Thanks for linking to this video. I am trying to decide between a Prius (preferraby a Prius V or plug-in) and a RAV4 (which was suggested by a friend who drives a Prius V but is thinking about a RAV4 for herself). And, like the people in the video, I could afford a luxury vehicle, but I do not want one and never have wanted one. Our currents car are a gas-guzzling minivan and an aging 2003 Ford, But the Ford went to car heaven on Tuesday, so it is tiime to look for a hybrid — at last.
A Prius v is not a reliable used car and would save you no money. Head gasket leaks are hidden by sellers and excessive oil consumption is common. You would overpay today for a mistake that would became obvious later.
. OK ... So I'm curious here. Is there some issue with the Prius?!? It seems to me that people today are buying more and more SUVs or Trucks. Does nobody want a regular car any more?!? I had a Ford Focus Wagon for a while, a 2000, which for NO good reason that I could control, replaced with a Jeep*. I was showing multiple dogs at shows and I need room for their crates. I no longer have those multiple dogs and have since been very happy with my '05 G2. If I swap it out tomorrow for a RAV4, am I gonna get the 60-mpg that I'm getting now?!? Does the Prius now suck?!?
it's too small for most people, for a variety of reasons. you can't put the genie back in the bottle. the only prius that's a problem is the gen 3, because of the egr, brake actuator and head gasket
Hey Zepp -- whilst I love the mpg of course (just now getting into the 90s and dare I say, 100s...?)... the 5G is pretty cramped, less room in it now than 4G for sure. I wouldn't give that up for its handling and esp the efficiency... but it doesn't allow much cross-shopping with those who most buy vehicle nowadays, those for crossovers like the RAV. 43 mpg EPA means you can probably pretty easily hit 50s in one... but it isn't the 70s / 80s I used to get before slowing way down with the R-lane crowd (and getting their windbreak ). Better than just about anything that still has an ICE tho. If Akio's word means anything, the future Corolla will make the Prius obsolete, as it'll have equal or better capability w/o sacrificing as much function. Will believe it when I see it tho... probably right about the time I'm ready to trade in again
If you NEED a pickup, the F-150 isn't a bad choice although I'm NOT a Ford fan - but if you do not need a pickup the Rav-4 is a better vehicle - if not overly expensive for a small CUV. Probably not THE better vehicle - but I was outvoted in that particular poll. There are several non-hybridized alternatives that are thousands cheaper and more widely available - but the RAV4 is the 'hot hatchback' in today's market for sure! The F-150 is dying from the 'dumbs.' In a fair and just world the "big 5" could put out a 1985 Toyota Pickup (or Ford Ranger) sized truck in the mid $20,000 price range - buuuuut...... the world is neither fair nor just. Farmers, Ranchers, and people in the trades who actually NEED a truck are forced to drive THIS as their 'last affordable truck.'
the base hycam is reasonably priced, gets 50mpg+, and is smooth, quiet and roomy. but a lot of people want an suv for various reasons. I suppose it was the same way when the station wagon was invented 2026 Camry Starting MSRP $ 29,300*
Bet! Forgot about it... well tbh not an uncommon thing w\ Camrys Test-drove both ('24 5G & '25 Camcam) before pulling trigger on the Prees -- Camry defo felt more ponderous on-road but omg, the room inside vs. a 5G is not subtle Ride was actually worse for Camry (both LE trims back-to-back)... but that can be down to stealership inflating tires to improve perception. That would've been done to the Prius as well tho... so I'd drive both in person before making any judgements -- the Camry's utility is miles above the Prius, esp that trunk area and back seat I couldn't buy the Camry due to being too big (plus 57 mpg EPA is 5 mpg sweeter LE-to-LE (not to mention that Camry will never hit nearly 100 mpg as been doing now on the regular). But 60s and even 70s will be super-easy.
Different cars for sure. Both have their pluses and minuses. Prius got too small for me, and even the Camry is a head banger getting in and out. Bolt is perfect for Mrs b and I, but again, it has its limitations
I've got some stick time in Camrys and they're good sedans - even GREAT sedans......but they're still sedans. If you can get by with a *yawn!* transportation appliance and you don't have things like a job in the trades, pets, kids, hobbies that involve bulky things, or you have another vehicle - then a Hycam can be a great....car. It's little....lower than Trump's approval ratings, doesn't have a hatch(**), has itty-bitty little tires, and an underfed opossum can send one to the body shop resulting in a high 4-figure repair bill. (**) Gen Z prefers to call them a "liftback" lest their $40,000 hatchback be confused with a........hatchback.
I can see why smaller car sales are down. As you get older, 1 - The name of the game is no pain 2 - it's harder to get in and out of smaller cars, hence mini-vans and suv's get a longer look when looking to buy. the Rav 4 hybrid is a good option.
For us right now, 3 really active boys ... camping, fishing, kayaking ... lots of bulky gear. Our Sienna & Maverick work great for hauling us and them around, with the Maverick just about matching the fuel economy I had in my Prius v but with a ton more utility. I thought about a Rav 4 hybrid, but then cablegate turned me off since I live in an area with lots of road salt, and Toyota's solution is just a bandaid. But I'm sure one day when the boys are out of the house, we'll downsize. Bullet 2 above is why I'm getting C6 Corvette now before I can no longer get in or out of one ... man getting old sure can stink.
are these sales numbers at odds with the op's video? 2025-full-year-usa-top-10-best-selling-vehicle-models includes previous years as well
Nope. One article lists private sales, while the other one is about total actual sales. Farms and small companies.....
Didn't watch the video, but those numbers aren't for just the half ton truck model. They include the 250, 350, etc., possibly even counting trucks that need a CDL. It is the same with the Silverado. It isn't much different than adding the Highlander to the Rav4.
Yep. And the number of Japanese and Chinese Kei-class mini-trucks being imported for small businesses, rather than spend on even a used conventional domestic-made vehicle, is one of many signs the industry's lahdi-dahdi just in it for themselves. The coming Toyota Stout seems a step in the right direction... but tbh have only seen sparse press on it, 6 mos after we knew about it. Seems a plan to make a $2B plant in San Antonio to make it and other Toyotas, but that's about all I can find. Even less likely tho huge demand... a Kei-class mini truck made here's not going to meet the profit margins shareholders demand -- which is also why I hate shareholders having so much influence over product... speaking of an group just in it for themselves
