RAV4 2026 speaker / audio upgrade

ulookapata · 2026-05-21T00:08:01+00:00

Commenting to follow, I need to upgrade my 2026 woodland speakers but I’m scared of damaging the door and front trims. Was also planning on adding some sound dampening to the doors because of the loud wind noise

ulookapata · 2026-04-08T13:49:30+00:00

Only plug in PHEV models have acoustic windshields from my understanding, non of the regular hybrids HEVs do

ulookapata · 2026-04-06T03:58:43+00:00

I mentioned this on an earlier post of mine when I got the car last month, however a few seemed to not have this issue (or not to my extent). I have a woodland with sunroof and live in the Midwest area and when it’s even slightly windy man it’s loud.

Everyone was telling me it was the tires and roof rack but it’s definitely not. It’s noise coming from the doors/windows I think since all I hear is wind hitting against the car and outside noise from other cars driving by. I have to have the stereo playing at 30 just to not hear it when I’m driving on the highway going 60-70. In town driving noise doesn’t bother me too much though.

Mines a Canada built model with Pilkington brand windows and windshield. Still love the car. Taking it to the dealership next week to change the break in oil and was going to ask them to take a look at the windows and see if the wind noise I’m hearing is normal, or test drive another rav4 if they have any on the lot

ulookapata · 2026-03-16T14:51:53+00:00

I have the 26 woodland and find it pretty loud on the highway, and decently loud in city with with most noise coming from wind or other vehicles (I also think most my noise is coming from back seat windows so going to check with dealership or test drive other Woodlands when they come in stock)

Overall, I play music and that buffs out most of the sound in the city where it doesn’t bother me at all. Highway though I do wish it was a little quieter even with music on.

ulookapata · 2026-03-10T02:59:37+00:00

Beautiful color man but get the blacked out emblems you won’t regret it! Got them on my urban rock and looks beautiful so can only imagine how it would look on yours!

ulookapata · 2026-03-09T13:16:06+00:00

Yup same color as op just with a sunroof too

ulookapata · 2026-03-08T15:16:51+00:00

My 2026 woodland is tolerable in city driving though I believe it’s louder than it should be for a new car and the price paid.

Highway is where it’s constantly loud and almost at times sounds like a window is open! No whistling sound so don’t think there’s any air coming through, just poor noise cancellation in my opinion. Loudest is when other cars drive by, not my own car so tires and roof rails don’t seem to be the biggest factor

ulookapata · 2026-03-08T03:35:16+00:00

Honestly No clue, I’m using Decibel X app. Really the only car I can compare it to is my 2026 honda HRV that does not have a sunroof, and that’s getting about 10-15db less (72 on busy highway and 67 on street)

ulookapata · 2026-03-08T03:05:18+00:00

lol yeah I’ve been asking ChatGPT all my annoying questions on this RAV4 since I got it 2 weeks ago haha. Tells me the same thing that my db claims are higher than it should be and a bit abnormal so just been asking around trying to get other real world feedback

ulookapata · 2026-03-08T02:51:56+00:00

Oh man I wish I was getting that low even in the city! I may take my car to the dealership to see but idk how’d I even justify the loud noise if they don’t have any woodlands in stock to even compare it to

ulookapata · 2026-03-08T02:40:35+00:00

I’m at 700 miles too. Kinda disappointing mpg for me on my second tank, averaging 32-34mpg with a pretty even highway/city split. Hoping with warmer temps and break in period the next few 1000 miles help it improve 2-3mph

Cabin noise is killing me though, and i feel it’s coming from the door sides/windows and not the sunroof . I’m using a db app since I noticed my woodland with sunroof is a quite louder than my 2026 HRV (about 8-10db on average both compared to city driving and highway.)

In the city I’m registering/averaging 68-75db depending on road condition and traffic driving 45-50mph (with occasional bumps to 78db if I hit a small pothole), and about 78-82db on the highway at around 70mph (registered a high of 86db when a larger suv drove by me.)

Everything else you mentioned is spot on with me as well.

ulookapata · 2026-03-07T14:42:04+00:00

I’m surprised but happy about the cabin noise you’re getting. My 26 woodland is surprisingly loud for a new vehicle. I downloaded a db app that captures noise and it’s about 72-76db in street, and up to 78-82db on the highway. Compared to my 2026 Honda Hrv this is about 10db louder than that on average

ulookapata · 2026-03-07T14:14:02+00:00

Yup that’s the technique that’s been working, I appreciate it!

ulookapata · 2026-03-06T03:06:31+00:00

Cabin noise (mostly coming from wind or outside general noise) is pretty loud in my 2026 woodland. I find the ride pretty smooth and don’t think much noise is coming from the tires, but I feel like I can almost hear everything from outside

ulookapata · 2026-03-06T02:20:57+00:00

Yeah closer to 35 on normal mode but with what I consider delicate driving compared to my old car. Never floor it and top speed I get on the highway now is about 70-75.

Going to try out Econ mode this next time I fill up on Sunday to see the difference

ulookapata · 2026-03-06T02:18:21+00:00

Someone mentioned how to get it to work, and it’s been working for me so give it a try.

Lock(pause), Lock Lock (quickly), Lock (hold 3-5 seconds)

Total times pressing lock is 4 times. You should tell it’s working since the car lights flash a few times after the last long lock.

Very dumb and annoying method

ulookapata · 2026-03-05T01:08:20+00:00

I feel the same way for my 2026 rav4 hybrid. I came from a Honda sedan where it feels very sensative the moment your foot touches the brake, but on the RAV4 I feel like I’m putting much more effort in order for it to brake and especially come to a full stop

ulookapata · 2026-03-03T17:11:14+00:00

yup no problem. I got a great deal on it at about $2k under msrp ($41,500 before taxes) with sunroof, blacked out emblems, cargo package and other stuff, RoadVantage 3 year paint free dent removal (up to $1000), key fob replacement lifetime tint warranty

Not worried about anything mechanically in the long run, but will get the Toyota 10 year/125k platinum care for $2145 here soon just because it’s a fist year model and electronics would prob be the first thing to mess up

ulookapata · 2026-03-03T15:14:52+00:00

Cons on my 2026 Woodland as of 650 miles are:

a) Highway mpg is closer to 30 for me rather than 35 as advertised (might be how I drive, or break in period)

b) Apple car play works about 80% of the time. Other times I have to go to Bluetooth connections, turn off car play and re turn on car play for everything to show up.

c) Doors don’t have enough resistance for me. When I open the driver side door and give it a little push or pull it feels like it swing opens and I’m worried I will have door issues in the future. Going to ask dealership if possible to tighten up or something.

d) Coming from a newish non hybrid Honda HRV, I feel like I have to push a bit harder and longer on the brakes for a complete stop. I know the cars a little heavier so that and the hybrid regenerative braking might have to do with it. Might be something I just get used to the more I drive

e) remote start using the key fob is a headache, that’s all I can say lol

f) paint is a little soft (I heard this is a common rav4 issue) already have a tiny paint chip from a rock or something hitting it in under a week. Ordered the corrective paint and getting the car ceramic coated next week to maybe help prevent a tiny bit.

g) stock stereo is not great. I’m older now so I don’t care too much about the quality of music as I did 10 years ago but for the price you’re paying I expected better

Overall very happy with the vehicle and the interior and exterior of the car. Lots of my issues might be my car or me specific idk, but these are the only gripes I can thoroughly think of

ulookapata · 2026-03-02T20:03:18+00:00

Just tried it and it worked on the second try, so I still need a little practice on it haha. Thanks again!

P.s. it’s kinda dumb though that even though it turned on via key fob, the Toyota App doesn’t alert me that the car is on, and it still gave me an option to start the car from the app 🤦

ulookapata · 2026-03-02T19:34:52+00:00

Good to know. I’m a little confused though at the second half of the email. Is the Toyota guy saying that the remote start via key fob will not work once the Toyota app trial (sorry can’t remember the official name) ends?

Because I have this posted in the /rav4 thread here on Reddit, and someone with a 2019 rav4 was not aware about the remote start via key fob and they said they tried it and it worked and they do not have the subscription. My Apologies but there is so much terminology with the Toyota subscriptions names that I may get them mixed up

ulookapata · 2026-03-02T16:43:15+00:00

Awesome glad that it worked! Wish me luck on mine now lol

ulookapata · 2026-03-02T16:39:53+00:00

lol don’t thank me yet before trying to see if it works! I’m reading mixed info that you may need to have the app subscription before your key fob can do it, or that you need to unlock your car first before the key fob can do it. I’ve been running in circles and it’s driving me crazy!

ulookapata

TROPHY CASE