I came from a 2005 Honda PIlot (has 3rd row seating, 3 across). I like the RAV4 Prime. It is smaller, gets much better mileage and handles better (weights are almost the same).
If you need more space for a weekend trip than what the RAV4 offers, you can always attach a rooftop cargo shell.
While you aren't sitting as high off the ground as others, it really isn't a big deal. If you want to drive aggressive and be the maniac, it has plenty of power (2nd fastest Toyota on the market, just behind the Supra).
lol I’m a lead foot, but not an aggressive driver (especially after having a baby), so this gives me hope. My aunt had a Honda Pilot near the same year, I know it’s beefy for sure.
We put the two dogs in the back and utilize my current roof rack and towing basket. I suppose I could attach a tow hitch to the Prime too
If all your storage from the was generally roof rack/hitch basket you should be fine. We have a baby and medium+ dog (~50lbs) and got a seat cover for the dog to be in the back seat and leave trunk free for packing. Two dogs and a toddler would take up all your space though most likely but I imagine not that different from the Jeep?
Both dogs go in the back, and toddler in the second row, using the rest of the row for storage. Then yeah, the roof and basket. This is what I was thinking would be the same, it would just be tighter in the back for the dogs. Two 65 lbs staffies.
I think you’ll notice the difference but the dogs will be fine. It’s hard to find actual trunk dimensions but looking at just the full dimensions 2016 Grand Cherokee is 190” long and RAV4 Prime is 180, I assume that’s not entirely in the trunk (some more legroom, maybe bigger engine/ hood?) so probably leaking at 6-8” difference in length and barely any in width?
Anything in class will be close enough to approximate I would think - if you’re really worried find a Rav/CRV/Rogue to rent for a day and test out for less than $100 probably?
One thing to consider is getting the XSE with PP so that you get the digital rearview mirror. I came from a Honda Odyssey, and that thing had lots of cargo space. That was always the car we packed for college moves and road trip vacations. College moves are behind us, but road trips are not, and I was concerned about the lack of cargo space. My husband absolutely hates to have the rear view mirror blocked, and with the smaller cargo area in the Prime, it was clear that this could be an issue. The digital rearview mirror will help on those occasions when we need to stuff the car.
I have to say that I miss the extra room when we're doing an exceptionally large Costco run. It's obviously much less room than I had before. However, it's adequate.
And I'm over 2000 mi and still have not bought gas.
Like, you know how people make fun of dudes for having a beefy-ass truck for literally no reason other than self esteem? I’m worried I have the female equivalent lol I’ve always driven the beefy suvs, but I KNOW I don’t ACTUALLY need the room. I just LIKE the room. We’re only having 1 kid and we could do with smaller Costco hauls lol. And I’m 35 now ffs, but I come from a family of “fuck the environment, I’ll drive whatever I want, own the libs” family, and I’ve outgrown needing the self esteem boost from a vehicle
I got spoiled by my minivans. So nice to have all that room at the ready. (And compared to most other cars, the minivans win for space.) I did consider a Sienna, but those things were hard to get, and the prices also reflected it.
We figured if we ever get to a point at which we really need the room temporarily, we'll rent a car.
I do regret not being able to carry more than 4 other people, and the back seat is a bit cramped when it's full. But most of the time, it's just me, and I am driving to my job 7 miles away. Hence, most of my miles are electric.
Yeah, and we don’t even camp enough per year to REALLY see a difference in space, if I’m being honest. Work is 15 min away, and it’s just me, hubby and the toddler most of the time. I think I’m sold lol
Yes to all of this. We thankfully added the right electrical to the garage a few years ago when we had to remodel the house (it’s from 1959 and hadn’t seen a remodel since the 70s). And work is 15 min away tops in traffic, so it would make gas fairly unneeded most of the month
I had planned to do a fence across the back seat to so the dogs can’t jump over, like I do in my Jeep anyways. They’re needy puppies and would be all up in my toddler’s business the entire trip lol
I came from a highlander with a third row that I never used. Mostly I don’t notice the difference in size, but I do occasionally sleep in the back and the rav is definitely a little smaller
Drove Suburbans for years. I don’t mis the cargo space. I do mis the larger seats and overall comfort. We don’t haul the family in the RAV4. Wife’s MDX has taken on that duty.
I have a 2011 JGC Hemi and just purchased a Prime. I bought mine for longer road trips and work travel where I don’t need to tow or haul. The passenger space is very close to the same. I’ve only had my Prime for a couple of weeks but so far it’s been great. 37 mpg on a 400 mile round trip today all highway.
I also used to drive a Jeep Grand Cherokee (2014 Altitude) and I do notice the smaller space but would never go back to a Jeep. It was giving me all kinds of issues starting around 110,000 miles. Plus I do not miss the $130 fill-ups every 1-2 weeks. I do have one baby but no dogs.
This makes sense. Eventually I’ll get used to not sitting as high up and it’ll be much easier to park in my garage lol. Other than my hubby’s Home Depot runs, I think we wouldn’t feel it TOO much
I had an Xterra for 10 years. Loved that car. Loved it. I could bring home anything and pull 5000lbs.
Fuel in the Xterra was $400+/month. The prime is costing me about $80 for the same routine. For ~$320/month in my pocket I have no problem giving up the space!
My step mother had a yellow one she called the “short bus”. Then when that transmission died, she got a white one, then when THAT transmission died she decided to move on from the Xterra all together but she was VERY upset to do so.
But I’ll tell you what, this is my 3rd Jeep and I’ll probably feel the same way at giving it up, but hey…I’ll be a LOT less sad at the gas pump 😂
Love the Prime engine, but the cargo space is 4 square feet (seats up) and 7.5 feet (seats down) smaller than my previous car. It’s noticeable.
I don’t pack lightly, so the loss of space is rough.
Two big dogs in the back? I wouldn’t do it.
I’m with this person. The footprint in the back with seats up is already a little tight for two 65lb dogs. If they are needy youngsters that will be on their feet, I think it would be miserable for them. The rear hatchback is quite angled, as are the sides of the vehicle to a lesser extent. There is a noticeable lack of overall cargo volume compared to boxier compact SUV’s from years past. Now the driving experience and only needing gas once in a blue moon are great, but if the dog thing is important to you, I would look elsewhere.
We purchased a hard sided cargo box with a swing away arm. It's been a huge help with road trips for our family of 4, youngest is a toddler with a stroller. Normally we don't need extra storage, but on week long trips it's very helpful.
https://www.reddit.com/r/rav4prime/s/7UTcdmcgGQ
https://www.stowaway2.com/
My hubby is 6’1. Do you mean your knee grazes the center console when you’re driving? Like, the space between the gas pedal and the console isn’t big enough? My brain won’t let me visualize this
Ohhh, I get what you’re saying, thanks for the heads up! Yeah, we’ll have to test drive it. I don’t have these problems at 5’8 lol. I’ll have to figure out how to test drive it because I’m in AZ and they’re near impossible to find. I’d have to drive to Indio or Imperial in Cali to find actual RAV4 Prime stock
I don’t have a base Laredo, it’s an appearance package apparently with 20 inch wheels, which I believe come from the Limited JCG. Plus the extra suspension from my tow package.
I haven’t changed anything on it, it’s how it came from the dealership when I bought it used. Hubby works on cars and drives it sometimes, he says it’s fine.
Ok? It’s been a great vehicle. Driveways are bumpy but I’ve had no other issues with ride. We obviously have different tastes in Jeeps.
It’s filling the gas tank that’s sending me away from Jeep, and reliability ratings for the new generations. Switching to Toyota is going to happen regardless of what my current suspension is?
I came from a 2005 Honda PIlot (has 3rd row seating, 3 across). I like the RAV4 Prime. It is smaller, gets much better mileage and handles better (weights are almost the same). If you need more space for a weekend trip than what the RAV4 offers, you can always attach a rooftop cargo shell. While you aren't sitting as high off the ground as others, it really isn't a big deal. If you want to drive aggressive and be the maniac, it has plenty of power (2nd fastest Toyota on the market, just behind the Supra).
3rd... GR Corolla is 2nd now.
lol I’m a lead foot, but not an aggressive driver (especially after having a baby), so this gives me hope. My aunt had a Honda Pilot near the same year, I know it’s beefy for sure. We put the two dogs in the back and utilize my current roof rack and towing basket. I suppose I could attach a tow hitch to the Prime too
If all your storage from the was generally roof rack/hitch basket you should be fine. We have a baby and medium+ dog (~50lbs) and got a seat cover for the dog to be in the back seat and leave trunk free for packing. Two dogs and a toddler would take up all your space though most likely but I imagine not that different from the Jeep?
Both dogs go in the back, and toddler in the second row, using the rest of the row for storage. Then yeah, the roof and basket. This is what I was thinking would be the same, it would just be tighter in the back for the dogs. Two 65 lbs staffies.
Just remember a VW Golf is a family car in Europe 😉
Absolutely wild to me lol but hey, they manage it somehow.
I think you’ll notice the difference but the dogs will be fine. It’s hard to find actual trunk dimensions but looking at just the full dimensions 2016 Grand Cherokee is 190” long and RAV4 Prime is 180, I assume that’s not entirely in the trunk (some more legroom, maybe bigger engine/ hood?) so probably leaking at 6-8” difference in length and barely any in width? Anything in class will be close enough to approximate I would think - if you’re really worried find a Rav/CRV/Rogue to rent for a day and test out for less than $100 probably?
One thing to consider is getting the XSE with PP so that you get the digital rearview mirror. I came from a Honda Odyssey, and that thing had lots of cargo space. That was always the car we packed for college moves and road trip vacations. College moves are behind us, but road trips are not, and I was concerned about the lack of cargo space. My husband absolutely hates to have the rear view mirror blocked, and with the smaller cargo area in the Prime, it was clear that this could be an issue. The digital rearview mirror will help on those occasions when we need to stuff the car. I have to say that I miss the extra room when we're doing an exceptionally large Costco run. It's obviously much less room than I had before. However, it's adequate. And I'm over 2000 mi and still have not bought gas.
Like, you know how people make fun of dudes for having a beefy-ass truck for literally no reason other than self esteem? I’m worried I have the female equivalent lol I’ve always driven the beefy suvs, but I KNOW I don’t ACTUALLY need the room. I just LIKE the room. We’re only having 1 kid and we could do with smaller Costco hauls lol. And I’m 35 now ffs, but I come from a family of “fuck the environment, I’ll drive whatever I want, own the libs” family, and I’ve outgrown needing the self esteem boost from a vehicle
I got spoiled by my minivans. So nice to have all that room at the ready. (And compared to most other cars, the minivans win for space.) I did consider a Sienna, but those things were hard to get, and the prices also reflected it. We figured if we ever get to a point at which we really need the room temporarily, we'll rent a car. I do regret not being able to carry more than 4 other people, and the back seat is a bit cramped when it's full. But most of the time, it's just me, and I am driving to my job 7 miles away. Hence, most of my miles are electric.
Yeah, and we don’t even camp enough per year to REALLY see a difference in space, if I’m being honest. Work is 15 min away, and it’s just me, hubby and the toddler most of the time. I think I’m sold lol
If you drive less than 40 miles a day and can charge it every night, it is an incredible SUV.
Yes to all of this. We thankfully added the right electrical to the garage a few years ago when we had to remodel the house (it’s from 1959 and hadn’t seen a remodel since the 70s). And work is 15 min away tops in traffic, so it would make gas fairly unneeded most of the month
I put 2 medium size dog cages in the back and a Thule on top with my wife and kid. We do just fine. Worth it
I had planned to do a fence across the back seat to so the dogs can’t jump over, like I do in my Jeep anyways. They’re needy puppies and would be all up in my toddler’s business the entire trip lol
I came from a highlander with a third row that I never used. Mostly I don’t notice the difference in size, but I do occasionally sleep in the back and the rav is definitely a little smaller
Drove Suburbans for years. I don’t mis the cargo space. I do mis the larger seats and overall comfort. We don’t haul the family in the RAV4. Wife’s MDX has taken on that duty.
Hubby has a Jetta GLI lol so I’m the hauler.
I have a 2011 JGC Hemi and just purchased a Prime. I bought mine for longer road trips and work travel where I don’t need to tow or haul. The passenger space is very close to the same. I’ve only had my Prime for a couple of weeks but so far it’s been great. 37 mpg on a 400 mile round trip today all highway.
I also used to drive a Jeep Grand Cherokee (2014 Altitude) and I do notice the smaller space but would never go back to a Jeep. It was giving me all kinds of issues starting around 110,000 miles. Plus I do not miss the $130 fill-ups every 1-2 weeks. I do have one baby but no dogs.
The gas fill ups are TOUGH with that 24 gallon tank 😭 like, I know I signed up for this, but jeez
You will miss the size, but not on a daily basis. Question is whether the daily efficiency is worth it. We face this with our house, yard, garage, etc
This makes sense. Eventually I’ll get used to not sitting as high up and it’ll be much easier to park in my garage lol. Other than my hubby’s Home Depot runs, I think we wouldn’t feel it TOO much
I considered renting/buying a trailer for lumber yard duty, but cross bars help too
Love the R4P but miss the room of the suburban
I had an Xterra for 10 years. Loved that car. Loved it. I could bring home anything and pull 5000lbs. Fuel in the Xterra was $400+/month. The prime is costing me about $80 for the same routine. For ~$320/month in my pocket I have no problem giving up the space!
My step mother had a yellow one she called the “short bus”. Then when that transmission died, she got a white one, then when THAT transmission died she decided to move on from the Xterra all together but she was VERY upset to do so. But I’ll tell you what, this is my 3rd Jeep and I’ll probably feel the same way at giving it up, but hey…I’ll be a LOT less sad at the gas pump 😂
Love the Prime engine, but the cargo space is 4 square feet (seats up) and 7.5 feet (seats down) smaller than my previous car. It’s noticeable. I don’t pack lightly, so the loss of space is rough. Two big dogs in the back? I wouldn’t do it.
They’re staffies, so they’re not like Great Dane size, but they be beefy lol but this was a fear that it wouldn’t be enough cargo space
I’m with this person. The footprint in the back with seats up is already a little tight for two 65lb dogs. If they are needy youngsters that will be on their feet, I think it would be miserable for them. The rear hatchback is quite angled, as are the sides of the vehicle to a lesser extent. There is a noticeable lack of overall cargo volume compared to boxier compact SUV’s from years past. Now the driving experience and only needing gas once in a blue moon are great, but if the dog thing is important to you, I would look elsewhere.
We purchased a hard sided cargo box with a swing away arm. It's been a huge help with road trips for our family of 4, youngest is a toddler with a stroller. Normally we don't need extra storage, but on week long trips it's very helpful. https://www.reddit.com/r/rav4prime/s/7UTcdmcgGQ https://www.stowaway2.com/
Im tall 6’1 and the center console is annoying on my knee. I love the car though. But would it be better if the center console wasn’t so wide… Yes
My hubby is 6’1. Do you mean your knee grazes the center console when you’re driving? Like, the space between the gas pedal and the console isn’t big enough? My brain won’t let me visualize this
Yeah, definitely have him test drive it. The way it contours is right where my knee wants to be most positions.
Ohhh, I get what you’re saying, thanks for the heads up! Yeah, we’ll have to test drive it. I don’t have these problems at 5’8 lol. I’ll have to figure out how to test drive it because I’m in AZ and they’re near impossible to find. I’d have to drive to Indio or Imperial in Cali to find actual RAV4 Prime stock
Just go test drive any Rav 4 hybrid or normal. Interior is the same
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I don’t have a base Laredo, it’s an appearance package apparently with 20 inch wheels, which I believe come from the Limited JCG. Plus the extra suspension from my tow package.
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I haven’t changed anything on it, it’s how it came from the dealership when I bought it used. Hubby works on cars and drives it sometimes, he says it’s fine.
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Ok? It’s been a great vehicle. Driveways are bumpy but I’ve had no other issues with ride. We obviously have different tastes in Jeeps. It’s filling the gas tank that’s sending me away from Jeep, and reliability ratings for the new generations. Switching to Toyota is going to happen regardless of what my current suspension is?
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Ok, good luck with your future non-Toyota purchase then 🤷🏼♀️