The Toyota RAV4 is one of the automaker’s top sellers. But one driver says these hybrids have a quirk that consistently causes him issues.
In the early 2000s, hybrids had a niche following. People were skeptical about their battery life, maintaining them, and the general upfront cost.
But as gas prices have climbed, people have become more climate aware. Simultaneously, hybrids have improved. Today, they’re more popular than ever.
In the first quarter, hybrids made up about 14 percent of all light-duty vehicles sold in the United States, according to the Department of Energy. That’s about three times the market share of fully electric vehicles sold in the same timeframe.
They’re more fuel efficient than a gasoline or diesel engine, and you don’t have to deal with charging like with a fully electric car. Plus, many agree that now they look as good as any other car.
In a video with more than 27,000 views, fitness influencer and Toyota RAV4 hybrid owner Casey Casano shares his one problem with the vehicle: It’s too quiet.
“Nobody tells you when you get a hybrid that you will leave your car on for hours at a time before you even realize that you turned your car off,” Casano says in his TikTok.
In the video, Casano said he ends up forgetting to turn it off because it’s “so quiet” that he can barely tell the difference between it on and off. The only time it emits a noticeable sound, he says, is when it’s charging.
Still, he says, “I love having a hybrid. I get like 40 miles to the gallon. No complaints over here.”
At this rate, he says he’s surprised the vehicle hasn’t been stolen.
Hybrids and electric vehicles being too quiet is a widely reported issue. Both lawmakers and automakers have worked to address it over the years.
WRAL TechWire reported in 2019 that a lot of RAV4 drivers were unable to hear a distinct difference when the vehicle was on versus off.
A too-quiet vehicle may be an inconvenience for drivers like Casano, but for pedestrians and animals, the lack of sound is a potentially lethal hazard. That’s why federal regulators have implemented minimum sound requirements for these vehicles.
These requirements apply when the vehicle is in motion, however, so an idling RAV4 would be harder to hear than one that’s being driven.
Carmakers have separately worked to ensure drivers don’t unintentionally leave their vehicles running when they exit.
Toyota has had “engine on” warnings since 2003, per WRAL TechWire. In recent years, the company has added enhanced features to make the warning more noticeable and send an alert to your phone. RAV4s also automatically shift into park when they’re turned off.
People across several forums also say that the RAV4 automatically shuts off if it’s idle for an hour.
People who commented on Casano’s post almost universally disagreed with him.
One did say, “Yup have done that.”
But the vast majority, most of whom claim they drive hybrids, said their vehicles have warning systems and other features that prevent them from leaving it on for any length of time.
“Nah, my hybrid won’t let that happen. It will annoy you if you try to get out with it on or running idle too long,” one person wrote.
“My car screams at me if I step out with the key and it’s on,” another said.
A third both agreed and disagreed, writing, “Mine will turn off after one hour. But yes I forget it’s on.”
Motor1 reached out to Casano for comment via TikTok direct message and comment. We’ll be sure to update this if he responds.
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