Owner Review: 2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid SE

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In 2016 when Grant and Kim Massie were shopping for a vehicle to replace Kim’s beloved 2003 Chrysler Pacifica, they tested a Nissan Juke and a Toyota RAV4.

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While the RAV4 was appreciated, the Juke’s unique styling held Kim captivated. The Calgarians bought the Juke, but after driving the vehicle some three years, Kim ultimately found it too small for her needs. Plus, she just wasn’t cozy in the driver’s seat.

“I wasn’t comfortable in that vehicle,” she explains. “I have some back issues, and it didn’t matter how I moved in the driver’s seat or adjusted it, I could not get comfy. It was a fun little car, but it turned out just not to be practical for us.”

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Kim boards her horse, Lulu, on a farm near Priddis, Alberta. To care for and ride Lulu, Kim travels the highway at least four times a week through all conditions. The Pacifica was a good size and allowed Kim to haul horse tack and 40 lb. bags of feed. The Juke, with its all-wheel drive, provided sure traction, but it wouldn’t swallow the gear. Plus, Grant will occasionally drive out to the farm with Kim. When he comes along, so do their two black labs and border collie.

“The Juke was just too tiny,” he adds.

One Friday evening in April 2019, the couple were out in the Juke. They heard a radio advertisement promoting a sale at South Pointe Toyota and decided to stop by. Rolling up, they spotted a 2018 RAV4 Hybrid SE in Galactic Aqua Mica on the lot and asked to test drive the unit.

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Love at first drive

“We drove it for 10 minutes, we both said we love it, let’s buy it,” Grant says.

They traded the Juke and Grant’s Chrysler 300 plus some cash to get the RAV4, and for some time, they were a one vehicle family. Grant has since acquired an older Volkswagen Golf as a second car. The 2018 RAV4 Hybrid was the last year for the fourth-generation compact crossover sport utility vehicle. All RAV4s were updated to become fifth-generation models for 2019, but the ’18s still looked quite fresh. The style resonates with Grant.

“I find it appealing to look at, the curves are good, and the headlights give it an eye-catching appearance,” he says. Kim agrees, and adds, “It’s a very sharp looking vehicle, and the paint on it is great. Depending on the light, it can appear to be different colours.”

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Inside, their Hybrid SE is finished in Toyota’s SofTex material. It’s not leather, but mimics natural hide in its durability and breathability. Grant appreciates the heated seats and steering wheel, and enjoys the sunroof, too. The driver’s seat is power adjustable while the passenger seat is manually manipulated. That suits them both just fine. Also, they find working the RAV4’s amenities and technology is simple, including operating the navigation system and pairing their iPhones.

Under the hood of the 2018 RAV4 Hybrid resides a 2.5-litre four-cylinder combustion engine that produces 112 horsepower. It’s paired with an electric motor and combined, the two power sources put out 194 hp.

Why choose the RAV4 Hybrid?

Why did the Massie’s opt for the hybrid?

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Kim says, “We have to move towards more sustainable vehicles, and the hybrid is a great way to start that transition. I like the fact I get better fuel economy, and when I press the accelerator, the pick up with the electric motor is great.”

Grant adds, “This is our first hybrid vehicle, and I was interested in buying something that is very fuel efficient. And it’s not underpowered. We usually drive it in Economy mode, and I find it very peppy. When I’m in town, I like to see how far I can go on the electric motor alone, and while it does get driven frequently on the highway, (when the gasoline engine is the primary power source) I think there is a difference in how much we spend on fuel.”

It’s how the RAV4 handles and rides that impresses the couple, too. They say it’s very smooth, and that it rides like a much larger vehicle. Grant says that quality is something he wouldn’t have expected in the Toyota. The all-wheel drive feature of the RAV4 is important to Kim. She says her horse relies on her regardless of the road conditions, and the Toyota is sure-footed in adverse driving situations. Regarding the utility, the RAV4 has been used to haul hay bales, horse gear and large bags of feed – and the dogs.

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“The Juke was great on the snow,” Kim says, but adds, “It just didn’t have the room of the RAV4, and really doesn’t compare to the Toyota at all.”

Grant adds, “South Pointe Toyota gave us a deal that we felt was very fair, and I take the vehicle there for the periodic services as required. Both of those parts of their business have made us feel like they really appreciate my business and has been a bonus to owning this vehicle.”

The Pacifica was retired with more than 380,000 kilometres on the clock, and the Massie’s have already accumulated close to 49,000 on the RAV4.

“The Pacifica was large and really the lap of luxury and I liked it, but I like the RAV4 even more,” Kim says, and concludes, “There isn’t a feature on it that we don’t like.”

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Other Owners’ opinions

Other owners say much about the same as Kim and Grant Massie. On the website cars.com, 97 per cent of owners say they would recommend the 2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, and it scored 4.8 stars out of five.

In December 2017 one owner said: “I love the power, the room, the reliability and the stability. I wanted a Hybrid for conservation and efficiency. I wish it was a little more economical but overall it is a great car. I look forward to using it for many years to come.”

And in June 2018 another said: “I have been a Honda owner since 1999 and have had three Honda CRVs since then. I believe Honda is missing out with no hybrid CRV for direct competition. My husband has been a loyal Toyota owner and loves his Prius so he got me started in looking at Toyotas. The RAV4 hybrid has the SUV size plus the hybrid for gas economy. Love the technology with birds eye view, lane exit alerts, collision alerts, lane change/merge alerts. The drive is smooth in comparison to the CRV. I am still learning to drive a hybrid. It is something learned over time. I’m so happy with my purchase!”