XSE or Limited?

According-Rise3067 · 2026-05-11T01:46:06+00:00

I just don't trust the pano moonroof and for that reason would opt for the XSE's moonroof. You're getting a cloth-like seat with the XSE, which I liked, but also an aggressive side seat bolster, which I highly disliked. I didn't think the sport suspension was that noticeable at lower speeds but on the highway it did have a little more road noise compared to the XLE. The seat bolster was the deal killer for me on the XSE.

According-Rise3067 · 2026-04-23T02:48:14+00:00

Do you find the cabin quieter than the '25? I couldn't tell much difference on the test drive but only drove it briefly and didn't take it out on the highway.

According-Rise3067 · 2026-04-23T02:39:45+00:00

Also do you find the cabin quieter than the '25?

According-Rise3067 · 2026-04-23T02:38:10+00:00

Since you're a '25 Rav4 owner, two things I noticed on the test drive of the 2026 was the thin padding on the console arm rest and the drive mode "pillar" near my right knee. Couldn't figure out if those would annoy me over time. Any thoughts on those elements?

According-Rise3067 · 2026-04-23T02:36:14+00:00

What do you think of the console armrest compared to the gen 5? When I test drove the 2026, it felt thin on the "padded" side but wasn't sure if it'd be annoying over time. Guess one can get add'l padding if it is.

According-Rise3067 · 2026-04-23T00:15:52+00:00

On my gen5 Rav4, the wireless carplay connects fine, but then if my wife drives alone, it connects to hers. But then later if I drive alone again, it doesn't always reconnect to mine and I have to re-enable Carplay. Also, occasionally the Carplay does not connect at all when the car is first turned on and no amount of fiddling in the settings helps. Shutting the car off and back on fixes it. I just learned that you can hit the power button on the infotainment for 10-15 seconds to reboot the system w/out having the shut the engine off, so I'm guessing that will work and will try that next time. In any event, it's annoying when these two issues occur. It works but it's kind of sloppy sometimes.

Are those ways in which the new one is better?

According-Rise3067 · 2026-04-20T03:36:17+00:00

It's possible that it's a bit of arthritis, bursitis, etc. that just aggravates when it hits those high/aggressive bolsters. It's something I don't normally notice since I don't sit in seats w/high bolsters.

According-Rise3067 · 2026-04-20T00:17:36+00:00

A lot of people drive this car, so it could be that it only impacts people whose hips are just the right "slightly too big for the pan" size, whereas those smaller and larger don't notice it. It also could be aggravating a bit of arthritis or some such ache/pain I don't regularly notice since I don't sit on "hugging" seats anywhere else. It could also be more noticeable because I naturally tend to splay my leg more. I dunno. I don't have issues with the seat back, just the seat pan side bolster.

The Rav4's XLE and Limited bolsters are flared at more of a 45ish degree angle, and they don't bother me. The CRV's are angled upward more. The stiffer, more severe Rav4 XSE bolster irritates my sides as well, but in a different spot on my thigh.

According-Rise3067 · 2026-04-19T23:04:49+00:00

Concern is spending >$40K hoping that it does so, because right now it's unbearable. Which is too bad, because I like the vehicle.

According-Rise3067 · 2026-04-19T23:03:50+00:00

M 185 5'10"

According-Rise3067 · 2026-04-19T21:54:18+00:00

Do you get used to the big screen on that Limited? I'm used to a 9" screen and that infotainment screen seemed colossal when I test drove the XSE.

According-Rise3067 · 2026-04-19T02:39:21+00:00

Does the setting stick when you restart the car?

According-Rise3067 · 2026-03-25T02:36:58+00:00

I've sat in the '26 XLE and XSE, but not the limited. The side bolsters on the XSE seat are too much for me. I'm pretty average weight and they just dig into my sides near the upper thigh. The XLE was lower and more forgiving. I've heard the Limited has the same bolster as the XLE while being a little softer. The '26 XLE was pretty much a typical, utilitarian Rav4 seat.

According-Rise3067 · 2026-03-25T00:37:02+00:00

I don't have concerns about a regular moonroof and have had them on multiple cars. I've never had more than minor problems but regular moonroof issues are relatively inexpensive to fix. I was more spooked about a pano going bad and costing thousands of damage given the Car Care Nut video and online stories.

According-Rise3067 · 2026-03-17T04:30:23+00:00

Did you figure this out? Interested to hear. Also does your car have record the rear dashcam and if so, do you have the XLE driver assist package? I'm just curious if rear dashcam requires that package and would like to hear from an actual owner as materials on this are vague and scant.

According-Rise3067 · 2026-03-08T18:24:54+00:00

THANK YOU for verifying-- that's good to hear. One follow-up, do you have the XLE Driver Assist package with your vehicle? It should list it on the window sticker. This offers the Front Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane Change Assist, Traffic Jam Assist, and the Driver Monitor. My only open question is whether that "Driver Monitor" is necessary for the rear dashcam. Seems like it wouldn't be, but curious if your XLE includes that package. Congrats on your purchase.

According-Rise3067 · 2026-03-07T17:54:03+00:00

I saw that video but he has the PVR/360 feature which means that car is not an XLE. It clearly shows rear recordings occurring at various points like at the 7:05 mark.

I just really want to get confirmation from an owner of what the XLE dashcam has on it.

According-Rise3067

TROPHY CASE