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The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime is the future of SUVs. Toyota cleverly enhanced the most popular SUV in the country with electric motors. Not only did this improve the RAV4’s fuel economy, but it also made it more powerful.

The 2021 RAV4 Prime is quicker than ever before

Many characteristics come to mind when consumers think of the Toyota RAV4. It’s known to be reliable, it’s affordable. The RAV4 was never particularly quick…until now.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime is changing everything we know about the RAV4. According to Edmunds, the Toyota RAV4 XLE is currently the most popular trim, but that may soon change because of the RAV4 Prime’s unique powertrain. The RAV4 Prime uses a hybrid powertrain that consists of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors. The motors and engine work together to make a massive 302 horsepower.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 only makes 203 horsepower. Thanks to electric motors, the Prime model makes almost 100 extra horses. The Prime’s 302 horsepower is exhilarating, especially for a vehicle of its size.

The RAV4 Prime takes fuel efficiency to the next level

A red 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime is driving on the road.
The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, so it is naturally fuel-efficient. It gets 40 miles per gallon in the city and 36 miles per gallon on the highway. The RAV4 Prime also can travel 42 miles on just electricity.

The Toyota RAV4 is fairly fuel-efficient, but it only gets 30 miles per gallon combined. The RAV4 Prime has raised the stakes and set a new standard for SUV fuel economy. As more popular automakers produce plug-in hybrid SUV models, the average fuel economy will only increase. The RAV4 Prime will save consumers plenty of money at the gas pump, and it’s even eligible for an electric vehicle tax credit because of its hybrid powertrain.

The RAV4 Prime is one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles in the entire automobile industry. Unlike the Toyota Prius, it doesn’t strike consumers as boring just because it’s a hybrid model.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime is actually much more affordable than it seems

A red 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime on display during the AutoMobility LA event, at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show in Los Angeles, California on November 21, 2019. - The four-day press and trade event precedes the Los Angeles Auto Show, which runs November 22 through December 1.
The Toyota RAV4 Prime | Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime starts at $38,350. What many consumers don’t know is the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is actually eligible for a $7,500 electric vehicle tax credit as part of a United States government incentive to get consumers to buy more hybrid and electric vehicles. This brings the RAV4 Prime’s total cost to $30,850 after applicable tax credits.

The RAV4 Prime is actually more affordable than other RAV4 trims that provide less value in terms of comfort, power, and fuel economy. The RAV4 Prime is the future of SUVs because it makes great fuel economy look good.

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