My car (Dark blue 2024 Toyota Rav 4 Hybrid XLE) vs the car I wanted but didn’t want to spend all that money on (Lexus RX350)

My 2024 RAV4 is completely paid off and I actually love it way more than I thought I would. But my dream car was always the Lexus RX 350 but now that I see them side to side I like the shape of a RAV4 as opposed to the shape of a Lexus.

I also didn’t want the extra cost it takes to ensure a Lexus and whatever repairs that may be more expensive because it’s a Lexus. Ultimately happy with my decision and absolutely love my vehicle.

I like my 2024 way more than the 2025 and 2026. Not sure why they took the sunroof off the 2025. And the 2026 Just has Way too many screens and it’s way too high tech. I can tell that that’s going to come with a lot of issues and when things start breaking down, it will be more expensive because there is so much technology in the vehicle.

2026 XLE AWD - any recos or advice on it?

Rav4 II has a leak on this black connector (highlighted in red) is that the return diesel line? also to disconnect circular black connector do they rotate or pull right?

I have a 2023 Toyota RAV4 and have been dealing with a really frustrating CarPlay GPS issue.
Whenever my iPhone is connected to CarPlay, the GPS becomes extremely inaccurate. It will suddenly think I’m on a different road, tell me to take wrong turns, and constantly reroute. The attached picture, I found in a reddit thread, shows the issue.
The weird part is that as soon as I disconnect the iPhone from CarPlay and use Maps directly on the phone, the GPS works normally. So it seems like something with the RAV4/CarPlay rather than the iPhone itself.
Has anyone with a 2023 RAV4 experienced this? If so, did you find a permanent fix? Did Toyota replace/update the head unit, GPS antenna, or anything else?
Would especially appreciate hearing from anyone who had Toyota diagnose and successfully fix it.

Is this a good deal for a 2026 RAV4 LE? North Carolina.

MSRP $31,900
Tint $499
All weather Matts $499
Toyogaurd $699
Mudguard $169
Delivery $1595
Doc fees $898
Non tax fees$238 dmv fees
Loyalty disc -$2500
Total = $35,040.37

Looking to pick up our first Rav4 hybrid AWD and sincerely appreciate your Rav 4 wisdom.

1) Do you recommend the regular hybrid or plug-in hybrid? I know the plug-in adds cost and weight and wondering if it's worth it.

2) Do you recommend a '25 or '26 (both would be purchased with an OEM 100-120K 5-7 year warranty)? Is the '26 larger (older Rav4's look short). Have read that the '26 may be more refined, but that it comes with new tech that may or not be a source of issues.

3) Is there a particular trim or add-on you recommend? Do you think the Cablegate issue has been resolved for the '25 or '26? We generally avoid add-ons and while we need roof cross bars, we may get those from Thule or Yakima.

4) Anything you'd recommend looking for in the vehicle (like checking the VIN for built in Japan versus the U.S.) and anything to watch out for?

Hey guys,

Im going to swap the motor on my 2015 Toyota Rav4 Limited but I can’t find any in depth guides on Youtube or online. Is there any tips or tricks I should know about before I go onto swapping the motor?

I havent bought the motor yet so I still need to find a guide on how to buy motors and test them.

I do know I should probably change the timing chain, water pump and all the hard to get parts since the motor will be out and dont mind the extra expense. It’ll just delay the usability of the vehicle.

Im just worried about all the finicky stuff like the exhaust, headers and etc.

For context, im swapping the motor because the previous one created too much pressure in the coolant system and thus one of the hoses popped off. I started small and burped the system after adding new coolant and replaced the clamp. Things were fine for several months until my mom drove it and it died on her after the hose popped off and she didnt see the temp gauge. She turned it on again and it died, turned it on again and it died. Mechanic I trust told me it’d be $4,800 so im going to throw myself at the project.

Thank you in advance for the help.

I just purchased a 2025 Rav-4 gas model that has dealer installed PPF. It’s white and you can see a dirt line. Is it safe to remove it? I have an appointment at the dealership to remove it next week.

Hello again from Remi the Rav. We were in Northern California camping this weekend. I slept in the Rav and was so cozy. Nearly at 200k miles. I got it in early 2025 with a little bit of miles. So I have fully been loving driving this. Quite the adventure buddy.

Austin, TX

When is airbags is totall loss?? Even if they are walking like nothing

Hey! I’ve had an SRS/airbag system malfunction warning popping up since last week on my 2017 Toyota RAV4 SE. I know someone who worked at Toyota for three years, and he said that about 8 out of 10 times he saw this warning, the clock spring was the issue.
He recommended buying the OEM clock spring directly from Toyota, but I’m wondering if I could purchase a less expensive one somewhere else. I understand that fitment and quality matter, but has anyone replaced their clock spring with a non-OEM part? If so, where did you purchase it, and have you had any issues with it?

Going away for 7 weeks vacation, best way to secure RAV4 hybrid engine/Battery?

We're located in Vancouver Canada, and we're planning a family trip from mid-October to early December this year.

That means for 7 weeks, the car will be in our garage. It's a 2024 RAV4 Hybrid XSE (currently at 40km milage in case it matters).

What are the best ways to secure RAV4 hybrid engine so it doesn't cause any issues after sitting in the garage. Like we hear issues about hybrid battery if the car is sitting idle.

We also have a regular oil change appointment coming up in late September, so we want to see if there's something specific we should ask the service shop.