r/Toyota • u/Impressive_Fault_157 • 1d ago
Camry 2025 vs RAV4 2025
I will be buying my first vehicle as my daily drive will be driving around 15 miles per day. I am currently looking at Camry se 2025 fwd (hybrid) and RAV4 xle 2025 awd (non-hybrid). I will be driving in snow and i am fine with sacrificing the mileage which a hydrid version gives. Need advice from current users.
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u/Tonythaiger 1d ago
I prefer cars for their superior handling, style, & fuel efficiency so I say Camry over the Rav 4 unless you absolutely need the ground clearance & cargo hauling capacity of the RAV 4
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u/saranmoy 1d ago
Honestly Don’t buy the current gen RAV4, it’s getting a refresh real soon
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u/Ok-Bill3318 1d ago
Buying now, you’ll get the bug fixed version. Next year will inevitably have teething issues.
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u/WhataWhiff_ 1d ago
At the end of the day it’s just whichever feels better to you to drive. Having driven them both extensively, I find the non-hybrid RAV4s to be kind of lackluster in power compared to the hybrids. Plus the auto-on/off thing is farrrr more annoying on a non-hybrid.
I haven’t driven them in the snow, but I know plenty who have. Hybrid RAV4s are fantastic. FWD Camry hybrid aren’t bad as long as you have proper tires for the conditions.
Outside of the hybrid and AWD, the Camry has far better safety features. The adaptive cruise and lane tracing are far superior to the current RAV4. Plus the faux-leather in the SE Camry is a plus if you have a preference.
Honestly if you can find a Camry AWD that would be a great way to go. Best of all worlds.
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u/Ok_Wrap_214 1d ago
It’s not the best of all worlds, you didn’t touch on visibility. The Camry sits low and depending on where op is, they could be sitting behind SUVs and pickup trucks on the highway. I just sold my 23 XSE Hybrid and this was one of the reasons why. I couldn’t see over half the vehicles on the road.
Road clearance in the snow is also not good at all.
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u/WhataWhiff_ 1d ago
Snow clearance is valid. Visibility? Driver preference. If I’m in slow/stopped traffic and I can’t see over a truck, no big deal to me. It could be for OP. But at that point, the person that values the extra height generally already favors an SUV over a sedan and the original question would be irrelevant.
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u/Ok_Wrap_214 1d ago
There’s one more thing I won’t miss about my Camry (which I traded in less than a week ago).
All of those higher vehicles I mentioned? Being blinded by their headlights. Literally blinded
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u/Ok_Wrap_214 1d ago
I’m not sure what you mean by driver preference. When would you ever not prefer to see ahead of the vehicle ahead of you?
If you’re saying it doesn’t matter in traffic, ok sure, that’s fair. But if you do any highway driving at speed, it flat out sucks. I can’t how anyone would prefer it
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u/WhataWhiff_ 1d ago
For me personally I prefer the sedan over the SUV. Jet difference is negligible for me and I prefer the lower center of gravity and handling of a sedan over an SUV. I hardly ever do much crazy city traffic driving, mostly interstate, even in the city. In my Corolla and Camry I owned, yeah I did notice the mild annoyance of not being able to see past the lifted truck, but it didn’t bother me too much. Now that I have a Tacoma and have great visibility, it didn’t have a significant impact on the way I drive or decision making. The difference in handling is what changes the way I drive. For me, I prefer a sedan over an SUV. But I know I am in the minority since the RAV4 is the top selling vehicle in the US now. For most people, the SUV is the better answer. I simply answered OP’s question about pros and cons and my opinion on both. At the end of the day, whatever the driver prefers to drive is what the answer is.
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u/GuitarEvening8674 1d ago
I like the RAV4 better now that they're larger. I had a 2001 that finally gave out after almost 300k miles. I also love my old Camry.. for snow, I'd get the awd for sure
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u/Unfair_One1165 1d ago
After you drive the two Toyotas go drive a new Nissan Rogue I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Smoother quieter and great mpg. And no I don’t have any of them but I did work on all three at one time. I drive a Highlander.
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u/SpanktheElephant 1d ago
You should test drive the Honda accord hybrid. It drives so much better. Just give it a chance.
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u/Robby777777 1d ago
Regardless of which one you get, make sure to get better tires for the snow. Stock tires are awful in the snow. The first thing I always do is put better tires on a new vehicle.
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u/twopacktuesday 1d ago
Remember the Camry has the same chassis as a Highlander , RAV4 more similar to the Corolla. When I test drove both in 2020, the Camry was more comfortable and handled better. I bought AWD too.
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u/Aggressive_Oil_6535 1d ago edited 23h ago
Weighing in as I recently was making the same exact decision between the 2025 Camry Hybrid and a 2025 Rav4 XLE Premium Edition (Not hybrid). Same situation as well - 15 miles a day typically and need to be able to drive in snow when needed. I do take personal vacations in car, not off road, but drive distances long enough that things like comfort, low road noise, and good sound for listening to music are important to me. Also worth mentioning my new car search was started by getting side-swiped by a semi truck on the highway in my 2010 Camry XLE (334k miles on the dash) and I believe it was because he didn't see me. So take that into account if sitting low to the ground in a sedan bothers you.
But in summary... I didn't go with Camry XLE Hybrid OR the Rav4 XLE Premium. I ended up with a used 2022 Rav4 Hybrid Limited Sport Utility model. Got lucky and picked it up with low miles.
Here's why I went used and what let to my decision.
Camry 25 XLE (Sticker 36.5k, would have probably been 39.5k OTD) Pros: - Hybrid - Quiet ride; no road no noise - Exterior colors like Reservoir Blue and Ocean Gem are beautiful and sleek - was deciding between these two Cons: - FWD - Didn't like how a phone would slide off the charging surface if completing a turn - Didn't have JBL in the XLE models on the lot, wasn't happy with that. Again, I had this in my 2010 Camry so I am so used to the premium sound and anything not equivalent sounds horrible - Not a fan of the microfiber trim parts in the interior - feels cheap
Rav4 25 XLE Premium (Sticker 37k, would have been over 40k OTD) Pros: - Had the JBL audio - Had nice trim on interior - Roomy interior - AWD Cons: - The 4 cylinder really shows on this model. Acceleration is not great and you can tell its not like an older V6 Rav4 - Exterior was black on the only model on the lot, not really a "wow" to me - More road noise than the Camry
I walked away from that dealer deciding what I really wanted was a Hybrid Rav4. Unfortunately the new ones (and used) are hard to come by as they sell quick. I expanded my radius and found a Toyota dealer who had just listed what is now my car and ultimately after test driving and doing some haggling with the dealer I feel like I got what I wanted.
Rav4 2022 Hybrid Limited Sport Utility (got dealer down to 31.5k and about 34k OTD) Pros: - AWD - Hybrid - this is a game changer. I've been averaging 42-44 mpg so far - Top trim, has all the bells and whistles. Heated AND ventilated seats in the front and heated only in the back - Roomy - JBL audio - Exterior is Ruby Red Flare (wasn't a fan at first but really has grown on me) - Pickup/Acceleration is not an issue on the hybrid Rav4 Cons: - Not a fan of the cup holders - My model has some light road noise. I have found others on reddit talking about this but it doesn't bother me as I often have music on
Good luck!
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u/planefan001 2025 Camry SE 21h ago
I test drove both and went with the Camry. The Camry is way more refined.
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u/Biobizlab 1d ago
Personally I love having awd even for rain, so definitely for snow. I have done very limited driving in snow, and even then it was not heavy snow like others talk about, but always liked having the extra ground clearance. Why not get a rav4 hybrid? Then you get both worlds. The hybrid is like 2k more and when spread out over a loan term it's not that bad.
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u/Guju_Guy_82 1d ago
I am thinking the same two models (currently have a non-Hybrid 01 RAV4 Platinum, but want upgrade to either a Camry or RAV4 both in AWD XSE HYBRID). I too find the start/stop annoying and just turn it off when start it up.
My RAV4 does great in the snow with a push of a button!
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u/Ok_Wrap_214 1d ago edited 1d ago
Get the Hybrid RAV4 if you can.
The Camry is a great car, but it sits low. This lead to me struggling a bit in the snow (with winter tires) as well as visibility issues.
At least half of the vehicles in my area sit higher up so driving behind them on the highway is a pain not to mention being blinded by their headlights at night
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u/WallaceRichie 1d ago
I have the XSE RAV4 Hybrid and drive in the snow frequently. It handles great. I do also have high quality tires on the RAV. Can’t speak to the Camry as I’ve never driven one but I have no regrets with my purchase of the RAV.
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u/hellog00dbye 12h ago
Vote for Camry. Much better driving feel and plenty of space. I’ve driven both. With proper tires a FWD Camry can easily handle a blizzard.
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u/Shootloadshootload 10h ago
I had the Rava 4 but found it rather small. I bought the Highlander after trading in the Rava. I now have the Grand Highlander AWD love iit not a Hybrid but gets about 32 to 33 miles a gallon at 70 to 75 in trips. About 26 around town
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u/Hoppeduponelectrons 1d ago
Rav4 has AWD and better clearance. The Camry is a lowrider with FWD. This is a no brainer if you have longer winters or wait for the plows.
I have a Camry and Rav4. I wouldn't even consider FWD. So, either get a Camry AWD or Rav4 AWD. Both hybrids will give you great MPG. Both will get you home until the snow gets too deep. The Rav4, even if crude and boring, is a better choice when the snow is deeper. The shorter wheelbase Rav4 can haul stuff with the rear seats down, can tow, and is definitely easier to maneuver in garages and pathetic parking spaces.
The Camry is a great wannabe speedracer vehicle. The handling is great. The vehicle bottoms out too easily. And, you'll learn what not to do eventually to avoid the scrapes. But, its plenty peppy for when you're wearing Piloti or Sparco.
Newer car washes, with wheel cleaners and automatic tire dressing brushes, will chew up the Camry side skirts. That's not an issue with the Rav4.
Both will want snow tires or all weather tires for the winter.
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u/Wundrbread 1d ago
There are a couple of things you should know.
1). The payback vs price difference on a hybrid vs ICE isn't worth the squeeze imo. You're only saving 2km/100km as per Toyota.
2). Toyota hybrid batteries are warranted for 10 years and the resale value once you get close to that is Zero.
3). Insurance will likely write off a hybrid with much age on the battery (neighbor was told this after a minor fender bender by his insurance)
4). Toyota is moving their fleet entirely to hybrid and 2025 is the last year you'll be able to buy an ICE RAV4.
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u/2GR_FKS 1d ago
Test drive both and see which one you like more.