We’ve been singing the praises of the all-new 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime for a while now, but with it falling under the hybrid umbrella, it’s easy to wonder how it differs from the original Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. We love both of these vehicles dearly, but we wanted to take a moment to look at what separates these two versatile crossovers. For this 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime vs 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid comparison, we are going to look at the top two trims for each model to give you the best of what each vehicle has to offer.

2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE	VS	2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited
$41,425	Starting MSRP	$37,030
2.5-Liter Dynamic Force 4-Cylinder engine; 302 combined net horsepower; 177 horsepower @ 6000 rpm; 165 lb.-ft. Torque @ 3600 rpm Electric motor: power output (front/rear) 179/53 horsepower (134/40kW); torque (front/rear) 199/89 lb.-ft. Battery 355.2V	Powertrain	Hybrid 2.5-Liter Dynamic Force 4-Cylinder; 219 combined net horsepower; Internal combustion engine with 176 horsepower 163 lb.-ft. @ 5300 rpm Electric motor: power output (front/rear) 118/54 horsepower (88/40 kW); torque (front/rear) 149/89 lb.-ft. Battery 259.0V
Hybrid Mode: 40 City MPG / 36 Hwy MPG / 38 Combined MPG Electric: 94 Combined MPGe	Fuel Economy	41 City MPG / 38 Hwy MPG / 40 Combined MPG
19-inch five-spoke black-painted and machined sport alloy wheels	Wheels	18-inch five-spoke super-chrome-finished sport alloy wheels

Differences between the RAV4 Prime and the RAV4 Hybrid

The primary difference between the RAV4 Prime and the RAV4 Hybrid is that the RAV4 Prime is a plug-in hybrid vehicle, whereas the RAV4 Hybrid is a hybrid in a more traditional sense. The RAV4 Prime can be driven using only electric power, during which it has a range of up to 42 miles when fully charged. In the process, it can achieve 94 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) with combined city and highway driving. But the RAV4 Hybrid is no slouch in fuel economy either, going toe-to-toe with the RAV4 Prime with its efficiency while driving with the hybrid powertrain. The RAV4 Prime is the most powerful RAV4 in the history of the lineup so far, not to mention its quickest, as it is able to achieve zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds.

With the RAV4 Prime XSE and the RAV4 Hybrid Limited trims, you’ll be getting the top of the line, so you can expect some of the finest features with each vehicle. The Limited Hybrid model is equipped with an eight-inch Premium Audio system that offers navigation and many other features, including Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, which come standard in the entire 2021 RAV4 lineup. In the RAV4 Prime, the XSE trim has a nine-inch touchscreen (eight inches in the SE trim) and has the option for more expansion to include navigation and other features.

We could go on all day about the similarities and differences here, but the key is in the powertrain. With either option, you are getting a sleek, efficient, and capable crossover SUV. If you are in the Bay Area and want to take a look at either of these models, contact us today.