KAREN'S-2017-RAV4-Hybrid-Limited-Trim.txt  

She has the 2017 RAV4 Hybrid in the Limited trim. I think the plug-in hybrids (“Prime”) started in 2019 or 2020.

With the Limites trim line, she had ALL the features! Headed front seats, steering wheel, mirrors, plus a heated strip along the windshield in front where the wipers are stored. This has been particularly useful when we have a lot of precipitation around the freezing level; it helps minimize the risk of the wiper blades getting caked in ice as you’re driving.

2017 was the last model that didn’t have Car Play (or whatever it’s called). Although there’s a touch screen control center with built-in GPS, you have to manually update the maps (and pay for them). The new Car Play navigation units will use Google Maps from your phone. They also have a larger, crisper screen.

Her RAV4 also has 360 and bird’s eye view cameras. So one in the front and back, plus cameras on the underneath of the side mirrors. It has made parking MUCH easier.

She also has parking assist, which is basically sort of like radar. We find the cameras the most helpful, but the parking assist feature complements the cameras nicely.

She also has a bunch of safety features, some of which are now standard in all new Toyota vehicles. She has cross-traffic alerts when backing up, plus some sort of sensors which will flash a visual and audible alert if the vehicle in front of you has stopped/slowed suddenly. If you don’t slow down/stop yourself, it will automatically engage the brakes. She also has a lane departure alert which will warn her if she’s veering out of her lane without using her turn signal. It’s been useful on a few occasions.

Another feature we really like with this car is that it has AWD which kicks in whenever you need the extra traction. Between that and the extra weight of an SUV, it’s made winter driving much easier/safer.

Frank really likes the dynamic cruise control for highway driving.

The high beams (and regular headlights) come on/off automatically depending on the lighting conditions. Although we don’t need it in the city, it’s made the road-trips through rural VT much easier.

Frank likes the sun/moon roof in the spring/summer when we don’t quite need the air conditioning, but it’s still a little warm for our taste. I find it occasionally useful, but I wouldn’t miss it if we didn’t have it.

I don’t remember what it’s called, but we really like the power trunk/back door. Especially when we do curbside pickup of items, we can automatically open/close the trunk without ever having to get out of the driver’s seat.

In general, we really having a compact SUV. Now that Dad is having a lot of mobility problems from his central spinal stenosis, it’s much easier to get him in/out than with a sedan. And we no longer have to shovel ourself in/out of street parking spots. Although we have a higher center of gravity than a sedan, we’re also 8” wider, so we’re not concerned about rollovers.

Although it’s not particularly useful now, back when both Mom and Frank drove the car, it was really handy that you can save the driver’s seat settings. So Mom had her settings saved as Driver 1, then Frank was Driver 2. Although it doesn’t also change the mirror adjustments, they found it handy to always be able to return the seat to their preferred settings.

That’s pretty much that comes to mind right now, though I’m sure we’ve forgotten some features…

Always happy to chat about it more if you have more questions! :)

Love you both!

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