The Toyota RAV4 was the #1 bestselling vehicle in the country in 2019, and the RAV4 Hybrid is the bestselling hybrid vehicle in all of Canada.
Now, we’re introducing the 2021 RAV4 Prime. That’s right; Canada’s favorite SUV is now going to be available as a plug-in hybrid.
With more power, greater fuel efficiency, and more speed, RAV4 Prime is about to make a huge splash in the SUV market. If you’re someone who loves to go on adventures and is looking for the perfect blend of comfort, style, and durability in an SUV, you’ll love everything the RAV4 Prime has to offer.
Great for everyday driving, off-roading, or long road trips
This brand new sporty SUV was built for wide-open stretches of highway, whether that means conquering a long mountain road or tough Canadian winter driving.
Let’s start with the obvious fact: RAV4 Prime is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), and it’s the first of its kind within the top-selling RAV4 line-up.
So, what is a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid), exactly?
A PHEV combines the best characteristics from both an electric vehicle and a hybrid. Like an EV, a PHEV can be recharged at a gas station or directly from a household electricity supply, and can charge in as fast as 2.5 hours on a 240V charger. At the same time, it can also run efficiently on a gas engine like a hybrid, meaning you’ll never have to worry about needing to recharge during long drives. Essentially, a PHEV can operate in electric-mode, but it doesn’t have to, meaning you can enjoy all the advantages of an EV without ever having to experience range anxiety.
You’ve also got the RAV4 Prime’s Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive (AWD), which offers all the stability you need when driving and gives you increased traction on slippery surfaces. By sending power to all four wheels, the AWD delivers instant torque and acceleration. And you can hold all that power in your hands, literally, with the available steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
The AWD system also decreases understeer while turning, allowing for greater control and steering capability. Pad shifters will also help when driving on hills, as the driver can downshift to enhance regenerative braking. And that’s not all; the RAV4 Prime even comes with a Trail Mode to meet all your outdoor adventure needs!
The RAV4 Prime is ready to take you wherever you want to go, whether you’re in hybrid mode or EV mode. When fully charged, RAV4 Prime’s fuel efficiency has up to 68km of EV-only driving. In addition, this sporty SUV has a combined electric fuel efficiency of 2.8L/100km.
Horsepower, acceleration, and instant torque
Thanks to a combination of the powerful motor-generators, a brand new high-capacity Lithium-Ion battery, and the booster converter, the RAV4 Prime outputs an incredible boost in comparison to the RAV4 Hybrid horsepower – 83 hp more, to be exact. In fact, the RAV4 Prime yields the most horsepower in its segment, at a staggering 302 combined net hp!
Even though the Lithium-Ion battery is now larger in size, it has no effect on the interior style or cargo space of the vehicle, as it’s hidden underneath the floor. The result of which means the RAV4 Prime has a lower center of gravity and improved steering capability. And on top of that, starting with all 2020 Toyota hybrids, Toyota Hybrid Battery Warranty now covers up to 10 years / 240,000 kilometres (whichever comes first).
And just like the RAV4 Hybrid, the PHEV version features a gas engine and a motor generation that work seamlessly alongside one another to power your vehicle, while simultaneously charging the battery.
Another similarity between the RAV4 Prime and Hybrid is that they both feature a 2.5-litre four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle gas engine. To be specific, the RAV4 Prime amasses 168 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 2,800 rpm, whereas the RAV4 Hybrid garners 163 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 3,600-5,200 rpm. And the RAV4 Prime has an incredible towing capacity of 2,500 lbs.
Needless to say, the RAV4 Prime is tailored to suit the needs of the modern day explorer, with greater power than ever before. The RAV4 Prime's powertrain projects this SUV from 0 to 96 km/h in only 5.8 seconds – just imagine how satisfying that instant torque would feel with you behind the wheel.
Upgraded exterior to match the upgraded interior
Not only is the RAV4 Prime interior more advanced – it also has a sleeker, more athletic appearance to match its sportier feel and improved performance.
Let’s start by taking a look at the RAV4 Prime’s body.
The sporty headlights, front lower spoiler, and unique vertical LED accent lights give it a more modern appearance upon first glance.
Additionally, the RAV4 Prime comes in the sportier SE and XSE, which offer more athletic features in addition to further upgrades to both comfort and style.
Let’s take a deeper look at the SE first.
With upgraded wheels and a fancier front grille design, the RAV4 Prime SE is sure to be a head-turner on the roads. The SE comes equipped with a 7-inch multi-information display, ambient lighting, and audio with 8-inch touch screen. And in the colder months, you not only have heated seats and a heated steering wheel, you’ve also got a windshield de-icer and rain-sensing windshield wipers, so you’ll never be underprepared to drive during Canadian winters again.
And when it comes to the XSE, you have even more options. With a two-tone exterior paint scheme, 19-inch alloy wheels, an all-new Supersonic Red colour option, and LED accent lights, the 2021 RAV4 Prime XSE debuts this season with a sophisticated appearance – inside and outside.
Let’s take a look inside the XSE, you’ve got an auto-dimming rear-view mirror with an integrated garage door opener and the biggest multimedia screen ever displayed in a RAV4 (9 inches).
Lastly, available on the RAV4 Prime XSE, the available Premium Technology Package delivers the ultimate RAV4 Prime experience, including a panoramic moonroof, an 11-speaker JBL Audio System with Clari-Fi and navigation, a five-door smart key system, and more.
Extra special toys for the driver
In addition to the aforementioned touch-screen display, the RAV4 Prime comes stacked with technology and safety features to keep the driver and all passengers happy.
RAV4 Prime comes standard with, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, so you can personalize your music on the road. And the available Head-Up Display (HUD) distributes driving information directly in front of you on the windshield, putting safety first so your eyes will never have to move off the road.
Speaking of safety, RAV4 Prime comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, an advanced safety suite including Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Auto High Beams, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Blind Spot Monitor, and Lane Tracing Assist. And if you upgrade to the XSE, its premium Technology Package includes bonus safety features like Intelligent Clearance Sonar.
The 2021 RAV4 Prime represents a new chapter for Toyota SUV performance, and we’re inviting you to join us for the ride.
For more information on the RAV4 Prime, sign up for information updates or contact your local dealership to figure out when you can book a test drive this summer.
