GEN5 vs GEN3 ?

Please excuse the abstract nature of this post. I was very pleased with my Gen 3, but I am even more pleased with my Gen 5. The enhancements all seem to be right, and I definitely favor it as my daily driver.

 

I went from a Gen 4 model 2 to a 2026 XLE. I loved my Gen 4 but the tech in the Gen 5 is unbelievably more advanced vs the Gen 4. The Gen 4 was probably a little bigger but I don’t need the extra space.
The drive quality is about the same. The power is way better. In my case it was well worth it to upgrade. Especially since the Gen 5 with my trade cost me the same amount as the Gen 4 with trade in.

 

I can't speak to all the enhancements, but 100+ more horsepower definitely checks. It's true that the Gen 5 is a tight squeeze, but I can manage as a 6'2" creature. It's no doubt a concession to the lower roofline, which affords several advantages.

 

definitely the time to get out of the gen 3, before the head gasket blows and the brake actuator fails. all the best with your decision!

 

I went from a Gen 3 Three to a Gen 5 XLE AWD and am very happy that I did.

The Gen 5 Pros:

1. Gen 5 seat with adjustable lumbar and thigh supports is SO MUCH MORE comfortable
2. Backup camera lines
3. Toyota Safety Sense
4. Much improved infotainment system with Android Auto and, hence, Google Maps
5. Fast[er than the Gen 5 which was as fast as a bullock cart, but still as fuel efficient]
6. Improved looks​

1 to 3 are absolutely life changing.

Cons:

1. Less storage space
2. Low profile tires which, among other things, cannot fit chains
3. No spare tire​

The pros unquestionably outweighed the cons for me. I was very pleased with my Gen 3 but even more so with my Gen 5.

 

i went from a Gen 4 model 2 to a 2025 Camry XLE. I am REALLY enjoying the ride and other differences.

 

Perhaps look at the 2026 Camry. It has the Gen 5 hybrid system but is a little larger car. I am immensely enjoying my 2025 Camry XLE. Mu previous car was a 2017 Prius Gen 4 but i rode a few times in mu son's 2-15 Prius V Gen 3.

 

I can second the Camry. It’s a bit bigger, a bit more powerful, comparable fuel economy, comparable price, comfortable, smooth ride, and in my opinion looks better than the 5th gen Prius.

 

2026 RAV4 comes with TSS 4.0 and far, far improved multimedia, things like built-in dashcam, etc. If you are looking for the latest technology, 2026 RAV4 is way to go, and unlike Gen 5, it gets OTA updates on TSS and meter-gauge display along with mulltimedia.

Or keep your Gen 3 for three more years and get a Gen 6 Prius, which should be even a lot more advanced than 2026 RAV4. These days, car technology is advancing very fast.

 

“2026 RAV4 comes with TSS 4.0 and far, far improved multimedia”

It would be nice for Toyota to throw a bone to current Gen 5 owners and do a complete software multimedia update but I don’t see that happening. I could see a tweak here and there but that’s about it.

Personally I don’t even know why Toyota bothers trying to compete with Apple and Android, 99% of owners, me included, are addicted to car play or android auto. I only use the Toyota software now just to set a few settings and the maps software just seems to be superfluous. But if the new software version would incorporate some Tesla like features that would be a different story and a game changer.

 

Changing, and not always for the better?

 

Here's my take. Wife had a 2014 purchased new and it was a fantastic car until the head gasket went at 214K last month. Due to the high cost we sold it to CarMax for $900 which sucked because it was in fantastic shape. I purchased a 24 XLE AWD last year and really loved the car as a daily. She now has the XLE and I purchased a 26 Acura RDX A Spec. I am underwhelmed and actually miss my 24 XLE. Also someone mentioned the cons are the spare tire (I added all the parts at $800), lack of luggage space, and the short fob range for remote start. I refuse to pay $15/month to start my car.

 

I'm not sure I agree. I don't think it's that bad. Perhaps change the position of the fob. Or a different angle of approach to car (antenna locations/).

 

Went from an ICE car (10th-gen Civic) to a 5th-gen... and was rather shocked at how similar they are on-road.

Honda passenger cars have always had certain steering characteristics that make even the daily commute entertaining. The 30mm-narrower tires on the 5th-gen notwithstanding, the car's easily as much fun and I'd say, more fun due to the immediate torque around town. They're nearly identical in weight, too. Passing is far less theoretical than the 4th-gen I drove in 2018... but yes it is a bit more cramped, and the BZ4X's little Mt-Fuji smartphone display for a dash does have its detractors (fine with it now that I'm used to it).

If it matters... that Civic had a 1.5L turbo ICE, and was quite quick w/ a CVT. The 5th-gen has significantly more shove and from down lower, w/o the head gasket or CVT nightmares of that gen of Civic. Plus for more than a year in Normal mode, I'm averaging 62 on the dash, 63 - 65 actual. Plenty of throttle opening, but also quite a few 5-mi+ stretches where 99 mpg can be reached (low-to-mid 80s are far more common for that distance).

I say go for it if you're single and don't need the passenger compartment to be used for much (hatch area is non-trivially smaller)... but if needing to drop off kids in carseats or go on trips w/ fam... get a used 4th-gen. Far more reliable than the 3rd-gen... but trick is finding one someone will let go of in good kit (w/ lots of battery life left). Good luck and let us know what you decide!