Toyota did not, in my opinion, invent the crossover. The first RAV4, an SUV with off-road capability four-wheel drive but constructed on a unibody chassis, just like a Corolla, was however introduced by the firm in 1994. Additionally, this new car category was greatly popularized by its striking look and respectable on-road performance.
The RAV4 has expanded since then. The current RAV4 is by far the most popular vehicle offered by Toyota, and it is far larger than the original two-door variant from the 1990s. The RAV4 has already outsold the Camry, Corolla, and the entire Lexus brand in the US by tens of thousands of vehicles this year.
It has taken a fairly long time to organize this review because of that popularity. Demand was so high when Toyota said it will produce a plug-in hybrid version of its best-selling model that the firm put customer satisfaction ahead of media coverage.
Toyota has a wealth of parallel hybrid manufacturing knowledge, which is leveraged in the plug-in hybrid powertrain. The 2.5 L, four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine found under the hood of the RAV4 Prime is the same engine found in the RAV4 Hybrid, but it has been modified for this new purpose. It powers the front wheels jointly with a pair of the RAV4 Prime’s permanent magnet synchronous motors, producing 177 horsepower (132 kW) and 165 lb-ft (224 Nm).
There are a total of three electric motors. When necessary, the third motor drives the back axle with a maximum output of 53 horsepower (40 kW) and 89 lb-ft, while the pair at the front axle work together to give 179 hp (134 kW) and 199 lb-ft (270 Nm) (121 Nm).
As per typical, calculating the hybrid powertrain’s total combined output by simply putting all the figures together is not straightforward. For example, the 18.1 kWh lithium-ion traction battery has a maximum amount of power it can deliver, and the gasoline engine and electric motors cannot operate at their maximum efficiency simultaneously. The RAV4 Prime is the most powerful and fastest-accelerating RAV4 yet (0-60 mph takes 5.7 seconds, which is roughly as rapid as a mid-2000s Subaru WRX). Net power is still a very respectable 302 horsepower (225 kW).
Although the statistic is helpful for bench racing, buying a RAV4 Prime simply because it is the fastest RAV4 is not the purpose. Since it is a plug-in hybrid, its fuel economy and plug-in range are its most important statistics.
In This Article...
Is the hybrid Toyota RAV 4 a plug-in vehicle?
The EPA puts the plug-in hybrid RAV4 Prime’s electric-only driving range at 42 miles, and it has an 18.1 kWh battery pack that stores its electrons. In our tests, we were able to travel 32 miles on just electricity, but that was on a highway; in a city, we would anticipate a larger driving distance. On the Prime XSE, an optional 6.6-kWh onboard charger reduces the time needed to fully charge to 2.5 hours using a 240-volt outlet from the regular 3.3-kWh onboard charger. It will take around 12 hours to fully charge a device if there is only a 120-volt outlet available.
Is the RAV4 Hybrid of 2021 a plug-in vehicle?
Toyota is renowned for producing fuel-efficient passenger automobiles.
The RAV4 Prime is fuel-efficient, which is not surprising given that the “Prius” continues to be an industry standard. But it goes far beyond that. Strongly performing, the base RAV4 has an EPA rating of 27 mpg city/35 mpg highway. Even more impressive is the EPA rating for the RAV4 Hybrid, which is 41 mpg city/38 mpg highway. But the RAV4 Prime is rated at 94 MPGe thanks to its plug-in technology (and 18.1 kWh battery), which enables the car to travel more than 40 miles on power alone (38 mpg combined). Most owners achieve between 40 and 100 mpg in real-world driving, depending on the length of their journeys and how frequently they recharge. The RAV4 Prime is a great companion for road trips because it can travel roughly 600 miles before needing a fill-up on open roads.
Which hybrid Toyota vehicles are plug-in?
Although EV technology is continually evolving, many drivers may still be hesitant to purchase a fully electric vehicle due to range anxiety. For those who wish to improve on a hybrid without fully committing to an EV, plug-in hybrids are a great compromise, and Toyota provides a number of them. The Prius Prime and the RAV4 Prime are the two Toyota plug-in hybrid models that are currently available, according to the automaker’s website. What you need know about this technology and the Toyota cars that offer it is provided below.
How much range does a RAV4 hybrid have?
The RAV4 can travel 42 miles on battery power alone, which is comparable to most plug-in hybrids, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (68 km). I couldn’t quite equal it, but I could reliably travel 39 miles on a fully charged battery.
How far can a RAV4 Hybrid travel before needing a refill?
Toyota is a fantastic automaker with excellent dependability and gas efficiency. However, you’re correct that it can be challenging to find the Toyota RAV-4 Hybrid’s gas tank size online.
The LE, XLE, and XLE Premium are the three trim levels available for the RAV4 Hybrid.
The good news is that each model’s petrol tank is the same size, holding 14.5 gallons of fuel.
That will keep you traveling for quite some time! At 40 mpg combined city and highway, the hybrid model has exceptional fuel efficiency for its class.
This implies that when combined with its 14.5 gallon tank, each tank will carry you 580 miles.
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Can the RAV4 Hybrid operate only on batteries?
On the RAV4 Prime, you can select an EV mode that only uses the battery or a hybrid mode that combines gas and electricity. Depending on the ambient temperature, how fast you drive, and how rapidly you accelerate, your pure electric range will change.
A hybrid or plug-in hybrid vehicle is better, right?
The electric battery in each full hybrid and plug-in hybrid car is the primary functional difference between them:
- A plug-in hybrid’s battery serves a different function than a hybrid’s. The electric battery serves as the car’s main source of power in plug-in hybrid vehicles. The internal combustion engine takes over when the battery drains. In a full hybrid, the battery only supplies enough power to move the vehicle at modest speeds, such as through towns and cities.
- The electric battery in a plug-in hybrid is larger and more expensive to replace than the electric battery in a complete hybrid, hence the size and price of the batteries are different.
- Another difference between a plug-in hybrid and a full hybrid is the capacity for battery recharging. Regenerative braking may enable a plug-in hybrid to obtain a small charge. A plug-in vehicle must be connected to an external power source in order to fully recharge, however, because it depends more on its larger battery. Regenerative braking is a technique used by full hybrids to replenish their electric batteries. They transform the heat that is produced while braking into electricity that the electric battery can store.
Plug-ins and complete hybrids have one thing in common: once their batteries run out, both vehicles virtually switch to running on gasoline. For a quick comparison of plug-in hybrids and full hybrids, use the table below:
What distinguishes a hybrid vehicle from a plug-in hybrid?
When you drive a standard hybrid car, the batteries are constantly being charged by the gas engine. Standard hybrid vehicles increase fuel efficiency by switching back and forth between their gas and electric motors. Plug-in hybrids have a bigger battery that is charged in your Tampa house using a 120-volt or 240-volt outlet.
What occurs if a plug-in hybrid is not plugged in?
Many manufacturers have gone a step further and equipped their hybrid vehicles with larger batteries. These batteries are recharged by connecting them into either a 240-volt charging station or a conventional 120-volt household outlet. A typical plug-in hybrid, like the 25-mile Prius Prime, recharges in around 5.5 hours using 120-volt household power and in about two hours using a 240-volt charger.
A plug-in hybrid vehicle’s capacity to charge its batteries in advance allows it to run entirely on electricity while using no fuel. Some plug-ins can travel up to 25 miles (see the list below). However, a PHEV’s ability to save gasoline necessitates a larger battery pack to supply those miles of electric-only travel before its internal combustion engine engages to share the load. This leads in a higher cost than a typical hybrid, in addition to additional hardware and software. For instance, a Prius plug-in hybrid costs several thousand dollars more than a standard Prius.
A plug-in hybrid, on the other hand, doesn’t need to be plugged in at all and can run in “hybrid” mode for as long as you keep filling up your gas tank (using a mix of the gas engine and the electric motor or motors).
What distinguishes the RAV4 plug-in hybrid from the RAV4 hybrid?
Although the RAV4 Hybrid has a hybrid drivetrain, it is not as capable of running entirely on electricity as the RAV4 Prime. Additionally, the RAV4 Prime is considerably faster than the Hybrid. The more cost-effective model is the RAV4 Hybrid.
Starting at $39,800 is the RAV4 Prime. It has a 302 hp output. The combined mileage of the PHEV is 38 miles per gallon. Models of the RAV4 Prime are qualified for the $7,500 federal tax credit for electric vehicles.
At $29,075, the RAV4 Hybrid is affordable. The horsepower is 219. The hybrid SUV has a combined mileage of roughly 39 miles per gallon.
What are the drawbacks of a hybrid vehicle?
Hybrids are less heavily built, more financially advantageous, and have a greater resale value. They also charge themselves through regenerative braking. Although they have drawbacks, their benefits sometimes outweigh them.
Eco-friendly: Because hybrids have both an electric motor and a gasoline engine, they utilize less fossil fuel and emit less greenhouse gases as a result. Additionally, they get better gas mileage than regular cars do.
Financial advantages: Tax credits and incentives for hybrid vehicle owners and buyers have been implemented by numerous governments throughout the world. Additionally, they are not subject to environmental fees.
Higher resale value: People are becoming more inclined to switch to hybrids as they become weary of gas price swings and care about the environment. As a result, these automobiles’ resale value keeps rising.
Lighter cars: Because hybrids are made of lightweight materials, they use less energy to operate. Their lighter weight and smaller engines also aid in energy conservation.
Regenerative braking: Hybrid vehicles use a mechanism known as regenerative braking that allows the battery to somewhat recharge whenever the driver applies the brakes. The method extends the amount of time between manual recharges for the driver.
Less power: Hybrid vehicles combine an electric motor with a gasoline engine, with the gasoline engine acting as the primary source of power. As a result, neither the gasoline engine nor the electric motor operate as effectively as they do in standard gasoline or electric cars. But regular drivers who often navigate the city do just fine with hybrid vehicles.
Hybrids are generally more expensive to purchase than regular vehicles at first.
Higher operating costs: Due to their engine and the constant advancement of technology, it may be difficult to locate a technician with the necessary skills. Additionally, they might charge you a little bit more for upkeep and repairs. Moreover, replacing the battery has the highest running cost.
Poor handling: Compared to normal vehicles, hybrids have additional machinery, which adds weight and lowers fuel economy. In order to save weight, hybrid car makers had to create smaller engines and batteries. However, the vehicle’s power and body and suspension support are reduced as a result.
Risk of electrocution: Because hybrid batteries have a high voltage, there is a higher chance that accident victims and first responders will be electrocuted.
A hybrid vehicle combines an electric motor with a gas or diesel engine. When the car is moving at a slower pace, the electric motor drives the wheels. As the speed of the car increases, the gas engine takes over. The batteries are also charged by the motor, and each time the driver applies the brakes, regenerative braking charges the batteries.