some also say they're quieter, less road noise.  Much more grippy according to the reviews and folks here that made the swap. 

[Nick72]

15 hours ago, Cyker said:

I'd be very interested to see how you find the stock system vs the jbl...

I'll make a post when I get the car in mid September. Delivery slipped by a few weeks! 🤦

I'll do a full comparison of all the differences, good and bad.

🤞

[Nick72]

5 hours ago, balalogic said:

The JBL system provides more of an "audiophile" sound which is "neutral" with no emphasis on the base, mid, or treble. The standard system sounds bland in comparison with muted midtones. Tastes vary, so it's best to book a test drive and carry a few of your favourite tunes on a USB stick.

Those looking for thumping bass and ultra sharp treble will need to look for third party solutions.

That's a point, on the new GRS without JBL, what audio controls are available?

L or R balance, fade balance, equaliser controls?

I can compensate to a point with the equaliser in AA as that's how I listen to music. Radio is usually Radio 4 so it makes no odds as it's mainly voice. 

[throt]

Thanks for your in depth post , Nick

So, in your current Rav I take it you have those little Speakers ( tweeters ) both sides , in the A-Pillars ?

I am sure the A-Pillar trim is completely flat in the 2024 RAV4 GR, so there is no housing to plonk the tweeters in , the trim would have to be changed too .I am not as familiar as all you guys on here though. I do know though it has the normal L/R balance and Fade to transfer the audio to the back more if that’s your choice.

My PHEV RAV4 GR is due in September too, apparently.i have just ordered it, on the 9th of August .

Cheers .

[Heidfirst]

On 8/8/2024 at 6:37 PM, Nick72 said:

The registration plate is my wife's initials and year of birth and there are 3 letters which sum up what I do. Bizarre coincidence on the reg plate. Truly bizarre.

 

Could you not put this on retention & transfer it over to the new one, if you wanted?

[Nick72]

1 hour ago, Heidfirst said:

Could you not put this on retention & transfer it over to the new one, if you wanted?

Unfortunately not being a company car and the complexity associated with a chain of organisations in the loop. I'm hoping for a nice surprise on the reg of the new one.