[ĐÁNH GIÁ XE] Toyota RAV4 Prime 2021 has the best electric performance in the segment

Plug-in hybrid crossovers are gradually becoming a big trend as Toyota announced that the 2021 RAV4 Prime will go on sale this summer with a starting price of 38,100 USD (~ 883 million VND).

General introduction

Customers who buy the 2021 Toyota RAV4 can choose from up to 7 different variants, from the standard LE version to the TRD Off-Road version, which is specially designed to improve hill driving ability. However, not stopping at those 7 variants, the Japanese automaker has just continued to add the most advanced Prime version for this small SUV/Crossover line.

Toyota RAV4 Prime 2021 is currently the most advanced version with a starting price of 38,100 USD (~ 883 million VND) in the US market. Not only does it have the highest selling price in the product line, Prime is also the version with many top features and the most powerful performance ever of the Toyota RAV4 model.

Transmission system

The most impressive detail in the Toyota RAV4 Prime 2021 is the plug-in hybrid powertrain, using a 2.5L 4-cylinder gasoline engine, lithium-ion battery and a rear-mounted electric motor, allowing the car to reach a total capacity of 302 horsepower and maximum torque of 479 Nm, 83 horsepower more than the RAV4 Hybrid. Comes with a 4-wheel drive system, allowing the car to accelerate from 0 – 100 km/h in just 5.7 seconds.

Basically, the RAV4 Prime and RAV4 Hybrid are quite similar. Both versions have a 2.5L 4-cylinder gasoline engine under the hood and 2 electric motors located on the front and rear axles. However, the biggest difference that makes the Prime version superior is the 18.1 kWh lithium-ion battery. Larger battery capacity and capacity help the Toyota RAV4 Prime 2021 have much more powerful and flexible operation.

The car has an average fuel consumption of 2.5 liters/100km. Also according to Toyota, the Prime variant can run up to 63 km with only electric motors – the farthest distance among Plug-In Hybrid Crossovers currently on the market.

The 0 – 100 km/h acceleration of the Toyota RAV4 Prime 2021 not only impresses with a short 5.7 seconds, but also with an amazingly quick response. With just a very light step on the accelerator, RAV4 Prime can immediately shoot forward thanks to the instant torque coming from two electric motors located on the front and rear axles. When activating “EV (Electric Vehicle)” mode, Toyota RAV4 Prime 2021 will only use electric motors with energy coming from the lithium-ion battery pack capable of accelerating 0 – 100 km/h in 9.2 seconds.

Driving feeling

Possessing a larger battery pack will make the weight of the RAV4 Prime significantly heavier than the RAV4 Hybrid. Specifically, the Prime SE version weighs about 1921 kg and the XSE version weighs 1950 kg. Meanwhile, rival Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid using front-wheel drive weighs only about 1762 kg.

Fortunately, this increase in weight does not much affect the handling ability of the Toyota RAV4 Prime 2021. The driving feeling that the Prime variant brings is hardly different from other RAV4 versions. However, when making sharp turns, the Toyota RAV4 Prime 2021 still causes body roll, along with a less flexible driving feeling. In return, the RAV4 Prime’s steering wheel has the perfect weight combined with the quick response speed of the suspension system to help the car corner relatively stably, although still not comparable to other versions.

Similar to the other versions, RAV4 Prime 2021 has 4 standard driving modes: Eco, Normal, Sport and Trail. In addition, Toyota also added two new buttons for this high-end version, which are Auto HV/EV and HV/EV Charge Hold. When selecting Auto HV/EV, the car will automatically switch to hybrid and electric modes, depending on the owner’s driving style. Meanwhile, the HV/EV Charge Hold button will allow the driver to freely choose to use the hybrid engine or electric motor.

For the electric motor, Toyota RAV4 Prime 2021 has 3 different charging modes. For a standard 3.3 kW charger, users can use a regular 120V household outlet and it takes about 12 hours for the battery to fully charge. Another option is a 3.3 kW charger with a more powerful 240V outlet, allowing for a full charge in 4 hours and 30 minutes. The fastest charger option of 6.6 kW is included in the Premium equipment package of 3,765 USD (~ 87 million VND), shortening the full charging time to 2 hours 30 minutes.

Design

The difference in the exterior design of RAV4 Prime compared to the other versions is almost negligible and very difficult to notice. For the high-end version of Toyota RAV4 Prime 2021, the rear area will have a red “Prime” logo and new 18-inch wheels. Meanwhile, the XSE Prime version receives more beautiful 19-inch wheels and is equipped with vertical LED fog lights. Toyota was very right not to make modifications on the RAV4’s exterior design – which is already very beautiful and impressive.

In the interior compartment, Toyota RAV4 Prime 2021 has almost no difference from the other versions. Specifically, the SE version will be integrated with a series of convenient equipment such as standard fabric seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, electrically adjustable and heated driver’s seat, 8-inch entertainment screen in the center supporting Android Auto/Apple CarPlay connection, 7-inch multi-information screen,… Prime’s cabin continues to ensure the tradition of the Toyota RAV4 with a spacious, comfortable and extremely quiet space when traveling.

Customers can choose the Weather & Moonroof package for 1665 USD (~ 39 million VND) which adds a sunroof, automatic wipers and steering wheel and heated rear seats. With the Premium equipment package of 3765 USD (~ 87 million VND), Toyota RAV4 Prime 2021 will have an additional 6.6 kW fast charger, HUD display screen and smart hands-free opening/closing tailgate.

According to Toyota, the selling price of RAV4 Prime 2021 in the US starts at 38,100 USD (~ 883 million VND), however customers will receive an additional 7500 USD (~ 174 million VND) reduction in federal preferential tax rates. In addition, Toyota also said that only 5,000 RAV4 Prime units will be produced in the first year of launch.

Quang Hung (Tuoitrethudo)

Source: Motor1