2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE AWD
Class: Compact Crossover
Passenger capability: 5
Coloration: Silver Sky Metallic
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | B+ |
| Energy and Efficiency | A |
| Match and End | B+ |
| Gas Financial system | A |
| Worth | B |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different autos in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim stage evaluated, and should not replicate Client Information’s impressions of the whole mannequin lineup. | |
| Massive & Tall Consolation | |
| Massive Man | B- |
| Tall Man | B- |
| Massive & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Massive” ranking primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 302-horsepower, 2.5-liter |
| Engine Kind | 4-cylinder, plug-in hybrid |
| Transmission | CVT Computerized |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Miles pushed: 101
Actual-world gasoline financial system: 36.2 mpg
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline financial system: 94 MPGe/38 mpg (metropolis/freeway mixed)
EPA-estimated EV vary: 42 miles
Gas kind: Common gasoline advisable
Base value: $46,210 (not together with $1335 vacation spot cost)
Choices: Climate Package deal ($375), Premium Package deal ($2585), carpet mats ($309), wheel locks ($65), roof-rack cross bars ($315), fog-light accents ($100)
Worth as examined: $51,294
Fast Hits
The good: Spectacular energy, environment friendly operation
The nice: Quiet and stylish cabin, easy infotainment-control system
The not so good: Expensive in comparison with different RAV4s, a good match for the large & tall
Tom Appel:
In the event you’ve been searching for a plug-in hybrid car, there’s a very good probability you’ve realized that the Toyota RAV4 Prime is troublesome to return by. This isn’t stunning, as Toyota’s compact plug-in crossover is (spoiler alert) a high-quality car, and one which asks little in change for its energy and effectivity. Right here’s some excellent news: The RAV4 Prime provide appears to have loosened up. Extra on that in a second…
A little bit background on the Prime: Toyota’s very-popular RAV4 is obtainable with three powertrains, every of which falls into a reasonably well-defined value and efficiency class. “Customary” RAV4s are powered by Toyota’s ubiquitous 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. Within the RAV, the two.5 is sweet for 203 horsepower. Non-plug-in Hybrid variations of the RAV4 mix the aforementioned 4-cylinder engine with two electrical motors for 219 internet horsepower. Finaly, the RAV4 Prime mates what is basically the Hybrid drivetrain with an 18-kWh battery. The Prime system is rated at 302 internet horsepower, and permits for an EPA estimated 42 miles of electric-only gas-free operation. Observe that each one RAV4s make use of a CVT automated transmission, and that Hybrid and Prime fashions come solely with AWD.
Whereas commonplace and Hybrid RAV4s are provided in seven trim ranges every, the Prime comes solely in high-zoot SE (beginning round $45,000), and near-luxury XSE ($49,000).
Client Information current spent per week behind the wheel of a 2023 RAV4 Prime XSE with the feature-packed Premium Package deal in Silver Sky Metallic. Together with just a few further choices and the vacation spot cost, our check RAV4 got here to $51,294. That is about all you’ll be able to spend on a RAV4.
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Although the RAV4 can look somewhat pedestrian in decrease trim ranges, the Prime comes solely in premium trim ranges, and sports activities a decidedly upscale cabin in consequence. Our check automotive’s black leather-based upholstery was completed with contrasting purple stitching, and the soft-touch sprint and door trim was punctuated with a lean dose of vivid metal-finish accents. The general look is one among sporty, clear, effectivity. Additionally, the rubber edged climate-control knobs had a hefty, substantial really feel lacking from many in-cabin management techniques lately.
One ding on the RAV4 is that the front-row seating space is among the many stingiest within the class when it comes to area. Although we’ve awarded the RAV4 “Massive & Tall” honors, it’s cramped for bigger people in comparison with common section rivals together with the Honda CR-V and Nissan Rogue. Whereas our 6-foot, 5-inch tester discovered headroom restricted, our largest driver discovered that the RAV’s huge middle console lower into seating area. In the event you’re outdoors the statistical norm size-wise, earlier than positive and take an extra-long check drive and see how properly you match. That mentioned, rear-seat passenger area is borderline beneficiant, and can simply accommodate most people for even prolonged drives.
Toyota’s touchscreen infotainment system works properly and is straightforward to decipher at a look. Contact inputs register promptly, and display screen icons are giant and straightforward to learn. We’re blissful to report that local weather capabilities are nonetheless manipulated by way of actual buttons and knobs positioned under the touchscreen. Their operation can be easy and logical.
Although ostensibly a car designed to be environment friendly, the RAV4 Prime has earned fawning reward for its straight-line acceleration. Toyota quotes a 0-60 mph time of simply 5.7 seconds, whereas common buff-book magazines put the determine even decrease than that. Suffice it to say that the RAV4 Prime scoots away from a cease mild with spectacular vigor, and makes straightforward work of passing and merging. Moreover, the interaction of the gasoline and electrical motors is usually seamless, one thing which can’t be mentioned another plug-in hybrid autos.
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On a full cost, our check Prime travelled about 40 miles earlier than the gasoline engine kicked, which is inline with the EPA’s vary estimate. Observe that if buy a RAV4 Prime and select to not set up a level-2 charger, totally replenishing your RAV’s battery will take about 15 hours utilizing a regular house wall outlet.
Observe that the Prime really delivers considerably decrease fuel-economy numbers than the standard RAV4 Hybrid when operating on gasoline. It is because of this that plugging in your RAV4 Prime is vital to extracting its full worth. In the event you can not decide to frequently plugging in your Prime, we strongly recommend choosing the superb RAV4 Hybrid as an alternative, it, too, will go straightforward on the gasoline, and price lower than the Prime, as properly.
On the street the RAV4 Prime rides properly, and is impressively quiet at velocity. Dealing with by no means exceeds our “enough” ranking nevertheless, because the Prime feels competent in corners and on on-ramps, however doesn’t invite playful engagement. Frankly, it’s not particularly enjoyable to drive on curvy roads, regardless of all of the out there energy. If it have been our choice, the Prime would take pleasure in firmer, extra direct-feeling steering, and fewer lean in aggressive cornering. That mentioned, we suspect the RAV4 Prime chassis is tuned precisely the way in which most shoppers would need it to be.
Observe that our analysis is of a 2023 RAV4 Prime. Save for pricing, little or no has modified for 2024, so our impressions of the Prime replicate the autos on tons now. And talking of these autos on tons now…we’re discovering that whereas buyers are nonetheless ordering their Primes, stock is lastly catching up with demand, and that it’s potential to seek out an instance at your native vendor—although it is probably not the precise coloration/trim stage you’re on the lookout for. If not, order occasions have reportedly down, too.
In the event you’re not particularly massive or tall, and also you promise to plug your plug-in hybrid in, the RAV4 Prime has the makings a high-quality, environment friendly, speedy, small-family crossover with upscale cabin trimmings, and wholesome dose of long-trip consolation.
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2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE Gallery
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