2022 Toyota RAV4 Prime Plug-in Hybrid

Toyota offers the RAV4 Prime in just two different trims, namely the SE and XSE. The base SE trim gets almost all the creature comforts and technology that Toyota can offer, while the XSE adds a hint of premiumness with JBL speakers, leatherette upholstery, larger wheels, and a handful of safety features. Although the RAV4 Prime is pretty expensive to begin with, if you can qualify for the $7,500 electric vehicle tax credit, it does make for an exciting prospect. 

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With only two trims on offer and almost all the goodies being offered from the base SE trim, it is better to opt for that and choose the optional safety features and save some money as the car is pretty expensive in itself with a high starting price. With features like 8-way Power Driver Seat, Heated Cloth Front Seats, Dual Zone Climate Control, and more make for a value for money package. 

2022 Toyota RAV4 Prime PHEV Release Date

There has not been any announcement from Toyota, but as per the fleet order guides, one can expect the 2022 Toyota RAV4 to make its way to the dealerships only by the end of 2021 with deliveries commencing shortly after. 

The Toyota RAV4 Prime houses a decent-sized 18.1 kWh battery pack under its floor which can power the RAV4 for 39 miles of electric-only range, which is far better than the competition. Toyota offers a 3.3 kWh charger as standard, while the 6.6 kWh charger is available as optional with the XSE trim that charges the battery in just 2.5 hours from a 240-volt power outlet. With a large 14.2-gallon fuel tank on offer, the RAV4 Prime provides over 500 miles of range as well. 

The Mini Cooper doesn’t have the most frugal setup and hence offers only an 18-mile electric-only range and also has the highest fuel consumption in this comparison. The Crosstrek PHEV too has a similar EV range but offers a much superior fuel efficiency than the Mini. On the other hand, the Ford Escape comes very close to the RAV4 Prime with its EV driving range, and in fact, gets higher efficiency ratings from the EPA.

Similar to the regular RAV4, the cabin of the RAV4 Prime is well built and neatly laid out without much flair in terms of styling. The design is practical and elegant with clever storage options like the height-adjustable false floor in the cargo area and various pockets all around the cabin. Despite lugging a battery, the RAV4 Prime offers identical cargo space as the basic RAV4, which is again one of the best in the segment. 

The cabin is pretty spacious as well, offering plenty of headroom and legroom for all the occupants in both rows. The SofTex leatherette upholstery feels pretty premium, and the visibility is pretty good on all sides. The controls are well labeled and logically placed except for the different drive modes, which do not really explain their functions and have a learning curve to be able to use them. 

There is abundant space in the front and rear seats of the Ford Escape PHEV, but it falls short in terms of luggage space against the RAV4 Prime. That being said, it still offers a much larger trunk as compared to the Mini Countryman and the Subaru Crosstrek. Mini has the most compact cabin and the smallest boot, while the Crosstrek hybrid loses out on trunk volume but offers comfortable seating for all its occupants. Major interior features include: 

• Heated Front Sport Seats
• 60-40 Folding Split-Bench Manual Reclining Rear Seat
• SofTex Seat Trim w/fabric seat inserts
• Tilt/Telescoping Leather Steering Wheel
• Dual-Zone Automatic Air Conditioning
• HomeLink Garage Door Transmitter
• Safety Connect with 1-year trial Tracker System

How intuitive is the 2022 Toyota RAV4 Prime PHEV’s infotainment unit?

The RAV4 Prime features an 8-inch infotainment system as standard with an optional 9-inch unit also on offer. Both the systems feature Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard, while the latter has Amazon Alexa voice commands integration on offer. The placement of the infotainment screen could have been better as it is a tad bit farther from the driver than we would have liked. 

The size and placement of the buttons around the screen could also be improved for ease of use of the driver while on the move. Overall, the system is intuitive and easy to use with crisp graphics. A 6-speaker audio system is standard, while the higher XSE trim features a more premium JBL speaker setup, but the number of speakers remains the same, and although the bass is punchy, the overall experience isn’t the greatest. Major infotainment features include: 

• A 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa compatibility
• Hands-free phone capability and music streaming via Bluetooth
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio w/3-month All Access trial
• 6-speaker audio system
• Voice Activation
• Mobile Hotspot Internet Access

Toyota updated the design just last year for the RAV4, and the 2022 model year should carry forward the same designs. The RAV4 Prime is distinguishable from its gasoline counterpart with muscular hood lines and sharper front fascia on offer.

The dual exhaust tips at the back and the chrome bar that connect the rear end are specific to the Prime. Toyota also offers black body cladding and trim pieces with an optional blacked-out roof that makes the Prime look sportier than its siblings. 

Since the RAV4 Prime lugs around a larger battery pack, it is also the heaviest of the lot and hence doesn’t have the best handling to offer. In terms of dimensions, the Mini Countryman is the most compact hybrid here and yet offers a wheelbase on par with its rivals. It also offers the lowest ride height, while the Subaru Crosstrek hybrid has the highest ground clearance and is also the lightest. Toyota RAV4 is the tall and wide one, which translates to a roomier cabin. Major exterior highlights of the SUV are:

• Automatic Projector Beam LED Daytime Running Auto High-Beam Headlamps
• LED Brakelights
• Power Liftgate
• Lip Spoiler
• Black Side Windows Trim and Black Front Windshield Trim
• Express Open/Close Sliding And Tilting Sunroof w/Sunshade
• 19-inch Painted and Machined Finish Alloy Wheels

The 2021 RAV4 Prime wasn’t specifically tested by the NHTSA, but the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid did score a perfect 5-star rating and is mechanically identical to the Prime. The IIHS also rates the Prime well and has chosen it as the “Top Safety Pick” for its great performance in its crash tests. Toyota has also offered almost all of their safety features as standard on all their cars, and the RAV4 Prime is no different. A highlight of the most prominent safety and driver assistance features expected to be offered by Toyota in the 2022 RAV4 Prime is listed below. 

• Toyota Safety Sense 2.0
• Safety Connect with 1-year trial Emergency SOS
• Blind Spot Monitor
• Lane Keeping Assist
• Lane Departure Warning
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• Back-Up Camera

Toyota RAV4 Prime PHEV vs Ford Escape PHEV

Although the Ford Escape PHEV is considerably cheaper and is marginally more frugal than RAV4 Prime, it lacks grunt and has a sluggish acceleration to offer.

The RAV4 Prime is much more capable in terms of acceleration and towing capabilities while also offering a more spacious trunk volume. The long list of standard features, high ride height, and Toyota’s expertise and dependability in the EV department make it worth the additional money that Toyota demands.

Toyota RAV4 Prime PHEV vs Mini Cooper Countryman S E PHEV

The Mini Countryman offers a much more premium cabin and great handling, and yet is much more affordable than the RAV4 Prime. Mini still does not match up to the RAV4 Prime’s acceleration and towing capabilities and also lacks the cabin space and luggage volume which is abundant inside the Toyota.

Also, the RAV4 Prime is far more efficient and also offers a more SUV-like experience, and is overall more practical. Since practicality and efficiency are the main pillars of a PHEV SUV, we feel the 2022 RAV4 Prime is the winner in this comparison. 

Toyota RAV4 Prime PHEV vs Subaru Crosstrek PHEV

The Subaru Crosstrek PHEV is the most underpowered vehicle in this comparison, and that can clearly be seen in its acceleration performance. The 1,000 lbs towing capacity is also hardly useful, and so is the 17 mile EV range. It is also not as efficient as the RAV4 Prime and has a much lower driving range.

Although the cabin is pretty spacious, the luggage space is no way near what Toyota has to offer. That being said, both offer great safety standards and a long list of technology, but yet, it is the Toyota RAV4 Prime that feels more value for money amongst the two. 

The Toyota RAV4 Prime has taken the frugality game in the compact SUV segment to a whole another level with their PHEV offering. The all-electric driving range of 39 miles is enough for many for daily office commute, and although the 300 hp isn’t as exciting as it sounds on paper due to poor handling characteristics, it is still pretty agile and quick. The cabin is spacious and has plenty of technology and safety features on offer. If the high asking price does not bother you and saving mama earth is something that motivates you, the 2022 Toyota RAV4 Prime is one of the best bets you can have at this price point in this segment.