Other than 4Runner, what Toyota model for wife?

For my significant other, the choice would be simple... What model still has a manual transmission?

 

the masculine urge just to get her a 4runner and mod it yourself

 

If you do land on Rav4, hold out for a hybrid one (not necessarily the Prime, just the regular hybrid). They are much better, more power and more mpg, for not much more money.

For the battery life and heat cycle guy: the hybrid has a small battery that is used for supplemental power; even after reduction of capacity over several years, you're not going to see much difference from the driver's seat. Also, the car warms up the engine at the start of each trip and it stays warm, the same as a gas-only car.

If anything, I'd expect a hybrid ICE to last longer than a standard, since they don't idle. They'll charge the batteries, but once there is no load, they just shut off.

Disclosure (or possibly credentials): we have the 4R and the Rav4 hybrid, and it's a great combo.

 

Look at Mazda. Dollar for dollar the nicest you’ll find. Comfy, handle well, and enough models you’ll find one you like.

 

My wife goes through too many clutches!

 

When the rear diff went out in our 4Runner on a trip, we rented a Mazda crossover. We both liked the RAV much better. Nothing bad to say about the Mazda, just liked her RAV4 better.

 

That’s too obvious.

Go for the Nissan Armada, which is known everywhere else as the Nissan Patrol. It’s their competitor to the Land Cruiser, and you can turn one of them into a serious off-road beast…

 

I've seen a few of these on the road and always have to do a double-take.

 

Have to say:
Outstanding Response!

She’s still leaning Corolla Crossover and i’m still liking the Rav4 hybrid. She’s 5’ 8” and I really think she’ll be much more comfortable with ingress-egress in the long run with the Rav4, ( I know I will).
Likely pull the trigger in the next 2-3 weeks. I will post the outcome.

thanks for the great feedback/ great forum!

 

I'm 6' and my wife is 5'9" and we both like the ease of getting in and out of the RAV.

 

We’re pretty much empty nesters too (except for new Doberman). After I got my 4Runner last year, my wife decided to go more sporty. She traded in her 2015 Acura TLX and got a ‘23 Lexus IS 300AWD (AWD version comes with V6). She loves it! We got the lower version of the F trim level (lower by $7K here in Canada) and added the Lexus sport exhaust. No real HP gains, but sounds great without hwy drone. I realize it’s not a crossover, but as we went to look at the Lexus NX she a top level F trim level IS return from a test drive and it caught her eye. At that time she was also looking at other cars and a couple of sporty SUVs.

 

I just put about five hours on the Corolla S. There is more room inside than you think. And it’s smaller, brakes better, handles better. And only takes up 3 quarters of a lane. Burned a little over half a tank.

 

5 hours of driving and only 1/2 a tank of fuel? At 60 mph, that’s 300 miles, so it has a range of 600 miles on a tank?

 

Not sure it’s reading 35 MPG and it was in “eco” mode. Around 75mph cruising. I will get an exact mpg when I go to ride a train.

 

This ^

 

See a lot of older couples driving Rav4 and Highlander, although Rav4 a bit smaller so probably easier to drive/park/handle for them.

Corolla Cross seems like a nice option too. So many choose from its crazy.

 

Just a big heads up for everybody, the RAV4 still is being made in Japan. They seem to go to the higher ranked dealerships. Personally, I have seen three coming in through Long Beach in late November. All were XLE and all were going to one dealership in Riverside County, California. I have also seen a lot of heavily optioned cars coming out of Canada with American made engines and transmissions. A lot of them have the soft tech upgrade for the interior along with a bunch of other junk that’s expensive.

 

For what it is worth, my wife has a 2013 Rav4 and loves it. I have no issue driving it and reliability has been stellar.

 

Mazda5. Just drive it and you’ll know why

 

I recommend going down and driving the Corolla first, then RAV4, then Venza. Leave the dealership and go to lunch to compare notes. If the vin# inside the driver’s side windshield show the first digit to be a J, then it’s from Japan, a 2, then it’s from Canada, a 4, then it’s from Kentucky. All 4 models of Venza, LE, Nightshade, XLE and Limited are from Japan and feature All Wheel Drive and are Hybrids. Let your “seat of your pants” be your guide, but be advised, Japanese built Toyotas seem to have superior QC. Canada is second place and Kentucky last.

 

I think you should get the non hybrid AWD Rav4 if you really want the Rav4. And if you want the hybrid, then go all out and get the Prime

 

Finally did the deed.
Bought her a pearl white, ash interior, 2024 Rav4 Limited 2wd.
Vehicle price w/o tax or ext warranty was just under $40K, ($39K and change) in West Palm Bch, FL.
Wife loves it and doesn’t miss her BMW 430i conv. which for practical purposes was really a two seater.

thanks for all the input!