If you’re not ready for full EV, the Toyota RAV4 PRIME is a perfect alternative.
Theres Gas cars and there’s electric cars. But there’s also mild hybrids, hybrids, and PHEVs. So let’s clear up some of the confusion and misconceptions around some these cars…
It’s 2021 which means everyone is scrambling getting their first EVs out, but a couple manufacturers have been in the EV game for a while. Aside from Tesla, Audi was the first mainstream established luxury brand to dive into full EVs with their eTron lineup
But we all know EVs come with significant hesitation. Range anxiety is real and the infrastructure isn’t where it needs to be to calm the nerves of buyers. But what if you had something that was the best of both worlds…
This is the 2021 Toyota RAV4 prime
It’s the most expensive and most complicated rav4 you can buy
But it would look like it from a distance. It looks like a normal rav4. But peek under the skin and there’s a lot of complicated wizardry going on.
This is a PHEV or plug-in hybrid which, on the most basic terms, means it’s a hybrid with a bigger battery.
I’m not so basic terms it means this rav4 has a 2.5L 4 cylinder engine. It also has a 18.1 kWh battery pack and 2 electric motors
The gas engine powers the front wheels only but then what’s this funny badge here all about?
Like I said this has 2 electric motors. One for the front to fill in torque gaps but also one at the rear to power the back wheels
However this is not your normal awd. This is e awd which means there’s no mechanical connection to the front axle or the engine. It’s just the electric motor and some computer programming
So all of this means it’s pretty efficient. 40 mpg city and 36 highway. PLUS 42 mi. Full EV
What this also means is electric torque and AWD which makes it the quickest Toyota on sale asied from the 3.0 Supra which doesnt really count..well you know why
302 hp and a million lbft (0-60 in 5.4)
But remember how i said this was complicated? Well power numbers are too
Too much adding and dividing
The important bit is it gingerly sips fuel while being blisteringly fast
Last thing I’ll say is that Toyota have done a great job of tuning this thing
At places like stoplights and parking lots (the most wasteful places for cars) it switches to EV mode.
It will also drive in full EV until you deplete the battery and then it goes hybrid
You can also choose to charge the battery off the engine so if you dont have a plug at home you dont need it.
I know we’ve covered a lot of the powertrain stuff, but that’s the important bit.
Aside from that, you’d be fooled into thinking its just a normal RAV4
The ride, the dynamics are pretty much the same as every other RAV4, but the brake is touchier and the tires are not beefy enough to handle the power this throws out
But let’s see how Paolo is doing in the fancyboi Audi
That Toyota Matt’s in sounds like the best of both worlds, but with all that complication things
-are bound to break, yes even in a toyota. Comes at the expensed relability
I’ll have my EV straight up with no tricks so that’s why I’m in the eTron.
As a full EV you’ll want to know range and honestly it’s not the biggest but it’s how you use it right?
On this 55 version you’ll get 218 miles of range so not a lot, but due to the sportback shape it’s more aerodynamic than the normal body which only gets 204
Another reason the range might be so low is that this thing is HEAVY at just under 6000 lbs
And that’s a lot of weight for the 355 hp and 414 lbft to move around
HOWEVER, for a glorious 8 seconds you can unlock overboost which pushes power to 402hp and 490 lbft
0-60 is good for about 5 and a half seconds then which puts it just about exactly where the Rav is.
Would love to see these 2 drag race…
The eTron also has 2motors in this trim one for the front axle and one for the rear which make it AWD
Aside from that though, it’s very Audi in here. It’s comfortable, quiet, and as refined as it could be
eTron start with Paolo getting out of the car*
It’s a Rav4…that’s kind of it
No frunk cuz still engine
Blue toyota logo – hybrids
Honestly if it weren’t for the wheels and the gas/electric plug cap you’d have no idea
There’s 1 PRIME badge on the back AND ITS RED – not like M cars with Ms all over
The most expensive rav you can get, but again it doesnt look it from here
Fancy seats sure, but other than than just a normal RAV
HOWEVER it does have a lot of toys
Robust safety suite, kick to open tailgate, 360 augmented cameras, pano roof
So yes, it’s the most expensive Rav4, but it’s also the nicest
Modern and functional, crisp LCD screens. Audi always does a nice job with there interiors and I think they are usually ahead of the times/pack
Virtual climate controls? Feedback? Similar to I watch?
Comparing the two cars. I like yeah it’s double the price, do you really get double the car? Everything is just done better, with the latest and greatest technology. Simple example is the rear view monitor/animations. A lot more sophisticated.
Really just looks like an oversized sedan. Obviously that because it’s the sports cal which increases it’s aerodynamic thus increasing the range.