Hey Scotty, which should I get? A 2022 Highlander Hybrid or a 2022 RAV4 Hybrid? Are they both equally reliable for Toyotas? What would you go with?
Clarification: How many years and miles do you need it to last you?
Absolutely as long as possible. As much as I can get.
Both are good vehicles, but it depends on what you want. The Highlander is a 3 row midsize vehicle whereas the RAV4 is a 2 row compact SUV. Test drive them both to see which one you prefer.
Thats all well and good but the RAV4 Prime isn't available in my area. I am between specifically the Highlander Limited Hybrid and the RAV4 Limited Hybrid, both with AWD.
Do you need the hybrid & AWD? They may both cost a fortune to fix, when they do eventually break. Scotty usually recommends buying a non-hybrid vehicle, for that reason. Which vehicle suits your requirements? Since this isn’t a direct comparison.
The fuel mileage on the non hybrid variants aren't good enough and I live in Iowa so AWD is a must. I am not lookin at used, just new only.
Fair enough. All the best!
Its a tough decision I know that.
Hopefully Scotty will see this and answer it in his next video.
If you’re after gas mileage, the RAV4 should fare better. If you need the space & towing capability, then go Highlander. Have you already test driven them both?
Yes I have.
Since you say you want to keep for as long as possible, I would stick with the regular gas Toyota versions. What you might think you save initially on gas (getting a hybrid) is offset over the long run by higher repair costs. The gas versions will last longer than the hybrid versions, and more mechanics know how to work on regular gas vehicles over hybrids. Regular gas vehicles have enough complexity as it is; going hybrid adds to that. Usually Toyota Hybrids can go 150,000 to 200,000 miles (generally, even a little more) before battery replacement or something in the hybrid system (like generator) needs repair and that will cost $$$. Also, finding a competent mechanic that knows how to work on hybrids will be a challenge and being a specialty expect to pay more; going to a dealer would be very expensive as well and that assumes they know what the heck they are doing. I would stick to a regular gas version if you plan to keep the vehicle for a long time and put lots of mileage on it.
Depends on how much space you need. They’re both pretty much the same in terms of reliability and the interior styling is pretty much identical.
They are both essentially the same car in terms of reliability. One is just bigger than the other. Extremely similar gas engines, extremely similar hybrid motors, extremely similar electric all wheel drive. If you need the room, go Highlander. If you just need a good reliable car, get the RAV4.
Both these vehicles have been upsized over the years.
IMHO, the current RAV4 is almost the same size as a first generation Highlander.
The current Highlander is now a three row instead of two row.
The original RAV4 dwarfs the current generation RAV4.
I think you get a good bang for your buck with the current RAV4.
And the criticism about hybrid from others is correct.
If you plan to keep your car for 10+ years, 150,000+ miles, it may be worth the hybrid in the long run. If you plan to only drive it for 5 years and less than 100,000 miles, a regular RAV4 or Highlander may suffice.
With that said, I personally find hybrid technology compelling, especially Toyota’s technology that has been time tested for 20+ years. Although it is a more complex system, in many ways, it simplifies things removing the starter and alternator. The hybrid system fulfills these duties.
Toyota hybrid is the only one I can recommend with near certainty.
