“I Was Going To Trade My 2013 Honda Pilot With 253K Miles For a 2026 Toyota RAV4, But I Think I’ll Give Them Time To Get the Bugs Worked Out, and Hit the Resale Market”

253k miles and still kicking: He almost traded his legendary Honda Pilot for a 2026 RAV4, but here is why letting someone else find the "new model" bugs first could be the best financial move.

Imagine sitting at a dealership desk with a pen in your hand, ready to sign for a well-maintained 2023 Toyota RAV4, but you can’t stop thinking about the 2026 RAV4 with the latest and greatest in hybrid technology. Then, you think about your "old faithful" 2013 Honda Pilot idling in the parking lot, a beast with 253,000 miles that has never let you down. You realize that being the first to own a total redesign means being the first to find the factory's mistakes, so you put the pen down and decide to let the "early adopters" take the hit while you keep your cash.

What Would You Do?

Matt Scholer on the Toyota RAV4 Discussion Group 2019-2025 - Gas + Hybrid + Prime Facebook page says,

“I just negotiated a price of $34,400 out the door on a 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited with about 32k miles on it. The asking price was $36,900. The sale price would be $32,400 before tax/tag/document fees, but I passed on the deal. I’m going to squeeze a few 10’s of thousands of miles out of my 2013 Honda Pilot with 253k on it. I want a 2026 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, but I’m going to give the new-generation 2026+ RAV4s time to work out the bugs and wait for them to hit the resale market. Plus, I really had my heart set on a PHEV.”

The Smart Money is Waiting 

I have spent over 30 years in the automotive trenches, from the grease-stained floors of service bays to the high-pressure environment of test tracks. In my three decades in the industry and as a Senior Reporter here at Torque News, I have seen every major redesign launch from the big players. If there is one thing I can tell you with absolute certainty, it is that Matt Scholer is making the move of a seasoned pro.

When a manufacturer like Toyota launches a new generation, in this case, the highly anticipated 6th-generation 2026 Toyota RAV4, the marketing department wants you to focus on the "new." They want you to see the 320-horsepower Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) powertrain and the sleek "Arene" software-driven dashboard. But as someone who has seen the "teething pains" of the first-year 2019 RAV4 and the more recent engine debris issues in the Tundra, I know that the most reliable car on the planet is usually the one that has been in production for three years, not three months.

Why Your Current Vehicle is a Gold Mine

Matt’s 2013 Honda Pilot is a perfect example of why you should not be afraid of high mileage if the maintenance is solid. The 2013 Pilot used the J35Z4 V6, an engine that is practically bulletproof if you stay on top of the timing belt and water pump services. When you have a vehicle that is paid off and still running strong, every month you keep it on the road is a victory against the insane car payments and high insurance premiums of 2026.

By choosing to "squeeze a few 10’s of thousands of miles" out of that Pilot, Matt is avoiding the immediate $5,000 to $8,000 depreciation hit that happens the second a new RAV4's tires touch the pavement. Furthermore, the 2026 Toyota RAV4 price and availability will be higher during the launch phase. Waiting allows the "resale market" to cool down, meaning you can pick up a lightly used 2026 model in 2028 for a fraction of the cost, with all the software bugs already patched by the dealer.

In my recent analysis of the market, I noted that some buyers are already feeling the pressure of these new releases. For instance, I wrote about how “I Waited Months for the Redesigned 2026 Toyota RAV4, But One Test Drive Sent Me Straight to a Honda Dealer” because the new "rugged" tuning might not be for everyone.

Avoiding the "First-Year" Trap

The 2026 RAV4 is moving to an all-hybrid and PHEV lineup. While Toyota is the king of hybrids, a total redesign involves new suppliers, new assembly line protocols, and, most importantly, new software. The 2026 model debuts the "Arene" platform, a massive shift in how the vehicle's electronics communicate. History shows us that early adopters often become "unpaid beta testers" for these systems.

Remember the "Cable-gate" issue on the early 5th-generation hybrids? That was a design flaw in the high-voltage cable connector that led to expensive corrosion. It took Toyota several years to implement a permanent fix. By waiting for the 2026 Toyota RAV4 reliability reviews from real-world owners, you protect yourself from similar "generation one" oversights.

As I explored in another report, I Was Determined To Get a New Toyota RAV4, But After Driving the 2026 Honda CR-V, the RAV4 is not as Smooth and not as Quiet as the CR-V. The competitive landscape is shifting. Sometimes, the "latest" isn't actually the "best" for your specific needs, especially when it comes to cabin quietness and ride quality.

Advice for High-Mileage Owners

If you are like Matt and sitting on a high-mileage Honda or Toyota, here is my recommendation on how to bridge the gap to the next generation:

1. The $2,000 Rule: If your current vehicle needs a repair that costs less than $2,000 and the car is otherwise safe, do the repair. It is still cheaper than three months of payments on a new $45,000 PHEV.

2. Monitor the Secondary Market: Use the next 18 months to watch how the 2026 RAV4 holds its value. If you see a lot of them hitting the "Certified Pre-Owned" (CPO) lots early, it might be a sign of owner dissatisfaction or technical gremlins.

3. Test the Tech: Before you buy into the 2026 redesign, spend time with the new infotainment. Toyota has moved many physical buttons to the screen. If you hate it, you might find that a late-model 2025 RAV4, the final year of the proven 5th generation, is actually the better long-term purchase.

I’ve seen this play out many times, including when a 2025 Toyota RAV4 Owner Says His Car 3K In, Puffs White Smoke After It's Been Sitting For a Few Days. Even the most reliable brands have "lemons" and "glitches" in the early stages of a model's life cycle.

Key Takeaways for Next-Gen RAV4 Buyers

• Wait for the 2.0 version: The 2027 or 2028 models will likely have the "bugs" worked out of the new Arene software and PHEV battery cooling systems.
• Capitalize on Resale: Letting a vehicle hit the resale market allows you to save thousands in "drive-off" depreciation.
• Trust the Old Guard: High-mileage Honda Pilots and Toyota RAV4s are legendary for a reason. If it isn't broken, don't rush to replace it with an unproven platform.

What RAV4 Owners and Buyers Are Saying

The community is divided on the 2026 redesign, with many echoing Matt Scholer's "wait and see" approach. Here is what owners are saying on Reddit:

User SnooCats9809: "Besides being able to view navigation in the digital cluster, it's not that significant. They just made a few changes to the body and are including some untested software, then called it good." 

User ReceptionObjective93: "Never buy the first year of a new generation. Never. You will be the one to discover all the issues firsthand." 

User Patchateeka: "I held off as long as I could for the 2026 before finding out the AC controls weren't going to be dials anymore, so I went with 2025 instead."

Newer Isn’t Always Better

Matt's decision to walk away from a $34,400 deal to keep his 253,000-mile Pilot on the road is a masterclass in automotive patience. In an era where "new" is often equated with "better," he understands that actual value lies in proven reliability and avoiding the high costs of first-generation glitches. By the time he is ready for that 2026 RAV4 PHEV, the market will be flooded with used options that have already had their recalls performed and their software updated.

What Would You Do? Would you trade in a high-mileage legend for the first year of a redesign, or wait for the bugs to be worked out? Click the red link below to write your comment and join the community in sharing experiences.

Next Up: Think the RAV4 is the only game in town? I take a deep dive into why some loyal Toyota fans are jumping ship. Check out: “I Waited Months for the Redesigned 2026 Toyota RAV4, But One Test Drive Sent Me Straight to a Honda Dealer”

With over 30 years of industry experience, Denis Flierl brings an insider’s perspective to Torque News, where he has been a Senior Reporter since 2012. Before picking up the pen, Denis consulted for the automotive industry's biggest brands and honed his skills as a test driver. He cuts through the noise to deliver the latest auto news, compelling owner stories, and the expert analysis necessary to navigate today's changing automotive market.

Have a tip or question? Follow me on X @DenisFlierl and @WorldsCoolestRides, or connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Matt Scholer