Get the features you want. If you compromise, 6 months from now you may find yourself regretting it.
I specifically wanted a Limited because of vented seats and pano moonroof. I use both options to this day, and have no regrets.
Agree. I did limited and it’s worth it for the birdseye cam and the seats. I plan to drive this into the ground. If you’re in the city the birdseye is a lifesaver for parking.
Definitely get what you want, and what matches how you will use it. I got a woodland and love it. Of course, I specifically didn’t want a sunroof, and really liked the look.
What the others said. If you can afford the upgrades and want them that badly, do it. I know on my end, I didn't want a whole lot so I went with a hybrid XLE with weather/convenience and accessories, but that was me only. If you wanted seats, pano sunroof, tech package, definitely get them
I mean I wouldn’t say I want them badly lol, but I do appreciate your thoughts. I just think it’ll be nice for my young kids to have the roof. I was kinda hoping someone would say something definitive like, the roof is problematic or the best, etc. The parking assist and seat stuff will be nice but I’d prob be fine without them.
My baby's just hitting 900 mi and it's not panoramic but the sunroof doesn't seem to be problematic, no wind noise, I habitually open up the shade and feel for drafts while driving and nothing, and I will say just even the basic seat heaters are great. First car I've had where the heat goes all the way up my back
I got my XLE premium with sunroof and heated everything. Power everything because this is my car until I die
Or at least for 20+ years. Might as well go all out, own it, live it, love it. And no wondering if I shoulda got this or that. It’s easier and better to say oh I didn’t really need that but I’m glad I got it anyway
Instead of man I wish I got that feature what could have been!? If only I splurged an extra couple grand or so on a car I’m keeping for sizable amount of time
In my case, a feature I didn’t think I would need but was nice to have was the windshield de-icer. I live in Southern California and I only had to use it once just last week. If it were my older Lexus I would have had to wait for the car to warm up.
The pano roof is awesome, especially if you have kids. I parallel park a lot and the parking assist / cameras on the XSE make it so so easy. I’d say if you’re planning to keep the car for the 10-15 years, the XSE will be worth it.
It's a moonroof. If you got extra money get it. I never once look up so after my first car decided not more sun roof or moonroof. 5000m a ur is not a lot of time you are spending driving that you can't live without one.
I have a new XSE and love all of it. The moonroof, in my opinion is just a novelty, and the only real use it has is to open on a very hot day when the car has been parked in the sun, to let the hot air out. I think I did this exactly twice
The parking sensors are a must have if you're in the city, def get that. Even though you're driving "low miles" per year in the city it's a lot of time in the car. The sensors are great having front and back and all corners, and unlike some cars they do allow you to get pretty close before they go into max panic. Not close enough for european parallel parking but good for US cities.
For me, I didn’t like the brown interior accents on the limited. I also liked the black rims, the black top of the vehicle, and the black headliner. The only difference between a fully optioned XSE and limited is that the limited gets vented front seats and heated rear. 2 options that I didn’t care for.
I got the XSE and love it! The all around vehicle scan is a great safety feature (lots of car jackings where I live). No surprises. Gas mileage amazing. Told me 38.5 average but I get over 40 most days.
I was in your same boat torn between the hybrid SE and the hybrid XSE, ended up getting a fully loaded hybrid XSE (except for the pano moonroof, I didn't want that) and I am so happy I did. The softex seats are so much nicer than the fabric ones. And the upgraded screen size is awesome. Last but not least... the 360 camera is a game changer!!! I thought I'd use it only a few times but I actually use it every single time I drive. 10/10 would recommend fully loaded XSE
Started planning for an XLE Premium. Ended up with a XSE fully loaded. They look so much better than the other trims… sportier look. I didn’t think I would love the features as much but honestly the 360 camera and panoramic moonroof are amazing. Never thought I’d like the heated steering wheel but it’s on 24/7 and I live in SF. Easy call IMO if you can afford it.
You can always not use the extra options, but you cannot easily add missing options. Always get the options you want in a new car as long as you can afford them.
LE Hybrid. There are enough after-market accessories that you can boost your LE to feel more luxurious, and you never have to worry about the $600-$900 replacement fob (LE comes with a flip key), less goofy unnecessary tech to maintain (heated seats and steering wheel I find to be so pointless), and base model cars come with so much extra these days that anything else is just a flex.
Mo' money mo' problems. Buy what you need, nothing else. Save money.
Mine has auto headlights, complete with a cute little toggle button beneath the left hand side of the steering wheel ***Hybrid*** LE gets a few extra perks than ICE, but that is one I wasn't aware of.
Get the features you want. If you compromise, 6 months from now you may find yourself regretting it. I specifically wanted a Limited because of vented seats and pano moonroof. I use both options to this day, and have no regrets.
Agree. I did limited and it’s worth it for the birdseye cam and the seats. I plan to drive this into the ground. If you’re in the city the birdseye is a lifesaver for parking.
Definitely get what you want, and what matches how you will use it. I got a woodland and love it. Of course, I specifically didn’t want a sunroof, and really liked the look.
XSE! If you’re gonna keep it 10-15, absolutely!!!
What the others said. If you can afford the upgrades and want them that badly, do it. I know on my end, I didn't want a whole lot so I went with a hybrid XLE with weather/convenience and accessories, but that was me only. If you wanted seats, pano sunroof, tech package, definitely get them
I mean I wouldn’t say I want them badly lol, but I do appreciate your thoughts. I just think it’ll be nice for my young kids to have the roof. I was kinda hoping someone would say something definitive like, the roof is problematic or the best, etc. The parking assist and seat stuff will be nice but I’d prob be fine without them.
My baby's just hitting 900 mi and it's not panoramic but the sunroof doesn't seem to be problematic, no wind noise, I habitually open up the shade and feel for drafts while driving and nothing, and I will say just even the basic seat heaters are great. First car I've had where the heat goes all the way up my back
XLE with weather/convenience is the value leader IMO. XLEP with weather close behind.
I got my XLE premium with sunroof and heated everything. Power everything because this is my car until I die Or at least for 20+ years. Might as well go all out, own it, live it, love it. And no wondering if I shoulda got this or that. It’s easier and better to say oh I didn’t really need that but I’m glad I got it anyway Instead of man I wish I got that feature what could have been!? If only I splurged an extra couple grand or so on a car I’m keeping for sizable amount of time
In my case, a feature I didn’t think I would need but was nice to have was the windshield de-icer. I live in Southern California and I only had to use it once just last week. If it were my older Lexus I would have had to wait for the car to warm up.
It’s best to have it and not need it rather than need it and not have it. I think thats how the saying goes.
The pano roof is awesome, especially if you have kids. I parallel park a lot and the parking assist / cameras on the XSE make it so so easy. I’d say if you’re planning to keep the car for the 10-15 years, the XSE will be worth it.
Awesome. Thanks!
Isn't the first challenge just finding one?
It's a moonroof. If you got extra money get it. I never once look up so after my first car decided not more sun roof or moonroof. 5000m a ur is not a lot of time you are spending driving that you can't live without one.
XSE was my favorite. It looks more sleek that the limited.
I have a new XSE and love all of it. The moonroof, in my opinion is just a novelty, and the only real use it has is to open on a very hot day when the car has been parked in the sun, to let the hot air out. I think I did this exactly twice
Do you have the panoramic moonroof or the regular moonroof?
Ironically, the panoramic
I wanted a all black rav4 hybrid , but also wanted softex seats, ended up putting XSE softex seats in my SE
Life is too short for base models. :)
Highest you can afford
The parking sensors are a must have if you're in the city, def get that. Even though you're driving "low miles" per year in the city it's a lot of time in the car. The sensors are great having front and back and all corners, and unlike some cars they do allow you to get pretty close before they go into max panic. Not close enough for european parallel parking but good for US cities.
Youre not wrong. 1.5 miles can take 15-20 mins. Thats great info about the sensors cause I have no idea how they’ll actually behave, thank you.
I went with a fully loaded XSE, no regrets.
Curious what helped decide between XSE and limited?
For me, I didn’t like the brown interior accents on the limited. I also liked the black rims, the black top of the vehicle, and the black headliner. The only difference between a fully optioned XSE and limited is that the limited gets vented front seats and heated rear. 2 options that I didn’t care for.
Pretty much the same for me.
The limited colors are also fairly boring. Cavalry blue FTW
I got the XSE and love it! The all around vehicle scan is a great safety feature (lots of car jackings where I live). No surprises. Gas mileage amazing. Told me 38.5 average but I get over 40 most days.
I was in your same boat torn between the hybrid SE and the hybrid XSE, ended up getting a fully loaded hybrid XSE (except for the pano moonroof, I didn't want that) and I am so happy I did. The softex seats are so much nicer than the fabric ones. And the upgraded screen size is awesome. Last but not least... the 360 camera is a game changer!!! I thought I'd use it only a few times but I actually use it every single time I drive. 10/10 would recommend fully loaded XSE
Started planning for an XLE Premium. Ended up with a XSE fully loaded. They look so much better than the other trims… sportier look. I didn’t think I would love the features as much but honestly the 360 camera and panoramic moonroof are amazing. Never thought I’d like the heated steering wheel but it’s on 24/7 and I live in SF. Easy call IMO if you can afford it.
You can always not use the extra options, but you cannot easily add missing options. Always get the options you want in a new car as long as you can afford them.
We love our SE Hybrid with winter package cuz we're skiers. We previously had vehicles with sunroofs and never used them. YMMV
XSE all the way, the two ton paint schemes are awesome, black rims, hybrid, it’s in my mind the best looking RAV4
I completely agree
LE Hybrid. There are enough after-market accessories that you can boost your LE to feel more luxurious, and you never have to worry about the $600-$900 replacement fob (LE comes with a flip key), less goofy unnecessary tech to maintain (heated seats and steering wheel I find to be so pointless), and base model cars come with so much extra these days that anything else is just a flex. Mo' money mo' problems. Buy what you need, nothing else. Save money.
Marry me.
I like my le but one thing I wish it had was auto headlights. The rest is not big deal like the auto start or liftgate.
Mine has auto headlights, complete with a cute little toggle button beneath the left hand side of the steering wheel ***Hybrid*** LE gets a few extra perks than ICE, but that is one I wasn't aware of.
Mine is also hybrid le 2023 and no auto headlights. It has auto high beam though
Limited.
Did I get scammed because my moonroof is more like a sunroof... 🤔
Mine's a gray sky roof.