2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid & Prime Review

Hey Toyota! The Intelligent Assistant works with this simple phrase. It’s easy to turn the music up or down. 2024 Toyota RAV4 drivers can use the improved voice powers to search for directions. You can ask the automatic temperature controls to cool off the cabin or turn down the fan.

This system is part of the Connected Service Drive Connect subscription. It also includes Cloud Navigation, which is always up to date. Points of Interest Search is powered by Google. If you need the help of a live agent, you can use Destination Assist.

With an active WiFi hotspot, there are new Integrated Streaming Features. This includes the ability to choose Apple Music or Amazon Music for onboard control.

Sales figures for hybrids indicate that many shoppers are choosing a more affordable way to go green. Forbes recently wrote about Toyota's leadership in the hybrid arena. The brand's many different models, including the awesome RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Prime, certainly show how much better fuel efficient driving really is. Plus these hybrids and plug in hybrids offer all of the amenities, technologies, and other things that make Toyota such a good brand.

An 8-inch multimedia screen and a 7-inch driver’s screen are standard on the 2024 Toyota RAV4. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provide a wireless connection to allow for an effortless interface between the system and your smartphone. With these tools, 2024 RAV4 drivers can send Google Maps or Apple Maps to their screen for easy touch and voice controls.

Toyota's leading dashboard technologies don't stop there. The TRD Off Road and Rav4 Hybrid XSE have a 10.5-inch screen with greater capability and faster speeds. RAV4 Limited and RAV4 Hybrid Limited models add the available 12.3-inch driver's screen behind the steering wheel.

When Wi-Fi is on board, Safety Connect, which is included with a complimentary subscription, provides automatic collision notification. There is an SOS button as well as a direct way to contact 24/7 Emergency Roadside Assistance.

2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrids come in LE, XLE, XLE Premium and Limited models as well as the special 2024 RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition is available. With five trims, there are many price points to provide more opportunities for buyers to find the right fit in price and packaging.

All hybrids come with electronic all-wheel drivetrains. To achieve this, the RAV4 Hybrid has front and rear electric motors. These can power all four wheels individually, if necessary. These two Motor Generators are paired with a 2.5-liter Dynamic Force Engine.

To assist the driver, there are five drive modes. This includes Eco and EV to help the driver get the most out of the electric power and hybrid efficiency. The other three modes are Sport, Normal and Trail.

Trail Mode coordinates the all-wheel drive, the brake and throttle. Engineers designed the system to act like a mechanical limited slip differential on the 2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime is powered by a combination of an electric motor and a 2.5-liter engine. It produces 302 horsepower, making it the speediest in the RAV4 trio of powertrains. Like the regular hybrid, electronic all-wheel drive is standard.

Gas fuel economy is 38 mpg combined, better than most plug in hybrids. Furthermore, the mpg-equivalent is 94 mpg-e which is excellent. Best of all, it can go for 42 miles with its electric range. You can compare that to plug in hybrids that can achieve only 32 miles or less with their electric power.

US News and World Report praises the RAV4 Prime for its peppy acceleration and smooth ride. They call it a well-rounded and capable SUV. Motor Trend writes that it is the quickest non-sports car from Toyota. They rank it number one for compact plug in hybrid SUVs.

There are two choices, the SE and XSE editions. With either trim level, drivers get a worthy package of today's technologies and amenities. You can find financing with our easy loan pre-approval form.

A RAV4 is equipped with a 2.5-L Dynamic Force powertrain. This internal combustion engine (ICE) produces a solid 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque.

To make the most of the ICE power outlay, the electronic-controlled automatic transmission uses a direct-lock up for gears 2 and up. This way the torque converter doesn’t lose power during shifts.

ICE Trim Levels include front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive editions of the LE, XLE, XLE Premium and Limited. All-wheel drive is standard on the RAV4 Adventure and TRD Off Road trims. Dynamic Torque Control allows AWD models to shift power distribution from 100:0 to 50:50 front/rear.

With either the regular or hybrid powertrain, LE models are known as the most affordable, but they come with a long list of driver assistance standards and full dash tech.

XLE models are still priced for those on a budget, and they add more driver aids and a driver’s power seat. XLE Premium has a ritzy cabin with the leatherette upholstery and more available features, such as the 11-speaker audio system.

Plug in Hybrid SE and XSE trims are set apart by their sport-tuned suspension and sporty interior accents. The gas-only Adventure model has a sporty interior and active lifestyle design elements.

2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Editions have the highest ground clearance among the hybrid trim levels. The TRD-tuned suspension adds to its capability. However, the best off-roader is the regular RAV4 TRD Off-Road with its skid plates and all-terain tires.

Limited models provide the ventilated front seats you’d expect from a premium trim. Plus it has many other nice features such as ambient lighting, the top audio system, dual power chairs, and a large screen behind the steering wheel.

The RAV4 ICE models can tow up to 1,500 lbs, and Hybrid Woodland Editions can tow up to 1,750 pounds. However, the RAV4 Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims can boost that to 3,500 lbs. That’s enough for you to pull a few adventure vehicles on a trailer or to bring along a pop-up camper.

Cargo volume is 37.5 cubic feet in the regular and hybrid models. Ground clearance is 8.1 or even 8.6 inches, depending on the trim level.

A power liftgate is available on XLE models and standard on XLE Premium and above models. A hands-free liftgate adds the ability to just kick your foot under the hatch with your key in your pocket.

The Toyota pre-collision system has been updated for 2024. It watches for crash dangers, pedestrians and bicyclists. Now it does a better job of doing this when going through an intersection and making a turn.

These standard systems may trigger an emergency autobrake, another must-have standard. There is an emergency steering assist that can work with the driver during evasive steering to keep the RAV4 from departing the lane accidentally. Additional standards include automatic high beams and Road Sign Assist.

Every RAV4 has full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control. This is unique because so many SUVs today don’t include active cruise as a standard feature. This active cruise system can work with the Lane Departure Alert and its Steering Assist. To that, Toyota adds Lane Tracing Assist to really make this active system complete.

Depending on the trim level and powertrain, a blind spot monitor is on board for safer lane changes.Parking features include the rear cross traffic alert and an autobrake with a front and rear parking assist. In addition there’s a 360-degree perimeter camera with clearance sonar.

There are nine exterior color choices and several two-tone choices. Among the general exterior choices, you will find Ruby Flare Pearl and Ice Cap. There are metallics in Silver Sky or Midnight Black. Some color choices are limited by trim level, including Magnetic Gray Metallic, Army Green and Calvary Blue.

If you like a two-tone look, there are some unique contrast color choices. Woodland Editions offer Army Green with a Midnight Black roof. Adventure models offer an Ice Edge Roof with Army Green.

TRD Off-Road and XSE models offer Magnetic Gray Metallic with that same roof. If you prefer, the Calvary Blue pairs up with Ice Edge for a unique look on the TRD Off-Road.

Depending on the trim level, seats can be covered in shades of Mocha, Black, Ash or Nutmeg. Premium cloth upholstery can be upgraded to Toyota SofTex leather-like fabric.

You can get a closer look when you schedule a test drive. Earnhardt is your Toyota dealer in Phoenix AZ.