# Toyota RAV4

19 Hacker News commenters recommended Toyota RAV4 and 16 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 9 of 13 months; owners who said how long report a median of 5 years (3 owners).

**Verdict:** Recommended for strong sales, excellent resale value, a simple car without subscription features, and good fuel economy; critics call the driving experience dull and flag security and software flaws.

## Why people recommend it

- Sells in huge numbers (4 comments): "the Toyota RAV4 hybrid is selling so fast in the USA that customers can barely find one at a dealership" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49148459)) "The top of the charts is made up of cars like the RAV4, Model Y, and CR-V." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46755789)) "Toyota RAV4 seems to be the best selling car globally in 2025" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46464285))
- Holds value exceptionally well (3 comments): "RAV4 and other Toyotas have insanely good residuals that make up for any upfront price difference" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46306460)) "my car is worth more than his (around 22k, his is 18-20k)" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47729810)) "Toyota hybrids not just retain their value" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46620185))
- Simple car, no subscriptions (3 comments): "you can buy a car that is primarily safety+capability and not luxury+subscription" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46567653)) "effectively zero modern "subscription-esque" fancy features" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46566720)) "about as boring of a car as you can get (in a good way)" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50268457))
- Good fuel economy from hybrid (2 comments): "The mechanical advantages of the e-CVT are too nifty, the mileage benefits too great" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49728957)) "they get >30% better fuel economy, and they output more power" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47866602))

## What people warn about

- Joyless CVT, dull driving (2 comments): "Think RAV4 Hybrid. I'd much prefer a fully electric drivetrain with an electric generator to the joyless CVT." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46284704)) "it's a truly miserable driving experience" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50322328))
- Security flaws and spyware concerns (2 comments): "Especially with the Rav4 where a colleague, Ken Tindell, showed a very serious flaw" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48146695)) "Toyota, a brand I once trusted, has slipped into spyware/nagware like this." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48155012))
- Unlock and latency glitches (2 comments): "you already can't unlock it in heavy rain" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48146933)) "Toyota didn't account for that latency" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49627229))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [Honda CR-V](https://hackerapproved.com/p/honda-cr-v.md): 11 recommend
- [Kia Niro](https://hackerapproved.com/p/kia-niro-ev.md): 11 recommend
- [Toyota RAV4 Prime](https://hackerapproved.com/p/toyota-rav4-prime.md): 9 recommend
- [Mazda CX-5](https://hackerapproved.com/p/mazda-cx-5.md): 8 recommend
- [Jeep Cherokee XJ](https://hackerapproved.com/p/jeep-cherokee.md): 6 recommend

## Where to get it

- [Visit the official site](https://www.toyota.com/rav4/)

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "Toyota RAV4", https://hackerapproved.com/p/toyota-rav4/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).