EPA rates 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime electric range and it's impressive
Take that, Ford Escape.
A few weeks ago, Toyota finally released pricing information for the surprisingly powerful RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid SUV, and the figures were pretty darn palatable. At the time, though, there was one piece of information still unavailable: The car's EPA all-electric range estimate.
The EPA has finally gotten around to publishing its fuel-economy figures for the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime , and the numbers look pretty good. As Toyota promised earlier, the RAV4 Prime achieves an overall rating of 94 MPGe, which is an equivalent measurement that puts electrified vehicles in a similar context as gas vehicles. This is about 6 MPGe lower than its biggest competitor, the Ford Escape Hybrid, but it's worth noting that the RAV4's output is nearly twice that of the Ford .
What most folks are interested in, though, is the RAV4 Prime's all-electric range estimate. While Toyota estimated a range slightly below the Ford Escape PHEV, the result is actually the opposite. The EPA ended up giving the RAV4 Prime a range estimate of 42 miles, beating the Escape PHEV by 4 miles. The 2.5-liter, Atkinson-cycle I4 gas engine also achieves 38 mpg combined on its own, falling short of the Escape by a couple of hairs.
With 302 horsepower heading to all four wheels (conventional linkages to the front axle, with an all-electric rear axle), the RAV4 Prime is setting itself up for success. Its base trim starts at $39,220 including destination, and it comes with a power driver's seat, a power liftgate and an 8-inch infotainment screen. The XSE trim offers more stuff, like larger wheels, a moonroof, synthetic-leather-trimmed seats and wireless device charging, and it brings the price up to $42,545 after destination. Both trims have options packages, with the XSE offering a faster 6.6-kW charger as part of its $5,760 upgrade that also includes keyless entry, front seat ventilation and surround-view cameras.
The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime goes on sale this summer. It might be worth reaching out to your local dealer to see what federal- or state-level tax incentives are available, too.