2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE: Take a look at Drive | The Every day Drive


2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE
2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE in Silver Sky Metallic

Consumer Guide Automotive 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE AWD

Class: Compact Crossover

Passenger capability: 5

Colour: Silver Sky Metallic

CG Report Card
Room and Consolation B+
Energy and Efficiency A
Match and End B+
Gasoline Economic 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 degree evaluated, and should not replicate Client Information’s impressions of your entire mannequin lineup.
Large & Tall Consolation
Large Man B-
Tall Man B-
Large & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Large” score primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score 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 Automated
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

Gasoline kind: Common gasoline really useful

Base worth: $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)

Value as examined: $51,294

 

Fast Hits

The good: Spectacular energy, environment friendly operation

The great: Quiet and stylish cabin, easy infotainment-control system

The not so good: Dear in comparison with different RAV4s, a decent match for the massive & tall

 

Tom Appel:

When you’ve been purchasing for a plug-in hybrid automobile, there’s a great probability you’ve realized that the Toyota RAV4 Prime is tough to return by. This isn’t stunning, as Toyota’s compact plug-in crossover is (spoiler alert) a effective automobile, 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…

2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE
2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE

A bit background on the Prime: Toyota’s very-popular RAV4 is obtainable with three powertrains, every of which falls into a reasonably well-defined worth and efficiency class. “Commonplace” RAV4s are powered by Toyota’s ubiquitous 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. Within the RAV, the two.5 is nice 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 every one RAV4s make use of a CVT automated transmission, and that Hybrid and Prime fashions come solely with AWD.

Whereas normal and Hybrid RAV4s are supplied in seven trim ranges every, the Prime comes solely in high-zoot SE (beginning round $45,000), and near-luxury XSE ($49,000).

2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE
2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE

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 a couple of extra 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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2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE
2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE

Although the RAV4 can look just a little pedestrian in decrease trim ranges, the Prime comes solely in premium trim ranges, and sports activities a decidedly upscale cabin because of this. Our check automotive’s black leather-based upholstery was completed with contrasting crimson stitching, and the soft-touch sprint and door trim was punctuated with a lean dose of shiny 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 methods as of late.

One ding on the RAV4 is that the front-row seating space is among the many stingiest within the class when it comes to house. Although we now have awarded the RAV4 “Large & Tall” honors, it’s cramped for bigger people in comparison with widespread 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 large heart console minimize into seating house. When you’re outdoors the statistical norm size-wise, earlier than certain and take an extra-long check drive and see how effectively you match. That mentioned, rear-seat passenger house is borderline beneficiant, and can simply accommodate most folk for even prolonged drives.

Toyota’s touchscreen infotainment system works effectively and is straightforward to decipher at a look. Contact inputs register promptly, and display screen icons are massive and simple to learn. We’re joyful to report that local weather features are nonetheless manipulated by way of actual buttons and knobs situated under the touchscreen. Their operation can be easy and logical.

Although ostensibly a automobile 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 widespread buff-book magazines put the determine even decrease than that. Suffice it to say that the RAV4 Prime scoots away from a cease gentle with spectacular vigor, and makes straightforward work of passing and merging. Moreover, the interaction of the gasoline and electrical motors is generally seamless, one thing which can’t be mentioned another plug-in hybrid autos.

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2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE
2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE

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, absolutely replenishing your RAV’s battery will take about 15 hours utilizing a regular house wall outlet.

Observe that the Prime truly delivers considerably decrease fuel-economy numbers than the traditional RAV4 Hybrid when operating on gasoline. It is for that reason that plugging in your RAV4 Prime is vital to extracting its full worth. When you can’t decide to often plugging in your Prime, we strongly recommend choosing the superb RAV4 Hybrid as an alternative, it, too, will go straightforward on the gasoline, and value lower than the Prime, as effectively.

On the street the RAV4 Prime rides effectively, and is impressively quiet at pace. Dealing with by no means exceeds our “satisfactory” score 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 accessible energy. If it had been our resolution, the Prime would get pleasure from 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 search out an instance at your native supplier—although it might not be the precise shade/trim degree you’re searching for. If not, order occasions have reportedly down, too.

When 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 effective, 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
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