Hi Darren O Were you able to negotiate a good price for the Cruiser (all options aside)? If so, might I ask what price you got for the Cruiser itself without any options? What does a side step look like? thanks for your post Breaker PS thinking of getting the same car in white but debating whether to get the RAV4 Cr, or the Camry Sports Hybrid - what made you go for the RAV4 instead of the Camry? PPS Lost interest in the new Kluger Hybrid Grande coming in at $82G

@@breaker1685 I paid $46K for the car + $7K for the accessories. I got a better deal than I thought i would because the dealers were able to give better pricing before management tightened the screws. I initially wanted a Kluger (before knowing the Hybrid was coming out) but the dealer convinced me the RAV4 was the better option based on my intended use i would get out of the vehicle, plus the Kluger was a thirstier vehicle. I went for the RAV4 over anything else like a Camry because I wanted the elevated position compared to a regular sedan and I also wanted the extra boot space the RAV offers as I do a bit of camping and general holidays so the extra boot space is handy. I used to own a FordG6E. The boot space was OK, but it had a huge bulge under the parcel shelf for the sub-woofer/speaker which limits the capacity to get larger items into the book and through into the general cabin area with the passenger seats down. The side-steps are really just like those on any other vehicle. Not that the RAV requires anyone to climb into it like a Landcruiser or similar vehicle, but they help when wanting to put anything on the roof or washing the car, as well as give that little bit of protection from scratching the paintwork under the door as you climb in/out of the vehicle. The only downside for me now, is that as I live in Victoria, the government has now brought in the EV tax where I'll be paying a user-pays fee based on kilometers i've travelled each year.

@@darrenoleary5952 the new Vic tax doesn’t apply to the RAV4 as it’s counted as a conventional Hybrid. It only applies to fully electric cars and plug in Hybrid cars. The RAV4 hybrid is neither of those so we’re exempt here in Vic thankfully. Regarding the floor mats. The dealership was shifty and told me that they’d throw them in as well. Then the sales manager told me that carpet floor mats are free with every new purchase and included as standard. Typical salesman lol

@@borgie83 Thanks. Good to know about the RAV4 would be exempt from the EV tax.

Do you get the 4.7/100, or the 1000kms a tank they suggest?

@Krishanthan Kanagenthiran exactly mate, the problem is no stock, it’s every hard to find this car now and used car is expensive than the new one Lol

I love the old RAV4’s. Just bought a 2004 Cruiser in manual to drive while I wait for my new RAV4 to arrive. Love it so much that I’ve decided to keep the old 2nd generation Rav as a second car. Surprisingly fun to drive.

Nice! What’s the wait on these things at the moment?

Is the car in this video black on black as well?

I could have written your post myself as did exactly the same. The Edge just didn't do it for us. we picked up the cruiser hybrid AWD in January with tow bar, nudge bar, side steps, rubber cargo mat and bonnet protector. also did window tints and paint and leather protection and factory dash cam. ours is Graphite, you most certainly won't be disappointed . we paid $55 drive away for all of that.

@@qldgooner happy to hear that you’re enjoying it. I really am excited to receive mine. Forgot to order the bonnet protector but I’m sure that won’t be hard to get fitted once it arrives. Regarding the Edge, I also looked at the extra features it has for off road driving but in all honesty, anyone that wants to do proper four wheel driving doesn’t buy a RAV4 so I saw it as kinda pointless. The only thing it has that I wish the Cruiser had was the Panoramic sunroof.

Hey mate, it is said that 6 months now or could be longer?

@@erictangF around 6 months for a Hybrid but it drops to around 4 months for a petrol engine/8 speed gearbox. Personally the hybrid is a much better drive though and I recommend asking your dealer for the 2022 model as in December Toyota start rolling out an update model with a heap of extra features. I updated my order for a 2022 build after I heard the announcement.

@@borgie83 Yeah, I’ve been told that 6 extra features with 2022 model and extra $1,5k to $2,5k, I’ve just ordered one of 2021, there was a cancellation from someone, is that you Lol.

how long did you wait to get your beauty?

Accelerate wit full power and you will instantly will notice you are in a toyota. The engine is really loud, i dont understand how people dont get anoyed by it, and the wind noise as well is frustrating. Going on a highway at 130km/h is not a pleasant drive. I tested one this week, i was really looking forward for a new toyota rav4...but i will skip. Im driving a bmw, and it is an old one more than 10 years old, but i would never change it for a new rav4. Disappointed, i really like the look of it :(

Not even a little?

Sorry to say I don't have an exact figure for you! I wasn't the only one to drive the car during its stay and didn't get the chance to do a realistic fuel test for a result I'd publish. -Chris

I Have 2021 FWD model and so far 5.4l/100km driving mostly in sport mode

The cabin road noise sounded loud in the recording. Is that due to low profile tyres or being AWD?

I have the 2020 Hybrid AWD Cruiser, and have done over 10,000km now averaging 5.1 litres/100km.

@@johnlambert1744 I was thinking of getting the RAV4 AWD Hybrid Cruiser also - what are your main pros and cons re road noise, engine noise, comfort, etc - with thanks

lucky you! I was told 10 months....

The Rav4 is an electro CVT in other words it is driven by an electric motor and has gears with no belts or chains.

@speedymini998 I have the same question. However, I think the absence of Govt Tax Incentives is a major factor why Toyota (and some other EV car manufacturers) overlooking Australia.

I agree - but then, a goodly number of those waiting on the standard RAV4 would switch to the PRIME version which is quieter as I saw in one video

@@breaker1685 I got sick of waiting and have ordered a RAV4 hybrid. I completely agree with you, if in the next 6 months Toyota release the Prime I’ll switch my order.

@@speedymini998 Does the contract allow an escape clause to get out or switch? I know that one Toyota dealer offered me a lower version RAV4 than the cruiser because the order was cancelled. It was sitting there in the their yard. PS The Kluger Hybrid out very soon - apparently much nicer in quality ride, etc, 7litres/100 klm

It's unlikely to sell well in Australia as it would be around ~65-70k which is Kluger pricing

That's just a belief

@@HDvids101 I’ve ordered a Hybrid AWD Cruiser so have to wait 6 months for it to arrive. Regarding the German cars comment, I’m coming from a latest model BMW which got written off in a car accident. Decided to switch to a Toyota as it’s a lot cheaper and leaves me with money to spare for house renovations. The BMW was a lot more refined, luxurious and powerful but it also cost more than twice the price of a RAV4 so it’s to be expected.

I’ve owned Audi’s, BMW’s and now a Volvo for the past 20-something years. I’ve just ordered a RAV4 cruiser hybrid AWD. The euro cars are definitely a nicer proposition, but, reliability just isn’t there. How many 20 year old euro’s do you see on the roads driving around? Answer, nowhere near the amount of 20 year old Japanese cars...facts.

In the US it’s called “Blueprint”

Saturn Blue (in the Australian brochure)

saturn blue

The entry spec has a manual option.

Yes. With two electric motors

Not by too much to be noticeable! I Have 2021 FWD model and I like it more than demo AWD I had for couple of days. It feel it handles steep hills better and it is more responsive.

Slightly better 0-100 but it drives much nicer day to day and is less revvy then the FWD. Also holds traction really well!

Awd helps preventing the wheels from spinning when accelerating from standstill so it will be a little faster at the start

And WA

I live in Brisbane and actually love the heated seats! Use them all the time, helps with my lower back that tends to get sore.

I got the ventilated seats in my NX300, it’s not that great in cooling things down. The heated seats are far more useful.

ventilated seats coming on the new model, cruiser & above I think?

Received my cruiser Hybrid yesterday and it does come with ventilated seats

Fuel tank NOT an issue in ex Japanese Factory cars but only in US made RAV4s. Service costs are the same fixed price of $230 for the first 5 years / 75,000 ks for both the Petrol on;y and the Hybrid models.

Yeah that confused me given I paid 48 for the 2WD

@@priyantpratap8253 do you know whether the cruiser hybrid drives exactly the same as the gx or gxl hybrid?

@@armaniyo I've heard good things about the way they drive. I chose the cruiser because of the aesthetics and seats.

@@priyantpratap8253 I test drove the gx hybrid and I didn't like it as I found it was boring and dull plus it had body roll. Immediately after I tested the Camry Hybrid and I found it a far better drive as it was much more fun and engaging. So if the cruiser hybrid drives the same as the gx hybrid then I'll pass.

@@armaniyo Same engine across the hybrid range, although the Edge has a 2.5 litre but is petrol only.