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2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime

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Make
Toyota
Model
RAV4 Prime
Year
2021
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Toyota RAV4 Prime OEM Exterior Primary Photo
OEM Interior Primary
OEM Exterior
OEM Exterior
OEM Interior
Photos Colors
Expert Rating
3.2 (Good)

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Select a Trim
Select a Trim
2021 SE 4dr All-Wheel Drive
most popular
Price:   -  From $38,350
2021 XSE 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $41,675

Overview

What's New

Toyota never intended the RAV4 to be a hot rod – it's a family crossover, after all. Speed should be left to the Toyota Supra and Toyota 86, right? It seems Toyota's engineers thought otherwise, even as they were turning the RAV4 into a plug-in hybrid.

The result of their double-pronged efforts is the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime. It looks and feels much like the standard Toyota RAV4, but the plug-in Prime leads the class in all-electric range while also holding the title of fastest four-door in Toyota's lineup.

Choosing Your Toyota RAV4 Prime

Toyota has limited the RAV4 Prime to just two trim levels: SE and XSE. Pricing begins at $39,220 including destination for an SE and climbs to $42,545 for the XSE.

Engine Choices

The Toyota RAV4 Prime is distinguished by its exclusive plug-in hybrid powertrain, which consists of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that's augmented by a pair of electric motors and an 18.1-kWh battery. The result of this setup is 302 total combined horsepower. That's 100 more hp than a base RAV4.

All-wheel drive is standard on the Prime. While conventional all-wheel-drive systems use mechanical linkage to send power rearward, the RAV4 Prime uses a dedicated electric motor to directly drive the back wheels. It only begins working during low traction conditions or hard acceleration; in most other instances, only the front wheels are driven.

The RAV4 Prime offers 42 miles of all-electric range, according to the EPA. It also gets 38 miles per gallon combined, or 94 miles per gallon of gasoline equivalent (MPGe) combined.

By contrast, the Prime's main competitor, the Ford Escape plug-in hybrid, is rated by the EPA for 100 MPGe combined and has 37 miles of all-electric range.

A 3.3-kW onboard charger is standard. This leads to a 12-hour charging time on 120 volts, or 4.5 hours with 240 volts. The XSE is available with a 6.6-kW onboard charger which reduces charge time to 2.5 hours using 240 volts.

Passenger and Cargo Capacity

Like the RAV4 its based on, the Prime is a four-door, five-passenger crossover. Overall passenger room matches that of its gas-powered sibling, which means 37.8 inches of rear leg room and nearly 40 inches of rear head room. Front passengers get a bit less head room but enjoy 41 inches of leg room.

Cargo capacity for the RAV4 Prime is 33.5 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 69.8 with the rear seat backs folded. That's a bit short of what's available in the regular RAV4 models due to the Prime's battery pack being packaged beneath the cargo hold.

Toyota RAV4 Prime

Safety Features

All Primes come with a comprehensive suite of active safety features. The long list includes automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control.

Optional safety tech is limited to a surround-view camera and front and rear parking sensors with automated braking. The latter feature audibly alerts drivers when parking and can automatically halt the car if necessary. Both items are only available on the XSE.

The RAV4 Prime has not been crash tested yet, but the ordinary RAV4 was awarded a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. The IIHS likewise rated the RAV4's crashworthiness as "Good" across their full battery of crash tests, earning it Top Safety Pick Plus status.

Connectivity

Stick with the base RAV4 Prime SE and the standard infotainment system is an 8-inch affair with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Satellite radio, Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and five USB charge ports round out the setup.

Move up to the XSE and the screen grows to 9 inches, with the addition of wi-fi compatibility for those willing to pay the monthly subscription fee.

Optional connectivity features on the XSE include wireless charging, navigation, and a 10-inch head-up display.

Toyota RAV4 Prime

SE - From $39,220

The base RAV4 Prime SE comes in at just under $40,000 to start. That money buys LED headlights and taillights, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, an eight-way power driver's seat, fabric upholstery, remote keyless entry, push button start, and a six-speaker audio system. The interior gets soft-touch materials with red accent stitching, while the exterior is adorned in color-keyed trim and set off by 18-inch wheels.

Options for the SE are all bundled into a single package: the Weather and Moonroof Package. Costing $1,665, it adds a moonroof, heated outboard rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and rain-sensing wipers with a de-icing function.

XSE - From $42,545

Moving into the XSE brings additional standard features, such as 19-inch wheels, leatherette upholstery, paddle shifters, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and ambient interior lighting. The moonroof that was optional on the SE is standard here as well. There's also red shock absorbers and black-painted mirrors for a more sporty appearance.

A few option packages are offered for the XSE. The most affordable upgrade is the $815 Weather Package, which adds all the goodies from the SE's Weather and Moonroof package as well as heated rear seats. The $2,435 Premium Audio Package includes an 11-speaker JBL audio system, navigation, and the contents of the Weather Package.

Those who want to go whole hog on the options sheet need the $5,760 Premium Package. It includes all the aforementioned options as well as a head-up display, surround-view camera, panoramic glass roof, heated and ventilated front seats, and parking sensors with automated braking.

Compare RAV4 Prime Trims Side-By-Side

CarsDirect Tip

The base 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime model is the best value. It gives up nothing in efficiency or comfort over the XSE yet costs over $3,000 less. We'd add the Moonroof and Weather Package and be on our way.

author image
Automotive Editor
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Expert Review

Pros
  • Sharp looks
  • Power to spare
  • Practical electric range
Cons
  • Heavy in corners
  • Could use more head room
  • Less cargo space than regular RAV4
Expert Rating
3.2 (Good)

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Automotive Editor

Not your typical hybrid. If you don’t think the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime sounds exciting, we don’t blame you. It’s the plug-in hybrid version of one of the country’s most popular mainstream crossovers – what else could it be but boring?

But the RAV4 Prime is here to shake things up. Unlike most plug-ins, it's faster than its gas-powered sibling. In fact, the RAV4 Prime is the fastest RAV4 on the market, and the second fastest car in Toyota’s lineup.

Yes, you read that right. After the newly revived Toyota Supra, the RAV4 Prime is the fastest car the automaker sells. That’s thanks to a large 18.1-kWh battery and a pair of electric motors, which combine with a 2.5-liter engine for a total of 302 horsepower.

The 0-60 mph sprint takes just 5.7 seconds, which is impressive for a heavy crossover. Equally impressive is an EPA-rated electric range of 42 miles, which can be recharged in just a few hours at home.

Better looks, worse space. We already liked the looks of the latest Toyota RAV4, and the RAV4 Prime only improves. A gloss-black bumper cleans up the grille area, and XSE models can wear a contrasting roof color.

Unfortunately, the RAV4 Prime’s newly fashionable roofline cuts into interior space. Tall drivers may feel cramped, especially with the available moonroof. Seat bottoms are thinner than we’d like, too.

The extra plug-in hybrid equipment comes at the cost of some cargo capacity. The conventional RAV4 can fit more than 37 cubic feet behind the seats, while the RAV4 Prime has to settle for 33.5, or 69.8 with the seats folded. That’s not bad by most standards, but it falls short of popular competitors like the Honda CR-V.


Toyota RAV4 Prime

Safe and swanky. As a relatively new model, the RAV4 Prime gets the latest and greatest in safety features. Every model comes with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and lane keeping assist.

The plug-in doesn’t skimp on luxury, either. RAV4 Prime models get exclusive red stitching on either fabric or leatherette seats, with an impressive kit of standard features like heated seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and no fewer than five USB ports.

These features are included because the RAV4 Prime is only sold in two trims: SE and XSE. Those are the highest rungs of the conventional RAV4 lineup, and the RAV4 Prime feels correspondingly luxurious. In particular, the interior benefits from soft-touch surfaces.

Paying a premium. The downside of the limited trim options is that the RAV4 Prime wears an equally luxurious price tag. The SE trim just squeaks in under $40,000, while the XSE is $3,325 more. That puts the RAV4 Prime in dangerous territory, competing against the likes of the BMW X3.

The RAV4 Prime’s saving grace is its efficiency. The EPA estimates that it gets 94 MPGe combined, putting it among the most efficient cars on the road. The RAV4 Prime has few competitors in this arena – most plug-in crossovers (like the Kia Niro or Subaru Crosstrek) are significantly smaller.

This makes the RAV4 Prime a departure for Toyota in more ways than one. This is a plug-in that prioritizes performance, and also one that aims for luxury credentials rather than mainstream popularity. In the RAV4 Prime’s favor, the financial is blow is softened by tax incentives and long-term fuel efficiency.

Final thoughts. The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime isn't an ordinary RAV4, and we’re glad for it. It loses out on cargo space, but it gets a powertrain that’s astonishingly quick and just as thrifty in return. If you can afford the price of entry, there’s nothing else like it on the road.

Check prices for the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime »

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Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Available
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.5L I-4 / 177 HP / 165 ft.lbs.
Transmission
2-spd sequential shift control CVT w/OD
Drive Type
Automatic Full-time All Wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
Not Available
Passenger Capacity
5
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.5L I-4 / 177 HP / 165 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Automatic Full-time All Wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
Not Available
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Independent Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel
Compact Steel
Fuel Tank
14.5 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$55
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
63.2 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
101 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
180.9 "
Exterior Width
73.0 "
Exterior Height
67.0 "
Front Headroom
39.5 " / 37.7 "
Rear Headroom
39.5 " / 37.7 "
Front Legroom
41.0 "
Rear Legroom
37.8 "
Front Shoulder Room
57.8 "
Rear Shoulder Room
56.4 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
4,235 Lbs.
Wheel Base
106 "
Turning Radius
18.1 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
18.0 " Machined W/painted Accents Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone / Metallic Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote Heated
Bumpers
Front Body-colored
Grille Moldings
Black W/chrome Surround
Rear Spoiler
Lip
Exhaust
Stainless Steel With Chrome Tailpipe Finish
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
5
Seat Trim
Premium Cloth
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Driver And Front Passenger Heated-cushion, Heated-seatback
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
(8-way Power)
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
4-way
Front Armrests
(8-way Power)
Rear Armrests
Center
Rear Seats
60-40 Split-bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Siriusxm Am/fm/hd/satellite, Seek-scan
Speakers
6
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Automatic Air Conditioning
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Express Open/close
Rearview Mirror
Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Front And Rear
Tinted Windows
Deep
Vanity Mirrors
Dual Illuminated
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
2
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Driver
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front And Rear
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Toyota Safety Sense (tss) 2.0 Forward Collision Mitigation
Blind Spot Sensor
Blind Spot Monitor (bsm) Blind Spot
Lane Departure Warning
Lane Departure Alert (lda) W/steering Assist Lane Departure
Autonomous Cruise Control
Lane Tracing Assist (lta) Hands-on Steering Assist
Pedestrian Detection
Pre-collision System With Pedestrian Detection Front Pedestrian Detection Prevention
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Automatic High Beams (ahb) Auto High-beam
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Security Systems
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Immobilizer
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Major Components Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
24 Months / 25,000 Miles
Roadside Assistance Months
24 Months / Unlimited Miles
Corrosion Perforation
60 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months
36 Months / 36,000 Miles

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