Best hybrid SUV - Toyota RAV4 hybrid STRANGE sounds when backing up review

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In this video I show you the very strange noises that my 2021 Toyota RAV4 XLE hybrid vehicle makes. This is my first hybrid vehicle, the other worldly electrical motor noises are something that I have definitely had to get use to. The noise you hear in the video is actually a safety feature for ALL Toyota hybrids to alert people that you’re backing up on reverse because electric motors are almost completely silent when you’re in 100% electric vehicle mode when backing up in reverse.
Thanks for watching, liking, commenting and subscribing!

[@kathybooker8867]

It sounds like some type of angelic thing makes me feel like there are angels present. We just noticed the sound the other day in our new Rav 4 hybrid!

[@crabblike]

I heard I for the first time today and my first thought was, “Am I hearing a choir of angels?” Now that I’ve heard It a few times I’d call it a mix of angels, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and Emerson, Lake and Palmer. It does exactly what it was intended to do.

[@maez33]

LOL! It definitely does. I just got my RAV4 the other day and noticed it the second day. Thought something was wrong with my reverse but so glad to find out it’s just a RAV4 hybrid thing. Thanks for this video!

[@gspriggs]

I thought the same thing! Was gonna call the dealership today lol

[@jahansaadat8591]

Hi there, we just purchased our Rav4 hybrid. Yes, that howling noise is actually an audio speaker in front of the engine. A pedestrian proximity safety deal. If you lift your hood, and just near the grill under a plastic housing is the speaker. Weird but true.

[@ToeTag1968]

I just started hearing this noise in my apartment complex. It took me 4 days to tie it to a new RAV4 backing up. Came to YT to confirm. Thanks for the vid!

[@jessicacarroll1984]

At the toyota dealership I work at, we call it the song of angels lol

[@TheComebackKid]

Hi Jessica. Haha that’s funny, I feel like I’m in the middle of a sermon every time I backup, thanks for watching!

[@CrustyBiker]

That's exactly how I described it to a mate when I heard another hybrid doing it, I think it was a different make of car but it's exactly how I remember it!.. :)

[@jamesamber6009]

Could also be song of ghosts.

[@abcdfujackask2389]

The Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) backup alarm sounds wayyy better than kid screaming and running around like wild monkeys. Encountered a Karen in the past that acused my family as "demons" for making noise when our car is reversing despite the device being intended for SAFETY! Thank goodness reverse horn is more normalize nowadays 🚗🎶🔊

[@Zr1smokinu]

@@TheComebackKid Good video. But you don't have to hear it every time. When you know the noise is going to bug someone, just turn the engine on. Now there's no noise in reverse....

[@robingabor5680]

I just traded in my 2014 Hybrid Camry for 2021 Hybrid RAV4 and was startled over the reverse noise. My husband shared with me I needed to call Toyota. I'm so grateful for your video!! Thank you!!!

[@gspriggs]

I thought the same thing lol

[@sandrabensky280]

We just got a new RAV4 Hybrid. Thanks for solving the mystery. Sounds like ethereal, new age choir music. Our 2009 Prius, also a hybrid, makes no such noise. In reverse it just beeps inside the car. The beeping can't be heard outside the car.

[@stivy58]

2006 Prius - beeping drove me nuts. Luckily found steps to shut if off. Have to repeat steps if battery is disconnected.

[@kevinhouston4273]

Thanks for your video. Our 2022 hybrid is VERY loud in reverse. We never drove in reverse without being in the car. So when I heard it in my garage when my wife backed out, I was like "What!!"??

[@CrustyBiker]

That's fricken awesome, I've heard other hybrids make similar noises when driving forward but at slow speed, it does exactly what it was meant to do, grab attention of everyone that might be in vicinity of danger zones..

[@abcdfujackask2389]

I am happy that backup alarm is universal and pre-installed on vehicles for SAFETY 🚗🎶🔊 Experienced a Karen in the past that had the audacity to block my driveway to prolong the sound, desperately record "noise evidence", and threat about arrest... It feels good to know that their sabotaging plans backfired on them.

[@李Lee]

How this is awesome. I think is the most ridiculous sound of warning people they ever come up with. They could just simply adapted what was already created for trucks long time ago. People use too that sound and simply recognized, but this sound is just a sound which doesn't have nothing to do with backing vehicle. Sure it draw a people attention because is so annoying. Crazy idea from Toyota technology people. I hate that with passion. Looking forward to find the way to disconnected in my 2021 Lexus.

[@vne5195]

@@Zr1smokinu Good tip. I'll try it on my Prius. All we need to do is waste gas to shut up our cars.

[@Zr1smokinu]

@@vne5195 right lol. My neighbor will chip in the five bucks a month so I don't wake him up at 3:00 a.m. every morning 😆

[@mizu_yt]

@@李Lee the noise created for trucks is highly ineffective, because you cannot locate the origin of the sound, whereas you can with Toyota's sound and a couple other sounds. Although if you're after the beeping, Kia and Hyundai cars do make beeps in reverse along with their corresponding engine sound replacement

[@dustinr2285]

After owning one for a few days and finally noticing this sound, the first thing I thought of was angels singing. It’s funny that I’m not the only one who made that connection.

[@lipsofadon]

I just noticed that when someone in the rav 4 hybrid backed in next to me.

[@mikedyson2077]

We just got our brand new RAV hybrid home a few minutes ago and when I had to back it up it made this loud noise and I thought something was wrong, like a transmission problem or something, thank you for the video, my wife and I feel somewhat better.

[@IndependantMind168]

I noticed this the second day I had it while in a drive thru because it was reflecting back at me off the building walls. I though to myself, man.... that's the sound of the future right there. It sounded so cool.

[@daisylemphers4112]

I love that it makes that noise. As a person with hearing impairment I constantly have to watch backup lights when I walk through a parking lot. I definitely would hear this noise. The whole point is to get people's attention and that it does.

[@jle5261]

I just googled this and watched this video. I just picked up a brand new RAV4 hybrid Friday. I was about to bring it back into the shop tomorrow and start screaming 😳

[@TheComebackKid]

Hi J! Congratulations on the new Rav4, do you love it? Thanks for watching. PS... don't return it! :)

[@gspriggs]

I thought the same thing, just drove my new RAV4 hybrid home yesterday, was gonna call the dealership about that noise today. Lol

[@richardduran8583]

I have a cargo van with no back windows w/back alarm. Wife just got rav4 & I like this feature (she won't run over kids in driveway) good video!!!!!

[@bmx7596]

You might know the reason, but if not, its so that people will hear you backing up. When Hybrids are in reverse, the battery is doing the work, making it virtually impossible to hear. The noise is artificial and not coming directly from the power source. It tries to strike a balance between not sounding annoying, but ALSO alerting people. And judging by your story of people stopping and looking, it does the job.

[@TheComebackKid]

Hi bmx. Yes, I got a few head turns tonoght alone when I was backing out of the grocery store haha

[@gerardroth3972]

I don't like it, I don't want people thinking there something wrong with my car. The worst is it does it if your driving less than 20 mph on city streets, people looking at you wondering what is wrong with that car.

[@jennifervallion543]

I have had soooooo many people (family members, friends, strangers) come running up to me as I was backing up telling me there was something wrong with my car 🤦🏼‍♀️ Annoying.

[@bicqtran]

2022 Prius sounds exactly like the Rav4. When I first heard it, I thought there was something wrong with the car.

[@gspriggs]

I just drove home my new 2022 RAV4 xse hybrid yesterday , yep the noise freaked me out ( especially backing out of the garage), so glad you made this video to explain it. Keep up the good work. What year is your RAV4?

[@filee1308]

I do enjoy and appreciate your video simply because this saves my time to call Lexus dealers because of this noise when my son back out this brand new Lexus. I thought he did something wrong and I yelled at him and, afterwards he asked if he did something wrong or what? I said yes, you made a big noise on my car. Then we did backwards driving and I didn’t even hear anything until he made the window down. Then I search and find this video before I was ready to call the dealer.

[@cantweallgetalong]

What about the strange noise when you turn it off? Does yours make whiring and squealing noise as it shuts off? It sounds like it comes from the rear end area. People always ask me "what it is. and is it gonna break?"

[@mollymollie6048]

Ok, glad that this video exists…just got my new RAV4, never had a hybrid before, and thought something was broken today because of the weird noise it was making going in reverse, lol. Was going to call the dealership, thought I’d check the internet first!

[@bettystoecklin3514]

So glad I found out about this! I was convinced there was something wrong with my car even though the salesman said it sounds exactly like what it's supposed to!

[@bmx7596]

Completely off topic, but I want to say something. Growing up in the south it is amazing to me how completely different you sound and we didn't grow up that far away. Even the facial gestures are very different, yet it still communicates a very strong kinship all the same. I don't know how to explain it, but it goes further than just "we're Americans." Cheers

[@TheComebackKid]

Hi bmx. Interesting comment. At the end of the day we are all humans, we might look different or sound different but we are more similar than we are dissimilar. Thanks for watching!

[@tails300]

I have a Camry hybrid which makes the same pedestrian warning sound. If you listen close the background tone it sounds almost like a ethereal Japanese orchestra. Makes sense since Toyota’s a Japanese brand.

[@gerardbroussard451]

Just brought home a 2021 Highlander Hybrid . . . sounds ethereal, like a brian eno or King Crimson music composition. I'm OK with it!

[@mindymaye1121]

Many thank yous! I kept telling my stepmom to get her new Rav4 checked for that awful sound (which I have not heard from any other car before). She says it's ok and I haven't believed her! It's a scary sound....what ever happened to the beep beep beep of trucks and buses?!?! lol Thanks for setting me straight! Now I know it's "normal"!

[@Ricky_the_rollerblader]

I'm glad the rav4 hybrid has that noise it warns pedestrians that your backing out

[@Divested_Jedi]

I am so grateful for your videos. I am in the market to purchase a new vehicle and I am considering a hybrid. Thank you. Please keep doing what you are doing. These are extremely helpful.

[@TheComebackKid]

Hi Ninja, thanks for the kind words and thank you for watching!

[@corralup1]

Hilarious. I love my 2022 Rav 4. It is my first Hybrid too. You are right about people stop in their tracks. I deliver food for a living and one guy ran out of his house and told me I have a bearing or something wrong with my transmission. I laughed and told him that is what the Hybrid is suppose to sound like. Totally normal. It takes some getting used to. I wouldn't trade it for the world. Love this car.

[@deenasspinningjourney9787]

Yes! They sound like a heavenly choir

[@eyecamdy]

All hybrid vehicles are built to whine in reverse to warn pedestrians that you reversing your vehicle. Hybrids are silent in low gear.

[@Zr1smokinu]

If you don't want the speaker make that noise, when you're in park just tap the gas, the car will turn the engine on. Now when you put it in reverse there will be zero noise, just the engine noise.

[@eyecamdy]

@@Zr1smokinu I would not do that and be held responsible for hitting someone while backing up because they couldn't hear the car reversing. Especially children who walk passed my house to get to their bus stop.

[@eyecamdy]

@@Zr1smokinu you can easily hear a combustion engine. You can not hear a hybrid vehicle without the sound which was by law installed in all hybrids in 2020.

[@Zr1smokinu]

@@eyecamdy I'm kind of not following what your trying to say. I'm just saying if you don't want to hear the noise, turn the engine on.

[@mitsuturbo]

False. My 2018 volvo S90 PHEV was completely dead silent. Forward or reverse, at any speed.

[@jnhutchinson]

It's become one of my favorite things about our RAV4, lol.

[@donmelbouchard]

Just took receipt of a 23 RAV4 hybrid. Your video is on point!

[@alexisamaya8718]

I love the humming noise, one of the reasons I got it

[@sayeed4921]

I was worried of the sound and kept checking where was the sound coming from. Thanks for the information.

[@ilovephotos1919]

So happy to find your video. I just recently bought mine too and noticed that noise. I was ready to go back to Toyota and ask about it. Thanks!

[@kompalover85]

Same! Got mine 2 days ago and was going tomorrow morning

[@ilovephotos1919]

@sundayand I didn't go back to Toyota. After watching this video I was satisfied with his response.

[@Zr1smokinu]

@sundayand it's just a new law that went into effect to wear your car can't be silent going in reverse, so a speaker turns on to make. If you don't want the speaker make that noise, when you're in park just tap the gas, the car will turn the engine on. Now when you put it in reverse there will be zero noise, just the engine noise.

[@happybaby888888]

Thanks for the video ! just bought a new hybrid and have same noise, glad to know that this is normal . thank you !

[@loyaltyisroyalty5616]

@ 3:15 it looks like you are being touched by the holy light 😂

[@TheComebackKid]

Hi loyalty, amen! Thanks for watching!

[@danielstupin1801]

Great video, How is the engine noise on the highway I heard it was pretty loud?

[@AmySwayzee]

My neighbor was so worried about sound coming from my car backing up when you wanted me to go back to Toyota. So I came here to the KZbin world to get validation

[@rizagulmatico1874]

Yeah! Church noise or choir noise is the exact term for it :) A day when we got our 2022 Hybrid XLE highlander, I was afraid when I heard that strange noise and asked my husband to immediately call Toyota and might as well return it 😂. Thanks for your video! Such a relief!

[@gspriggs]

I thought the same thing, just drove my new RAV4 hybrid home yesterday, was gonna call the dealership about that noise today. Lol

[@stephenchristinethompson9730]

Thanks for doing this video! I just bought a Rav4 Hybrid and was wondering if the backup sound was normal.

[@waihochan6964]

thank you for your video. I got my Rav4 Hybrid today and thought there was something wrong.!!! 🙂

[@lindakitchell8147]

We bought one and wondered if there was a problem with ours. Guess we're glad to know its normal, but weird indeed.

[@SofiaCTardy]

My husband freaked out 😂 We had a Prius before the RAV4, and we did not notice a noise like that with it.

[@effie3798]

It sounds like a beautiful choir

[@BreakpointFun]

As a blind person you only hear the gravel under the wheels if you are paying attention at all times, and you could lose your attention easily to another noise or if you're talking with someone. This is definitely required for all vehicles and it's better to sound like Angels then the trailer backup beep

[@rocklobster5074]

To hell with the blind

[@Dimigrey]

I rather have the back up beep

[@barbrummel9324]

Thanks so much for this. Just bought the car and was going to take it back for service. I had just put my hearing aid in for the first time in a year and was backing it out and thought behat the heck is that? Lol

[@Ritualowlnyc]

Me too until I saw this!

[@curiousj1287]

So did you finally get used to that noise?

[@gspriggs]

I thought the same thing, just drove my new RAV4 hybrid home yesterday, was gonna call the dealership about that noise today.lol

[@Brigitte-xb7jq]

I am looking at buying a used 2022 RAV 4 Hybrid. When I test drove it, and backed up I heard this noise. I went back to the sales rep and told him there was something wrong with the vehicle. He told me the mechanic would check it out. He called back and said it was "normal" with the car. I own Prius and it is quiet as a mouse backing up. I ignored the reps comment and decided not to buy it. THANK YOU for this post. I now will eat crow and perhaps buy it. Sadly the buyer should be made aware of it.

[@guzmanada81]

I just purchased a Toyota Rav4 2022 a week ago and at first I thought something was wrong with my car🤣But now I’m still adjusting to a hybrid vehicle, it’s awesome👍

[@gspriggs]

I thought the same thing, just drove my new RAV4 hybrid home yesterday, was gonna call the dealership about that noise today. Lol

[@a.b.bedinghaus9642]

Haha! I’ve had mine for 2 days and just experienced everyone stopping what they were doing to watch me reverse. In this case we were at an ice cream shop and they all stopped eating their ice cream on the patio and watched my husband and I back out of the parking place. I watched a lot of reviews before purchase so I knew it was loud before I got it. I wasn’t expecting the gawking though. Lol

[@TheComebackKid]

Hi AB. Laughing about your comment. I still get the head turns and looks every...single...day...haha. Most people look like they are about to get beamed up by the mother ship. Hope you're enjoying your RAV4. I have my 15,000 mile review video coming out soon. Thanks for watching!

[@carlospaganini3195]

i don"t remember the noise when testing the car. After we purchased and got home, we notice the noise. i almost died thinking that is something wrong.

[@annebrooks5940]

I agree. I did not hear that sound at the dealership. Weird

[@vegamusic8879]

My new 2023 hybrid corolla that I picked up 2 days ago from the dealer also makes a horrible noise, while backing up and while driving under 22mph. I assumed this horrible high pitched sound was for safety reasons to warn pedestrians, however today my car made this horrendous, high pitch unbearable sound for more than 5 minutes after stopping the motor and taking the key out. It was especially loud outside around the hood. So it can not be the safety sound as I originally thought, since I wasnt even driving it. I spent hours at the toyota dealer where I was told that this is normal. How can such horrible, annoying sound be normal? I had to listen to this sound for 2 hours today constantly on the higway when traffic was slow. What is this sound? What can be done about this?

[@annebrooks5940]

I just bought an XLE Toyota RAV4 hybrid two days ago. And I just noticed the noise backing up. It’s pretty annoying and my two sisters thought there was something wrong with the car. So did I, but then I found your video. But… It’s still annoying.

[@akmbhuiyan]

I love Rav 4 Hybrids

[@Ritualowlnyc]

Thank you! I just got my Rav4 Hybrid and was wondering about that noise :)

[@dwsolberg]

The backup sound is WAY too loud. However I was driving just above 20 mph (at the point where the noise turns off) on a side street, and a random guy walked right in front of me because he didn't hear me coming. It was scary and made me understand why they added the sound.

[@lorrainetracey4290]

Thanks for sharing! Great to learn the sound is normal. We just got a 2021 RAV4 XLE Premium Hybrid and going to call the dealer on Monday. Our 2013 Prius sounded like a pussy cat compared to this Choir of Angels.

[@Zr1smokinu]

If you don't want the speaker make that noise, when you're in park just tap the gas, the car will turn the engine on. Now when you put it in reverse there will be zero noise, just the engine noise.

[@may_laytrucker3127]

It's wonderful noise, what's weird things about it ?

[@kabbythedog9409]

Mines not quite as angelic 😅 Does yours ever sound rattly sometimes when gas kicks in when youre moving on battery

[@vinnybruce2874]

It sounds like a fantastic soul angles at a opera classical theater.

[@charzy11]

I alway imagined it was the sound of a flying saucer 🛸 🛸🛸

[@keyxp50]

At 1:26 im started laughing so hard picturing angels Choirs ..anyway it also sound like a landing ufo...lol

[@Radwinskee]

Just got our hybrid and notice this weird sound when in reverse, good thing I search for it first in Google as I'm about to rush back to my dealership to fix whatever that sound is.. lol

[@SuperSmoovy]

Omg😂😂😂. This sound stopped me in my tracks in 115 degree weather today. I said "what in the Jetsons is going on over here!!"

[@avitcruz]

Lol, same here, I went back to the dealership thinkimg the engine was going to blow🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@TheComebackKid]

Hi avit. Haha thanks for watching!

[@grahamedmondson8662]

ITS SO LOUD! I hear it all the time in my apartment top floor. Its truely worse then a loud diesel truck idling outside the apartment (in terms of noise pollution). Its obviously for safety reasons, but they really need to turn it down. Is there any control settings of the volume of the backup warning system?

[@Maddie-lv5sg]

Yep...that is what mine does. Just wanted to make sure. Sounds like something from a spaceship.

[@TheComebackKid]

Hi Maddie. Haha, weird sound right?

[@sallycooper7677]

it sounded like when you drove forward it made a quieter version of that sounds - can you hear that while driving? i'd lose my mind if i had to listen to a high pitched squeal constantly

[@Zr1smokinu]

If you don't want the speaker make that noise, when you're in park just tap the gas, the car will turn the engine on. Now when you put it in reverse there will be zero noise, just the engine noise.

[@Novous]

1:23 When your toyota hybrid sounds like Ramiel invading Tokyo

[@Bloxburgbuilder237]

The sound you are hearing is a pedestrian alert to alert people that your vehicle is backing up or in reverse. This sound is normal.

[@brandonirwin3845]

I’ve been the confused person in a parking lot looking around. “WTF is that sound, am I dead?” Then spotted the RAV4. That’s how found this video

[@titus649]

Thank you for making this video - I really thought I had something wrong with my new Rav4 hybrid!!!~ phew!

[@krasimirstefanov1134]

Hi there, apart of the load noise when I reverse with the RAV4, there is similar noise when I drive slowly on EV mode, but also I hear some kind of chime sounds as well. Is this normal as part of the pedestrian warning sounds?

[@datangpdx]

They can make the sound just like from gasoline engine, so it would sounds no different than a regular car. this alien sound was very annoying and obnoxious

[@erikpenabella599]

Is there any way to lower or change the sound?

[@ericvanags9257]

While in park, tap the gas peddle. This will activate the gasoline motor and will deactivate the annoying hybrid sound

[@kimkelly8328]

That's why my kids named the car "Angel"!

[@TheComebackKid]

Hi Kim. haha great name, tell angel I said hello :)

[@timmiller7589]

What is the clank or clunk sound we hear about 2 minutes after stopping the vehicle and in park, turned off?

[@renn8276]

I believe it's the parking brake engaging

[@LitaSally]

Just received our 2022 Prius LE noise is weird. Our 14 year old 2008 Prius hybrid was a ninja. You could not hear a sound.

[@TheComebackKid]

Its a magical noise isn't it? Thanks for watching!

[@NickJ382]

I just brought my rav4 hybrid . Do u had a noise when u turn on the car? The sound like du du du . And it had like 1 min

[@Oh_Charlie]

sound like a train passing you on the railroad 😂😂😂

[@curiousj1287]

I had to look this noise up. Holy cow it’s weird. thank you for posting some thing! I just got the new car …. I was completely freaked out. YES it is very strange! I felt like I was in an episode of American horror story… waiting for some hideous gory scene.

[@gspriggs]

I thought the same thing, just drove my new RAV4 hybrid home yesterday, was gonna call the dealership about that noise today. Lol

[@ravenmillard9414]

Thanks for the update I was about to take the suv up to the shop ! Lol

[@sureshvenna5937]

Thank you very much This videos helps

[@txengineer]

Wild. I wonder if that sound clip can be replaced

[@HoneyBerighthere-Saysarath]

It's the new Backup Alarm

[@tracithompson3728]

I freak out when I get out to close our property gate and tell my husband that the car is singing!

[@chlo5437]

Good vid Comeback Kid👍

[@BreakpointFun]

When I first heard about Germany proposing this idea they were trying to put it on at all times and the frequency would change with the speed

[@Dev-op7kn]

There’s a device at the front of the car that makes this noise. Safety feature for hybrid

[@bruv1211]

thats a space ship backing out haha

[@Kamikaze3557]

My bought new. 2022 Rav4 hybrid makes a noise when in reverse, but it doesn't sound like that. It sounds much worse, like something is wrong with the drive train,

[@jasmeetkaur1036]

My RAV4 2021 hybrid does same noise nd it’s way to loud . I hate that noise .

[@SarahSmith-rp8dh]

I agree and I hate the sound. It’s noise pollution.

[@akmbhuiyan]

I like RAV4 Hybrid

[@dranik84]

This explains a lot. I always thought electric cars are broken make stupid noise 🤣

[@TheComebackKid]

HI Dima. Thanks for watching!

[@sergior.m.5694]

my neighbor has this vehicle and for weeks I've been wondering what the heck was that noise, it's also kinda loud

[@SaNtAcRuZrIdEr19871]

Neighbour has a Rav4. This explains why it's so fucking annoying when he reverses in to his drive.

[@bigfootswatching9986]

It's an alert for other ppl near the vehicles!!