Toyota RAV4 Prime (2021) - Perfect Hybrid SUV
Published on Jan 6, 2021
Hey Guys, This is the New Toyota RAV4 Prime (2021)
Toyota has made only one change to the RAV4 for the 2021 model year: Blizzard Pearl replaces Super White on the color palette. A plug-in hybrid RAV4 Prime joins the lineup, and the hybrid model gets a new XLE Premium trim; we review the two hybrid models separately.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
LE: $27,000 (est)
XLE: $28,000 (est)
XLE Premium: $31,000 (est)
Adventure: $34,00 (est)
Limited: $36,000 (est)
TRD Off-Road: $37,000 (est)
It's hard for us to resist the cool new TRD Off-Road, but we'd practice restraint and choose the mid-range XLE Premium. It provides plenty of standard equipment that the LE and XLE don't offer, such as 19-inch wheels, a power liftgate, dual-zone automatic climate control, faux-leather upholstery, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. Toyota makes its suite of driver-assistance features standard across the lineup, so there's not much reason to go with a pricier trim—unless, of course, you really want ventilated seats.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The 2021 RAV4 uses a 203-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive remains standard, but Toyota now offers a choice of all-wheel-drive systems, dependent on trim. The Adventure model we drove was equipped with an all-wheel-drive system that can disconnect the rear axle when needed to improve fuel economy. At our test track, the RAV4 proved to be quicker than its predecessor: We recorded a 60-mph time of 8.0 seconds with the 2019 model and 8.3 seconds with the 2018. The dutiful four-cylinder can be noisy, especially during highway-passing attempts, and the transmission on our test vehicle seemed to stumble when called upon for a downshift. The RAV4 Hybrid—reviewed separately—snapped off an even quicker 7.4-second 60-mph time in our hands. The RAV4 feels solid and stable when cruising the interstate and holds its own when pitched into a twisty section of road, but it doesn't inspire the same confidence as our segment favorite, the Mazda CX-5.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The RAV4 earned class-competitive fuel-economy estimates from the EPA. Front-wheel-drive RAV4s can manage up to an estimated 35 mpg on the highway. The all-wheel-drive Adventure delivered 32 mpg for us on our 200-mile highway fuel-economy route, 1 mpg shy of the EPA's estimated rating for that trim. That puts it neck and neck with the Honda CR-V and represents a huge improvement over the 2018 Adventure model (which managed only 25 mpg), but it is outdone by the Volkswagen Tiguan, which delivered 33 mpg.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Lower trims come with a 7.0-inch touchscreen, but an 8.0-incher can be had starting at the XLE level. The infotainment system includes a 4G LTE mobile hotspot and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. A JBL premium audio system, navigation, and a wireless charging pad for a smartphone are optional. If you opt for a trim level without nav, don't fret. All other models come with Scout GPS Link, which allows compatible smartphones to display a map and turn-by-turn directions to the dashtop screen.
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