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2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime: a quick and Practical Plug-in Hybrid

New RAV4 Prime is that the first-ever RAV4 plug-in hybrid

Goes 39 miles on electricity, then transitions to gas-electric hybrid mode

302 horsepower(!) delivers 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds

10-year, 150,000-mile battery warranty 

Price should start within the low $30,000 range

RAV4 Prime goes on sale Summer 2020

Toyota’s RAV4 lineup is going to be expanding next year when the 2021 RAV4 Prime PHEV goes on sale. The plug-in hybrid version of Toyota’s popular compact crossover SUV is going to be the quickest, most powerful AND most fuel-efficient RAV4 ever. With a total system output of 302 horsepower. the corporation says the vehicle will accelerate to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, much faster than the 7.8 seconds for the present hybrid model.

In addition to being the quickest RAV4 ever, Prime also has up to 39 miles of a pure stove from its lithium-ion battery pack.

Pricing hasn’t been announced, but we expect the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime to start within the low $30,000 range. For reference, the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid starts at $28,100 plus $1,120 delivery.

Toyota says the RAV4 Prime will begin arriving at dealerships within the summer of 2020.

Proven powertrain

The RAV4 Prime is provided with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine almost like the present engine. While it also produces 176 horsepower, it's tuned differently to raised match the output of the new electric motors, one on each axle, to supply all-wheel drive and therefore the 302 horsepower.

Toyota says the RAV4 Prime can travel up to 39 all-electric miles on a full charge of its lithium-ion battery pack, and achieve the equivalent of 90 mpg while doing it (90 mpge). Total range and hybrid-mode fuel economy have yet to be announced, except for reference, the RAV4 Hybrid is rated to deliver 40 combined mpg and 580 miles per tank.

As a result of its high performance, Toyota is offering the 2021 RAV4 Prime in its sportier SE and XSE trim levels. While the quality hybrid is out there only in higher XSE trim, the RAV4 Prime will have the new SE trim level which features 18-inch wheels, distinctive grille design and lower front spoiler alongside piano black exterior accents.

The SE also includes such standard features as heated front seats, 8-way power adjust on the driver’s bucket, blind-spot monitoring, leather-covered wheel and shift knob, a power liftgate, 8.0-inch infotainment display, and seven .0-inch driver information screen.

XSE models enjoy a 2-tone exterior paint treatment with a black roof offsetting select colors, 19-inch wheels, LED accent lights and on the inside features that include paddle shifters, moonroof, SofTex upholstery, wireless smartphone charging, and a 9.0-inch infotainment screen with navigation.

In conjunction with the RAV4 Prime announcement Toyota also said it's extending the battery warranty on all 2020 model year and later electrified vehicles. The new warranty covers batteries in hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and cell electric vehicles, which can now be guaranteed for 10 years or 150,000 miles instead of 8 years and 100,000 miles.

The RAV4 is Toyota’s hottest vehicle, with 324,622 units sold through September. Of those, 62,881 were hybrid models, far eclipsing sales of the Prius, Toyota’s long-time hybrid leader, which accounted for just 50,258 within the first three quarters of the year.

Other choices

Adding a plug-in hybrid to the RAV4 lineup keeps it a step before the Honda CR-V lineup, which is simply adding its first hybrid. And while the new Ford Escape also will be available in plug-in hybrid form, efficiency-minded leadfoots should know the Escape plug-in promises only 209 horsepower.