SUV Review: 2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime | Reviews
The RAV4 Prime was one of the first compact PHEV SUVs, and it’s still one of the best
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We’ve said it before on these pages and we’ll say it again: plug-in hybrids deserve more attention. For people who recognize the need to reduce emissions and appreciate great fuel efficiency but don’t feel ready to transition fully to EVs, plug-in hybrids (or PHEVs) offer the best of both worlds. They can also run exclusively on electric power — albeit for less distance than dedicated EVs, but enough to cover the typical daily commute — and there’s a gas engine in reserve to make it easier to drive long distances.
The 2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime was one of the first plug-in hybrid SUVs from a mainstream brand when it landed back in 2021. Although there’s a new generation of RAV4 (and therefore, we expect, of RAV4 Prime) on the way within the next couple of years, today’s RAV4 Prime remains very competitive against the rivals that have emerged since its launch.
What type of vehicle is the Toyota RAV4 Prime?
The Toyota RAV4 Prime is a plug-in hybrid compact SUV. It’s very similar in size to the rest of the RAV4 line-up, making it a five-seat small crossover appropriate for families of four. Its primary competitors include the Hyundai Tucson PHEV, Kia Sportage PHEV, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, and Ford Escape PHEV.
What is the electric range of the Toyota RAV4 Prime?
The 2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime has 68 kilometres of electric-only range. This is the highest electric range among today’s plug-in hybrid compact SUVs. For comparison, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV offers 61 km of range, while the Ford Escape PHEV has 60 km and the Kia Sportage PHEV and Hyundai Tucson PHEV have 55 and 53 km of range respectively.
Can the Toyota RAV4 Prime run on gas only?
Once the battery is depleted in the Toyota RAV4 Prime, the powertrain will switch to hybrid mode and will rely on the gas engine. The electric motors will still operate — meaning the standard all-wheel drive (AWD) remains available at all times — but full-time electric driving will not be available until the battery is recharged. At a Level 2 charger running at 6.6 kW, a 0-100% charge takes 2.5 hours.
When operating in hybrid mode, the 2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime averages 6.0 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. This is very close to being a best-in-class figure, defeated only by the Ford Escape PHEV’s 5.9 L/100 km average. The Hyundai Tucson PHEV and Kia Sportage PHEV each average 6.7 L/100 km combined, while the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV averages 9.0 L/100 km combined in hybrid mode.
How far can a Toyota RAV4 Prime go on a full tank of gas?
With a full charge and a full tank of gas, the Toyota RAV4 Prime has a total estimated driving range of 911 kilometres according to Natural Resources Canada.
How much power does the Toyota RAV4 Prime have?
The Toyota RAV4 Prime is powered by a normally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine matched to electric motors on the front and rear axles and an 18.1 kWh battery. In total, this system produces 302 horsepower, making it the most powerful RAV4 ever. Toyota doesn’t list an official torque figure in its specifications because the engine and electric drive systems peak at different points in the rev range; suffice it to say it’s plenty peppy.
In the RAV4 Prime, an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT) acts as the transmission, while the electric motors on each axle combine for electric AWD. Between these two attributes, the CVT is the bigger detriment. It drones more and offers less control than the six-speed automatic transmissions used in several competitors. The eAWD is also different from rivals in that many others use a mechanically controlled AWD system, though the majority of drivers would never detect a difference between the two.
2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime driving impressions
Apart from the aforementioned CVT, the Toyota RAV4 Prime is very pleasant to drive overall. Power output is impressive for the class, while steering is comfortable and handling is stable. Toyota exclusively equips its sport-tuned suspension on RAV4 Prime models, which some drivers may find provides a slightly tight and rough ride. However, it’s direct and anything but floaty, which we see as a positive.
2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime interior dimensions
Taller occupants benefit most from choosing a Toyota RAV4 Prime, which has more rear headroom than any of its rivals and is bested in the front row only by the Ford Escape PHEV. Legroom in the RAV4 Prime is less impressive, however, coming in last place among all the competitors we’ve listed above.
Cargo capacity in the Toyota RAV4 Prime measures at 949 litres of space behind the second row. This is roughly mid-pack in the class, with the best figure being the 977 litres in the Kia Sportage PHEV.
2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime features
Our test vehicle for this review is the Toyota RAV4 Prime SE, the entry-level version in Canada. It’s rare we get a chance to drive the not-so-loaded vehicles people actually buy, so we find this both refreshing and enlightening.
Standard features include heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system (the only size offered), wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, five USB ports, and a 7-inch partially digital instrument cluster (a fully digital instrument cluster is not available).
We don’t mind having the nicely finished cloth seats as opposed to the SofTex simulated leather seats in the XSE model. We can also live without the XSE’s 360-degree camera since this small SUV is relatively easy to park without it. The head-up display isn’t needed since the speed displays near the top of the digital display, and the 11-speaker JBL sound system is a nice-to-have but the base system is fine, too. We’ve had a hard time getting the kick-activated liftgate to activate reliably in the past and have never been fans of ventilated front seats, so we don’t miss these features, either.
However, we do miss having the extra light from the XSE’s panoramic sunroof, and in a household with drivers of varying heights, the power passenger seat and driver’s seat memory function might be worth the upgrade. It’s handy to have a wireless charging pad, which is exclusive to the XSE, and the extra 1.1 cm of ground clearance could come in handy at some point. But in our opinion, the one feature that makes the XSE worth the upgrade on its own is its 120-volt, 1500-watt household outlet powered by the hybrid battery. It’s just too handy to be able to plug in a laptop or run small appliances on longer journeys.
2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime safety features
Every 2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime comes equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite of safety features and driver assistance technologies. This isn’t the latest version of Toyota’s safety suite—that would be Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which adds motorcycle detection and a more effective lane change assist system. However, the jump from TSS 2.0 to TSS 2.5 was a much more significant one than from 2.5 to 3.0. The version included on the RAV4 Prime integrated upgrades to most safety systems and added junction turning assist, so it will meet the needs of most drivers just fine.
As of 2023, the IIHS rates the Toyota RAV4 Prime as a Top Safety Pick. It falls short of the Top Safety Pick+ rating due to an Acceptable score, one notch down from Good, in the institute’s updated side impact test.
Is there a rebate for the Toyota RAV4 Prime in Canada?
The 2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime is priced at $54,216 in Canada for the SE grade, including $1,930 in freight and PDI charges plus other fees. Because it has a 68-kilometre electric range, it qualifies for the full $5,000 amount of the federal iZEV electric vehicle rebate, which is available to every Canadian. In addition, buyers in provinces and territories with incentive programs receive an additional rebate. As of 2024, buying a Toyota RAV4 Prime in Quebec or the Northwest Territories actually costs less than buying a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, which can’t run for long on electric power alone.
Is the Toyota RAV4 Prime worth it?
In our view, the 2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime is absolutely worth buying. Although it has the highest starting price among its competitive set, the 2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime also comes with the longest electric-only range at 68 kilometres. We’d trade its slightly less likable drive dynamics for Toyota’s proven hybrid technology and record of dependability.
Given how in demand these vehicles are, the hardest part of this decision is likely to be tracking one down. But if you find one, don’t hesitate to snap it up. It will serve you well for years to come.
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