• News
  • Guides
  • Reviews
  • Media
  • About
  • News
  • Guides
  • Reviews
  • Media
  • About
Sign up Now (For Free)

Sign up for our newsletter and receive the latest automotive news in your inbox!

Invalid email address
We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Thanks for subscribing!
News
Read Now
  • All News
  • Automakers
  • Automobiles
  • Auto Shows
  • Business
  • EVs & Environment
  • Guides
  • Lawsuits/Legal
  • Regulatory
  • Ride-Sharing
  • Safety & Recalls
  • Technology
Recent
  • The Rearview Mirror: The Car That Started a ’70s Car Design Craze
  • Inflation Reduction Act Paying Off as Battery Makers Invest Billions in U.S. Factories
  • Back in Production, Ford Again Raises Pricing for F-150 Lightning.
  • First Look: 2024 Hyundai Sonata
  • Despite Two Decades of Warnings, Distracted Driving Remains a Major Problem
  • Treasury Dept Ruling Expected to Cut EV Tax Credits
  • Sen. Manchin Threatening to Sue Over New EV Battery Rules
  • Ford Bolsters EV Supply Chain with $4.5B Nickel Processing Plant
  • Unified UAW Talks Tough Before Contract Talks with Detroit Three
  • Faraday Future May Have One: Production Begins
Editor’s Choice
    Reviews
    Read Now
    • All Reviews
      • Feeder
    • Classic Cars
    • Concept Cars
    • Convertibles
    • Coupes
    • Crossovers/CUVs
    • Diesel
    • Hot hatches
    • Hybrids
    • Luxury Vehicles
    • Minivans
    • Muscle Cars
    • Pickups
    • Sedans
    • Sports Cars
    • Super Cars
    • SUVs
    Recent Reviews
    • A Week With: 2023 Nissan Rogue Platinum AWD
    • A Week With: 2023 Kia Soul GT-Line
    • A Week With: 2023 Ford Maverick Tremor
    • A Week With: 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 AWD Pro S
    • A Week With: 2023 Infiniti QX80
    • A Week With: 2023 Genesis GV80 Prestige 3.5 Turbo
    • First Drive: 2024 Dodge Hornet R/T
    • First Drive: 2023 Dodge Hornet GT
    • First Drive: 2023 Genesis Electrified GV70
    • First Drive: 2023 Nissan Ariya e-4orce AWD
    Editor’s Choice
      Guides
      Car Warranty
      • Endurance Warranty Reviews
      • BMW Extended Warranty
      • Extended Warranty For Cars Over 100k Miles
      • Extended Car Warranty Cost
      • Subaru Extended Warranty
      • CarShield Reviews
      • CarShield Cost
      • Aftermarket Car Warranty
      • CARCHEX Warranty Reviews
      • Reputable Extended Car Warranty Companies
      • Used Car Warranty Companies
      • Best Car Warranty
      • Is CarShield A Scam?
      • Mercedes Extended Warranty
      • CarShield Plans
      Insurance
      • How To Identify A Car Insurance Company
      • Geico Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
      • How Far Back Does A Car Insurance Company Look
      • Mechanical Breakdown Insurance For Used Cars
      • State Farm Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
      • Mechanical Breakdown Insurance From Progressive
      • Dollar A Day Insurance
      • Auto Insurance For SSI Recipients
      • Car Insurance Rates After A Suspended License
      • Auto Insurance For Salvage Vehicles
      • Average Cost of Dodge Ram 1500 Car Insurance
      • Car Insurance Florida
      • Full Coverage Auto Insurance
      • GrubHub Insurance
      • Amazon Delivery Auto Insurance
      Shipping
      • Car Shipping Companies
      • uShip Reviews
      • Auto Shipping From California To Hawaii
      • Montway Auto Transport Reviews
      • Cheap Car Shipping
      • Easy Auto Ship Reviews
      • Auto Shipping Miami
      • Auto Shipping To Alaska
      • Car Shipping Cost
      • Auto Shipping Hawaii
      • Auto Shipping Puerto Rico
      • Sherpa Auto Transport Reviews
      • Auto Shipping Atlanta
      • Auto Shipping Boston
      • Auto Shipping. Chicago
      About
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Terms of Use
      • Privacy Policy
      • Affiliate Disclosure
      • Sitemap
      TheDetroitBureau.com

      More than just “another” place to find news, reviews, spy shots, commentary, features, and guides about the auto industry. TheDetroitBureau doesn’t stop with the press releases or confuse a few lines of opinion with insightful, in-depth reporting.

      Contact Us

      Like what you see? Have some ideas for making The Detroit Bureau.com even better? Let us know, we’d love to hear your voice.

        Media
        Listen Now
        • Headlight News: All Episodes
        More from TheDetroitBureau
        • Guides
        • Latest News
        • Auto Reviews
        • Podcasts
        Headlight News

        TheDetroitBureau.com’s Headlight News offers a look at the past week’s top automotive news stories, as well as what’s coming up in the week ahead. Check out the week’s top story and our latest review…along with a dive into the past with this week in automotive history.

        home > reviews > First Drive: 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime

        First Drive: 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime

        It gets great mileage, but you’ll likely focus on how fast it is.

        Paul A. Eisenstein
        Paul A. Eisenstein , Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
        July 03, 2020
        The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid is a stunning mix of mileage and performance.

        Toyota’s little “soft-roader” has come a long way since its introduction back in 1994. It has grown larger and more lavishly equipped. The RAV4 has also grown substantially in terms of sales, several years ago displacing the time-tested Camry as its number-one product in the U.S. market.

        As one might expect, Toyota added a hybrid version of the RAV4 recently, part of its plan to offer a battery-based version of every model in its broad line-up. Now, however, it is also getting ready to add a second electrified alternative, this one a plug-in.

        As with the Prius, the PHEV has been dubbed the RAV4 Prime. But there’s a significant difference in strategy. Where Toyota hybrids traditionally focus on delivering mind-boggling mileage numbers, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime sets out to strike a “balance of that rational purchase of a hybrid” with what marketing chief Joe Moses calls, “incredible performance.”

        (2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime offers extended range, great mileage — and unexpected performance.)

        Toyota hybrids traditionally focus on delivering mind-boggling mileage numbers, but the new model offers a more “balanced” experience.

        Overview: The numbers are likely to shock those who think of Toyota hybrids are slow and stodgy. The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime punches out an impressive 302 horsepower, making it not only the most powerful version in the line-up but the most powerful in its segment.

        By comparison the conventional RAV4 Hybrid hits a peak 219 hp, the Honda CR-V hybrid coming in at 232 hp. The plug-in RAV4, meanwhile, can launch from 0 to 60 in an impressive 5.7 second – which is about 0.1 seconds faster than what the automaker originally promised when it debuted the PHEV late last year.

        That said, those extra ponies don’t come cheap. There will be two trim levels offered for the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime, the XE starting at $38,100, and the XSE at $41,425. That’s a hefty price premium over the Hybrid, for one thing, which starts at just $28,350 — though the plug-in model will qualify a buyer for up to $7,500 in federal tax credits.

        Exterior: The latest-generation RAV4, which debuted in the 2019 model-year, underwent some significant changes, among other things, gaining an extra 1.2 inches in wheelbase while the overall length grew by just a fraction of an inch. As that would suggest, the wheels were pushed out closer to the crossover’s corners.

        The XSE model’s most notable cue are 19-inch wheels and tires — the largest ever offered on a RAV4.

        Visually, it got a more sculpted shape, with a larger grille, distinctive split front lighting and even an optional two-tone paint scheme. Meanwhile, Toyota added three new all-wheel-drive packages with the makeover, each with subtle exterior trim differences.

        Early on, Toyota was convinced that hybrids had to feature radical design cues, the Prius being the ultimate case in point. It has been shifting gears, perhaps reflecting the sharp decline in demand for that original hybrid model. And the RAV4 Prime is barely discernible from other versions of the CUV, short of the badging. The XSE model’s most notable cue will be the 19-inch wheels and tires that are the largest ever offered on a RAV4.

        Interior: Across the line, Toyota set out to counter its reputation for cost-cutting plastic interiors with the latest-generation RAV4. It has succeeded to varying degrees, depending upon the individual grade. The Prime, and especially the XSE trim we tested, succeeds admirably.

        … It features more refined materials and textures, with a nice way of bringing together details that take the Prime to what might be called “class-above” levels …

        Of course, at $41,425, it should do just that, considering it has pushed well into luxury vehicle territory. The base version of the new Mercedes-Benz GLB starts at just $36,600.

        The new RAV4 Prime enjoys some interior upgrades for 2021, making it a nicer place to be.

        For the added money you do get plenty of standard features, especially on the XSE, such as leatherette seats, ambient lighting, Qi wireless cellphone charging, an upgraded audio system and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display – the largest ever in a RAV4. There’s an 8-way power driver’s seat, both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Amazon’s Alexa is built in, as well.

        Powertrain: Here’s the real story. As Toyota explains in a release, “The RAV4 Prime uses a differently tuned version of the RAV4 Hybrid’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle gas engine. It produces the same projected 176 hp as in the hybrid, but paired with the electric motors, total system output equals 302 horsepower.”

        There are three motors, in fact, two paired with the gas engine up front, a third mounted in the rear to create a through-the-road all-wheel-drive system since there is no driveshaft linking the two axles. Under normal driving situations, the front wheels do the heavy lifting, as it were, the134 kilowatt rear motor kicking in when additional traction – or power – is needed.

        The RAV4 allows the driver to switch between multiple modes. That includes one that preserves battery power for when it might be needed – particularly useful in some overseas markets where access to big cities will be limited to operating in zero-emissions mode.

        The plug-in hybrid uses three motors: two up front and one in the back to provide AWD.

        Flip that here and you also can switch solely to EV power. We expect true devotees to run that way most of the time. The Prime model gets an EPA-rated 42 miles in battery-only mode – three more than it original anticipated. That should be enough for a significant number of owners to be able to operate emissions-free for their daily commute.

        Whether in pure EV or hybrid mode, the XSE adds paddle shifters that allow more aggressive regen when slowing down, the energy pumped back to the battery to deliver more electric range.

        In EV mode, incidentally, acceleration is still an acceptable 9.2 seconds. And, unlike the Prius Prime, where the gas engine fires up when you hit 62 mph, the RAV4 plug-in stays all-electric until 84 mph.

        Despite the big bump in performance, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime still manages to deliver an impressive 94 MPGe, or miles per gallon-equivalent, according to the EPA.

        The new RAV4 is not only great on gas and plenty fast, it also has the latest in safety technology.

        (Review: A week with the 2021 Toyota Supra — both of them.)

        Technology and Safety: The big technology is, of course, found under the hood. But the RAV4 Prime also offers the array of infotainment technology mentioned above and, on our XSE, a three-year subscription to the advanced navigation system which includes useful functions like real-time navigation and destination rerouting.

        Both models feature the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 package of advanced driver assistance systems, including pre-collision warning with pedestrian detection, active cruise control, lane departure alert and road sign assist. Other features, including rear automated braking, are part of an optional package.

        Drive Impressions: Of all the many crossovers in its segment, the basic RAV4 is solid, reliable and, to be blunt, bland when it comes to road dynamics and performance. The addition of a 302-horsepower drivetrain certainly changes that last factor.

        … Pulling off from a stoplight or attempting to pass on a freeway, we were duly impressed with the power available with a twitch of the right foot. Electric motors deliver max torque the moment they start turning, and Toyota has made good use of that when you’re coming off a dead stop …

        More broadly, the Prime is no Alfa Romeo Stelvio. It may be quick, but it doesn’t capitalize the word “sport” in SUV. Toyota says it set out to give the PHEV a “more refined” drive feel and, in Comfort mode that is readily apparent. That said, steering feels more precise, with less of the numb overboost we find on the regular gas model. The Prime feels more than willing to be flogged around a bit.

        Adding to the refinement, Toyota has taken steps to further reduce road and wind noise, adding laminated side glass, for example. That’s useful when you’re operating in all-electric mode where things you normally might not notice suddenly stand out. Curiously, Toyota’s noise control effort was significant enough we could barely tell when the crossover was operating in electric or gas/hybrid mode.

        (The makeover of the RAV4 was Toyota’s biggest in years.)

        Wrap Up: We found the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime to be an impressive piece of engineering. The electric drivetrain is, without doubt, the most aggressive available in the nameplate’s broad range of options. The interior is the most sophisticated, and there’s a solid list of features. But the question is whether the steep price can be justified. For the base $38,100 of the SE trim, you could get the Mercedes GLB or a Lexus NX. The XSE puts you almost in Lexus RX territory.

        That may explain why Toyota is planning to bring in only 5,000 of the RAV4 Prime plug-ins this year. It’s an impressive vehicle but it may prove to be a hard sell.

         

         

         

        How to Care for Your Car

        Cheap Car Warranty

        Editor's Choice

        Best Extended Car Warranty

        Editor's Choice
        Recently Published

        A Week With: 2023 Nissan Rogue Platinum AWD

        Yesterday
        2023 Kia Soul GT Line front best

        A Week With: 2023 Kia Soul GT-Line

        March 30, 2023
        2023 Volkswagen ID.4 red front 3-4 best REL

        A Week With: 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 AWD Pro S

        March 28, 2023

        One response to “First Drive: 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime”

        1. uncle_vito says:
          July 3, 2020 at 3:03 pm

          I like it. Hope the dealers are ready to deal

          Reply

        Leave a Reply Cancel reply

        Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

        What Are You Looking For?

        See More
        Buying an SUV or Crossover? See our recommended reviews and guides.
        Buying an SUV or Crossover? See our recommended reviews and guides.
        Reviews and Resources For Car Buyers and Owners
        Reviews of SUVs and CUVs, Warranty and Insurance advice, all collected by the Editors of TheDetroitBureau.
        Collection
        SUV Reviews and Guides
        Collection

        SUV Reviews and Guides
        Recommends
        Where Can You Get the Best SUV Warranty?
        Recommends

        Where Can You Get the Best SUV Warranty?
        Recommends
        Is Full Coverage Auto Insurance Right for You?
        Recommends

        Is Full Coverage Auto Insurance Right for You?
        Recommends
        Is it Cheaper to Add a Second Car to Insurance?
        Recommends

        Is it Cheaper to Add a Second Car to Insurance?
        Close
        Reviews and Resources For Car Buyers and Owners
        Reviews of SUVs and CUVs, Warranty and Insurance advice, all collected by the Editors of TheDetroitBureau.
        Collection
        SUV Reviews and Guides
        Collection

        SUV Reviews and Guides
        Recommends
        Where Can You Get the Best SUV Warranty?
        Recommends

        Where Can You Get the Best SUV Warranty?
        Recommends
        Is Full Coverage Auto Insurance Right for You?
        Recommends

        Is Full Coverage Auto Insurance Right for You?
        Recommends
        Is it Cheaper to Add a Second Car to Insurance?
        Recommends

        Is it Cheaper to Add a Second Car to Insurance?
        Close
        Share this article:
        © The Detroit Bureau 2023
        • Guides
        • Privacy Policy
        • Terms of Use
        • Affiliate Disclosure
        • Contact Us
        • Sitemap
        Follow Us: