Skip to main content

Toyota has been a frontrunner in the automotive industry regarding hybrid vehicle technology since the release of the original Toyota Prius. Now there are many other options, including the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.

With the next-generation Prius hitting dealerships sporting a drastic new design, where does this leave Toyota’s ever-popular RAV4 Hybrid? Does the bigger RAV4 have any advantages compared to the new cutting-edge Prius? Here is everything you need to know about how the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid fares compared to the brand-new 2023 Toyota Prius.

The RAV4 sweeps the competition in cargo space

While the 2023 Toyota Prius is incredibly impressive, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid beats the Prius in one key category—cargo space.

Because the RAV4 SUV is a much bigger vehicle than the Prius sedan, this may come as no surprise for many, but for those consumers who want a hybrid vehicle with SUV cargo and passenger space, the RAV4 may be the better option for you.

A silver 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid parked in a black and white room.
2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid | Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

According to MotorTrend, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is nearly a foot taller and a few inches wider than the 2023 Prius, and it also offers 3 inches more legroom for rear passengers.

Compared to the 2023 Toyota Prius, the RAV4 Hybrid nearly doubles the number of cubic feet available for storage.

The 2023 Prius excels in every other category

When comparing the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and the Toyota Prius, the new 2023 Prius beats the RAV4 Hybrid in every category other than cargo space.

The Prius achieves an incredible fuel economy rating of 52 mpg city and 52 mpg highway, while the much bigger RAV4 Hybrid gets around 41 mpg city and 38 mpg highway.

The Prius also beats the RAV4 in technology and features, especially when looking at the infotainment system found in the Prius, which includes a new 12.3-inch touchscreen.

The 2023 Toyota Prius beats out the RAV4 Hybrid in safety features and pricing as well, with the Prius starting at $27,450 MSRP and the base model RAV4 Hybrid starting at $30,725 MSRP.

2023 Toyota Prius: specs and price

Coming off a brand new and much-needed redesign is the 2023 Toyota Prius. While the Prius models of the past were fairly basic in design, the 2023 Prius is hitting dealer lots, showcasing a brand-new redesign that puts some futuristic EV designs to shame.

Every Prius is outfitted with a 2.0L four-cylinder hybrid engine producing between 194 hp and 196 hp, depending on your trim level. Getting around 200 hp out of an economy hybrid car is no small feat, and the Prius does so while also getting up to 57 mpg combined.

The 2023 Toyota Prius can be purchased in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It offers a whole lineup to choose, starting with the base LE trim, costing $27,450 with no packages, all the way up to the luxurious Limited trim, starting at $34,465 MSRP. Every trim level is available in either front or all-wheel drive.

While the RAV4 is still an incredible vehicle, especially in its hybrid form, the 2023 Prius is so impressive that it is worth a test drive, even if you are set on buying a hybrid SUV.