2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime is available in two trims: SE and XSE. Base prices range from $43,675 to $47,545. New models may qualify for the federal tax rebate if production moves to North America - at which point, the additional cost of the Prime may come very close to the RAV4 Hybrid.

The 2023 RAV4 Prime features a plug-in hybrid powertrain that pairs a 2.5-liter gasoline engine with two motors and an 18.1 kWh battery pack for a combined output of 302 horsepower. Compared to the hybrid, the Prime’s engine receives a unique tune, the motors are more powerful, and the battery pack is larger. Those upgrades translate to a very quick around-the-town RAV4.

All-wheel drive is standard and is the same electronic on-demand system that one would find under the Hybrid, with a motor on the rear axle that generates 53 horsepower and 89 pound-feet of torque. Although the driveshaft-free arrangement is a boon for efficiency, the system can’t as effectively distribute power from the front to the rear axle.

The Prime’s dual energy source system grants it an additional level of flexibility, and as such, charging speed was not seen as a top priority. A 6.6 kW onboard charger is now standard and can recharge the battery in as little as 2.5 hours but there is no DC-fast charging advantage. For those not looking to use a standard 120-volt outlet, the Prime can be charged in about 12 hours.

The EPA estimates that the Prime can achieve 42 miles on electric power and another 558 miles on gasoline power. When the battery pack runs low, the Prime acts like a traditional hybrid and still earns 38 miles per gallon combined. With a total combined rating of 94 MPGe, the Prime will save about $300 in fuel annually over the hybrid RAV4.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime extends to 181 inches in length and sits 73 inches wide. Inside, it can seat five while rear seat passengers are afforded 37.8 inches of legroom, 39.5 inches of headroom, and 56.4 inches of shoulder room.

The cargo area can pack 33.5 cubic feet of stuff behind the second row and 69.9 cubic feet with the seats folded.

Maximum towing capacity sits at 2,500 pounds.

All 2023 RAV4 Prime models are equipped with automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane centering, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams. The XSE offers front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking as part of a larger option package..

While the 2023 model has not yet been rated, the 2022 RAV4 Prime is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ with Superior ratings for vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian (daytime) collision avoidance and Good (best) ratings for the headlights. NHTSA has not rated the RAV4 Prime.

An eight-inch multimedia screen now comes standard on Prime SE while Prime XSE is now standard with a 10.5-inch Multimedia display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and SiriusXM are also included as are two 12-volt outlets and five USB ports with two of those allocated for the rear passengers. The XSE also includes a wireless charging pad and an 11-speaker JBL sound system and offers a 120V outlet in the cargo area.

The RAV4 Prime SE features black 18-inch wheels, grille inserts, front bumper trim, fender flares, rocker panels, a rear bumper insert, and roof rails, a silver-painted front spoiler, proximity entry, a power tailgate, and acoustic glass for the front windows.

The Prime also includes dual-zone climate control with an enhanced heat pump system for improved cabin heating performance while in EV mode, heated cloth seats with accent stitching that extends to the dash, doors, the leather-wrapped steering wheel, and the center console, an eight-way power driver’s seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a seven-inch driver information display, auto-up windows, and a cargo area tonneau cover.

The Weather & Moonroof Package is $1,665 and includes a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, a wiper park area deicer, and a sunroof.

The premium Prime trim features 19-inch machined wheels with black pockets, a sunroof, synthetic leather seats with cloth inserts, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and blue ambient lighting.

The Weather Package is offered for $815 and the Premium Package with Options is $2,960 and adds a panoramic sunroof, proximity entry on all doors, a hands-free power tailgate, a surround-view monitor, ventilated front seats, driver’s position memory, a digital rearview mirror, and a head-up display.

Compare RAV4 Prime Trims Side-By-Side