I have had the Rav4 on order in both the ICE and Hybrid models and have got a call that the gas model is in. I'm also considering a Mazda CX5 and CX50 or the new CRV once it gets released. I see that the CX5 gets better ratings than the Rav4. I have yet to drive the Mazda or the CRV. I do like the Rav4 however I find that the engine is a little noisy without the hybrid powertrain. That being said their is a major issue with the Hybrid high voltage cable rusting out within 2-3 yrs on the Hybrid model and Toyota has yet to step up to the plate to have this covered. The cable replacement is $5-6K so this takes away from the gas savings one would get from the hybrid. I have also learned that my current 2017 Tucson engine is now covered for life due to the recall and the settlement from a class action law suit. That being said I realize there are also other issues with Kia/Hyundai that are continuing to tell me to trade it. I'm really torn about what to do. On the one hand I wasn't planning on purchasing another vehicle right now and the used market just doesn't make any sense right now as an option. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
What was the class action law suit pertaining to your 2017 Tucson?
I agree with your end statement I would wait because I believe there is a coming recession and prices will start dropping when people stop paying on their car payments and there's repos everywhere and with interest rates higher the prices per month raised to high and people just don't buy cars then prices start dropping like stones in a well
Thanks Scotty. I really appreciate your feedback.
If you live in rust prone areas, pass on the hybrid RAV4.
In general, the CRV, the RAV4, and the CX5 are all great choices just based on past track record. I think the new CRV is getting slightly upsized too, to match the size of the latest RAV4.
These are my personal preferences, depending on aspects of the car. Personal driving and maintenance experience with the RAV4 and CRV. Only ride along experience with the CX5.
Dash/Cockpit
CRV > CX5 > RAV4
I think the CRV has the most intuitive user interface. You just get it without really having to figure things out. I love the consistency of the CX5. Takes a little getting used to, but once you get it, it is good. The RAV4 A/C controls suck. And their infotainment system isn’t that great either. It is just frustrating to use both.
Exterior
CX5 > CRV > RAV4
The basic shape of the CX5 hasn’t changed since it’s inception. And I appreciate how they have their design language consistent across all their cars. The CRV has changed, but you can tell it is a CRV by design elements. The RAV4 seems to change significantly with each generation. That little black bar in the back of the RAV4 bugs me. It doesn’t seem to serve a purpose. It seems like an afterthought. It makes no sense.
Maintenance and Reliability
RAV4 > CRV > CX5
The RAV4 maintenance is pretty straight forward in the manual. Every 5,000 miles you gotta do something. Makes it easy to follow. And it is a Toyota, so the projected reliability is good. On top of that the RAV4 shares a platform with the Camry, Highlander, Venza, Sienna, and many others. So their are plenty of spare parts and parts tend to be slightly cheaper, since they are mass produced.
CRV frustrates me. They have some Maintenance Minder in the dashboard, that tells you when to do an oil change, rotate tires, transmission oil change, coolant flush, etc…. There are no set intervals. You would think it would make things easy, but I constantly have to go look up what all the special codes mean. And it’s a Honda so the projected reliability is good.
TBH, I am not tk familiar with the CX5, so I can’t give it a fair shake in terms of maintenance. But my friends seem to love them. And they seem to hold up well. Only time will tell!
Has the Tucson become unreliable? You have two Rav4s on order? What is ICE?
I agree with Scotti. This is not a good time to buy a car. I my area it's hard to get a new Toyota of any kind but if you must then check out Kevin Hunter's video's on buying cars:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=draxQnnPCIE
Good Luck.
Tucsons have been surprise fireballs since 2016
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/hmg/
Yes, two Rav4's is what he said. ICE = Internal Combustion Engine. I guess he couldn't decide.
Toyota deposits are fully refundable and risk free. It's just a way to make sure you only get serious buyers when something is in short supply. Same as buying homes, etc. Toyota has fixed pricing so they can't really "getcha".
Good clarification, MMJ.
I beg to differ. I had a deposit two years ago on a Highlander. When I went to pick it up after waiting two months and the dealer tacked on $9,000.00 worth of mandatory extras. Then they told me my deposit was not refundable. I walked out and walked down the street and bought a Sorento. I had to go to the NYSAG to get my deposit back. It's more a dealer problem than a Toyota problem but the dealers in my area have a really bad reputation and have had that reputation long before covid.
Well my dealer gave it to me in writing.
So did I have it in writing but that did not stop them when I went into the finance office. Toyota is a good vehicle but what good are they if you can't buy one without being ripped off or cheated? I can buy an awful lot of gas with $9K.
at least a few gallons
So far (touch wood) my Tucson has been fine. Just regular maintenance, a set of pads and rotors and of course the recalls which I have had done. That being said, I think it is only a matter of time before something comes up. The vehicle only has 58000 km on it so I don't think I should anticipate anything soon to go on it. The piston bearing issue noted in the recall and class action suit scares me though and I have heard bad things about their transmissions. I'm up north here in Canada so I believe the dealers are bound by certain laws and have to return deposits. The dealer I left deposits at have already returned my deposits once already after I backed out of a deal. The dealer has been really good with the exception of a few bill padding fees which I take exception to, they do not mark up over MSRP. I really wanted the savings at the pump from a hybrid however Toyota is having a major issue with the high voltage wiring cable harness corroding prematurely in areas that salt their roads in the winter. Toyota has yet to step up to the plate and issue a recall, extend the warranty or long term resolution to this problem and some people have had to pay out of pocket to the tune of $5-6k to replace the cable. There is currently a class action suit filed against Toyota for this issue. This issue alone wipes out any savings one would get from the hybrid at the gas pumps. The only other benefit of the hybrid powertrain is that it is apparently much smoother and quieter than the ICE powertrain.
I own two Kia's. I had two Hyundia's which I was able to trade in with high mileage. They have a lot of plastic which tends to fatigue and break. I carried spare door handles for both cars. I got good at changing them on the fly in mall parking lots. In that regard I don't think Honda's and Toyota's are much better these days. In fact all the manufacturers are doing it to reduce vehicle weight and save money.
Here is an interesting option. I don't know if Scotti endorses the car but the review seems positive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIiDeeZMWlQ
I don't know about others but IMO I will be staying away from fully electric for a while, especially anything from Hyundai/Kia. The fully electric or PHEV vehicles are too young and they will all have significant issues until they work out the bugs. There is also the issue of finding charging stations while on the road.