The AWD Plug-In Hybrid SUV With The Best Fuel Economy In 2024

In recent years, hybrid vehicles have become some of the most popular choices for buyers across the U.S. Bridging the gap between all-electric models with the combustion engines we’re familiar with, hybrid vehicles manage to resolve the issue of high fuel consumption while retaining the driving range combustion engines are capable of.

With multiple different hybrid powertrains available in 2024, the plug-in hybrid is the most versatile, offering all the efficiency and performance benefits of pure electric power. It’s no surprise that the SUV segment has seen so much success with PHEV technology, particularly when including dual electric motors. This gives the vehicle an all-wheel-drive driveline, which in itself introduces its own benefits to SUVs.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime is the plug-in hybrid variation of the brand’s midsize crossover SUV, which offers the best overall fuel economy ratings as well as including all-wheel-drive as standard. Here’s a closer look at what you get with the class-leading 2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Toyota and other authoritative sources, including the EPA.

2024 Toyota RAV4-29

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The 2024 Toyota RAV4 Offers 94 MPGe Combined

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Compared to mild hybrids and full hybrids, plug-in hybrid models use the electric motor/s as the default power source. Due to this, the 2024 RAV4 Prime offers a standout fuel economy rating of 94 MPGe, as per the EPA. When driving on regular fuel, the 2.5-liter combustion engine under the hood offers 40 MPG in the city, 36 MPG on the highway, and 38 MPG combined, which is still a solid amount to run on if the electric motors run out of juice.

The 2024 RAV4 Prime Starts At $43,690

As expected, the plug-in hybrid version of the 2024 Toyota RAV4 is at the top of the price range. Due to the larger batteries and dependence on electric power, PHEVs almost always cost more than their hybrid counterparts. In the RAV4 Prime’s case, it costs $11,965 more than the 2024 RAV4 Hybrid, which starts at $31,725.

The 2024 RAV4 Prime is offered in two different trims: the base SE and the top-spec XSE, which starts at $47,560. Despite the increase in cost, the XSE trim features the same PHEV powertrain as the base trim, therefore offering the same fuel economy ratings. The differences between the trims can be found inside, with the XSE trim coming with features such as dual-zone automatic climate control and SoftTex-trimmed seats as standard.

An All-Electric Range Of 42 Miles

Another area in which the 2024 RAV4 Prime excels is the total all-electric range, offering 42 miles of electric power until the combustion engine kicks in. The crossover SUV comes with a 6.6 kW charger onboard, which can recharge the RAV4 Primes’ battery in approximately two hours and 30 minutes at a 240V charging station outlet, according to Toyota. To achieve a full charge on a standard 120V outlet, the time increases to around 12 hours.

Although plugging the RAV4 Prime in is the only way to fully recharge the battery, the 2024 RAV4 Prime can regain some of its electric charge through onboard charging while the engine is running and its regenerative braking system. Together, the RAV4 Prime’s hybrid powertrain provides an overall driving range of 600 miles.

2024 Toyota RAV4

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Its Advanced Plug-In Hybrid Powertrain

To deliver range-topping fuel economy and a standout electric-only range, the RAV4 requires a sophisticated plug-in hybrid powertrain to keep it ultra-competitive within its segment. The powertrain offers great efficiency and provides class-leading performance to justify its higher price tag.

A 2.5-liter Four-Cylinder Engine Paired With Dual Electric Motors

For the combustion engine, the 2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime is fitted with a low-tune 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that comes from the gas-powered and hybrid models. In comparison, the gas-powered model produces 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The RAV4 Prime produces 177 horsepower and 165 pound-feet of torque, but this is bumped up to 302 net horsepower when combined with the two electric motors.

As for the two batteries featured in the RAV4 Prime, the front motor produces a hefty 179 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque. Moving to the rear axle, the second motor delivers a lesser 53 horsepower and 89 pound-feet of torque.

The reason for the SUV focusing more power on the front motor is due to the on-demand all-wheel-drive driveline, which removes the driveshafts and replaces them with electric motor generators. This disconnects the front and rear wheels completely, meaning the rear wheels are turned off when traction isn’t needed. The RAV4 subsequently benefits from both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive.

2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime Performance Specifications

Powertrain

2.5-liter Four-Cylinder with Two Electric Motors

Horsepower

302 HP

Torque

288 LB-FT

Transmission

Single-Speed e-CTV

Combined Range

600 Miles

Fuel Economy

94 MPGe

0-60 MPH

5.8 Seconds

Top Speed

124 MPH

(Data sourced from Toyota, and the EPA)

A Solid Power Output Providing Decent Speed

Thanks to its class-leading power output, the 2024 RAV4 Prime delivers just as impressive performance specs. The crossover SUV can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 5.7 seconds, maxing out at 124 miles per hour. For an SUV, these stats are pretty impressive even with electric power behind them.

In order to put its power down as efficiently as possible, the RAV4 Prime comes equipped with seven different drive modes for every scenario. These include sport, trail, and normal modes, along with EV mode, HV mode, auto EV/HV mode, and charge mode.

In EV mode, the RAV4 Prime will only use its electric motors to provide drive, whereas, in hybrid mode, it switches between the two depending on your current scenario. EV/HV mode relies more on electric power in urban areas to conserve fuel but will switch to the combustion engine in more demanding situations.

Red 2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime Driving

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The RAV4 Prime Comes With The Latest Technology Inside And Out

Moving away from the powertrain of the 2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime, the flagship PHEV crossover comes with cutting-edge technology everywhere you look. Safety and driver assistance technology has also seen some incredible gains over the last few years, which the RAV4 Prime must definitely take advantage of.

Intuitive Cabin Tech

In the center of the 2024 RAV4 Prime’s cabin is an eight-inch multimedia display, which gives you convenient access to all the entertainment settings the SUV offers. The screen size upgrades to 10.25 inches for the XSE trim. Behind the wheel, a seven-inch multi-information display is available, keeping all the vital information while driving as accessible as possible. Once again, the XSE gets a larger screen at 12.3 inches as standard.

Additional interior technology includes the head-up display, which introduces a small but massively effective addition to the overall convenience behind the wheel. An essential feature of modern vehicles is connectivity, something that RAV4 brings in with five USB ports and Qi-compatible wireless charging.

All The Necessary Driver Assistance Features

As with the majority of new Toyota models in 2024, the RAV4 Prime comes equipped with Toyota’s Safety Sense package, which includes:

• Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
• Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
• Automatic High Beams
• Lane Tracing Assist
• Road Sign Assist
• Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control

In addition to the Safety Sense package, the 2024 RAV4 comes equipped with the Star Safety system, which focuses on improving brake performance. This system includes an anti-lock brake system, electronic brake force distribution, and smart stop technology. Enhanced vehicle stability control and traction control are also included in this package.

2023 RAV4 Prime SE

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What The RAV4 Prime Goes Up Against

Not surprisingly, the 2204 Toyota RAV4 Prime is in one of the most competitive hybrid segments in the industry. Manufacturers from around the world are now taking advantage of cutting-edge powertrains, with most of Toyota’s direct competition also coming from Asia. However, the United States also puts its best foot forward in the hotly contested segment.

The 2024 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid

One of the closest rivals to the Toyota RAV4 is the 2024 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid, which starts at a lesser $34,390 for the base EX trim. Despite being compared often, the two models share quite a few differences, mainly that the Niro PHEV is front-wheel-drive only.

This gives the crossover SUV a combined EPA-estimated 108 MPGe, but of course, loses out on the benefits of receiving power to all four wheels. Subsequently, the power output for the 2024 Niro PHEV is down compared to the RAV4 Prime, producing 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque from its 1.6-liter four-cylinder. As for the electric-only range, the Niro PHEV can go for up to 33 miles.

The 2024 Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid

Moving Stateside, one of the most competitive plug-in hybrid SUVs is undoubtedly the 2024 Ford Escape, which also starts at a lower price than the RAV4 Prime. The Ford Escape PHEV begins at $40,500, but once again loses out on all-wheel-drive. The regular hybrid models have access to Ford’s intelligent all-wheel-drive system, but it’s left out on the plug-in hybrid trim.

Powered by a 2.5-liter inline-four combined with a single electric motor, the 2024 Ford Escape plug-in hybrid is good for 163 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. With a combined 101 MPGe, the Ford Escape does edge out the 2024 RAV4 Prime, but once again doesn’t get the performance and versatility of Toyota’s leading plug-in hybrid crossover SUV.