Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had a RAV4 for over 10 years while my kids were in elementary and middle. It was fine for just us, but terrible for carpooling, especially as they got older. I did like it as a car, though. I just got a new car and went w the Venza, a little bigger than a Rav4 but not as big as the Highlander, which I felt was too big personally. The back seat is comfortable and big enough for teenagers, even w someone in the middle seat. But no third row, only seats 5. Teens will be driving soon so carpooling isn't as important.

Anything you don't like about the Venza so far?

It's only been a few weeks, but I really do like it!! I imagine part of it is that the RAV4 was so old, though, that anything would seem like such an upgrade haha.

For highlander- do you vote captain chairs or bench?

NP here. For those making this decision, how often do you REALLY use the third row if you have two kids. Like if you exclude a routine carpool and have upper elementary kids? I’m
Guessing we would only use the third row a few times a month (friends/ grandparents) but that it would be super handy those few times.

Hard to decide! Can afford the bigger vehicle, but also like being able to parallel park with smaller vehicle etc.

Anonymous wrote:DH and I can’t get on the same page about this one. Does anyone have 1 or the other and love it or regret it? Also generally -any thoughts ? We’re looking to buy new 2021. TIA

I've had both. I had the older model Highlander (2007) and loooooved it and it worked well until around early 2020 when my teenager listened to Waze instead of wisdom and ended up in a collision.

We replaced it with a 2017 RAV4 and it's awesome.

So, what has happened is the Highlanders got bigger and bigger, and the RAVs got bigger too, so now the RAVs are as big or slightly bigger than the older models of Highlander.

I personally think the newer Highlanders are too big. The newer RAVs are the perfect size. We can get dogs and surfboards inside or on top; no space problems.

BTW Consumer Reports says they hold their resale value very well, and are great used cars.

Anonymous wrote:I had a RAV4 for over 10 years while my kids were in elementary and middle. It was fine for just us, but terrible for carpooling, especially as they got older. I did like it as a car, though. I just got a new car and went w the Venza, a little bigger than a Rav4 but not as big as the Highlander, which I felt was too big personally. The back seat is comfortable and big enough for teenagers, even w someone in the middle seat. But no third row, only seats 5. Teens will be driving soon so carpooling isn't as important.

Anything you don't like about the Venza so far?

For those who love Highlander hybrid, what other vehicles did you consider?

We have the highlander hybrid and really like it. The third row isn’t huge but its great to have if we need extra space to drive grandparents or kids’ friends around with us.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH and I can’t get on the same page about this one. Does anyone have 1 or the other and love it or regret it? Also generally -any thoughts ? We’re looking to buy new 2021. TIA

OP again - we have 1 baby and one on the way for family size and some context. Thanks!

Another thought (PP who is a hands down HL lover) to look at the Sienna IF you do a lot of driving travel. I was so against the mini-van thing, but boy could that thing haul stuff. Had it for 15 years. I was missing it this weekend when we packed DC up for college.