Why no hybrid RAV4?

clintd555 · 07-02-2006, 05:05 PM

I've been considering the Prius now for quite sometime. But now I'm thinking it will be more practical for me to buy a compact SUV rather than another 4 door car. I already have a Jetta.

Any news on Toyota or Honda even making a compact SUV? Yesterday (just for kicks) I test drove a Suzuki Vitara... I'm passing. The Vitara only gets 24 MPG while the RAV4 gets up to 30 which is about the same I get in my Jetta <_<

Has anyone bought a Prius INSTEAD of a compact SUV? If so, why? And how are you living with the space... or lack thereof?

EricGo · 07-02-2006, 06:06 PM

I went for a test drive in the Vitara also. I actually liked it, to my surprise. Course, it was only my second time driving a SUV, and the hyundai is not much to compare by.

The salesman admitted that many people praise the car, and pass because of the FE.

As to your question, I've wondered many times why the RAV or CRV are not hybridized. I have my doubts that they are any more functional than the Prius, but for people that want them, a realistic 30 - 35 mpg for most drivers seems like an attractive offering.

Lola'05 · 07-02-2006, 07:10 PM

I have driven a SUV for several years now. And I do like it. In fact, I kept my Explorer when I bought the Prius, thinking that the Prius would not meet all of my needs. I am a nurse- meaning you have to get to work -no matter what the weather is. The past winter, here in the Philly suburbs, was mild. But that is not always the case. If there was a small SUV hybrid with 4WD on demand available- Honda or Toyota- I would be the first one in line to sign up. I would gladly sacrifice the mpg for the 4WD and additional ground clearance. That is better than shoveling the driveway. My borough is not well known for clearing the streets of snow. After I get out of my local area and on the major roads, I am OK.
Yeah, RAV4 or CRV- I am there.

**Tideland Prius** · 07-02-2006, 07:13 PM

I"m guessing the Escape Hybrid doesn't cut it for you?

Hmm... eventually Toyota will have one. It'll be the truck and minivan next before coming around back to the SUV...

jeromep · 07-02-2006, 07:14 PM

Funny, but last time I checked there was a compact hybrid SUV out there. The Ford Escape Hybrid (and Mercury Mariner Hybrid) and it has an excellent track record and the owner base is quite loyal. Owner loyality isn't easy to come by these days. That speaks volumes as to the suitability of the vehicle to the go anywhere, anytime needs of some folks.

Lola'05 · 07-02-2006, 07:15 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Jul 2 2006, 07:13 PM) [snapback]280252[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I"m guessing the Escape Hybrid doesn't cut it for you?

Hmm... eventually Toyota will have one. It'll be the truck and minivan next before coming around back to the SUV...
[/b]

The Ford Escape? Don't you know that you never buy a Ford product the first year it is out?

jeromep · 07-02-2006, 07:24 PM

Ford is in their second year of Escape Hybrid production (and headding strongly into their 3rd year) and of any of the worldwide auto manufacturers, Ford, GM and D/C are not in a financial position to build vehicles with build or mechanical issues they have not done their best to anticipate and eliminate before production.

It is a lot less expensive to eliminate as many potential problems before production than after. The 05 Escape Hybrids have had a very successful run and the 06 is doing well also.

You would see plenty of Escape Hybrids on the road right now if Ford had their own internal tooling to build the hybrid related components themselves. However they outsource many of the hybrid components from some of the same manufacturers that Toyota sources their components from and as such Ford is a second filddle buyer compared to the "home team".

**Tideland Prius** · 07-02-2006, 07:26 PM

Yeah.. I thought the Ford Escape Hybrid came out last year. I know cause I test drove that and the Accord Hybrid on the same day last June.

Besides, the only thing that turns me away from the Escape is the interior. God awful. Like the salesman said.. .it's a Ford Truck and built like a Ford Truck.. I couldn't agree more!

jeromep · 07-02-2006, 07:33 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Jul 2 2006, 04:26 PM) [snapback]280269[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Besides, the only thing that turns me away from the Escape is the interior. God awful. Like the salesman said.. .it's a Ford Truck and built like a Ford Truck.. I couldn't agree more!
[/b]

That is why I always point people toward the Mercury product line whenever possible. The trim is much better. The colors and color combinations are usually much classier and exterior treatments, like wheels, grills and lights are better.

clintd555 · 07-02-2006, 07:33 PM

Are you kidding me? I don't think so.

Yes I'm aware of the Escape Hybrid. I'm not buying a Ford, Perid. Unless it's a Mustang. And I ain't buying no Mustang. Sorry guys.

Actually the real reason is because the Escape is using old Toyota's Gen 1 technology. Not that there's anything wrong with the Gen 1 technology, but it's only averaging 32 MPG from a database of drivers from green hybrid.

Mind you this is only 2 more MPG than the RAV4 on highway, BUT the Escape cost about $10,000 more?!?! I don't think so and I'm shocked there are people who'd actually buy the Hybrid Escape given it doesn't get much better MPG than the gas CRV and RAV.

I guess if I wanted to buy a hybrid just because it was a hybrid, the Mercury or Escape will be more appealing but I'd like to be a little more practical than that.

07-02-2006, 05:05 PM	#1
clintd555 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 253 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 1	I've been considering the Prius now for quite sometime. But now I'm thinking it will be more practical for me to buy a compact SUV rather than another 4 door car. I already have a Jetta. Any news on Toyota or Honda even making a compact SUV? Yesterday (just for kicks) I test drove a Suzuki Vitara... I'm passing. The Vitara only gets 24 MPG while the RAV4 gets up to 30 which is about the same I get in my Jetta <_< Has anyone bought a Prius INSTEAD of a compact SUV? If so, why? And how are you living with the space... or lack thereof? __________________ Robotic Lawn Mowers

07-02-2006, 06:06 PM	#2
EricGo Three cats, one Prius, and assorted humans Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Albuquerque, NM (SouthWest US) Posts: 1,810 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I went for a test drive in the Vitara also. I actually liked it, to my surprise. Course, it was only my second time driving a SUV, and the hyundai is not much to compare by. The salesman admitted that many people praise the car, and pass because of the FE. As to your question, I've wondered many times why the RAV or CRV are not hybridized. I have my doubts that they are any more functional than the Prius, but for people that want them, a realistic 30 - 35 mpg for most drivers seems like an attractive offering. __________________ R2-E2: 2004 Prius, 37K miles, lifetime MPG 57.1 as of 8/2006. Rolling 12 month average: 61.05

07-02-2006, 07:24 PM	#7
jeromep Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Eastern Washington State Posts: 821 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Ford is in their second year of Escape Hybrid production (and headding strongly into their 3rd year) and of any of the worldwide auto manufacturers, Ford, GM and D/C are not in a financial position to build vehicles with build or mechanical issues they have not done their best to anticipate and eliminate before production. It is a lot less expensive to eliminate as many potential problems before production than after. The 05 Escape Hybrids have had a very successful run and the 06 is doing well also. You would see plenty of Escape Hybrids on the road right now if Ford had their own internal tooling to build the hybrid related components themselves. However they outsource many of the hybrid components from some of the same manufacturers that Toyota sources their components from and as such Ford is a second filddle buyer compared to the "home team". __________________ It has been said: Hybrid drivers come in 3 flavors, greenie, techie and cheapie. Pick any 2. 2005 Prius, Millenium Silver over gray, package 5 (AI)

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07-02-2006, 07:10 PM	#3
Lola'05 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Southeastern PA Posts: 147 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	I have driven a SUV for several years now. And I do like it. In fact, I kept my Explorer when I bought the Prius, thinking that the Prius would not meet all of my needs. I am a nurse- meaning you have to get to work -no matter what the weather is. The past winter, here in the Philly suburbs, was mild. But that is not always the case. If there was a small SUV hybrid with 4WD on demand available- Honda or Toyota- I would be the first one in line to sign up. I would gladly sacrifice the mpg for the 4WD and additional ground clearance. That is better than shoveling the driveway. My borough is not well known for clearing the streets of snow. After I get out of my local area and on the major roads, I am OK. Yeah, RAV4 or CRV- I am there.

07-02-2006, 07:13 PM	#4
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 19,407 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 215 Thanked 327 Times in 228 Posts Friends: 22	I"m guessing the Escape Hybrid doesn't cut it for you? Hmm... eventually Toyota will have one. It'll be the truck and minivan next before coming around back to the SUV...

07-02-2006, 07:14 PM	#5
jeromep Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Eastern Washington State Posts: 821 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Funny, but last time I checked there was a compact hybrid SUV out there. The Ford Escape Hybrid (and Mercury Mariner Hybrid) and it has an excellent track record and the owner base is quite loyal. Owner loyality isn't easy to come by these days. That speaks volumes as to the suitability of the vehicle to the go anywhere, anytime needs of some folks.

07-02-2006, 07:26 PM	#8
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 19,407 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 215 Thanked 327 Times in 228 Posts Friends: 22	Yeah.. I thought the Ford Escape Hybrid came out last year. I know cause I test drove that and the Accord Hybrid on the same day last June. Besides, the only thing that turns me away from the Escape is the interior. God awful. Like the salesman said.. .it's a Ford Truck and built like a Ford Truck.. I couldn't agree more!

07-02-2006, 07:33 PM	#10
clintd555 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 253 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 1	Are you kidding me? I don't think so. Yes I'm aware of the Escape Hybrid. I'm not buying a Ford, Perid. Unless it's a Mustang. And I ain't buying no Mustang. Sorry guys. Actually the real reason is because the Escape is using old Toyota's Gen 1 technology. Not that there's anything wrong with the Gen 1 technology, but it's only averaging 32 MPG from a database of drivers from green hybrid. Mind you this is only 2 more MPG than the RAV4 on highway, BUT the Escape cost about $10,000 more?!?! I don't think so and I'm shocked there are people who'd actually buy the Hybrid Escape given it doesn't get much better MPG than the gas CRV and RAV. I guess if I wanted to buy a hybrid just because it was a hybrid, the Mercury or Escape will be more appealing but I'd like to be a little more practical than that.