2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime
- Plug-in-hybrid version of the RAV4
- Drives great, just like a RAV4 compact SUV
- 42 miles of pure-electric range
- 302 horsepower. Wait, what?!
- Still eligible for the full $7,500 federal tax credit
- Pricing starts at $38,100 (plus $1,095 destination charge) | Price yours
- On sale now | See Autotrader listings right here on KBB.com
Spawning from the all-new and popular iteration of the RAV4 that made its debut in 2019, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime brings the best qualities of a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) to the compact SUV table. And that’s what makes it a shoo-in for our Plug-in Hybrid Best Buy award winner for 2021.
On the one hand, the RAV4 Prime PHEV works like most vehicles you might see on the road – a gasoline engine doing the lion’s share of the work in getting you from point A to anywhere you want to go, with plenty of gas stations along the way.
Plug-in hybrids add one more layer of goodness: the ability to travel much less expensively in electric-only mode. For electric “fuel,” you simply plug the vehicle into a socket. The rest of the time, the RAV4 Prime’s engine and three electric motors (two driving the front wheels, one at the rears) power the compact SUV in on-demand all-wheel-drive (AWD) goodness.
Like no RAV4 you’ve ever met
The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime is its own animal. With the combination of the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and tri-motor setup checking in with a total of 302 system horsepower, the RAV Prime sprints a very impressive – especially for an SUV – zero-to-60-mph time of just 5.7 seconds (quicker if you let one of the buff books test it).
When you pair that truth with the little SUV’s fuel economy of 40 mpg in city driving and 40 mpg on the highway, you’ve got an AWD “performance” SUV that can also take you upwards of 600 miles with a full electric charge and a full tank of gas.
You won’t get beat up or bothered, however. Toyota has added sound-deadening features to the new RAV4 Prime, and it rides with the same road-friendly demeanor as the RAV4 Hybrid and non-hybrid RAV4. In addition, the vehicle’s size makes it a cinch to park and maneuver in city environs.
If you’re determined to go electric-only as often as possible, the RAV4 Prime makes it easy. With 42 miles of pure electric range (one of the best you can find in any PHEV SUV), you may never have to look for a gas station while driving around town or during your commute ever again. Charging at home is simple: Just plug the vehicle into a regular wall socket (120 volts) and you’ll get a full charge in about 12 hours, or 4.5 hours if you have (or get) a 240-volt outlet (not at all uncommon).
Best of all, it’s still a RAV4
With just a few changes to the front and rear of the boldly styled RAV4 exterior – and almost none to the interior – the RAV4 Prime stands out like a greatest-hits compilation of compact SUVs. All-wheel drive and 18-inch wheels come standard. The modern, upscale interior flows with quality materials and soft-touch points. Every RAV4 Prime features an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system integrated with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto/Amazon Alexa capability, and four USB charge ports.
Good legroom and great headroom abound in the 5-passenger Prime’s interior.
Those concerned with safety will have their affections satisfied by standard blind-spot monitoring, as well as Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which on the RAV4 Prime includes full-speed radar cruise control, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure detection and correction, automatic high beams, road-sign assist, and lane-tracing assist.
Direct value in every direction
Starting at $38,100 (plus a $1,095 destination charge), the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime is a masterpiece of Best Buy value. Right out of the gate, it’s eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit as well as any state and local incentives that may be offered where you live.
The bigger day-to-day and year-to-year benefits come from the confidence you’ll feel having a Toyota badge on the hood. The brand’s reputation for quality, reliability, and low operating costs is not an exaggeration. Neither is the strong resale value – a benefit that the RAV4 Prime PHEV shares with the best hybrid SUVs in the world.
Should the idea of battery life in a plug-in hybrid concern you, relax. The RAV4 Prime’s battery pack enjoys a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty. All this, plus our 2021 Best Buy recommendation is everything you need to enjoy the benefits of an exceptional SUV for years to come.
Photo Tour: 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime
More 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime
Build and price your 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime to see this week’s Fair Purchase Price, 5-Year Cost to Own, and more, or see Autotrader listings right here on KBB.com.
