My Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is the Worst I’ve Owned For Road Noise, and It Lacks Power. My New Ford F-150 Lightning is 500% Quieter, and It’s Crazy Fast

A 2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid owner reports two significant complaints about his car. Then he says the Ford F-150 Lightning came as a welcome relief, solving both problems and significantly improving his driving experience.

Sharing his experience on a Toyota RAV4 Discussion Facebook Group, Dara laments the excessive road noise in his RAV4 Hybrid, which he claims is the loudest vehicle he's ever owned. 

His second complaint is that the RAV4 Hybrid lacks power. It's just too slow for what he needs. He travels in a hilly area, and he says it's frustrating that it doesn't have the power to get up the steep hills where he lives. 

The RAV4 Hybrid's fuel mileage is also an issue. He says it's disappointing that it drops significantly when he pushes it to get up the hills. 

Dara says, "My experience with the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is that the number one complaint for me is the excessive road noise. I love Toyota, but this is the worst car for road noise that I've owned so far." 

"Number 2 is the lack of power. It's on the low side. But that's the nature of a hybrid. The design is to use less gas. I average around 38 mpg.” 

"I drive up and down hills frequently because I live in a hilly area. My RAV4 Hybrid uses a lot more gas when I go uphill. It dies when the grade gets steep." 

Other than that, it's a great vehicle. 

"Due to the two issues with the RAV4 Hybrid, I purchased a Ford F-150 Lightning pickup a year ago. It's an electronic F-150 truck, and wow, does it have the power." 

"The Lightning is fast; I mean, it's just crazy fast. I love the power it has compared with my RAV4 Hybrid." 

"The best thing is that my new Ford F-150 Lightning is 500% quieter compared to the Toyota RAV4." 

"Another thing that sets the Ford Lighting apart from the RAV4 Hybrid is that it costs so much less to operate."

Another RAV4 Owner Concurs

Chue Chang says, "In the city or when I'm driving on the highway, there's a lot of wind noise. Now, I'm seriously considering trading it in for a 2025 Lexus IS 300."

In a previous report, I covered another RAV4 owner, Curt Saland, who mentions the wind noise in his RAV4 Hybrid as being a problem.

Curt and his wife purchased a 2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid about a year ago. It was August 10, 2024, when they bought the white 2024 XSE Hybrid. 

He says, "We have had our 2024 RAV4 Hybrid XSE for about a year now. Overall, I love this car; however, it's not perfect." 

"The things I don't like about it. It has a rough ride on the highway due to its short wheelbase, and it has crappy factory tires. The wind and road noise at highway speeds are terrible. One day in town, it was very windy, and in the passenger seat, I could feel the wind coming in under and around the door."

Does the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Need More Power?

The Toyota RAV4 generally does not lack power for everyday driving, but some owners have reported feeling sluggish acceleration in certain situations, particularly with the hybrid models. 

The hybrid models combine a gasoline engine with electric motors, offering a combined output of 219 horsepower in the standard hybrid and up to 302 horsepower in the RAV4 Prime. 

According to one Reddit thread, in hybrid models, if the battery depletes during a long hill climb or aggressive acceleration, the electric motors may shut off, resulting in a temporary loss of power.

Tyson2539 says, "Hybrid batteries only operate within a certain state of charge range, and going up a long hill with continuous electric assist will cause the battery to drain to the point where the electric motor shuts off. The car then becomes very sluggish without the additional HP and torque from the electric motors."

Here is Why the RAV4 Battery Depletes When Going Uphill

HowStuffWorks states that Toyota's hybrid system intelligently manages the interplay between the gasoline engine and the electric motors/battery pack. When driving uphill, the system draws power from both the engine and the battery to provide the necessary assist.

Sustained uphill driving with continuous electric assist will naturally cause the battery to discharge as the electric motors contribute power.

Now, Back to the Ford F-150 Lightning

Dara traded in his Toyota RAV4 Hybrid for a new Ford F-150 Lightning pickup. He says it's 500% quieter, and it's super fast.

One of the most significant benefits of electric vehicles is their quiet operation.

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is noisier because it still has a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE).

The RAV4 Hybrid still relies on an ICE for a significant part of its operation, which generates substantial noise. At the same time, EVs like the Ford F-150 Lightning use electric motors, which are inherently much quieter. A report from The Guardian provides further details.

Dara says his F-150 Lightning is crazy fast.

It's no surprise that he thinks the F-150 Lightning is faster compared to his RAV4 Hybrid. 

Electric vehicles are faster than most gasoline-powered cars due to their instant torque delivery and simpler power systems. 

This report from Car and Driver explains that electric motors can produce maximum torque from a standstill, allowing them to accelerate very quickly from a stop. Unlike internal combustion engines, EVs don't require a multi-gear transmission to optimize acceleration, and their motors have fewer moving parts, leading to quicker responses. 

SAE International says that the Ford F-150 and other electric vehicle motors are directly connected to the wheels, minimizing energy loss and maximizing acceleration. 

In short, they can be higher on the fun-to-drive meter than a gas-powered vehicle. 

In The End

The 2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is an excellent choice for city drivers seeking a compact SUV that's easy to navigate urban environments. If you are pulling up a steep hill in the mountains to go snowboarding or camping, you may be disappointed.

The advantage of an electric vehicle like the Ford F-150 Lightning pickup is that it will be ultra-quiet, cheaper to operate, and have additional power compared to the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid compact SUV. You can also haul more in the bed of a truck than in the back of an SUV. 

It's not about which one is the best, but rather which one is the best for your lifestyle and specific needs. 

What Do You Say?

Do you own a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid or a Ford F-150 Lightning? We want to hear from you. If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know your thoughts.

Check out my Toyota RAV4 story: I Initially Thought My 2024 RAV4 Hybrid Was Perfect, But 10 Months In, Toyota's Quality and Reliability Are Not What They Were 5-10 Years Ago

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news, covering owner stories, and providing expert analysis, ensuring that you are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on X @DenisFlierl, @WorldsCoolestRides, Facebook, and Instagram

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Dara