Thanks for all the feedback so far, please keep it coming :)

Are you buying new? is there an EV that would suit?

Otherwise wait for the clean car subsidy you might get some rebate

703:

 

I have driven the RAV4 Hybrid and inspected it front to end, not impressed with the interior quality. Trunk is not fully carpeted, flimsy plastics in everywhere that is not often touched. Engine noise goes right inside the cabin. 

 

That's what I thought when I had one as a rental. The luggage space looked like a tradesman's vehicle, and the entertainment system was a disaster with no Carplay. 

I was very happy when I eventually got back in my CX-5. 

Hopefully we might eventually see the Tucson hybrid here as it would probably be a better option than the RAV4. 

Rentals are famous for not being as speced up as vehicles the public can or would buy...

AFAIK Toyotas now have Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The RAV4, even in its top spec, is still not a luxury vehicle. You can pay $35000 more and get a Lexus NX if luxury is your thing and you want that platform. The NX PHEV is just about to be launched in NZ, but it is $110K.

I ordered a Rav4 Hybrid limited last year, due to arrive in Sept. Long wait times, but it allowed me to bump up the budget a bit.

Dingbatt:

 

AFAIK Toyotas now have Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

 

The one I test drove did.

703:

 

I have driven the RAV4 Hybrid and inspected it front to end, not impressed with the interior quality. Trunk is not fully carpeted, flimsy plastics in everywhere that is not often touched. Engine noise goes right inside the cabin. 

 

This is coming from 4's Lexus (GS460, GS450h, ES300h, RX450h). Toyota have also increased the price of the RAV4, and the Camry SX/ZR is sold out.

 

 

 

 

 

Not sure which model you looked at but we have owned ours for circa 18 months. Nice leather interior, yes there are some harder plastics low down in the easily muddied and scuffed area and ten harder plastics are more durable and easier to clean. The rear hatch area is carpeted but largely irrelevant to us as we installed a rubber lining so we didn't ned to worry about what we put in there. As for engine noise, no I have to disagree the 2.5 litre Hybrid we have is quiet. 

My only real annoyance is the infotainment system, to put it bluntly it is like 99% of cars, utter crap but with Android Auto and Apple Car Play installed We don't care, just wish we could fully disable all the extremely road safety messages the system blurts out even if one is on the hands free phone. It can be rage inducing. 

Edit; my wife has fallen in love with the 2022 Ford Mustang GT and wants to but one of those as our own vehicle and transfer the RAV4 to our business.

Dingbatt:

 

I think part of the petrol electric combo in these type of vehicles is for the torque provided by a diesel to be replaced by the electric motor. That’s how they get away with using an advanced Atkinson cycle engine to achieve great economy numbers. I think diesel for transport’s days are numbered.

 

I still see diesel being around for heavy and commercial applications a while yet.

The issue with a petrol hybrid is that you don't get seem to get the tow capacity 9I'm not sure why) and a lot of people tow stuff. 

The motor eventually caps out and then the pertrol does the donkey work anyway.

I suspect the big electric and hybrid US pick ups will be game changers, but not affordable for most people.

MikeAqua:

 

 

 

I still see diesel being around for heavy and commercial applications a while yet.

 

The issue with a petrol hybrid is that you don't get seem to get the tow capacity 9I'm not sure why) and a lot of people tow stuff. 

 

The motor eventually caps out and then the pertrol does the donkey work anyway.

 

I suspect the big electric and hybrid US pick ups will be game changers, but not affordable for most people.

 

The best we can do towing with the hybrid RAV in EV  is slow speed manoeuvring as in our driveway (flat as) or onto a flat pitch. Anything else and the ICE  kicks in. Our caravan is a lightweight coming at 840KG or 1040KG MPTLM

MikeB4:

 

Edit; my wife has fallen in love with the 2022 Ford Mustang GT and wants to but one of those as our own vehicle and transfer the RAV4 to our business.

 

I too longed to own a Mustang……Until I took one for a test drive. It was awful. Noisy, uncomfortable and didn’t drive well. Didn’t even have blind spot monitoring, which for a car that expensive with such limited visibility, is appalling. From my perspective they have a great “look at me” appeal, but that’s about it. After 1 April they’ll be $3500 dearer as well.

Hope she plans to spend a lot of time just looking at it in the driveway because it is going to cost a fortune to run in the future.

alasta:

 

703:

 

I have driven the RAV4 Hybrid and inspected it front to end, not impressed with the interior quality. Trunk is not fully carpeted, flimsy plastics in everywhere that is not often touched. Engine noise goes right inside the cabin. 

 

 

That's what I thought when I had one as a rental. The luggage space looked like a tradesman's vehicle, and the entertainment system was a disaster with no Carplay. 

 

I was very happy when I eventually got back in my CX-5. 

 

Hopefully we might eventually see the Tucson hybrid here as it would probably be a better option than the RAV4. 

 

To be fair the Rav4 is probably a cheaper car than the CX5 which ranges from $42K to $65K. The Rav4 is $39K to $57K. 

I agree about the boot. I have them regularly as rentals and get fed up with my suitcase sliding around and wind up putting in the back seat. The current shape is nicer to drive and way better on gas than the previous shape. I have the optional rubber liner in my hatch. 

As for carplay, I've just had it updated in my Corolla as it didn't have it when I bought it, but has become available as a paid upgrade. I've always liked Mazdas as their interiors are nice, but the engines are anemic (not that Toyota are any better) and whilst I loved the 6, it's a nightmare as rental with that central control dial. 

MikeB4:

 

703:

 

I have driven the RAV4 Hybrid and inspected it front to end, not impressed with the interior quality. Trunk is not fully carpeted, flimsy plastics in everywhere that is not often touched. Engine noise goes right inside the cabin. 

 

This is coming from 4's Lexus (GS460, GS450h, ES300h, RX450h). Toyota have also increased the price of the RAV4, and the Camry SX/ZR is sold out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not sure which model you looked at but we have owned ours for circa 18 months. Nice leather interior, yes there are some harder plastics low down in the easily muddied and scuffed area and ten harder plastics are more durable and easier to clean. The rear hatch area is carpeted but largely irrelevant to us as we installed a rubber lining so we didn't ned to worry about what we put in there. As for engine noise, no I have to disagree the 2.5 litre Hybrid we have is quiet. 

 

My only real annoyance is the infotainment system, to put it bluntly it is like 99% of cars, utter crap but with Android Auto and Apple Car Play installed We don't care, just wish we could fully disable all the extremely road safety messages the system blurts out even if one is on the hands free phone. It can be rage inducing. 

 

Edit; my wife has fallen in love with the 2022 Ford Mustang GT and wants to but one of those as our own vehicle and transfer the RAV4 to our business.

 

Limited model. There is no real leather anywhere apart from the steering wheel. The boot wheel arch is not carpeted, every used Rav4 have scratch marks on the arch. The carpet backing on the rear seats are thin as paper. The 12v battery cover tab is half broken brand new as it's no better than a tab designed for single use products. The engine is only quiet when not accelerating. There just isn't the sound insulation. The es300h has the same engine, but its much quieter when accelerating. 

quickymart:

 

Thanks for all the feedback so far, please keep it coming :)

 

Cheer's. It is an interesting topic.

And we get a really diverse range of hybrids here, thanks to getting both New models targeted at western countries, and used imported targeted at the Japan market.

If you want more specific feedback on what would suit, you give some more idea of a budget range, and your use case.

Obviously there is a world of difference between a $12k 2014 Corolla fielder station wagon, and a $76k high spec 2022 Highlander Hybrid.

I do still  quite like the fielder hybrid when it turns up as a ridehail. Decent boot & my head doesn't tough the roof in the back seat, unlike a 2nd gen prius.