2022 Toyota RAV4 Prime Road Test and Review

2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime ・ Photo by Toyota

The Toyota RAV4 was introduced back in 1994 with the RAV4 Hybrid debuting in 2016. The latest addition to the lineup is the RAV4 Prime, which debuted for the 2021 model year. It was the first plug-in hybrid SUV from Toyota, and it’s also the most powerful version of the RAV4 currently available.

There are two trims from which to choose, so it’s not a large lineup, but both of those trims are well-equipped. As a plug-in, the RAV4 Prime gives you a traditional gas engine along with the ability to plug-in and charge up for better fuel efficiency offering the best of both worlds for those looking to explore electrification. Let’s take a closer look at the 2022 Toyota RAV4 Prime to see if this plug-in hybrid SUV is the right one to fit your needs.

Two Well-Equipped Trims

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 Prime comes in just two trims, and all-wheel drive is standard on both. The SE has a starting price of $40,300 and standard features that include an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The front seats are heated and 8-way power adjustable for the driver with a leather trimmed steering wheel and shift knob and a height-adjustable power liftgate to make loading cargo easier.

The XSE is the more premium trim with a starting price of $43,625. It as a larger 9-inch infotainment touchscreen, paddle shifters, Qi wireless charging, and a moonroof along with SofTex trimmed seats for a more upscale look and feel. It has larger 19-inch wheels and a two-tone roof that give it extra visual punch. Options for the XSE include upgraded audio and safety features not available on the SE.

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A Comfortable and Nicely Appointed Interior

There’s seating for five people in the RAV4 Prime. The SE has fabric seats, but the XSE gets an upgrade to SofTex seats with vibrant red contrast stitching for an almost sporty look. The heavily bolstered front seats are supportive, which makes them comfortable for long commutes and family road trips. The driver’s seat is 8-way power adjustable with lumbar. No matter your height or size, it’s easy to find a good seating position to stay comfortable and easily view the road.

The rear seats accommodate three people with good headroom and legroom for even tall adults. Three kids will be comfy no matter how long the trek, but three adults may find the space too narrow for longer drives. Keep it at two adults and there’s plenty of room to stretch out on road trips, even with taller front passengers pushing their seats back.

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An Intuitive Infotainment System

Base infotainment for the RAV4 Prime includes an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa so you stay connected when you’re on the go. A 90-day trial of SiriusXM and Wi-Fi connectivity with a 3 month/2GB trial are also included. The touchscreen is easily viewable by both driver and front passenger with good responsiveness, which helps reduce the frustration of repeatedly tapping the screen.

The XSE gets an upgrade to a 9-inch touchscreen that is the largest currently available in any version of the RAV4. There’s an available audio package that adds a premium JBL audio system, dynamic navigation with a three-year trial, and destination assist with a one-year trial. While premium audio is limited to the top trim, but key features are standard so you don’t need to move up a trim just to get a decent infotainment system.

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Stronger Performance Than Expected

The RAV4 Prime has a specially tuned version of the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine in the RAV4 Hybrid for an additional 83 horsepower. That makes for a total of 302 total system horsepower, which creates a surprisingly responsive drive experience. It has a 0 to 60 mph of 5.7 seconds, so it’s no slouch when it comes to performance.

A choice of drive modes lets you adjust the ride with Normal, Eco, Sport, an even Trail mode for light off-roading. You won’t be rock crawling in the RAV4 Prime, but it is perfectly capable of handling more rugged dirt roads. Three EV drive modes are also available. These let you decide how you use the battery power. Use it all at once or hold onto that charge if you’d rather use it later. The 2022 Toyota RAV4 Prime gives you all the efficiency of a plug-in hybrid combined with robust performance.

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Plug-In Hybrid Efficiency

One of the big perks to going with a plug-in hybrid is its fuel efficiency. The 2022 Toyota RAV4 Prime gets an EPA-estimated 94 mpge combined gas and electric. Using only the gas engine, it gets 38 mpg, which makes it an affordable option as gas prices rise. There’s an all-electric range of 42 miles per charge with a total range of 600 miles.

At a 120-volt outlet, the RAV4 Prime needs 12 hours to fully charge. That drops to about 4.5 hours at a 240-volt 16-amp charger. Those numbers improve further if you choose the XSE and the optional Premium Package. This lets the RAV4 Prime use a 240-volt 32-amp charger for a full charge in as little as 2.5 hours.

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A Quiet and Well-Mannered Ride

The ride in the Toyota RAV4 Prime is comfortable and relaxing with a suspension system that hides the rattles and bumps of rough road surfaces. Driving over uneven pavement and along dirt roads won’t unsettle this SUV. It provides a pleasant ride for passengers no matter the road surface. Steering is responsive, but not sporty. It provides good balance with the control for quick lane changes at highway speeds without becoming demanding over longer drives.

Noise, vibration, and harshness are managed well so passengers can ride in comfort no matter the quality of the road beneath the wheels. A highly insulated acoustic windshield, acoustic front side windows, and sound deadening materials work to provide a calm cabin. Road and wind noise are minimal with even the sound of heavy rains and gusty winds kept nicely outside rather than bothering passengers.

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Good Cargo Room... And It Can Even Tow

The 2022 RAV4 Prime has plenty of room for the family and all the stuff that comes along with family life. There’s 33.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and a wide tailgate opening for loading up large items. A height-adjustable power liftgate is standard, so you won’t have to worry about dinging the tailgate if your garage ceiling is low. The XSE with the available Premium Package adds handsfree capability to the liftgate so you can kick beneath the bumper to activate it when your hands are full.

Fold the rear seats and cargo capacity expands to 63.2 cubic feet. This lets you easily switch from carrying what you need for a day with the kids to hauling home supplies for those endless weekend projects. The RAV4 Prime can also tow up to 2,500 pounds when properly equipped. People or cargo, this plug-in hybrid is up to the task.

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Plenty of Standard Safety Features

The RAV4 Prime has standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which includes a wide range of safety features. There’s a pre-collision system with pedestrian and bicyclist detection, full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane tracing assist, lane departure alert, road sign assist, and automatic high beams. Blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert is also standard, making it a comprehensive offering for keeping you and your family safe.

There are a few optional safety features that are only in the Premium Package that’s available on the XSE trim. In addition to convenience features, this package adds front and rear parking assist with automatic braking, adaptive headlights, and a bird’s eye view camera that makes navigating in tight parking lots less likely to result in a scraped bumper.

Photo by Toyota

Final Thoughts

The 2022 RAV4 Prime is a great choice for those looking to make the move from a gas vehicle to a plug-in hybrid. It has an attractive design, a roomy interior, and standard features that make even the base model an appealing option. Ample safety features and a comprehensive infotainment system make the RAV4 Prime an even more compelling SUV.

There’s also great handling with a responsive powertrain that makes you forget you’re driving a plug-in hybrid. While early hybrids felt underpowered and lackluster, the RAV4 Prime is engaging with a quiet ride that keeps outside noise outside, where it belongs. There’s also fuel economy that makes this SUV easy on your budget as gas prices go up. The 2022 Toyota RAV4 Prime combines the versatility of an SUV for busy families with the efficiency of a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Photo by Toyota