Toyota RAV4 Prime
Pole Position
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,162
Likes: 1,711
From: NC
It's the complete package for once. The Rav4 Hybrid was already what I considered a very good package but I didn't need a new vehicle yet and I'm fortunate that I'm only just about to enter the market for a new family vehicle in time for the Prime.
Toyota says in their press material that the Prime will be the most fuel efficient Rav4 which I take to mean it'll be as good as the Rav4 Hybrid while also providing 60km of electric only range which more than covers the distance I need to cover for my daily routine (kid to daycare and then to work).
The larger battery is placed under the floor which means there's no cargo capacity compromise and AWD is standard. I'll be able to go on my ski trips without issue (and I don't need to go off-road ever so the "ruggedness" is irrelevant to me).
The icing on top is the 302 horses (the Rav4 Hybrid was already better performing than the pure gasser) and I can even get the federal EV credit for the PHEV function.
The only thing that can break this is the price but if it's only a bit more than the Hybrid after the EV credit, then it's literally the best non-luxury (because I can't afford $$$$$$$) mid-sized SUV/CUV overall.
Toyota says in their press material that the Prime will be the most fuel efficient Rav4 which I take to mean it'll be as good as the Rav4 Hybrid while also providing 60km of electric only range which more than covers the distance I need to cover for my daily routine (kid to daycare and then to work).
The larger battery is placed under the floor which means there's no cargo capacity compromise and AWD is standard. I'll be able to go on my ski trips without issue (and I don't need to go off-road ever so the "ruggedness" is irrelevant to me).
The icing on top is the 302 horses (the Rav4 Hybrid was already better performing than the pure gasser) and I can even get the federal EV credit for the PHEV function.
The only thing that can break this is the price but if it's only a bit more than the Hybrid after the EV credit, then it's literally the best non-luxury (because I can't afford $$$$$$$) mid-sized SUV/CUV overall.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,430
Likes: 249
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime comes in under $40K, with over 300 hp
The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime SE will ring the till at $39,220 (including a $1,120 destination charge) when it goes on sale this summer, Toyota announced Friday, as the company looks to claim the performance high ground in the compact crossover segment with its high-output plug-in hybrid.
So far, hybrid variants of smaller mainstream two-row crossovers have been focused entirely on efficiency; even Toyota's own RAV4 Hybrid is rated at 41 mpg city, 38 mpg highway and 40 combined on the strength of its 219-horsepower conventional hybrid drive system.
While Toyota insists the RAV4 Prime will be plenty efficient, squeezing the most out of a drop of fuel is not its top priority. Its plug-in hybrid system produces a total system output of 302 horsepower, making it the most powerful compact SUV from a non-luxury brand. Toyota says it'll also go from 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds (down from an earlier estimate of 5.8), which should be in contention for quickest alongside the high-output 2020 Ford Escape.
Toyota says the EPA has rated the RAV4 Prime at 94 MPGe. Precise city and highway figures have not yet been provided. For context, the company's own Prius Prime — rated at 133 MPGe — achieves 55 mpg in the city, 53 mpg on the highway and 54 mpg combined. The last-generation Hyundai Sonata plug-in hybrid, which was rated at 99 MPGe, was certified at 39 mpg combined.
The 2021 RAV4 Prime shares the same 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle, gasoline-powered four-cylinder as the regular RAV4 Hybrid, but it's tuned differently. Its 176 horsepower is the same, but it produces 168 pound-feet of torque at 2,800 rpm versus 163 lb-ft at 3,600-5,200 rpm. Toyota says that greater grunt in addition to more powerful electric motors means you'll be able to notice a definite difference in low-speed driving. The fact that the Prime is a full two seconds quicker from 0-60 would certainly back that up. Toyota says the RAV4 Prime's battery is good for 42 miles of pure electric driving — up from a previous estimate of 39 miles.
Toyota will offer the RAV4 Prime in two flavors: SE (the base model) and XSE. Standard equipment on the SE will include heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift ****, a power liftgate, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa integration. The XSE ($42,545 before options) will include a 9-inch touchscreen, upgraded audio, wireless device charging, a moonroof and a fancy two-tone exterior paint scheme, among other features.
While the price may seem steep, keep in mind that the price will be offset by up to $7,500 in the federal EV tax credit, plus state incentives depending on location.
So far, hybrid variants of smaller mainstream two-row crossovers have been focused entirely on efficiency; even Toyota's own RAV4 Hybrid is rated at 41 mpg city, 38 mpg highway and 40 combined on the strength of its 219-horsepower conventional hybrid drive system.
While Toyota insists the RAV4 Prime will be plenty efficient, squeezing the most out of a drop of fuel is not its top priority. Its plug-in hybrid system produces a total system output of 302 horsepower, making it the most powerful compact SUV from a non-luxury brand. Toyota says it'll also go from 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds (down from an earlier estimate of 5.8), which should be in contention for quickest alongside the high-output 2020 Ford Escape.
Toyota says the EPA has rated the RAV4 Prime at 94 MPGe. Precise city and highway figures have not yet been provided. For context, the company's own Prius Prime — rated at 133 MPGe — achieves 55 mpg in the city, 53 mpg on the highway and 54 mpg combined. The last-generation Hyundai Sonata plug-in hybrid, which was rated at 99 MPGe, was certified at 39 mpg combined.
The 2021 RAV4 Prime shares the same 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle, gasoline-powered four-cylinder as the regular RAV4 Hybrid, but it's tuned differently. Its 176 horsepower is the same, but it produces 168 pound-feet of torque at 2,800 rpm versus 163 lb-ft at 3,600-5,200 rpm. Toyota says that greater grunt in addition to more powerful electric motors means you'll be able to notice a definite difference in low-speed driving. The fact that the Prime is a full two seconds quicker from 0-60 would certainly back that up. Toyota says the RAV4 Prime's battery is good for 42 miles of pure electric driving — up from a previous estimate of 39 miles.
Toyota will offer the RAV4 Prime in two flavors: SE (the base model) and XSE. Standard equipment on the SE will include heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift ****, a power liftgate, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa integration. The XSE ($42,545 before options) will include a 9-inch touchscreen, upgraded audio, wireless device charging, a moonroof and a fancy two-tone exterior paint scheme, among other features.
While the price may seem steep, keep in mind that the price will be offset by up to $7,500 in the federal EV tax credit, plus state incentives depending on location.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,488
Likes: 52
From: FL
I'll wait for the first drives. All the reviews I've read say the cabin noise is bad on the new Rav4. Hopefully they have improved upon that with this model. The Venza still looks better by me at this time.
Pole Position
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,162
Likes: 1,711
From: NC
Alex on Autos with RAV4 prime
The NX version will be coming out within a year. As with the RAV4 hybrid if the NX Prime after the tax credit is only $2,200 more then the NX hybrid with 300 horsepower HUD, 42 miles electric range, Android Auto and will be four inches longer which it needs, I will be first in line.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,204
Likes: 11
From: The Woodlands, TX
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,446
Likes: 373
From: ON/NY
I think this new Rav4 Prime is a better alternative to a Tesla Model Y. I think plug ins are the perfect vehicle. No range anxiety. 40 miles of EV range. Toyota has better quality and the best reliability in the industry. I assume the the overall range for the Prime Rav4 is 600 miles or so. The performance is pretty good too.
Last edited by Toys4RJill; Jun 20, 2020 at 05:29 AM.
Pole Position
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,162
Likes: 1,711
From: NC
I think this new Rav4 Prime is a better alternative to a Tesla Model Y. I think plug ins are the perfect vehicle. No range anxiety. 40 miles of EV range. Toyota has better quality and the best reliability in the industry. I assume the the overall range for the Prime Rav4 is 600 miles or so. The performance is pretty good too.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 13,260
Likes: 1,884
From: WA
Forgive me if I missed it, but have they announced available power when running on electric alone? If the 300+ horsepower are combined gas/electric, what kind of power and acceleration are available when running on electric alone?