The RAV4 Prime is the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of Toyota’s most popular crossover. It boasts 42 miles of all-electric range complemented by a gasoline engine and better drive dynamics than its standard gasoline sibling.

For those who can do the plug, the RAV4 Prime is a best-of scenario for small SUV drivers. It offers about 42 miles of all-electric range, which we found to be a predictable number with 40-41 being the average. After that, the gasoline engine takes over and continues the drive for a couple of hundred more miles or so. This means that in everyday driving, the RAV4 Prime will largely be using just electricity, but when longer-range needs enter, there’s no range anxiety to go with the plug.

The greatest downside to the RAV4 Prime, however, is its price tag. It’s significantly more expensive than its gasoline-only counterpart. And there are only two trim levels for the PHEV version of the RAV4, both equivalent to the higher trim levels of the standard RAV4. And, like the other RAV4 options, the 2022 RAV4 Prime has an oddball front passenger seat that lacks a lot of adjustment and comfort options.

On the plus side, the simple AWD system that comes standard with the RAV4 Prime has a gasoline engine and electric-motor-enhanced transmission up on the front axle and an electric motor in the back. This means that the all-wheel drive is done without added mechanical parts, which means less efficiency loss and less wear and tear. To accommodate the larger 18.1 kWh battery pack, Toyota boosted power with that extra motor to a total of 302 horsepower for the RAV4 Prime.

If one charges the batteries daily, either at home (12 hours on a 120V outlet, 4.5 on a 240V) or at work, the daily drive is not likely to use a drop of gasoline. Then, on weekends or extended drives where plugging in isn’t as easy, the gasoline motor does the work instead. This can mean significant fuel cost savings and maintenance requirements over time. Probably not enough to fully pay back the premium paid to get the RAV4 Prime, but enough to make a good dent in the added purchase price.

Comparatively, the RAV4 is a bit bigger than the Sportage with more interior room and cargo space. The Kia is slightly cheaper with a better warranty, however, and may be worth cross comparing before making a decision.

Also a bit smaller than the RAV4 Prime, the Ford Escape Plug-in has less interior room, but it’s sportier and more fun to drive and has a little more versatility to its interior layout thanks to flatter-folding rear seats.

Pricing for the 2022 RAV4 Prime starts at about $41,500, but most buyers are probably going to be in the $43,000 range with options and delivery added. Competitors are generally about $1,000 cheaper. For comparison, a like-priced RAV4 gasoline model is about $6,000 lower in price when slated against the RAV4 Prime.

The table below shows the most common trim levels and how much they will run you.

Toyota made no significant changes to the RAV4 Prime for the 2022 model year. It remains as it was when introduced in the 2021 model year. This is the fifth generation of the RAV4, which was one of the first compact SUVs to hit the U.S. market.

The best part of hybrid vehicles, especially electric-centric ones like plug-ins, is acceleration. The RAV4 Prime has a much faster jump from zero to 60 than its gasoline counterparts. It’s about three seconds faster in that sprint and that’s all thanks to electric motivation. Not waiting for torque has a big impact on how smooth-driving and fast-paced a vehicle can be.

That smooth uptake is complemented with predictable handling and a good vehicle balance overall. The RAV4 Prime isn’t a sports car and doesn’t carve corners or drift across the lanes of a race track, but it’s a smooth and easy to control vehicle in most driving situations. The added confidence of the electric motors’ output aids this tremendously.

Until it comes to braking. That’s where Toyota failed on this version of the RAV4. Braking is spongy at best and seems to take too long. We weren’t impressed. The brakes are just barely good enough for everyday use, but they extinguish a lot of the confidence that the other dynamics of this SUV bring.

In all, the 2022 Toyota RAV4 Prime is a good goer with plenty going for it. It’s an easy vehicle to live with as a daily driver.

The Ford Bronco has received safety ratings that aren’t as good as many crossover-style SUVs, but better than some of its similarly-designed truck-based competitors.

Most reliability ratings outlets seem to agree that the 2022 model year of the RAV4 Prime is a good one. Many of the kinks of the new model were ironed out in the 2021 model year, with 2022 bringing scores up across the board. Especially at J.D. Power and Consumer Reports.

Toyota itself enjoys a reputation as one of the most reliable nameplates in automotive today. And it’s enjoyed that position for some time, keeping high scores throughout the past decade. The company’s conservative approach to mechanical design and its legendary quality assurance programs at its factories have paid off.

Unless every gizmo available is your goal, we’d go with the base model RAV4 Prime. The SE offers a lot of amenities as standard and Toyota’s full suite of safety gadgets as well. Depending on your location and need for a sound system, we’d then add the Weather Package or Audio Package (which also adds the Weather Package).

Get the costlier XSE only if you need to add on the fast charger option, which we feel is kind of pointless in a plug-in hybrid, or the panoramic sunroof. There are several other things that are only available via the XSE package (but aren’t included), but none of them are things we think are must-haves for most buyers. The larger wheels on the XSE actually reduce ride quality and the 9-inch touchscreen isn’t much of an upgrade from the 8 that comes standard.

The warranty on the RAV4 Prime is basic for the class and industry.

• Basic: 3 years / 36k miles
• PowerTrain: 5 years / 50k miles
• Corrosion: 5 years / Unlimited miles
• Hybrid (and battery): 10 year / 150k miles
• Maintenance: 2 years / 25k miles complimentary

This generation of the RAV4 Prime is fairly new, so finding a used model will require a lot of hunting. The RAV4 has a high resale value and is fairly sought-after on the market as is, so hoping for the PHEV is even more of a stretch.

We’d recommend buying new to take advantage of Toyota’s long battery and EV powertrain warranty as well as free scheduled maintenance.

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