The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime is a filling serving of meat and potatoes, just not prime rib

Table of Contents

Small Plug-In SUV Competitors
RAV4 Pricing
Performance and Powertrain
RAV4 PHEV or Gas-Electric Hybrid?
Ride and Handling
Interior Function
Safety Features and Technologies
Why Buy the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime?
Specifications

BY MARK MAYNARD

What the Toyota RAV4 Prime lacks in refinement, it makes up for it with horsepower and its 42 to 44 miles of battery electric driving range. But such plug-in efficiency comes at a price.

I considered a new plug-in hybrid to replace my 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid with 135,000 miles. I liked the idea of a plug-in because most of the driving for me and the girlfriend-wife is around town. I have a 240-volt Level 2 EV home charger, and there is an appeal to having a full “tank” every morning.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime was a strong contender, and after a test drive, its 302 horsepower was a selling point. But after some research and cost analysis, I decided that I could sacrifice a few battery miles for a more refined interior and more comfortable ride.

Small SUV Plug-In Competitors

Including the Toyota RAV4 Prime, there are currently six mainstream small SUVs that have plug-in hybrid (PHEV) options:

2024 Dodge Hornet R/T, 32 miles of electric range, starting at $42,530;

2023 Ford Escape PHEV, 37 miles of electric range, $42,640 (including a $645 acquisition fee);

2023 Hyundai Tucson PHEV, 33 miles of electric range; $39,000 to $46,000;

2023 Kia Sportage PHEV, 34 miles of electric range; $40,000 to $45,000;

2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, 38 miles electric range; $40,000 to $50,000;

My preference of the lot is the 2023 Hyundai Tucson PHEV. I liked its rational and unexaggerated styling and its interior presence of premium materials and construction.

2023 Toyota RAV4 Pricing

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime has starting prices of $44,425 to $48,310, including AWD. But the top-line XSE AWD tester model topped out at $52,227, including the $1,350 freight charge from Obu, Aichi, Japan.

The 2023 Hyundai Tucson PHEV Limited “as built” came to $46,820, including some cargo area extras and carpeted floor mats, and the $1,335 freight charge from Ulsan, South Korea (Tucson gas versions, however, are built in Alabama.

My thumbnail notes came down to this:

• $52,000 RAV4 buys 44 miles of battery driving or $1,159.09 per mile of range;
• $47,000 Tucson buys 33 miles of battery driving or $1,468.75 per mile of range

For the $5,000 price difference between the two PHEVs, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime has the cost-per-mile advantage of $309.66 for the 11-mile range difference. But the $5,000 difference in starting prices buys a lot of gasoline, and the Hyundai Tucson has a more rewarding presence for the money.

(The Toyota RAV4 Prime does not qualify for the federal tax credit in 2023 because its final assembly is not in North America. Some state incentives for PHEVs range from $1,000 to $6,500, but with many qualifiers. Check here for details.)

Find current Toyota RAV4 pricing and offers here.

RAV4 Prime Powertrain

The gasoline-electric powertrain combines a 2.5-liter Dynamic Force four-cylinder engine, electric motors front and rear (for all-wheel drive), and a lithium-ion battery pack.

Only the new-for-2023 RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition still has a nickel-metal hydride battery pack, 244.8 volts. The 2023 RAV4 Hybrid Limited and Hybrid XSE have 259-volt lithium-ion cells.

The 18.1-kWh battery pack in the RAV4 Prime has an official battery-electric driving range of 42 to 44 miles. However, expect the battery-driving range to be less with more highway driving and closer to the 42-44 miles around town. A 6.6 kWh onboard charger is standard with Prime.

After a full charge at home, the onboard computer indicated 47 miles of potential EV range and 413 miles of combined gas and electric range. A full charge the second night brought 44 miles of EV range.

Toyota says it will take 2.5 hours to fully recharge on a 240-volt outlet. Charging times on a 120-volt household outlet would take about 12 hours (overnight).

The continuously variable transmission has performance modes of Sport, Eco, Normal, EV, HV, Auto EV/HV, Charge, and Trail. (The RAV4 Prime can be partially charged when the engine is running.)

The 2023 RAV4 Prime earns an EPA combined rating of 94 MPGe, or 38 mpg gasoline only, combined city/highway.

PHEV or Gas-Electric Hybrid?

The Toyota RAV4 Prime is an efficient tool for family duty, but it becomes less efficient for vacation trips when taking the time to charge is inconvenient. A standard gasoline-electric hybrid makes a better all-around choice. For example, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has peak mileage ratings of 41 mpg city, 38 highway, and 40 mpg combined; it has a full range of 580 miles on the recommended unleaded fuel. That mileage compares to 27/35/30 mpg for the gasoline RAV4.

Warranty coverage for the RAV4 Prime’s hybrid battery  is for 10 years or 150,000 miles, and EV drive components are covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles.

Ride and Handling

The ride quality of the RAV4 Prime feels somewhat coarse, tall, and almost tippy, not in cornering but in how the suspension must manage the curb weight of 4,300 pounds. Though heavy, the RAV4 Prime does not communicate the impression of being solidly built.

Acceleration uptake is smooth and measured. And brake pedal feel is smooth and reassuring. The steering force, too, is smooth but without any feedback. And there is noticeable wind noise at speed on the highway.

RAV4 Interior Function

Sightlines are open at the side mirrors. And driver controls are mostly just a finger’s reach away, with knobs for audio volume, tuning, and adjusting climate control. The access switch for the heated steering wheel is out of the way, below and left of the steering wheel.

There is reasonably tall front headroom of 37.7 inches with the sunroof. An asset for shorter drivers is the long reach of seat adjustment to the steering wheel. I have never been able to move a driver’s seat as far forward as in this RAV4.

Toyota loads up the RAV4 Prime XSE with a gratuitous list of standard features. The complete list is in the specs box below, but among the notable examples are:

• Smart key locking with push-button ignition;
• Rearview camera system with overhead 360 view;
• 10-inch color head-up (windshield) display;
• Heated and ventilated front seats;
• Power adjustable driver seat;
• Wireless charging pad;
• 4 charging USBs;
• Locking glovebox big enough to hold all the owner’s manuals;
• Softex upholstery (which I prefer to Toyota leather) with red accents.

Back-seat passengers might comment about the odd hump in the second-row floor at the base of the front console. If the doors could open just a few degrees wider, it would benefit elbow room when loading toddlers into child seats, but there is adult head and leg room of 39.5 and 37.8 inches.

Cargo space is multifunctional with a 60/40 split reclining fold-flat rear seat and 33.5 cubic feet behind the second row, stacked to the headliner. The cargo opening is wide at 44 inches and tall at 33 inches; fold the second-row seatback for 6 feet in length.

The cargo area also has a height-adjustable deck board, side net, and tonneau cover.

RAV4 Safety Technologies

The RAV4 might be compact, but it has a full complement of safety features and driver-assist technologies. Its basic safety features include eight air bags, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, hill-start and downhill-assist controls, and active cornering assist.

Toyota’s Star Safety System adds enhanced stability and traction controls, brake-force distribution, brake assist, and Smart Stop technology;

Tying together those features is Toyota Safety Sense 2.5. This suite of systems integrates a precollision system with pedestrian detection, full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane tracing assist, automatic high beams, and road sign assist.

Why Buy the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime?

The Toyota RAV4 is an enduring model, debuting in North America in 1995 for the 1996 model year. The compact ute was born as a utility vehicle and continues with a utility foundation. After 28 years, The RAV4 is now in its fifth generation. Toyota is working to upgrade its dutiful RAV with more refined interior elements, just not all at once.

To date, the only plug-in hybrid vehicles with technology to charge the hybrid battery while driving are the 2024 Mazda CX-90 and two models of Volvo Recharge SUVs.

Until more manufacturers enhance the plug-ins with on-road charging ability, a plug-in is at its most efficient around town.

The Toyota RAV4 isn’t expected to have its next complete redesign until 2027, so the current generation is still full of life. If maximum range on battery power is your goal, then the Toyota RAV4 Prime is the obvious choice.

2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime Specifications

Body style: compact, 5-seat, 5-door SUV with electronic on-demand all-wheel drive

Engine: 2.5-Liter Dynamic Force 4-cylinder with dual direct- and port-injection

Power: 302 combined net horsepower; 177 hp at 6,000 rpm; 165 lb.-ft. 3,600 rpm

Electric motor: power output (front/rear) 179/53 hp front, 134/40 kW rear; torque 199/89 lb.-ft. (front/rear)

Transmission: Continuously variable-speed automatic with sequential shift mode simulating 8 speeds; performance modes of Sport, Eco, Normal, EV, HV, Auto EV/HV, Charge, and Trail

Emission rating: Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle

Battery: 355.2-volt lithium-ion

Charging: 2.5 hours with 6.6kw onboard charger on a 240-volt Level 2 charger

EPA-estimated driving range: 42-44 miles

Fuel economy: 38 mpg combined

Fuel economy equivalent: 94 mpg-e; 38 mpg combined, gas engine only

0-60 mph acceleration: 5.7 seconds (per Toyota)

BY THE NUMBERS

Max towing capacity: 2,500 pounds, with standard trailer-sway control

Fuel tank: 14.5 gallons

Cargo space: 33.5 cubic feet

Front head/leg room: 37.7/41 inches

Rear head/leg room: 39.5/37.8 inches

Length/wheelbase: 180.9/105.9 inches

Curb weight: 4,300 pounds

Turning circle: 37.4 feet

FEATURES

Standard Prime equipment includes: power tilt-slide moonroof with one-touch open-close, electric parking brake with brake hold, lockable glove compartment, center armrest console with covered storage compartment, two front cup holders, sun visors with sliding extensions and illuminated vanity mirrors, 5 USB ports (one for media, two front and rear USB charging ports; 60/40 split reclining fold-flat rear seat with center armrest and cup holders, height-adjustable power liftgate with jam protection, height-adjustable rear cargo area deck board, cargo area side net, side and rear privacy glass, cargo area tonneau cover;

Exterior highlights: vertical LED front accent lights, dual chrome-tipped exhaust, low-profile black roof rails, black-painted (folded) heated power outside mirrors with turn signal and blind-spot warning indicators, LED projector low- and beams and auto on/off, color-keyed outside door handles with touch-sensor lock-unlock feature on front doors; one 12-volt 120-watt auxiliary power outlet in front instrument panel storage tray and one 12-volt, 120-watt auxiliary power outlet in cargo area;

Prime XSE Interior Features

Smart key locking and push-button start; backup camera with gridlines; leather-trimmed tilt-telescopic 3-spoke steering wheel with silver accents and redundant controls for audio, hands-free phone, voice-command, Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging; Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert, and Lane Trace Assist; power liftgate and remote illuminated entry; 6-speaker 10.5-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible, satellite radio with 3-month trial subscription; sunglass console with map lights, and Safety Connect button; dual zone automatic climate control system with dust and pollen filter and rear-seat vents; black fabric-trimmed headliner; red-accented interior, including stitching on dash, doors and seat, and black anti-slip in-dash storage trays with blue ambient lighting; SofTex-trimmed seats with red stitching and fabric seat inserts; heated front seats; 8-way power-adjustable front driver’s seat with lumbar support; 4-way adjustable front passenger seat with seatback pocket; heated front seats; soft-touch dash, door and armrests with stitched dash, door and center console accents, and anti-slip interior door grip; LED front-seat reading lights, dome light and cargo area light; rear liftgate window defogger, auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink universal transceiver;

Hybrid-Specific Features: black diamond-patterned bar front grille; active grille shutters; silver-painted front lower spoiler; aerodynamic underbody panels with vortex generators; front and rear wheel spats; integrated rear spoiler; red-painted shock absorbers; blue ambient lighting for in-dash shelves, center console cup holders and in front footwells; acoustic noise-reducing front side windows;

RAV4 Safety Features

Standard 8 air bags; blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert; hill start assist and downhill assist control; active cornering assist;

Star Safety System includes: Enhanced stability and traction controls, brake-force distribution, brake assist, and Smart Stop Technology;

Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, includes: precollision system with pedestrian detection, full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane tracing assist, automatic high beams, road sign assist.

CHASSIS COMPONENTS

Brakes: Power-assisted ventilated 4-wheel disc brakes; 12.9-inch front rotors; 12.4-inch rear rotors;

Steering: Electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion; 37.4-foot turning circle;

Suspension: Independent MacPherson front struts with stabilizer bar; multi-link rear with stabilizer bar;

Tires-Wheels (XSE): All-season 235/55 19-inch; 5-spoke alloy wheels

2023 RAV4 PRIME XSE PRICING

Base price: $48,310, including $1,350 freight charge; price as tested $52,227

Options on test vehicle: Premium audio package $1,620; Weather package $375; Premium package $2,960; Roof rack cross bars $315; carpet floor mags and cargo mat $269; Door sill protector $199; Rear bumper applique $69; Mudguards $69; Wheel locks $65

Where assembled: Obu, Aichi, Japan

Warranties: 3-years/36,000-miles; roadside assistance 2-years/unlimited mileage; free scheduled maintenance 2-years/25,000-miles; Hybrid battery 10-years/150,000-miles; EV drive components 8-years/100,000-miles