u/AccomplishedPie1255

I’m thinking about buying a 2026 RAV4 PHEV and have a question about the petrol engine.

My daily commute is around 50 km, which is within the EV range. I also have solar and a home battery, so charging is basically free for most of the year (I’m in Australia).

A few times a year (2-4 trips), we do 900-1,000 km road trips. Charging outside the major cities isn’t great, and I don’t want to plan trips around chargers, which is why I’m choosing a PHEV instead of a full EV. This will also be our family’s only car.

My concern is that about 95% of my driving will be in EV mode. I’ve heard engines can develop problems if they aren’t used for long periods. I know Toyota recommends using at least one full tank of fuel each year.

Has anyone used their RAV4 PHEV mostly in EV mode for a long time? Does the engine look after itself, or is this something I should be worried about?

Hi everyone,

I’m trying to choose between the RAV4 XSE Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) and the XSE Hybrid.

I plan to keep my car for 10–12 years, so I’m thinking about long-term reliability.
The regular hybrid seems very reliable, and even if the battery needs replacing after 10 years, the cost doesn’t seem too bad.
My concern is the bigger battery in the PHEV. I’ve seen people say it can be very expensive to replace.
I’ve also seen some people say PHEVs are the “worst of both worlds.” Is that really true?
For those who have owned one for a long time, would you choose the regular hybrid or the PHEV? And why?

Thanks for any advice!

My home has solar and battery and possible to install a charger.

I’ve had my RAV4 for 8 years, and it’s been incredibly reliable. Apart from regular servicing, I’ve never had a single issue. It still drives like it did when I bought it.

We only have one car for the family, so reliability is really important. I usually keep my cars for 8–10 years before selling them and buying another.

For those who own a Tesla, especially a Model Y:

• How reliable has it been?
• Have you had any major issues?
• If something does go wrong, what’s the repair process like in Australia? Are parts and service easy to get, or can it take a long time?

I’d really appreciate hearing about your real world experiences, both good and bad. Thanks.

In the US, not only is Tesla’s Supercharger network very well developed, but other fast charging networks have also expanded a lot. It means you can road trip through most of the country without too much planning (except in very remote areas).
In Australia, driving between the major cities is getting easier, but once you head into regional or remote areas, charging options become much more limited.
Do you think Australia will eventually reach the same level as the US? If so, how many years do you think it will take, and what do you think is holding it back?

I’ve been driving a Toyota RAV4 for the last 10 years because it’s been incredibly reliable. For the past 8 years, it hasn’t given me a single issue, not one.

Now I’m thinking about switching to an EV, but reliability is my biggest concern. I’m the type of person who wants to buy a good car and not have to worry about it for years. I usually keep my cars for 8–10 years.

For those of you with EV experience, which models are as reliable as a RAV4 (or close to it)? My budget is around $70–75k max.

Thanks!

I was all set to order a 2026 Toyota RAV4 PHEV when it arrives in Australia this October. To be honest, I never really cared much about EVs before.

Then one day I happened to be near the Tesla store in Sunshine, VIC, and thought I'd just walk in and have a look. The sales guy was super friendly and offered me a test drive in a Model Y Long Range AWD. No pressure, no sales pitch. He just explained the basics, handed me the card, and even told me to floor it and see.

Mate... that completely changed my view on cars.

The smoothness, the instant torque, the tech, FSD, crystal clear cameras, phone app integration, software updates adding new features... it just felt like a totally different generation of vehicle. I got back from that drive and immediately thought, "I can't buy the new RAV4 anymore."

A couple of days later I test drove a BYD Sealion 7. Loved it.

Today I test drove a Zeekr 7X. Also loved it.

For context, I currently drive a 2019 RAV4, and I've also checked out the new 2026 RAV4 Hybrid Cruiser. But after driving these EVs, I genuinely struggle to understand how traditional car brands are charging these prices while still giving us plastic interiors, average tech, and cameras that look like they came from 2015.

Why don't we have things like Sentry Mode? Why are the apps so basic? Why does the tech feel years behind? Why do some of these cars still feel like they were designed around old assumptions?

After driving Tesla, BYD, and Zeekr, I honestly can't imagine going back and buying a traditional ICE or hybrid vehicle. It feels like these EV brands are 10-20 years ahead in terms of technology, user experience, and overall ownership experience.

Now I'm stuck trying to decide between a Zeekr 7X Performance and a Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD.

The Zeekr interior is absolutely gorgeous, probably my favourite of everything I've driven. But at the same time, I can't stop thinking about FSD and the Tesla software ecosystem.

Anyone else gone through the same transition from "I'll never buy an EV" to "how can I ever go back?" And for those who cross shopped the Model Y and Zeekr 7X, what did you end up choosing?

Hi everyone,

I’m trying to decide between the 2026 RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid and the regular Hybrid, and I’d love some advice from people who have experience.

My main concern with the Plug-in Hybrid is the battery. I usually keep my cars for 10–15 years, and I’m worried that if the battery needs replacing after 10 years or so, it could cost a lot more than the smaller battery in the regular Hybrid.

On the other hand, my daily commute is around 80 km, which should be fully covered by EV mode in the Plug-in Hybrid. I also have solar panels and a home battery, so charging would be almost free.

I also really like the extra acceleration and performance of the Plug-in Hybrid.

For someone who keeps cars for a long time, would you still recommend the Plug-in Hybrid, or is the regular Hybrid the safer choice?

Thanks in advance for any advice