LOOKS

If you’re looking for an SUV with some unconventional looks, the RAV4 Prime is definitely going to be up your alley.

My test vehicle featured a sharp Silver Sky Metallic paint job, and its funky design full of unique angles somehow comes together to deliver an appealing look that’s unlike anything else on the road. That’s saying a lot when most SUVs tend to look like carbon copies of each other these days.

The RAV4 Prime also features LED projector headlights, a power tilt and sliding moonroof, power liftgate, 19-inch five-spoke alloy wheels and roof rack cross bars.

Moving to the inside of the RAV4 Prime, the vehicle features SofTex trimmed seats, and dual-zone climate controls with rear vents.

The biggest downside I found was that I was not a huge fan of the comfort level of the seats in the RAV4 Prime. Seating on rival SUVs is more comfortable, especially on longer drives, so that’s something to improve on in future editions.

On the plus side, Toyota did a great job of including extra storage space for small items. For example, there is a nice, big extra storage shelf directly in front of the passenger, and even a little one by the driver.

Overall, the vehicle contains easy-to-use, well-placed controls. And there’s a decent amount of room in the back seat for passengers. As for cargo, you’ll get 33.5 cubic feet of space with rear seats up, and 69.8 cubic feet with rear seats folded.

Additional features include: 
— Dual-zone climate control
— 10-inch color head-up display
— Heated and ventilated front seats
— Memory function for driver's seat
— AC power outlet in cargo area
— Digital rear view mirror with home link universal garage door opener

The heated front seats worked quite well and got the heat moving very quickly.

HOW’S THE RIDE?

Powering the RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, as well as two electric motors and an 18.1-kWh battery pack — for a grand total of 302 horsepower and 165 pound-feet of torque.

It’s quite peppy when getting up to speed, as it delivers a mid-5 second 0-to-60 time that rates among the best you’ll find in the entire Toyota lineup. (That’s better than the hybrid RAV4 or gas RAV4, which will both take more than 7 seconds to reach 60 mph)

The RAV4 Prime features an electronic CVT transmission, and comes standard with all-wheel drive.

The overall driving performance of the RAV4 Prime was excellent compared to rival plug-in hybrids, as it corners smoothly and can really move when you want it to go. It’s agile and nimble on the freeway, as well as in the neighborhood.

Drive modes offered include Sport, Eco, Normal and Trail. I mostly drove in Normal, with some occasional Sport mode time to spice things up. Eco will maximize fuel economy, and the Trail mode will help with basic off-road adventures.

Road noise is kept to a minimum on the RAV4 Prime, and it handles bumpy roads well.

 
TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY

The RAV4 Prime features a simple design on the 10.5-inch touchscreen infotainment setup, but the operation of the system works very effectively. I’m fine if something doesn’t look fancy as long as it works well; sometimes simple is better.

This large rectangular touchscreen includes well-designed menus, and voice commands also worked accurately, even for inputting addresses into navigation. The system is compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and you get a three-month trial of satellite radio. There’s also a 12.3-inch color LCD gauge cluster in front of the driver.

The 11-speaker JBL sound system, including subwoofer, was decent, but not the strongest sound system I’ve heard lately.

A handful of USB ports are included, and you’ll find a wireless smartphone charging pad conveniently located up front in the vehicle.

Safety is another area where Toyota is traditionally strong, and that’s the case here. A wide range of systems are included that all work well and are not overly sensitive.

Toyota’s standard safety features include:
— Pre-collision system with pedestrian detection (forward collision warning with automatic braking)
— Adaptive cruise control (maintains distance to driver ahead)
— Lane departure alert with steering assist (steers car back into proper lane)
— Automatic high beams
— Road sign assist
— Blind spot warning (signal displayed on outside mirrors)

The RAV4 Prime includes eight airbags, a LATCH system for child seats, and anti-theft system.

A backup camera system features dynamic grid lines that help you back into parking spaces smoothly, and multiple views around the vehicle including bird’s-eye view.


RANGE, MPG

There are a few mileage measurements to consider on the RAV4 Prime.

It’s officially rated at 94 MPGe for combined gas/electric operation, and 38 MPG when using gas only. These numbers are near the top of the top of the list when compared to similar plug-in hybrids competitors.

On top of that, there is an electric-only range of 42 miles, which is quite strong compared to most plug-in offerings in this class. The RAV4 Prime will automatically switch to gas when the electric battery is low. What all these numbers mean is that if you mostly take short trips and charge regularly at home, you should rarely need to make a trip to the gas station.

Charging time, if you have a 240V charging outlet at home, clocks in at about 4.5 hours, meaning regular evening charging while you sleep should keep you juiced up for your daily commute consistently.

In my time driving the RAV4 Prime, once the EV-only miles were gone I averaged roughly 35 miles per gallon with gas only, a few below the listed numbers. The goal with a plug-in should be to avoid going gas-only as often as possible, but if you are on a longer trip and must do so, the mileage is somewhat impressive and not far from the numbers on a regular RAV4 hybrid.

PRICE

The Toyota RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid that I tested was priced just over $51K, and the base price starts around $44K. Compared to other plug-in hybrids in the segment, these prices are slightly above what most rivals cost.

If you want to go for a traditional ICE version of the RAV4, your price dips as low as $30K, with the non-plug-in hybrid starting around $33K.

The reality is that moving up into plug-in hybrid territory is going to increase pricing, and buyers will have to decide how far they’re willing to go with their spending. The good thing is that Toyota is offering multiple options with the RAV4 lineup, so everyone can find their comfort point.

Warranties are decent but not class-leading on the RAV4 Prime, including:
— Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
— Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
— Hybrid-component warranty covers eight years or 100,000 miles
— Complimentary maintenance is covered for two years or 25,000 miles

BOTTOM LINE

The Toyota RAV4 Prime is a plug-in hybrid that boasts excellent fuel economy, is quite roomy, and features a powertrain that’s quick to get moving and fun to drive. Its unique, futuristic styling may cause various opinions, but one thing is for sure — fans of Toyota vehicles who want something more in the green lane, but don't want a full EV, will be smart to consider the RAV4 Prime.

=== 

AutoTechReviews.com can be found on Twitter @AutoTechReview, or stay updated at the AutoTechReviews Facebook page. Follow AutoTechReviews on Instagram at @Autotechreviews. Matt Myftiu can be found on Twitter @MattMyftiu