The Most Powerful Toyota RAV4 Ever Has A Hefty Price Tag

It's $10,000 more than the standard RAV4 Hybrid.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime was revealed at last year's Los Angeles Auto Show as the most powerful RAV4 variant ever. Like the Prius Prime, the RAV4 Prime is a plug-in hybrid but unlike the Prius, this one receives a healthy power increase over its gasoline and traditional hybrid counterparts.

The RAV4 Prime packs the same 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine found in other RAV4 models but with a larger battery and two powerful electric motors, it producing a whopping 302 horsepower. That's 83 hp more than the RAV4 hybrid and enough to get the vehicle up to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds. All of this performance sounds pretty impressive but it does come at a premium. Toyota has just revealed pricing for the 2021 RAV4 Prime starting at $38,100.

For reference, a RAV4 Hybrid LE costs nearly $10,000 less with a starting MSRP of $28,350. In the Prime's defense though, you do get a lot for your extra $10,000. For starters, Toyota estimated it will boast a 42-mile EV-only range, which is the best of any available PHEV SUV. The Prime also achieves up to 94 combined (manufacturer-estimated) MPGe. RAV4 Prime buyers may also qualify for a $7,500 federal tax credit.

Pricing also isn't directly comparable to the standard RAV4 Hybrid because the Prime will only be offered in two trim levels. The base SE model includes 18-inch wheels, heated front seats, seven-inch multi-information display, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, leather steering wheel and shift knob with red stitching, a power liftgate, and an eight-inch touchscreen. A Weather & Moonroof Package is available for $1,665, adding a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, and rain-sensing wipers.

Stepping up to the RAV4 Prime XSE for $41,425 unlocks available two-tone exterior paint schemes. The XSE trim also adds 19-inch wheels, LED accents, paddle shifters, moonroof, SofTex seats, wireless phone charger, ambient lighting, auto-dimming mirror, and nine-inch touchscreen. Buyers can add a Weather Package for $815, Weather and Audio Package for $2,435, or Weather with Audio and Premium Package for$5,760.

The third option includes niceties such as a digital rearview mirror, panoramic roof, red stitching, bird's eye camera, power passenger seat, smart key on all four doors, heated and ventilated front seats, parking assist, adaptive headlights, head-up display. All RAV4 models come with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS 2.0) as-standard. Toyota says the 2021 RAV4 Prime will arrive in dealers starting this summer.