2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime Road Test and Review

2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime hero ・ Photo by Toyota

The Toyota RAV4 has seen a lot of changes since its introduction in 1994. These include the RAV4 Hybrid, which debuted in 2016 and is now the best-selling hybrid in the country. The fifth generation of the RAV4 arrived for the 2019 model year and helped the RAV4 become the best-selling SUV in the country for three years in a row. Now, the lineup expands again with the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime.

This is Toyota’s first plug-in hybrid SUV and it’s the most powerful RAV4 ever. Available in two trims, it offers the benefits of driving a hybrid with the added perk of being able to plug in and charge. This greatly improves overall fuel efficiency and helps keep more of your cash in your wallet. Let’s take a closer look at the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime and see if it’s the right plug-in SUV for you.

Two Well-Equipped Trims

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime is available in a choice of two trims, both of which feature standard all-wheel drive. The base SE is priced from $38,100 and has standard features that include an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. There are also heated front seats that are eight-way power-adjustable for the driver, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob, and a height-adjustable power liftgate.

Your second choice is the XSE, which comes in with a starting price of $41,425. It adds a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen, paddle shifters, Qi wireless charging, moonroof, and SofTex-trimmed seats for a more upscale feel. It also gets larger 19-inch wheels, a moonroof, and a two-tone roof for added curb appeal. It also offers additional package options that include upgraded audio, faster charging, and additional safety features that are not available on the base SE.

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Attractive and Comfortable Interior

The interior of the RAV4 Prime offers seating for up to five passengers. While the base SE has fabric seats, the XSE gets SofTex seats with red stitching for a more premium look and feel. The front seats are heavily bolstered and supportive, making them ideal for long commutes or road trips. The driver’s seat features eight-way power adjustability with lumbar support, making it easier to find a seating position that’s both comfortable and provides a good view of the road.

There’s room for three in the rear seats with ample headroom and legroom for taller adults. While three kids will easily fit, three adults will find the rear seats narrow on longer trips. Two adults, however, will find plenty of room to stretch out, even with the front seats pushed further back. Though not fancy, the interior of the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime is a comfortable and welcoming space.

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Easy-to-Use Infotainment

Even the base trim of the RAV4 Prime comes with a comprehensive infotainment system. It includes an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, There’s also a 90-day trial of SiriusXM and Wi-Fi connectivity with a three-month/2GB trial. The screen is mounted on top of the dashboard for easy viewing, and it’s not angled toward the driver, which makes it easy for passengers to use so the driver can stay focused on the road.

The XSE adds a 9-inch touchscreen, which is the largest in any RAV4. It also offers an optional audio package that features a premium JBL audio system, dynamic navigation with a three-year trial, and destination assist with a one-year trial. Infotainment in the RAV4 Prime includes key connectivity features on both trims rather than limiting them to only the top model.

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A Surprisingly Performance-Focused Hybrid

Power for the RAV4 Prime comes from a specially tuned version of the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine found in the RAV4 Hybrid, giving it an extra 83 horsepower. That works out to 302 total system horsepower, so if you think plug-in hybrids aren’t quick, then think again. The RAV4 Prime goes from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, making it the second-fastest model in the Toyota lineup behind only the Toyota Supra. When you press on the accelerator, the RAV4 Prime moves making it easy to reach highway speeds.

Several drive modes tailor the drive to your performance preferences. Choose from Normal, Eco, and Sport, and there is even a Trail mode for light off-roading. There are also three EV modes to choose how you use the battery, opting for EV as much as possible or saving that charge for later. The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime delivers a hybrid driving experience without sacrificing performance.

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The Efficiency of a Plug-In Hybrid

There are many reasons why people choose to go with a plug-in hybrid, and fuel efficiency usually ranks high up on the list. EPA ratings for the 2021 Toyota RAV4 have not been finalized, but the preliminary estimate is 94 MPGe. That’s what your fuel economy will be with a full charge and a full tank of gas. It has an estimated 42 miles of all-electric range with an estimated total range of 600 miles, so you won’t have to make as many stops to fuel up on that family road trip.

Plug in to a 120-volt outlet and it’ll take about 12 hours to fully charge your RAV4 Prime. That time comes down to roughly 4.5 hours at a 240-volt 16-amp charger. The fastest charging is available on the XSE equipped with the Premium Package, which can utilize a 240-volt 32-amp charger to fully charge in just 2.5 hours.

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A Composed Ride With a Quiet Interior

The ride in the Toyota RAV4 Prime is smooth and composed, with a suspension that absorbs all but the worst of the bumps. It makes driving easy and relaxing. Uneven pavement and even rutted dirt roads did little to disturb this SUV’s composure. Steering is responsive without being demanding, and the RAV4 Prime maintains its calm even during quick highway lane changes.

Toyota reduced noise, vibration, and harshness in order to create a more relaxing and welcoming interior for passengers. This includes the use of insulation in key areas, a highly insulated acoustic windshield, acoustic front side windows, and sound materials to reduce road noise. Road and wind noise are minimal, and even caught in a summer thunderstorm that drenched roads, there wasn’t an intrusive amount of noise that made its way into the cabin.

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Lots of Room for Cargo, and It Can Even Tow

The 2021 RAV4 Prime has room for your family and your cargo. There’s 33.5 cubic feet for cargo behind the rear seats with a wide tailgate opening to make loading large items is easier. There’s also a standard height-adjustable power liftgate, so those with low garages don’t have to worry about hitting the ceiling. The XSE equipped with the Premium Package adds a hands-free kick sensor to the liftgate so you can still easily open it with your arms full.

When you need a bit more room, fold down the rear seats to expand cargo capacity up to 63.2 cubic feet. It’s ideal for hauling home supplies for weekend projects or equipment for a weekend adventure. The RAV4 Prime can even tow up to 2,500 pounds when properly equipped. Whether you’re carrying people or cargo, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime has you covered.

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Wide Range of Standard Safety Features

An impressive number of safety features are standard on the RAV4 Prime through Toyota Safety Sense 2.0. These include a pre-collision system with pedestrian and bicyclist detection, full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control, lane tracing assist, a lane-departure alert with steering assist, road sign assist, and automatic high beams. Also included are blind-spot monitoring with a rear cross-traffic alert. It’s a comprehensive offering that will help keep you and your loved ones safe on the road.

The only optional safety features come as a part of the Premium Package on the XSE trim. This adds convenience features along with front and rear parking assist with automated braking, adaptive headlights, and a birds-eye-view parking camera.

Photo by Toyota

Final Thoughts

The 2021 RAV4 Prime offers a compelling argument for making the switch to a plug-in hybrid. It has the versatility of an SUV with an attractive design, a spacious and comfortable interior, and standard features that ensure even the base model has plenty of appeal. Good standard safety and a fully featured infotainment system further enhance the lure of the RAV4 Prime.

It also offers good driving dynamics and a responsive powertrain that make you forget you’re driving a hybrid. Gone are the days of hybrids feeling underpowered and slow. The RAV4 Prime is fun to drive and has a quiet cabin that keeps road, wind, and engine noise muted. It also has fuel economy numbers that make it easy on your wallet. The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime not only expands the RAV4 lineup, it may just be the vehicle that convinces you to embrace the idea of a plug-in.

Photo by Toyota