The Basic Stats

The 2022 RAV4 Prime is an all-wheel-drive plug-in gas-electric hybrid that Toyota presents in SE and XSE trim levels. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine joins a trio of electric motors to produce 302 horsepower in total system output; they work with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Drivers will enjoy that signature electrified torque, as the vehicle’s 0-to-60 time is 5.7 seconds, which is speedy for a crossover.

The EPA’s official fuel economy information states that both trim levels of the RAV4 Prime return 40 miles per gallon in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, and 94 MPGe (miles per gallon of gasoline equivalent). It provides 42 miles of all-electric driving before switching to the combustion engine. With a 6.6kW charger, the ‘22 RAV4 Prime will reach its full battery capacity in just 2.5 hours. The maximum towing capacity is 2,500 pounds.

Standard and Available Equipment

Base models tend to have greater standard features when there’s only a couple of trims, and such is the case with the RAV4 Prime SE. It gets heated front seats (the driver’s is power-adjustable), a power liftgate with proximity open, LED headlights, dual-zone automatic climate control, low-profile roof rails (black), proximity entry for the front doors, push-button start, a 7-inch multi-information display, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a 60/40-split rear seatback that reclines and folds forward, and a retractable cover for the cargo area. Its exterior mirrors are deluxe, coming with a heat feature to melt wintertime frost as well as integrated turn-signal and blind-spot warning indicators.

Upgrades to the XSE include a moonroof, SofTex seats with fabric inserts, a two-tone exterior treatment, vertical LED exterior accent lights, ambient interior lighting (blue), wireless device charging, paddle shifters, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink.

Toyota offers some optional packages as well. For the SE, there’s the Weather and Moonroof Package, which will add a heated/leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated rear outboard seats, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a moonroof. The XSE is eligible for the Weather Package (heated steering wheel and rain-sensing wipers) as well as the well-stocked Premium Package. That bundle upgrades the charger to the 6.6kW version and adds a slew of desirable amenities: navigation, ventilated front seats, heated rear outboard seats, a head-up display, a panoramic glass roof, position memory for the driver’s seat, a power front passenger’s seat, a digital rearview mirror, proximity entry for all doors, a 120V cargo area power outlet, and a hands-free liftgate, plus more driver-assist features (a surround-view monitor and front and rear parking sensors).

Active Safety and Technology

The infotainment system has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an audio system with six speakers. The touchscreen is 8 inches in the SE and 9 inches in the XSE. Both trims are equipped with two 12-volt power outlets, four USB charge ports, and one USB data port.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 is included as a standard package of the latest active safety features. These include automatic high-beam headlights, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane tracing assist, full-speed dynamic radar cruise control, and road sign assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are also found on both trims of the 2022 RAV4 Prime.