2021 Toyota RAV4: Changes, PHEV, price

Toyota’s recently redesigned RAV4 compact crossover SUV continues to be one of the best-selling vehicles in the US. The pickup trucks are dominating force in the US and they take the first three positions on sales charts while the RAV4 follows with more than 400, 000 examples sold per year in the last three model years. 

The RAV4 was all-new for the 2019 model year when it arrived with more powerful powertrain, more tech and with bolder styling. The 2020 model brought the off-road TRD-Pro trim and Apple Car Play integration. The 2021 Toyota RAV4 will also have something new to offer and we are talking about the new RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid version.

A new electrified RAV4 version promises better performance than already available options with up to 39 miles of pure-electric range per charge. The model should appear in SE and XSE trim options. The already available version should return with some revisions in the equipment availability only. 

2021 Toyota RAV4

2021 Toyota RAV4: Design

The redesigned, fifth-generation RAV4 arrived for the 2019 model year based on the front-wheel-drive Toyota New Global Architecture and with bolder styling. The 2021 Toyota RAV4 remains the same visually and structurally except the new RAV4 Prime PHEV version which comes with few unique styling details.

The RAV4 plug-in hybrid comes in SE and XSE trim lines and both versions feature specific exterior details. The SE version will ride on 18-inch sporty-design wheels combined with the Prime-specific grille style and piano-black trim inserts. The XSE upgrades to 19-inch wheels switching also to the two-tone exterior paint treatment with the floating black-finished roof. This version will also have vertical LED accent lights.

Interior, Equipment:

The cabin of the next 2021 Toyota RAV4 will return in the same form. The model provides up to 69 cubic feet of cargo space or up to 37 cubes with the rear seats up.

The new RAV4 SE PHEV version comes with a heated front row, an 8-way power driver’s seat with lumbar adjustment, a power liftgate, an 8-inch touchscreen, and options such as heated steering wheel, a moonroof, and heated rear seats. The XSE gets attention with synthetic leather seats, wireless charging, ambient lighting and options like navigation and upgraded sound system.

Every Toyota RAV4 is fitted with active safety equipment including adaptive cruise control, active lane control, forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, road sign detection, and automatic high beams. The new PHEV version will also be equipped with blind-spot monitoring by default.

2021 Toyota RAV4

2021 Toyota RAV4: Performance,MPG

On the performance front, the new 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime PHEV employs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine good for 176 hp but assisted by two electric motors for the net output of 302 hp. The rear-mounted electric motor provides an all-wheel-drive capability for every Prime version. Toyota claims that a new version will need 5.8 seconds for 60 mph. The model should also provide up to 39 miles of pure-electric drive per charge. 

The RAV4 will again be available powered just by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine good for 203 hp and torque of 184 pound-feet. The engine is hooked up to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The front-wheel drive will be standard on most trims except the Adventure and TRD Pro trims which get the all-wheel drive by default.

The base 2021 Toyota RAV4 with the front-wheel drive should manage 26 mpg city and 35 highway or 30 mpg combined. The all-wheel drive will reduce the fuel economy ratings to 25 mpg city, 33 highway and 28 combined.

Buyers will also have a chance to get the RAV4 Hybrid. This version combines a 2.5-liter inline-4 with continuously variable transmission and electric motor. The system provides 219 hp with the fuel economy rated at 41 mpg city, 38 highway or 40 mpg combined.

The Toyota RAV4 can also be transformed to the off-roader when equipped with the TRD Pro goodies. This version adds the all-terrain tires and off-road-tuned suspension.

2021 Toyota RAV4: Release, Price

The new 2021 Toyota RAV4 with the plug-in hybrid setup will join the current range in summer 2020. Toyota hasn’t yet commented on the price of the PHEV version but it should start at low $30, 000. The base RAV4 should again start at about $26, 000.

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