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Interested in a Toyota RAV4 or RAV4 Hybrid? If so, you are not alone. After all, RAV is very popular across the entire country.
In fact, last year RAV4 was America’s best-selling vehicle that was not a big full-size truck (three of those outsold RAV4, but nothing else did). One of the reasons for this incredible popularity is RAV4 Hybrid itself.
RAV4 Hybrid gets 40mpg combined, comes with solid horsepower and torque and is a strong value compared to its gasoline powered equivalent RAV4 trim levels.
2021 RAV4 at night
Today we investigate RAV4 at night to see how it looks for both exterior and interior lighting. In this case, the vehicle in question is a 2021 Toyota RAV4 XSE Hybrid. In Magnetic Gray Metallic, for the record.
Often when we test drive vehicles, it is more than likely during the day. We do not get to see how the buttons and controls and dials look like illuminated in lower light or darkness.
Time to explore in more detail so you can see for yourself.
RAV4 XSE Hybrid features an 8-inch multimedia touch screen with easy-to-use controls. It is raised to see better with less distractions.
For me, one of RAV4 Hybrid’s interior cabin “first-impression areas” is the drive mode dial. Drivers can use this to switch between ECO, Normal and Sport Modes. Dial changes color accordingly between green and white and red.
Trail mode is also a possibility to optimize traction when driving on more challenging terrain like uneven trails.
Ambient lighting throughout the cabin gives RAV4 Hybrid a calming, relaxed atmosphere and vibe.
The multi-information display and gauge cluster come with blends of blues and greens and whites. Again, these are soft and cool colors that are pleasing to the eye.
2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid exterior lighting
Exterior lighting for RAV4 Hybrid XSE is bold and vibrant. Projector beam LED headlights, along with LED daytime running lights with accent lighting, provide a bright complement to XSE Hybrid sporty, rugged exterior styling.
All Toyota RAV4 trim levels, including RAV4 XSE Hybrid, come standard with both LED taillights and stoplights.
Time for your thoughts on Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
Do you own a Toyota RAV4 or RAV4 Hybrid? If so, what do you like about it? How do you like your interior lighting?
VIDEO: See interior and exterior features in low lighting.
One other feature I thought I would mention is the digital rearview mirror. This provides a full-color, unobstructed view behind your vehicle while driving. Although the picture is not as clear at night versus during the day, I still prefer using digital versus traditional rearview mirror view just about every time I drive.
What do you think of the digital rearview mirror, based on your experiences?
Thanks for reading everyone. See you next story when I explore the question of "how powerful is 2021 Tundra TRD Pro?"
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Comments
Recently received 2021 Rav4
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Recently received 2021 Rav4 xle hybrid. I hope Toyota reevaluates their approach to vehicle interior lighting to include providing illumination of the controls to unlock doors, and to turn on interior lightening. I'm shocked by how difficult it is to turn on the internal lightening, and I question the wisdom of locating unlit controls for interior lightening adjacent to unlit sos button. I really like driving the Rav4, but, the practical solutions to turning on the interior lights in the dark is either to open the driver door, or to purchase some glow in the dark paint and illuminate the switches. I expect better design from Toyota
Lightning can kill you. That
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In reply to Recently received 2021 Rav4 by John G Vorwald (not verified)
Lightning can kill you. That's why you can't turn on "interior lightening" its a Toyota safety feature.
Lightning can kill you. That
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In reply to Recently received 2021 Rav4 by John G Vorwald (not verified)
Lightning can kill you. That's why you can't turn on "interior lightening" its a Toyota safety feature.
Thanks for pointing that out.
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In reply to Recently received 2021 Rav4 by John G Vorwald (not verified)
Thanks for pointing that out. The lack of lighting is frustrating. Also miss having a compass on the rear view mirror or dashboard. Cheap missing items by Toyota. Why no power passenger seat?
Crazy.
Have had a Hybrid XSE for
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Have had a Hybrid XSE for over a year and 2 places that need backlighting is the door switches(frustrating to unlock the doors) and the overhead console to turn on the map lights.
We have around 7K miles on
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We have around 7K miles on our hybrid RAV 4,
It’s a project that was put on the market without finishing development.
Interior lights are awful, instrument cluster can not be read in some lighting conditions apple map is inaccurate and after guiding me in circles or even in the wrong direction I use my phone and google. Gas mileage has decreased possibly due to cold weather but now approaches what my normal sedan routinely gets and finally the lane centering failed.
Not worth the money. Will never buy a Toyota again.
Lighting is so dim on the gas
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Lighting is so dim on the gas hatch that you have to open the door to see it, even during the day!
Wait a minute... Your
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Wait a minute... Your version had backlit window switches and mirror switches and overhead light switches and rear-hatch closing switch, Jeff Teague??? When I saw the title to your article, I immediately thought "ah, finally somebody is going to write about this problem". But nothing here about this in your article. I see that the above commenters have also noticed this, which is very bad of Toyota. Either you are not very observant, or your version had it -- though I suspect that since you didn't mention it and didn't show any photos of the overhead light switches or the door switches, you just missed this very important problem.
I have a 2020 Rav 4 Hybrid,
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I have a 2020 Rav 4 Hybrid, the gas hatch release is in an awkward spot with very little illumination. I have to open my door to see it, even during the day. It is hidden.
I have a 2021 XSE with 700 km
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I have a 2021 XSE with 700 km on it in Blizzard White. Love the car❤. However others are correct, turning on map lights is confusing and would appreciate lit door lock and window switches. Wondering if there is some kind of aftermarket solution?