How Does 50+ MPG Sound?
Be careful listening to self-anointed experts that owning a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is not a wise choice or viable option when buying a new car. This, of course, is nonsense and crazy talk. Those truly in the know have real world knowledge of why a PHEV is the perfect bridge between a gasoline-powered car and one propelled by only electricity. Here is the truth: when owning a 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE AWD PHEV, you will never buy gasoline for probably 90% of your regular driving.
Performance and Efficiency
The all-wheel drive (AWD) 2023 RAV4 Prime, which uses an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission, comes in two grades—SE and XSE. The Toyota parallel hybrid drivetrain has a non-turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine and two electric motors. The electric motors can power the car by itself, the gas engine can power the car by itself, or they can power the car together. With 302 total system horsepower, the RAV4 Prime is the quickest Toyota SUV with 0-60 mph times of 5.4 seconds. The RAV4 Prime has five driver-selectable drive modes—Eco, Normal, Sport, EV and Trail.
The EPA has rated the RAV4 Prime at 42 miles of all-electric range (AER) and 40 mpg city/36 highway/38 combined. Another efficiency measurement is MPGe (Miles Per Gallon Equivalent), which for the RAV4 Prime is 94. In addition the car has a 600-mile total driving range, combining a full gas tank and a fully charged battery. MPGe is a measurement of how far a car can travel electrically, on the same amount of energy as is contained in 1 gallon of gasoline.
Clean Fleet Report traveled 442 miles in our week driving through Southern California. The overall average was 46.7 mpg, but in two all-electric runs we saw 49 and 51 AER.
So how do we exceed the EPA’s 42 AER?
Toyota engineered the RAV4 Prime to default to electric mode where it will remain until the battery is depleted or the gasoline engine kicks-in, or the HV/EV Hold button is pressed. We achieved our fuel economy number by running in electric-only mode in-town, and then running in hybrid mode on the highway. This is a much appreciated tool as the RAV4 Prime is more efficient in-town running only on electricity, and then more efficient running in hybrid mode on the highway. Pushing the Hold button will recharge the battery as you are driving. Fuel economy and range numbers reported by Clean Fleet Report are non-scientific. Your numbers may differ.
Where the RAV4 Prime shines is letting the computer find the most fuel efficient way to combine electricity and gasoline. The system is sensitive to even the slightest fluctuation in road inclines and declines, more-so than the driver can feel. There is a green EV icon on the gauge cluster that goes on and off as the system imperceptibly knows it is time to save gasoline by using electricity. Taking the challenge, when on the highway, to see how long the green EV light can remain lit becomes a fascinating combination of driving smoothly and conservatively within the posted speed limits.
The other important driving tool to increase efficiency and range, one that is on most hybrid, PHEV or battery electric cars, is regenerative braking, which converts kinetic energy into the battery when applying the brakes or coasting. The regeneration has the most effect when in stop-and-go highway traffic or in-town driving, as all that slowing and stopping is putting electricity into the battery.
Charging
The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime has a 3.3 kW on-board charger on the SE trim, and a 6.6 kW charger on the XSE model, which Clean Fleet Report was driving. These are the charging times:
- 120V Level 1 – 12 hours (SE and the 3.3 kW charger)
- 240V Level 2 – 5 hours (SE and the 3.3 kW charger)
- 240V Level 2 – 2.5 hours (XSE and the 6.6 kW charger)
The RAV4 Prime is not compatible with 480V Level 3 charging.
Driving Experience: On the Road
Toyota says driving and performance characteristics paced the development process for the RAV4 Prime. Toyota began with the electronic on-demand AWD system, with rear- and front-mounted electric motors. The under-seat battery placement resulted in a low center of gravity, making for good handling with the RAV4 Prime weighing-in at 4,235 pounds for the SE and 4,310 pounds for the XSE. 18-inch alloy wheels are standard on the SE trim line, but the 19-inch five-spoke alloy wheels with black inserts, on the XSE, are shod with Yokohama Avid GT 235/55 all-season tires.
Our week in the RAV4 Prime reminded us how well the RAV4 drives and its cornering agility, but also that it is not a sports SUV. The suspension was on the stiff side, which helped with cornering but otherwise was smooth on the highway and easy to maneuver in-town. The AWD, MacPherson front struts and multi-link rear suspensions, and active cornering assist combined for a stable and confident ride.
Exterior
The 2023 RAV4 Prime, all-new in 2020, has a more rounded styling than the previous generation, sits a bit taller than in the past, and has a more aggressive look. The hexagon-hatched frowning grille, swept-back LED projector headlights and vertical LED daytime running lights are the key front end design features. Hybrid badging is subtle with the Toyota logo blue on the nose, ‘PRIME’ and a blue ‘RAV4’ on the power lift gate, and ‘Plug-in Hybrid’ on the front fenders.
Interior
Climbing inside, the interior is clean, basic and laid-out sensibly. Features, such as push button start/stop, one-touch power windows and a power tilt and slide moonroof are standard on the XSE. The multifunction full-color gauges in the 12.3-inch color LCD cluster are well-placed for ease of viewing with vehicle information selectable through steering wheel controls.
The Premium Package ($2,585) included the digital rearview mirror with Homelink, a 10-inch color head-up display, panoramic glass roof with front power tilt and slide moonroof, foot activated power lift gate and front and rear parking assist with automatic braking.
The driver and passenger seats are power adjustable, with the driver getting memory. Out back, the split and reclining 60/40 rear seats folded flat and are separated by a center armrest with cup holders. All seats are covered in SofTex, a synthetic leather seat material designed for wear, easy cleaning and resisting spills. It’s produced using a manufacturing process that is more environmentally sensitive than conventional synthetic leather.
Rear seat leg and headroom is average for this size crossover, with two adults comfortable and three on a short stint. The storage space, with the rear seat in the up position, can handle four on a long road trip. The rear seat passengers also get heat and cooling vents and USB power ports.
The Weather Package ($375) included the leather trimmed, tilt and telescopic three-spoke heated steering wheel with controls for audio, hands-free Bluetooth telephone operation and the “full-speed dynamic radar” (adaptive) cruise control, rain-sensing wipers with a de-icer.
The dash centerpiece of the RAV4 Prime XSE is the color 10.5-inch multimedia touchscreen, home to the 11-speaker JBL Premium Audio system for the multimedia AM/FM/HD radio, SiriusXM, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. There are USB ports up front, in the center console, and a 120V/1500W port in the rear cargo area. Toyota’s Safety Connect includes a three-month Wi-Fi free trial. Qi wireless charging is standard on the XSE trim line.
Safety and Warranties
The 2023 RAV4 Prime is well-equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 that has passive and active safety features, including eight air bags, vehicle stability and traction control, brake assist and smart stop technology. The advanced driver pre-collision technology includes lane departure alert with steering and lane tracing assist, adaptive cruise control and pedestrian detection. Additional safety features include remote keyless entry and a tire pressure monitoring system.
The 2023 RAV4 Prime comes with these warranties:
- Basic Warranty – Three years/36,000 miles
- Powertrain – Five years/60,000 miles
- Hybrid System – Eight years/100,000 miles
- Hybrid Battery – 10 years/150,000 miles
Pricing
The 2023 RAV4 Prime comes in two trim levels—SE and XSE. These base prices exclude optional packages and equipment, but include the mandatory $1,335 delivery, processing and handling fee.
- SE – $44,425
- XSE – $48,295
The RAV4 Prime qualifies for federal and state tax credits that could reduce your final cost. Clean Fleet Report recommends contacting your CPA to be completely clear on the tax credits. Not relying on the dealer to provide this information will serve them and you best.
Observations: 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime
The smooth operation and seamless transition between gasoline and electric, the interior fit and finish, and the drive/ride attributes of the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime make it a serious contender for anyone looking at a compact SUV, regardless of its power source.
With its 302 total horsepower, the RAV4 Prime is both quick and fast, adding a fun factor. But the 42 miles of all-electric driving range will tip the decision of many consumers wanting to cut their gasoline expenses. Hint: Don’t pay any attention to the naysayers!
You will pay more for a hybrid versus a gasoline-powered car, and more for a PHEV over a hybrid. The additional cost for a PHEV will be returned if you drive most of your miles in town or in rush hour traffic, where you will benefit greatly from the pure electric mode of the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime.
Just try not to smile too broadly when passing gasoline stations.
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Story and photos by John Faulkner.
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