2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime Review // Still the one to beat?? 

As a Rav4 Prime owner, I recognize that I might be biased...but I really did do some serious math crunching myself before buying to figure out the long term cost of ownership compared to the standard hybrid. I assumed 10 years of ownership (although I honestly keep cars for longer than that...my 2004 Echo has 442,000 and going), and a ratio of 50% EV driving. The SE Prime, after rebates, was going to cost $7000 more than the LE Hybrid. The math worked...just barely. I would save nearly $7000 in fuel over the 10 years. Considering the Prime is WAY nicer to drive and has more extras, it was a clear choice. Now that I've had it for over 6 months, I can also report that I'm saving more than I estimated....about 75% of our driving is EV. And yes, I did factor in the cost of electricity....which isn't nothing, but it is only a third or a quarter the cost of gas per kilometre.

We have had ours for almost 6 months after owning a 2019 RAV4 Hybrid for 2 years and it has been great. Driving in town, we used only a quarter tank of fuel and travelled 1100 kms. Never use fuel if you drive less than 65 kms or so in town between charges. All the benefits of an electric vehicle without range anxiety. Have friends who sold their Tesla’s because of it. If most of your driving is highway, I would stick to the Hybrid as it is less costly to purchase.

This is the 2nd fastest Toyota in the current line-up behind the BMW Supra and without going into Lexus

I just purchased a 2021 RAV4 XLE Hybrid, really enjoying it. I traded in a 2018 RAV4 XLE non Hybrid. I think the ride and steering are more my precise, and the cabin is very quiet on the 2021.The fuel average is 45.5 mpg as opposed to 33mpg.

We "special-ordered" a 2021 RAV4 Prime SE in June 2020 and it arrived in early November, so we have had it 11 months now with nearly 11.5k miles on the odometer (we are in New England). It's a fabulous vehicle, and in summer we are getting as high as 52 real-world all-electric miles in local driving of under 45 mph (it's much lower on high-speed expressway driving, of course). We got the SE with no options, so the cheapest version, and with federal/tax rebates/credits, we paid under $31k USD (not incl. sales tax); that is a huge bargain because you get the vast majority of things that you get in the XSE trim in the SE trim (including adaptive cruise control, adaptive headlights, blind-spot mirror monitor, etc. -- things that are all optional only in Porsches that cost five times as much!). We were fortunate to pay only MSRP, as I hear that the demand is pushing dealerships to charge over MSRP in many locations now. I agree with Andrea that the RAV4 Prime is (by far) the best vehicle that Toyota currently produces (at least for North America), because of its high electric range and its practicality/utility (high ground clearance but low center-of-gravity and excellent interior cargo space). This vehicle is very fun to drive in all-electric mode, and I'll frequently leave my Porsche in the garage for local drives in favor of all-electric driving in the RAV4 Prime (but for longer road trips, the Porsche usually gets the nod); I would add that the RAV4 Prime is NOT very fun to drive when the ICE is on (just in electric mode with that wonderful torque and quietness). I agree about the passenger-side seat issue, but for the price we paid, I can't complain much about the RAV4 Prime that we have. My biggest complaint is that most of the door switches (windows, mirrors, door locks), the overhead switches (lighting), the back-door hatch switch (closing), and the steering-wheel stalks (lights, windshield wipers) are not backlit, making for a LOT of frustration at night because you can't see these switches (and it's dangerous for a driver to be fumbling for a switch unsuccessfully); even my 20-year-old Volvo has all these switches backlit, so no excuse for scrimping here by Toyota. Another issue is that the heater does not work in cold weather in all-electric mode; you have to have the ICE come on to use the heater, which sort of defeats the whole purpose of it being a PHEV.. My other beef is with the driver instrument panel, where the left-side dial is largely useless (confusing and ambiguous) and should be replaced by a digital window showing much of the same things you get in the center instrument panel (because I often want to see multiple sets of information at once, like range and amount of ICE/battery power going to each wheel, etc.). Apple CarPlay sucks, but it's better than the Toyota navigation maps that come with the higher-priced XSE trim; we saw no reason to opt for the XSE trim and are glad we saved our money.

It looks just like my Hybrid XLE Rav4. I agree with you that it needs an interior update to set it apart from mine. I still wouldn't wait a year for one. Thanks for the review.

We split the difference and went with the Venza Hybrid. We weren't in love with the RAV4 Hybrid interior and trucky exterior and we were told by the guys at Toyota that to get a top of the line RAV4 Prime, we could have to wait up to 2 years!!! The Venza has been wonderful so far. Nice interior, quiet, rides well, love the exterior looks and we have been averaging 40 mpg (including an 800 km trip over the Coquihalla to Vernon and back). Our only disappointment was not being able to get the dark blue exterior with the tan interior (like you can with the RAV4). We keep our cars for a long time (15 and 17 years respectively ) so fingers crossed this Venza will serve our family for many more years to come.

The problem with getting a Model Y is it's going to fall apart and break. A RAV4 won't.

A shout out to both of you for your fantastic and informative videos! Largely based on what I learned from you, I just got my RAV4 Prime XSE a week ago. I was lucky to only have to wait for about 10 days for one, as the local dealer just happened to have been allocated 1 and it was just what I was looking for. So far, I love the Prime, though I'm still in the "getting acquainted" phase... Thanks again!

The benefit of the phev over pure ev is obviously road trips. Watching reviews anything other than a Tesla seems to be hit or miss if you’ll actually find a working charger when you need one. At least here if the charger isn’t working you can continue on as a hybrid.

There are a couple of neighbours have bought a RAV4 Prime. They have ordered it when first announced back in late 2019. Its revelation when an people saw it, its like the "next best thing" because of how long anyone has to wait to get one.

I have had my RAV4 Prime XSE PP for almost 6 months now. I get 80km of EV range now constantly.

Toyota’s hybrid system is great piece of engineering, IMO. The design is simple, the operation is smooth and efficient. There are not much to go wrong, and the best part for me is, the maintenance is extremely simple. For example, changing the “eCVT”/front transaxle fluid is much, much easier than changing the sealed CVT/automatic transmission fluid on other Toyota vehicles.

Great Review love the RED STITCHING call out on Zack!!! My 2021 RAV 4 Hybrid XSE has blue stitching, I think the red stitching is exclusive to the Prime. This is why Andrea is so awesome on this channel!!

I think it's the most compelling PHEV SUV in the mainstream market Nice review

Toyota,is Toyota!Best cars,best hybrids!This model is great!

Had one of these on order until dealer told me it would take up to 2 years to get one. I cancelled the order and went for the regular hybrid. Very happy so far. Avg 5.3L/100km mixed driving and it’s much quieter than the regular gas model. Also it may not be as fast as a prime, but it’s pretty peppy as well.

“This video is brought to you by Canada Drives” Me: suddenly wants ginger ale

Can’t wait for the comparison between this and the VW iD4! Great video as always guys!👏👏👏

The interaction between you two is an information session without Q&A. Your answer in the Q&A session cover quite a bit of FAQ. This video helps me understand more about Hybrid SUV.👍👏🏼😘🤗

Thanks for the update. I think Toyota has made strange decisions with the trim levels for Rav4 across the board. In the Prime, I think the XSE + Package....should just be a completely separate trim level...like "premium" or "limited." One minor complaint that I keep seeing is people mentioning that the buttons in the door panel (windows, locks...) aren't lit in any way. I didn't think much of this the first time I saw it mentioned...but I see it again and again...people saying, they're rolling their one touch windows down in the rain at night while trying to unlock the car for someone to get in for example. What do you guys think of this? I know you do most of your test drives in the day. Did you guys notice this at all? Also, there are complaints that the inner door handles are strangely far forward...creating a weird leverage situation when you are trying to pull the door closed. This may be something that one wouldn't notice unless driving these for a week or more. Did you guys notice it? I have some back/neck issues...and I may find this bothersome more than most. Thanks for the information!

I had my eye on this car, and the last I heard, it’s 2 and a half year waiting list!

Feeling Super Primed." -Andrea 2021 Honestly not a bad looking Toyota. Speaking of, at the end of the day, it's a TOYOTA. Dependability is pretty much covered for a while. Another Great video, you guys.

$27,900 for the used RAV4 LE in the used comparison is almost what it sold for new. Crazy.

Now, with the raised prices on hybrids, the XSE is only about $6000 more than the hybrid xse including the federal rebate. For $6000, you get nicer 19" wheels instead of 18's. 302hp vs. 219, and a model built in a Japanese factory ( i know but Japanese built cars are still slightly better). 72kms of electric range enough for most daily commutes. I was waiting 2 years for a regular hybrid and got lucky to purchase a prime. I am so impressed by this XSE Non tech for a little under $60K. Tesla Model Y Long Range is over $70,000. I like some things with the Tesla more of course but well see about resale when i sell mine in 10 years. Resale was one of my top 3 reasons for purchase along with reliabilty.

Cannot get one in Toronto. Wait listed for MY23. MY22 already sold out. Some dealerships refuse to take new orders already. The only frustrating part, cannot get one.

Great pointers team. Competition is coming up and we will b the lucky ones. I would review more of these types of rides, which is important to Canadian families than the s class. But that's just my 2 cents. Would be interesting a retro video of both of ur older cars, and what got u to today, and your worldly success. Cheers

Good review! It's a nice vehicle on paper but completely irrelevant if you can't get it. Might take Zach's advice and just look at the regular hybrid version, really want the Prime though to plug in

Love the range and fuel economy of this vehicle! That would be awesome putting around town most if not all day and not even using the gas engine. I can’t Imagine sitting in the passenger seat as I am very tall. That is a huge oversight not including at least a ratchet height system I thought the silver with black wheels looked great!!

I like your comments but one needs to look at what they can actually get especially with current gas prices! I live in Quebec and purchased back in October a Ford Escape PHEV Titanium version! No problem getting one and I see more of them on the streets but have hardly seen and Toyota RAV4 Prime or a Tucson PHEV! I went in to see and asked about the prime but with a two year wait I went with what was available in less than 3 weeks! So far winter in Quebec has brought my EV range down to 25 to 40km and I have studded winter tires on the Ford. Yes the engine comes on with the heater on but that is the same with any of these vehicles. We my wife and I enjoy the space and we do get a real spare tire unlike those two competitors. Second row space it fantastic and very comfortable as we drove to Toronto and back with 4 passengers! Do not knock it off your list just because it does not offer AWD with good winter tires it is just as easy to drive this in Quebec!

I really wish Toyota put the new Venza interior or something similar in this, the interior is way too basic. Otherwise, specs wise, it's class leading

They are not available at any dealership, not even for $10,000 above MRSP. I am hoping one will become available to me by the end of the 2023 model year.

I have been watching so many car vids and I have to say you guys are an awesome tag team

Thanks for the review Andrea and Zack! Why isn't Toyota offering this powertrain on more of its model lineup? A Venza with the Prime treatment would be amazing!

RAV and Lexus RX look more and more alike. Great review as always.

Please compare with Volvo XC40 Recharge. EV mode should be use to commute in the city, leave the hybrid mode to highway use

What in the world is all this excitement about sun roofs.I have had four vehicles with the bloody things and never opened one. Lots of added complication, cost and weight up high where you need it least. Wish they were strictly optional.

Andrea is well well-dressed. Excellent, enjoyable review!

The complaint you have about the height adjustment on the passenger seat? That seems to be a common denominator with Toyota. I have one friend with a 2000's vintage 4Runner and another with a 2019 (I think) Highlander. I'm 6'2" and I have a hard time climbing into either of these cars because of how high the seat is and head room is close to nonexistent. I like both vehicles otherwise and I'd probably have no problem if I were driving them but I firmly believe Toyota needs to set the fixed seat height a little lower.

They should make a Corolla Prime PHEV!

You guys work so well together…. great channel.

Would love to see a comparison vs the Ford Escape PHEV, especially since a fully loaded Escape Titanium PHEV is over 10k cheaper.

The driver who can plug in at work and can charge in the garage at home might need a PHEV instead of a BEV mostly if his/her range anxiety is real: the need to drive on regular basis in the dead winter between Calgary and Winnipeg or between Minnesota and Montana in February when even Tesla gives range anxiety in really cold weather. Orherwise a pure BEV might be a more suitable choice.

I’ve waited for this! Now I’m really thinking of just getting a fairly new rav4 and not the latest model

I got so accustomed to your luxury car reviews and then you show this 😂😆

can't wait for the 2022 Lexus NX450h+, basically a luxury version of this RAV4 Prime.

Son ordered Rav4 Prime and told 4-6 months, ugh. Should be great if he ever gets it.

I recently found one at a Toyota dealer in LA priced at over $60K! No thanks ! not for a Toyota.

The only problem is hard to get one. Toyota Canada said I need to wait for one and a half year for this. Buy the SE and you get the best of both worlds. This is the best SUV in the planet including Model Y period.

I love the versatility of the plug in hybrid. Less emissions with no range anxiety is really appealing. That said, the RAV Prime is too expensive and I've heard that the RAV is not a good high speed vehicle. That's a deal breaker for me. Great review guys!

Only realistic reason to use Charge Mode, is if you are getting near your final destination, and you want to utilize the 1500W outlet. Otherwise, you wasting gas to charge the car. You will use more gas to use charge mode, then simply driving in gas/hybrid mode. Just charge with charger when you can normally do it.

Im a renter, so I pay $0.35/kwh to charge at public stations in NYC! And its cheaper to buy gas

great show! shame about the passenger seat not having height adjustment (but electric for other adjustments) Question?? I have ordered a RAV4 top of the range "Cruiser" (Australian name) Hybrid AWD and the spec for the front passenger electric seat reads "8-Way power adjustment (front passenger)" - does "8 way" give height adjustment??

First, I want to say that I've been watching Zack do car reviews since he was partnered with Dagmar ... remember those days?!! All that to say, I've come to trust Motormouth reviews and look forward to them. On this one though, I'm VERY disappointed you didn't address the availability in the Canadian marketplace, which BTW, I realize isn't one monolithic experience across the provinces. Based on your FIRST review of this R4P, I went into a Toyota dealership to see & test-drive one. They literally LAUGHED in my face - they couldn't even give me a brochure! The best they could do was give me a few photocopied sheets of some specs (which were useless since I got more out of that first Motormouth video). I was told the waitlist was 2 yrs long, if I wanted to leave some money and put my name down. Remember, all this happened in the time frame of your 1st R4P video, BEFORE the chip shortages, etc. Well Toyota, I'm not spending this much money without driving one first, and the way your dealer treated me means I won't be back for a VERY LONG TIME. In the software business, we call this "Vapourware" ... surely the lack of availability (with some separate discussion of the situation in each province/territory) warranted some coverage in your 2nd video of this vehicle?!?

Live in Corner Brook, NL and contacted the dealership over the weekend. Was told it would be up to a 2 year wait! Geez.

As we look ahead to the 2022 model year, I know you mentioned the Tucson PHEV, but what about the Santa Fe PHEV and the Sorento PHEV? Both start in the 45k range and would be eligible for 4k in combined BC/federal incentives.

Why is there not a highlander prime? Being a larger vehicle wouldn’t it benefit more from that extra power? Or is it because they do t have the production capacity to build one since it’s already a 1-2 year wait for a RAV4 prime?

Thank-you both for another fun overview. How old are your boys now, and are they heavily into vehicles also? Love those old school Etch-a-sketches, that was a funny comparison :) Maybe one day we'll see an Etch-a-sketch mode for Tesla's screens, it might be hard to shake the car to clear it though :)

Wait for the Toyota BZ4X pure EV!! Cannot wait to see how that one works! Ok, so my main question is when the battery is out on the Prime what is the horsepower of the engine and is it good or really slow and sluggish? Great review!

Maybe I missed it but did you say if you can actually buy one? I’ve heard some people saying the wait might still be a year or two?

I’ve always liked the Rav but preferred the old design where it actually did look like a sport utility with the tire on the back and a more truck like look. I call SUV’s of any brand with this homogenized design aesthetic Sedan Utility Vehicles because they look like an inflated sedan. But the Rav is definitely a fantastic vehicle. My friend just got rid of her 04 with 400,000kms and it had very few issues over its life What is the hp on this without the electric assist?

Great review. But chances if getting one is slim to none.

Several people has dissapointed from the real gasoline consumption on the highway only of this Rav4. What about fuel consumption on a flat highway, like here in Qc , essentially without hills and maintaining a speed of 115 km?

Gr8 review guys! I had a question. What does it cost approx to get a Level 2 charger installed at home (total cost incl parts+labour). I live in the Toronto area.

Since there’s not much difference interior/exterior wise, hope they’ll offer prime on lower trims like they do on LE hybrid. Don’t need leather seats, panorama roof, etc. to experience what a prime has to offer.

Lol You guys are so funny about being the prime. Good video and a good vehicle. 👏🏻👏🏻👊🏻👊🏻☕️☕️

So far I'm being waiting for 4 months, and they told me to wait to next year

I'm colourblind too. I also wouldn't have noticed, nor cared.

So did they fixed the water leaks on the roof rail yet? Toyota drilled hole through the frame to mounts the rail but only plugged in up with simple plastic gasket, previous models has reported leaking after a while due to heavy rain or car wash... hopefully they fixed the design this year

6am here in Ontario.

Thanks for the great review! How many kilometres per year do you think someone would have to drive this for the extra cost to pay for itself over the hybrid?

In Europe it has more honest name - plug-in hybrid. Nothing like prime. That’s why we do not expect anything premium there

I am trying to get either RAV4 Hybrid or Prime even 2020 model but when I watch the horror story about the corrosion of one connector at the chassis which when replace cost over $7,000.00 dollar especially cars from Canada and Northern USA where is a lot of salt in winter, I had a second thought of getting one.

2021 and toyota still not putting in LED turn signals...

I have 2021 Limited Blizard Pearl I love it 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 Alan H

I’ve got a rav4 xse hybrid on order with an estimated 3 month wait. Prime wait was at least a year. Wasn’t worth waiting despite the subsidy.

I ordered one in May of 2021 and I haven’t received it yet (October 2023).

Problem is that there are no Primes to be had if haven’t already ordered one.

Wishing you do the outback touring from Subaru .. Please.. isn't a luxury car ? Don't see too much about Subaru reviews..

What I love the most about luxury cars (Audi, BMW, Mercedes) is that their design is timeless. I remember when this gen Rav4 came out I was thinking this is a 10/10 design Now after only 2 years it feels like 8/10.

Sorry I didn't quite catch the wait time to actually get one? Did someone mention 1+ year?

It was a little pricey, to step up to XSE (base) @ $55K (tax & rebate included) but worth it. I still think Toyota should have included the passenger power adjustable seat. Yes, I agree, to not include power height adjustment in your tester, the XSE with Technology Package, is ludicrous for $60K+.

rav4 prime vs outlander phev. which should i buy?

I love your videos but i wish your sound level was not half of 99% of all you tube videos. Have to crank up volume to 33 versus 16 for all others

How would the rav 4 compare to Honda CRV plug in hybrid.I think it was rated #2 On USA car channel.what is your verdict.😎🚗☕️

Please test drive and review the 2021/2022 Lexus RX350. Also list trim and colour options for Canada 🇨🇦 Thank you 🙂

How does the Prime perform in EV mode vs Hybrid mode? Is it significantly slower in EV?

One thing you missed, the rav4 prime is very fast, 0-60 mph in 5.60 secs.

12:36 It's actually bad etiquette for PHEV drivers to take up public charging stations too much, considering EVs have no alternative. We're all still learning, but PHEV drivers should be prepared for EV to politely ask them for their charging space. They already do between each other when, for example, an EV is charged up but still plugged in.

Was watching a review of the 2 motor(AWD) VW ID.4 and there was no instant torque like all other EVs. Must be a programed delay prevent torticolis in older drivers

Can height adjustment restriction due bigger battery required on the floor ? We still don't have Model Y or RAV4 Prime in Australia ?

Would probably go with Tucson plug in as the interior is way more nicer and the availability is also 4-5 months instead of 1-2 years. Tucson has even quite cabin and has 55kms range and the price difference is 10,000 cad between the top models.

How do you even get one of these? It's insanity here in Canada, dealers are saying a minimum of 1 year wait time (but it is actually closer to 2 years).

Can we discuss the Toyota Toxic Mold Class Action Litigation?? ...

Great review 🇬🇧 💙

You get Red Stitching on the lower trim as well.

U must be joking! The production line will take 4 to 6 months after they accept your order. Not to mention, you may need extra time before they accept it.why brother??? Toyota!!! Marketing department seem lack of knowledge from forecasting the shortage of chips and parts, so it really doesn't matter how good your commercial could be. You don't have the supply to cover the demand, and I know few of people who change their mind from Toyota to the other brand.

I test drove a Rav 4 and I found that I have to sit very tall, and it is quite annoying for taller drivers. to sit properly at 6'5, I will be looking almost at the roof as I am driving. Not a good choice.

For now, I'll stick with the deposit I put on a Hyundai Tucson Limited PHEV. However, neither Hyundai USA nor the dealership I'm connected with have any idea when it'll be ready for delivery...

If you do the math. This vehicle just doesn't make sense. The cost is way too much and it will take way too long to recover that money. In 2022, for both the environment and your wallet, the best choice is a hybrid vehicle, not a plug-in, or a full EV. If you're going to buy a new car in 2021/22, it should be a HYBRID. If you're going to buy a hybrid it should be a Toyota. Toyota has been refining their hybrid drivetrain for 25 years now. It's pretty much bulletproof and has NOTHING in common with a standard CVT transmission. Also the money you will save on brakes using a hybrid because of regenerative braking will cover the cost of a battery in the future which you probably won't need anyway. End of tutorial.