Hybrid Rav4 coming?

clintd555 · 02-01-2007, 10:08 AM

I've decided that a mini-SUV fits my needs better than a hatchback car. Are there plans to make a hybrid Rav4 or Hybrid CRV in the near future? <_<

SomervillePrius · 02-01-2007, 10:31 AM

no. not that I know of.

For the moment the Ford Escape Hybrid or Toyota Highlander seem to be the best alternatives. What makes the prius less useful then the RAV IV for you? The older model is not that big. That said the latest RAV IV is not a small call anymore!

I was considering the highlander hybrid before I bought the Prius and it honestly doesn't give you that much more room.

David Beale · 02-01-2007, 10:43 AM

There are currently three hybrid "small" SUVs. The Ford Escape hybrid, the Highlander hybrid, and a Saturn (due this year). Mazda will start selling their version of the Escape hybrid this spring/summer (the Escape is a Ford/Mazda vehicle). None of them are actually small. They are all at least 3500 lbs and use about twice the fuel that a Prius uses.

Toyota is rumored to be doing a RAV4 hybrid, but currently they are pausing introduction of new vehicles to return to their legendary quality.

clintd555 · 02-01-2007, 10:56 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SomervillePrius @ Feb 1 2007, 09:31 AM) [snapback]383854[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

What makes the prius less useful then the RAV IV for you?
[/b]

Well I had a chance to see a Prius in person, and it's no mini-SUV. It's bigger than my Jetta, slightly smaller than the Camry, but clearly not as big and flexible as a mini-SUV. There's 3 people in my family and my Jetta is pretty small for us. Not to mention I already have a compact car. Adding another one would be a bit redundant.

scoot · 02-01-2007, 11:12 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(clintd555 @ Feb 1 2007, 07:56 AM) [snapback]383877[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Well I had a chance to see a Prius in person, and it's no mini-SUV. It's bigger than my Jetta, slightly smaller than the Camry, but clearly not as big and flexible as a mini-SUV. There's 3 people in my family and my Jetta is pretty small for us. Not to mention I already have a compact car. Adding another one would be a bit redundant.
[/b]

The Prius is bigger than the Jetta and with the rear seats folded down and with it being a hatchback, you get a lot more flexibility for hauling stuff. The Prius is not termed a "compact car" either. If you want something bigger, then you aren't going to get the 40 to 60 mpg, your choice. If you haven't spent some time in a Prius, I think it is worth your time to do so before you purchase anything.

(Former Jetta owner -- fun car to drive, typical so-so German reliability, loads of depreciation, etc)

Beryl Octet · 02-01-2007, 11:14 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(clintd555 @ Feb 1 2007, 10:56 AM) [snapback]383877[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Well I had a chance to see a Prius in person, and it's no mini-SUV. It's bigger than my Jetta, slightly smaller than the Camry, but clearly not as big and flexible as a mini-SUV. There's 3 people in my family and my Jetta is pretty small for us. Not to mention I already have a compact car. Adding another one would be a bit redundant.
[/b]

There's the Ford Escape, and Highlander Hybrid, as someone mentioned. My first wife has an '04 RAV4, it's not that much roomier than my Prius, the big advantage is probably rear seat headroom, and there's not as much cargo capacity behind the rear seats as you might think. You can do the seat flip thing, though, for bulky cargo, which is a plus. Basically a Corolla wagon. I'd think a Camry or Highlander would offer much more room, but it really depends on your family.

ShellyT · 02-01-2007, 11:20 AM

What exactly do you need a SUV for?
If it's cargo, the Prius can hold a lot. It is roomier than a Jetta, and it isn't a compact. Granted the hatch back has less space than a similiar wagon shape vehicle, and it can limit head space for the tall. A Matrix has more cargo space than the Prius, and has similiar mpg to the hybrid suvs. So does the Focus wagon, and it has the same cargo capacity as the current Rav4. In CARB states, and as an option in border states, the Focus is rated has a PZEV SULEV vehicle. Unfortunely, the redesigned '08 Focus doesn't have a wagon trim.

If you want 4WD, the Matrix is available with AWD.

dmckinstry · 02-01-2007, 03:33 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ShellyT @ Feb 1 2007, 08:20 AM) [snapback]383897[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

What exactly do you need a SUV for?
If it's cargo, the Prius can hold a lot. It is roomier than a Jetta, and it isn't a compact. Granted the hatch back has less space than a similiar wagon shape vehicle, and it can limit head space for the tall. A Matrix has more cargo space than the Prius, and has similiar mpg to the hybrid suvs. So does the Focus wagon, and it has the same cargo capacity as the current Rav4. In CARB states, and as an option in border states, the Focus is rated has a PZEV SULEV vehicle. Unfortunely, the redesigned '08 Focus doesn't have a wagon trim.

If you want 4WD, the Matrix is available with AWD.
[/b]

I have a friend, who after having ridden in my Prius, told me it has as much head room as his Ford Explorer. He's 6ft 6 inches. Of course, part of the issue may be in whether more of your height is in your legs or your torso.

Dave M.

Proco · 02-01-2007, 03:41 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ShellyT @ Feb 1 2007, 11:20 AM) [snapback]383897[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

A Matrix has more cargo space than the Prius, and has similiar mpg to the hybrid suvs.[/b]

I certainly wouldn't be upset if Toyota would come out with a hybrid Matrix sometime. It would make a perfect second car for us.

**Tideland Prius** · 02-01-2007, 09:02 PM

The HiHy is a midsize SUV.

The current RAV4 is the 3rd gen not the 4th and is waaay larger than the previous two generations. It's nearly the size of the current Highlander. If you haven't sat in it, do so. Sitting in the back seat, you can recline it, push it back and relax in limo-like comfort (and you thought the Prius' backseat was roomy!)

02-01-2007, 11:20 AM	#7
ShellyT Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: eastern Pennsylvania Posts: 482 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 3 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Friends: 0	What exactly do you need a SUV for? If it's cargo, the Prius can hold a lot. It is roomier than a Jetta, and it isn't a compact. Granted the hatch back has less space than a similiar wagon shape vehicle, and it can limit head space for the tall. A Matrix has more cargo space than the Prius, and has similiar mpg to the hybrid suvs. So does the Focus wagon, and it has the same cargo capacity as the current Rav4. In CARB states, and as an option in border states, the Focus is rated has a PZEV SULEV vehicle. Unfortunely, the redesigned '08 Focus doesn't have a wagon trim. If you want 4WD, the Matrix is available with AWD. __________________

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02-01-2007, 10:08 AM	#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 decided that a mini-SUV fits my needs better than a hatchback car. Are there plans to make a hybrid Rav4 or Hybrid CRV in the near future? <_<

02-01-2007, 10:31 AM	#2
SomervillePrius Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Somerville, MA Posts: 946 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	no. not that I know of. For the moment the Ford Escape Hybrid or Toyota Highlander seem to be the best alternatives. What makes the prius less useful then the RAV IV for you? The older model is not that big. That said the latest RAV IV is not a small call anymore! I was considering the highlander hybrid before I bought the Prius and it honestly doesn't give you that much more room.

02-01-2007, 10:43 AM	#3
David Beale Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 2,116 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: B Thanks: 3 Thanked 77 Times in 58 Posts Friends: 0	There are currently three hybrid "small" SUVs. The Ford Escape hybrid, the Highlander hybrid, and a Saturn (due this year). Mazda will start selling their version of the Escape hybrid this spring/summer (the Escape is a Ford/Mazda vehicle). None of them are actually small. They are all at least 3500 lbs and use about twice the fuel that a Prius uses. Toyota is rumored to be doing a RAV4 hybrid, but currently they are pausing introduction of new vehicles to return to their legendary quality.

02-01-2007, 09:02 PM	#10
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 19,606 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 227 Thanked 344 Times in 243 Posts Friends: 23	The HiHy is a midsize SUV. The current RAV4 is the 3rd gen not the 4th and is waaay larger than the previous two generations. It's nearly the size of the current Highlander. If you haven't sat in it, do so. Sitting in the back seat, you can recline it, push it back and relax in limo-like comfort (and you thought the Prius' backseat was roomy!)