If you’ve been following along at home, you probably know that I’m generally pretty meh about my Subaru Forester ownership experience and have been passively shopping for something else. I’m an auto journalist so this is fairly easy for me, as I can just try out all the other cars I’m considering. Today’s car? The Toyota RAV4 Prime, aka, the plug-in one.
I’m quite set on a hybrid, as most of my commutes are short, city drives of the kind that benefit from a hybrid drivetrain. This is why I’d love a Ford Maverick and am still actively lobbying for one, though my lobbying hasn’t worked thus far. I’d consider an electric car if I had the ability to charge it at home or work (aka home), which I don’t. The Corolla Cross Hybrid worked out quite well for me and is a little smaller than my Forester.
The family was fine with the Corolla Cross Hybrid and liked the two-tone, but we use our car like most people use their garages and the trunk was slightly smaller. What’s the perfect blend of sometimes-EV, usually-hybrid, reliable, and roomy enough? Enter the RAV4 Prime.
Argument #1: The RAV4 Is The Closest Thing To Our Forester In Size
Things that are better when they’re bigger:
- Chicken fried steaks
- 9th inning rallies
- Renaissance portraits
Things that are generally not better when they’re bigger:
- Artichokes
- 9th inning rallies when it’s the other team
- Cars
It feels like everything is getting bigger all the time. This is less than ideal, especially because I want to have the least amount of car that I can get away with at any given moment. Conveniently, the RAV4 is almost exactly the same size as my old Forester. Seriously, check the numbers:
The Forester is 181 inches long, 71 inches wide, and 67 inches tall. The RAV4 Prime is 181 long, 73 inches wide, and 67 inches tall. So it’s a little wider, but barely.
I borrowed the car to take on a road trip around Texas so, while it wasn’t living a comparable life to my Subaru in New York, I’d at least get to experience a range of driving experiences common to my daily life (going through a drive-thru, going to HEB, putting a kid covered in sand into a car).
Inside it’s a lot newer and nicer than our old Subaru, and it easily fits a family of three (that isn’t going to get any bigger). The tacked-on-screen design is the default in this class, even if it isn’t my personal favorite. Oh well, it was nice to have Carplay.
Out back, there was plenty of space for this long weekend trip, and my daughter had plenty of room to stretch out in the backseat. If there’s one thing that constantly bothered us about the RAV4 Prime it’s the powered rear hatch, which would nervously stop short with any interference, wait for us to hit the open button, then go the opposite direction of what we intended. I prefer a non-powered hatch which, again, is getting rarer and rarer in this class of car.
The front butt-holders in the Subaru are cheap cloth seats that are nevertheless comfortable. The front seats in the RAV4 are a little stiff for my taste, though it’s possible I need to wear them in a bit with my posterior.
My little gripes about the car’s day-to-day usability aside, there would be no discernable loss of function by switching from a Forester to a RAV4 Hybrid.
HOW THIS ARGUMENT DID (9/10)
Argument #2: The RAV4 Is Way Quicker Than The Forester
What, exactly, is the upside of a BOXER engine in my Forester? It’s hard for me to articulate. One thing I don’t get out of my symmetrical all-wheel is anything approaching speed. Most estimates seem to peg the 0-60 mph out of the Forester with the 2.5-liter flat-four at around 9 seconds.
My Subaru is usually loaded with crap, so I’m lucky to get down to anything that feels like sub-10 seconds. I mention “feel” because the Subaru’s CVT always gives the impression of being about as interested in change as your average 90-year-old billionaire.
As previously explored in my Corolla Cross Hybrid review, the RAV4 Prime has a great combination of a motor-assisted hybrid engine/transmission combination driving the front wheels and an electric motor for the rear axle.
If you’re delicate on the throttle, you can get far on just battery power, though you can’t get there fast. If you want to merge onto the highway, however, the combined 302 horsepower and smack of torque can propel the heavy crossover to 60 mph in just 5.7 seconds. That’s fast for anything, let alone a crossover.
Is this speed a necessity? Not really, but the way the electric motor makes up for a CVT’s natural tendency towards low-speed/low-torque sluggishness is something I’d pay real money for these days.
Handling was competent and the ride was slightly softer than the Subaru’s, though neither the RAV4 Prime nor the Forester are going to win any awards for dynamic performance. I’m looking for competent and the RAV4 is competent.
HOW THIS ARGUMENT DID (8/10)
Argument #3: The RAV4 Is Way More Efficient Than Our Forester… Especially If You Can Plug It In
This trip centered around a voyage back to my original home, Corpus Christi, Texas. It’s a coastal city with miles of beaches and plenty of bars (people in the area have reported sobriety to be a challenge). What it lacked, surprisingly, was charging infrastructure.
When I picked up the RAV4 I quickly burned through the EV range it had and therefore the car was converted back into more of a traditional hybrid rather quickly. My dumb assumption was that I’d be able to recharge it at my hotel as I do with plug-in vehicles on most of my trips.
Nope. My hotel didn’t have a charger. The hotel next to it didn’t have a charger. A quick look at Google Maps shows the only chargers around were either Tesla Supercharging Stations or a part of a car dealership:
There were two non-dealership ChargePoints and one Blink station in the vicinity, though neither was near the hotel and both were marked as non-functioning. Oops.
When plugged in, the RAV4 Prime gets 42 miles of all-EV range, which is better than most PHEVs for sale. This is thanks to its larger-than-average 18.1 kWh battery pack. Because I can’t plug in at home, my sense is that I’d mostly be driving it around without that much juice (you can use a charging mode to generate power for the battery, but it makes the car less efficient).
In mostly city driving, the Forester returns a mediocre 20 MPG in my experience. The RAV4 Prime, however, gets 94 MPG combined city/highway if you can squeeze all the juice out of the batteries.
Even if I never plugged it in and relied purely on regenerative braking, the RAV4 returned 33.7 MPG in combined driving. That’s better than what I can get out of the Subaru.
The math here starts to get tricky fast. A nicely loaded Corolla Cross would cost me about $33k, assuming I could find a dealer to sell me one at MSRP. The RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition (hybrid, not plug-in hybrid) is $37k and returns a combined 37 MPG.
A basic RAV4 Prime costs about $44k, and if I can only rarely plug it in then I’m spending more money for basically comparable (or worse) performance than any other Toyota I’d be interested in if I can’t get charging at my parking spot.
HOW THIS ARGUMENT DID (4/10)
Conclusion: Maybe A Non Plug-In For Me
As a family, we were fans of the RAV4, in spite of some small annoyances. It’s so popular because it’s an extremely livable car in most ways. The RAV4 also looks modern and, compared to previous iterations, almost attractive (ok, the 1st gen is still the best).
It’s the gold standard for compact crossovers and, if I had a way to regularly charge it, the appeal of not needing gas for most of my journies might outweigh some of the cost.
I can’t get over the cost, though. In my situation, I think the RAV4 Woodland Edition is probably in the sweet spot for price, capability, comfort, and longevity.
Please do not by a plug I hybrid if you can’t charge it at home. If you do, you are missing the point entirely. I get really mad when I see PHEV at a public charger. They have no need to be there paying inflated electricity prices for a 50kms of ev driving. Is even more infuriating when you have an ev (given to you by your employer) that you aren’t allowed to charge at home and there’s a friggin 10 year old outlander phev hogging the only charge point so they can get an extra 3kms on their depleted worn out battery
Please do not by a plug I hybrid if you can’t charge it at home. If you do, you are missing the point entirely. I get really mad when I see PHEV at a public charger. They have no need to be there paying inflated electricity prices for a 50kms of ev driving. Is even more infuriating when you have an ev (given to you by your employer) that you aren’t allowed to charge at home and there’s a friggin 10 year old outlander phev hogging the only charge point so they can get an extra 3kms on their depleted worn out battery
I’m agreed with you that the Prime model would be wasted on you, without a place to charge it. I have mixed feelings about the Rav4, however. First of all, how will you pick out yours in a suburban parking lot? Here in CO, that would be a treasure hunt; same, though, with the Forester.
My family rented a low-trim Rav 4 to travel across southern Indiana from Louisville to see the eclipse. From the driver’s perspective, it was perfectly usable and serviceable for this simple task. But during some back seat time at Interstate speeds, I was shocked by the road noise level. The sound level app on my phone was topping out at 80 Db! My current drive is a Merceds GLK, which is as quiet as a bank vault below 3000 rpm. But I’ve spent equal time in the rear of my daughter’s ’17 Forester, and it wasn’t nearly so obnoxious. Ride before you sign!
Another tip from a dissatisfied Rav4 renter I met: it was very difficult to ijstall kids in their child seats because the rear doors only open out about 45% from the body.
Good on Toyota for flying the righteous hybrid banner, but I’d choose a Ford first. Their hybrid system is similar, and no Toyota could be more reliable than my Ford C-Max, since it’s had no trouble at all. Fords have better handling, in my limited experience. Around a month ago I was seeing heavy incentives on Escape models, with zero % interest and no money down.
Wouldn’t the true Autopian buy neither of the two most popular small SUVs? That’s so mainstream…
I’m agreed with you that the Prime model would be wasted on you, without a place to charge it. I have mixed feelings about the Rav4, however. First of all, how will you pick out yours in a suburban parking lot? Here in CO, that would be a treasure hunt; same, though, with the Forester.
My family rented a low-trim Rav 4 to travel across southern Indiana from Louisville to see the eclipse. From the driver’s perspective, it was perfectly usable and serviceable for this simple task. But during some back seat time at Interstate speeds, I was shocked by the road noise level. The sound level app on my phone was topping out at 80 Db! My current drive is a Merceds GLK, which is as quiet as a bank vault below 3000 rpm. But I’ve spent equal time in the rear of my daughter’s ’17 Forester, and it wasn’t nearly so obnoxious. Ride before you sign!
Another tip from a dissatisfied Rav4 renter I met: it was very difficult to ijstall kids in their child seats because the rear doors only open out about 45% from the body.
Good on Toyota for flying the righteous hybrid banner, but I’d choose a Ford first. Their hybrid system is similar, and no Toyota could be more reliable than my Ford C-Max, since it’s had no trouble at all. Fords have better handling, in my limited experience. Around a month ago I was seeing heavy incentives on Escape models, with zero % interest and no money down.
Wouldn’t the true Autopian buy neither of the two most popular small SUVs? That’s so mainstream…
I just pulled the trigger on a Rav4 Prime. I have about 600 miles on it. I can conquer on a few of your observations (seat comfort).
I love it. I charge it every night from a 110V outlet in the garage. I have charged once at a charging location in a hotel garage and the benefit there was the parking spot more than the electricity.
It’s a big roomy car. Good for my two kids and car trips.
I would highly recommend the Hybrid if nothing else.
I just pulled the trigger on a Rav4 Prime. I have about 600 miles on it. I can conquer on a few of your observations (seat comfort).
I love it. I charge it every night from a 110V outlet in the garage. I have charged once at a charging location in a hotel garage and the benefit there was the parking spot more than the electricity.
It’s a big roomy car. Good for my two kids and car trips.
I would highly recommend the Hybrid if nothing else.
Remember when the RAV4 was small?
I have a 2003 as a spare errands car (helped a friend out after his kid didn’t need it anymore). It’s such a good size, very plucky, and surprisingly decent to toss around.
I’d much rather be in my Volvo in case of an accident, though.
Remember when the RAV4 was small?
I have a 2003 as a spare errands car (helped a friend out after his kid didn’t need it anymore). It’s such a good size, very plucky, and surprisingly decent to toss around.
I’d much rather be in my Volvo in case of an accident, though.
I looked seriously at a RAV4 Hybrid AWD. I liked most everything about it. The only negatives was seat comfort and buzzy engine when you wanted acceleration. I likened the seats to new airliner seats. Reasonably comfortable for short hauls, but thin and flat.
I looked seriously at a RAV4 Hybrid AWD. I liked most everything about it. The only negatives was seat comfort and buzzy engine when you wanted acceleration. I likened the seats to new airliner seats. Reasonably comfortable for short hauls, but thin and flat.
I don’t see you being very happy with a RAV4 if you haven’t liked your Forester. They share similar levels of build quality/ material quality and in my mind have similar strengths/ weaknesses. Plug in powertrain aside, I think you would have felt the same about a new Forester interior & driving dynamics as you did the RAV4.
I don’t see you being very happy with a RAV4 if you haven’t liked your Forester. They share similar levels of build quality/ material quality and in my mind have similar strengths/ weaknesses. Plug in powertrain aside, I think you would have felt the same about a new Forester interior & driving dynamics as you did the RAV4.
Matt, you’re not fooling anyone, you want the Maverick Hybrid and it’s rumored to get a Hybrid AWD setup for the 2025MY refresh. I would wait until then or try to get a good deal on a 2024MY FWD with the Hybrid.
The Rav4 is fine, I’ve driven my aunt’s 2021 XLE a few times and it’s ok at most things, but it doesn’t really excel at anything. I feel it would join the “meh” vehicle list 2-3 years into ownership.
Problem is the Maverick AWD Hybrid will probably re-establish the waiting list for orders and dealer shenanigans.
The waiting list, sure, but I had pretty good luck with dealers when ordering. They want those orders, since they help them get extra allocation, so the dealers I spoke to all did MSRP or lower, even if they were marking them up on the lot. If you can wait for a build, you’ll be alright.
Which I think Matt would be willing to do. He’s been on the hunt for over a year, just saying…
Possibly, but not as long of a wait because it’s no longer an entirely new model with new production tooling and such.
Matt, you’re not fooling anyone, you want the Maverick Hybrid and it’s rumored to get a Hybrid AWD setup for the 2025MY refresh. I would wait until then or try to get a good deal on a 2024MY FWD with the Hybrid.
The Rav4 is fine, I’ve driven my aunt’s 2021 XLE a few times and it’s ok at most things, but it doesn’t really excel at anything. I feel it would join the “meh” vehicle list 2-3 years into ownership.
Problem is the Maverick AWD Hybrid will probably re-establish the waiting list for orders and dealer shenanigans.
The waiting list, sure, but I had pretty good luck with dealers when ordering. They want those orders, since they help them get extra allocation, so the dealers I spoke to all did MSRP or lower, even if they were marking them up on the lot. If you can wait for a build, you’ll be alright.
Which I think Matt would be willing to do. He’s been on the hunt for over a year, just saying…
Possibly, but not as long of a wait because it’s no longer an entirely new model with new production tooling and such.
My coworker and his wife have a RAV4 Hybrid. It’s fine, I guess. Lacks the charm of the earlier generations (I have a 2003 as a recent acquisition and it’s a good little errand vehicle) and the design is too chunky.
If it were my decision I’d wait for the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid coming later this year using Toyota hybrid tech. Or get a CX-50 Meridian now.
My coworker and his wife have a RAV4 Hybrid. It’s fine, I guess. Lacks the charm of the earlier generations (I have a 2003 as a recent acquisition and it’s a good little errand vehicle) and the design is too chunky.
If it were my decision I’d wait for the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid coming later this year using Toyota hybrid tech. Or get a CX-50 Meridian now.
You might consider holding onto the Forester until all the options you like switch to the NACS so you can use those sweet Superchargers.
Is anyone going to be providing adapters? Are there already adapters?
You might consider holding onto the Forester until all the options you like switch to the NACS so you can use those sweet Superchargers.
Is anyone going to be providing adapters? Are there already adapters?
The CRV Hybrid and Rav4 Hybrid are best sellers for a reason.
At least in the CRV’s case it’s a substantially smoother drivetrain too with the new two planetary gearset.
One of my good friends has a new cr-v hybrid, and it is alarmingly loud inside the rear seat area. Like there seems to be zero sound deadening for the rear compartment. Good luck trying to have a conversation between the two rows.
As I posted elsewhere, the back seat of my rental Rav4 also was punishingly loud. I measured peaks of 80 Db in the back seat, almost all of it road noise. Face it, these are cheaply made cars sold at high prices to faithful customers who never demand anything better.
Having driven several of this class SUVs back to back, I don’t understand why anyone goes RAV4 unless they really want the Prime. The refinement levels of the CR-V Hybrid is miles better than the RAV on top of the interior actually being well built and not a plastic tub like the RAV. RAV4 sells because people can trust it, not because it is a nice place to be or does anything well.
I think the RAV4 gets its “plastic tub” characteristic from the outdoor-adventuring cosplay they put it through. The Corolla Cross might be a truer comparison to the CR-V for interior comparison (size differences notwithstanding) as the RAV4 more closely compares to the Bronco Sport and subarus with the directed appeal for outdoorsy types.
That said, I’m wholly underwhelmed with the CR-V interior, especially the 2nd row (at least in the hybrid). I have close friends and have ridden in their new one multiple times, and the amount of noise that penetrates the 2nd row is absurdly bad for a modern car. I have a recently-acquired 2nd-gen RAV4 that is quieter than that thing, even with mild-A/T tires.