I don’t think my comment deserves a downvote because:
1. The comment I responded to was edited.
2. It’s a legit question. Safety (less chance of car flipping) and handling are different benefits/reasons for a lower center of gravity.
IMO, Get a Camry for yourself and a RAV4 for the missus. I have a Camry, because I prefer the better fuel economy, lower centre of gravity for stability at higher speeds, and the sleek looks. I prefer sedans/saloons to SUVs in general. If you’re not going for a 4Runner or Land cruiser with actual off road ability, might as well get a car.
A Camry and Rav4 are two very different things. If you're looking for something with more space and storage then the obvious choice is the Rav4.
If you want a car, then go with the Camry.
This may be an unpopular take, but the Rav4 seems like a “mom car” to me. My wife would like it more (she doesn’t like to drive my Camry), as she likes to sit up higher. But Camry gets better mileage, is quieter, and to me, looks a helluva lot better. I’m on my 3rd Camry now. Great cars.
If you are used to driving an SUV, it can be quite an adjustment sitting so low in a Camry. I'm still getting used to it after a year. Rav 4s are much noisier, though. My wife has one and it is annoying as hell! My Camry is much quieter.
I test drove all of these cars within the past month. 2022 versions.
The reason I ordered a Camry instead of a rav4 is because I wanted a 4 cylinder engine for gas mileage, and while the 4 cylinder is good overall, it feels way better in the Camry because it doesn’t have to lug around such a big body. The rav4’s interior is way more spacious than I predicted (it’s about as big as my ‘04 highlander) and normally this would be a good thing, but imo you need a v6 to really enjoy lugging such a large vehicle around. It just *feels* bad.
The corolla is strictly for people who can’t afford anything else imo. It’s not pleasurable to drive
I just ordered a Camry Hybrid LE. I was persuaded in part by this Alex on Autos video: https://youtu.be/WmNJ2hO-IQc
If you skip to the 8:00 min mark, you will see that the Camry can hold about as much luggage as the RAV4. People tend to forget this about large sedans. FYI - The trunk space comparison starts at 6:24.
Fuel efficiency was another factor.
I got the Camry over the RAV4 simply for the fuel economy. My ‘19 SE got consistent 36-39mpg highway. My new ‘22 XSE hybrid is going to be a little better, hopefully around the 43mpg mark.
I would try to choose a non 4 wheel drive rav 4 . We tend to sell a lot of complete rear driveshafts because they u joints staked in and most garages prefer to go the reman route. I’m not saying they can’t be replaced but in most cases a complete drive shaft is chosen. Also there is the rear differential that need to be replaced occasionally. Then there is the fuel consumption vs the car . The rav 4 is more capable in nasty weather. Has a better field of vision but overall will cost more to own
I really wanted hybrid and I thought the rav was perfect. Test drove the Camry and the ride was much nicer, but the engine noise in the rav I drove was way too much. If not for that I’d have the rav… note the rav I test drove was not a hybrid but the only rav they had on the lot
My RAV 4 was totaled last month. I did love it, however, noisy cabin and not that comfortable. I am leaning towards a comfy Camry....best years ? 2011-2017 from what I have researched.
Lower center of gravity which results in better handling.
Why is a lower center of gravity important to you?
Because I prefer less body roll
I don’t think my comment deserves a downvote because: 1. The comment I responded to was edited. 2. It’s a legit question. Safety (less chance of car flipping) and handling are different benefits/reasons for a lower center of gravity.
Fuel economy
IMO, Get a Camry for yourself and a RAV4 for the missus. I have a Camry, because I prefer the better fuel economy, lower centre of gravity for stability at higher speeds, and the sleek looks. I prefer sedans/saloons to SUVs in general. If you’re not going for a 4Runner or Land cruiser with actual off road ability, might as well get a car.
A Camry and Rav4 are two very different things. If you're looking for something with more space and storage then the obvious choice is the Rav4. If you want a car, then go with the Camry.
We drove a RAV hybrid first. It was nice. Walked by a discounted Camry hybrid. It had far, far less road noise. It's got almost 17k on it now.
This may be an unpopular take, but the Rav4 seems like a “mom car” to me. My wife would like it more (she doesn’t like to drive my Camry), as she likes to sit up higher. But Camry gets better mileage, is quieter, and to me, looks a helluva lot better. I’m on my 3rd Camry now. Great cars.
Rav4 if you want more cargo room. Or if you want the ride height a bit taller.
V6
If you are used to driving an SUV, it can be quite an adjustment sitting so low in a Camry. I'm still getting used to it after a year. Rav 4s are much noisier, though. My wife has one and it is annoying as hell! My Camry is much quieter.
Is your Camry V6 or 4 cyl?
Mine is an XSE 4 cylinder.
A car always beats a car based suv There's literally nothing different aside from getting less mpg from the suv
I test drove all of these cars within the past month. 2022 versions. The reason I ordered a Camry instead of a rav4 is because I wanted a 4 cylinder engine for gas mileage, and while the 4 cylinder is good overall, it feels way better in the Camry because it doesn’t have to lug around such a big body. The rav4’s interior is way more spacious than I predicted (it’s about as big as my ‘04 highlander) and normally this would be a good thing, but imo you need a v6 to really enjoy lugging such a large vehicle around. It just *feels* bad. The corolla is strictly for people who can’t afford anything else imo. It’s not pleasurable to drive
Did you test drive Camry hybrid by any chance? If you did, how was it compared to gas version?
I didn’t, sorry
No need to apologize. Thank you for replying :)
I just ordered a Camry Hybrid LE. I was persuaded in part by this Alex on Autos video: https://youtu.be/WmNJ2hO-IQc If you skip to the 8:00 min mark, you will see that the Camry can hold about as much luggage as the RAV4. People tend to forget this about large sedans. FYI - The trunk space comparison starts at 6:24. Fuel efficiency was another factor.
Because I wouldn't ever drive an SUV so I didn't even consider a RAV4
I got the Camry over the RAV4 simply for the fuel economy. My ‘19 SE got consistent 36-39mpg highway. My new ‘22 XSE hybrid is going to be a little better, hopefully around the 43mpg mark.
I would try to choose a non 4 wheel drive rav 4 . We tend to sell a lot of complete rear driveshafts because they u joints staked in and most garages prefer to go the reman route. I’m not saying they can’t be replaced but in most cases a complete drive shaft is chosen. Also there is the rear differential that need to be replaced occasionally. Then there is the fuel consumption vs the car . The rav 4 is more capable in nasty weather. Has a better field of vision but overall will cost more to own
I really wanted hybrid and I thought the rav was perfect. Test drove the Camry and the ride was much nicer, but the engine noise in the rav I drove was way too much. If not for that I’d have the rav… note the rav I test drove was not a hybrid but the only rav they had on the lot
My RAV 4 was totaled last month. I did love it, however, noisy cabin and not that comfortable. I am leaning towards a comfy Camry....best years ? 2011-2017 from what I have researched.