Do you know who is raving about the 2023 RAV4 Prime? Seems like everyone. It is a very popular introduction as a plug-in hybrid version of the traditional RAV4. This model is gaining acclaim from both industry critics and new customers, especially with its stylish personality and comfort features.
But there is no perfect crossover, not even for the . And despite all the accolades, there’s one glaring setback. Here’s the one clear area of improvement Toyota may look to address next year.
launched, there were many critics and industry enthusiasts ready to applaud it. It scores high in areas that most consumers consider the most important.
It’s a comfortable five-seater with AWD and two trims that both look like higher-end options, the SE and XSE. And he certainly didn’t hold back in heaping praise on this new crossover, giving it an overall score of 7.9 out of 10.
Fuel economy is the most impressive, with the RAV4 Prime earning EPA estimates of 42 mpg on electric-only driving. Edmunds’ team appreciated its brisk acceleration, especially in hitting highway speeds in a pinch.
The team also praised the RAV4 Prime highly in terms of technology, interior quality and overall comfort. But there was that one thing they weren’t so keen on applauding.
The only clear area for improvement for the RAV4 Prime
Reviewers have expressed disappointment with the performance. So while there’s a lot to love in almost every other respect, there’s a hiccup in the vertigo. And that seems to be the only problem holding back this attractive crossover.
The engine and powertrain of the Toyota RAV4 Prime, with its 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and three hybrid electric motors, is quite substantial. It has an 18.1 kWh Li-ion battery pack and a 6.6 kW onboard charging unit.
Altogether, that’s a combined output of about 302 horsepower. And in sprint tests, the RAV4 Prime hit 60mph in just 5.9 seconds. So when Edmunds gave his heavy sigh about the performance, what did they mean?
Because this area might change your mind
Edmunds says the RAV4 Prime lacks any kind of “dynamic athleticism.” And that means there’s not necessarily a problem with the power of him. Rather, it’s a matter of management.
In fact, the team calls the management “dismal.” The steering feels vague, making it difficult to judge the precise amount of input. He also shared similar sentiments about performance during their team’s RAV4 Prime testing, saying, “don’t expect cornering heroics here.” And there’s also a significant body roll issue.
Adding insult to injury, the driver assistance features are hypersensitive when trying to understand this crossover’s input and performance. Edmunds said they “freaked out” at the slightest maneuver. And the brake pedal is soft, so when you’re trying to calm down after a frustrating experience, the RAV4 Prime stalls at subpar levels.
Check it out and see how you feel about it. If you’re like most reviewers, you’ll love the super comfortable ride and quiet aesthetics. You’ll appreciate the robust fuel efficiency and ridiculously generous passenger and cargo room. You will also experience a thrill with the acceleration capability of the RAV4 Prime.
But if you’re like those industry critics, you might shake your head at the lackluster handling, disjointed steering feel, and uninspired braking. It’s the one performance flaw that everyone seems to agree on, and you might just agree.
