The fifth-generation Toyota RAV4, on the market for barely a year, is going more places than it has ever gone before. The arrival of the first-ever RAV4 TRD Off-Road model was announced earlier this year, and recently, at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show, Toyota debuted a new premium, fun-to-drive RAV4 performance model with an estimated 302-horsepower, advanced all-wheel drive, sport-tuned suspension and exclusive design features.

It just happens to also be the first-ever RAV4 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). And so, in addition to an ability to do 0-96 km/h in a projected 5.8 seconds, which is the second quickest acceleration time in the Toyota lineup, it can drive an estimated 60 kilometres on battery alone on a single charge, which is the highest EV range of any PHEV SUV on the market. The RAV4 Prime also has a manufacturer-estimated 2.6 L/100 km fuel consumption.

Toyota engineered the 2021 RAV4 Prime for the performance-oriented driver and is, therefore, offering it in the sporty SE and XSE grades. The SE grade is new for the RAV4 Prime, and the XSE is currently exclusive to the RAV4 Hybrid. The SE flaunts its sporty attitude with 18-inch painted and machined alloy wheels and an exclusive front grille design and front lower spoiler. Piano black exterior accents and a painted grille/diffuser complete the premium look.

The SE’s equipment is quite comprehensive, with standard heated front seats, 8-way power driver’s seat with lumbar adjustment, 7-inch Multi-Information Display, Blind Spot Monitor, Audio with 8-inch touch-screen and a leather heated steering wheel and shift knob with red stitching.

As on the current RAV4 Hybrid XSE, the Prime version of this grade stands apart with a two-tone exterior paint scheme pairing a black roof with select colours, including the striking new-to-RAV4 Supersonic Red. Exclusive 19-inch alloy wheels, the largest ever offered on a hybrid RAV4, have a unique two-tone design. Vertical LED accent lights give the XSE a distinct look, while the optional Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) with headlamp auto-leveling partially aims the beams into turns as the driver steers.

Inside, XSE steps up the sport, luxury and tech with unique SofTex synthetic leather seat surfaces, wireless smartphone charging, ambient lighting, auto-dimming rearview mirror with integrated garage door opener and the largest multimedia screen in any RAV4 ever. The XSE lets in the sun, moon and stars while keeping the cold at bay with a heated steering wheel, heated rear outboard seats, and windshield wiper de-icer, while rain-sensing windshield wipers add to the convenience.

The RAV4 Prime employs the same version of Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive (AWD) as the RAV4 Hybrid. In both models, a separate rear-mounted electric motor powers the rear wheels when needed, including proactively on acceleration startup and also in reduced-traction conditions.

All Toyota RAV4 models come equipped with standard Toyota Safety Sense (TSS 2.0), which groups a long roster of active-safety technologies and capabilities:

• Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD)
• Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)
• Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA)
• Automatic High Beam (AHB)
• Lane Tracing Assist (LTA)

Starting with the 2020 model year, every Toyota Hybrid Battery Warranty is being increased from 8 years or 160,000 kilometres to 10 years from the original date of first use, or 240,000 kilometres, whichever comes first.

Don’t delay. Click the TEST DRIVE button below and experience first-hand the impressive capabilities of the first-ever Toyota RAV4 Prime when inventory arrives.

U.S. model and specs featured in video

Please Note: The details of this article were accurate at the time it was written.
Manufacturers may change the details of any vehicle’s specifications, at any time, without notice.