2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime: It's A Shame Toyota Doesn't Build More Of These

Today I drive and review a 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE AWD!
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[@rammanohar8161]

This car is a diamond in the car industry

[@russdennis7026]

Got my '23 Prime XSE for sticker. It's all about who you know these days. I refused to pay the greedy dealer $10,000 markup and I'm so glad I waited. I love this suv so much and it's quick too.

[@steve2359g]

I love your POV camera! Just like being in the driver's seat myself! Well Done!

[@bradleyhoyt3188]

I just recently bought a 2015 Toyota RAV4 LE. Only one previous owner, excellent shape. I love it. I only hope years from now when I have to do another trade in I'm fortunate enough to get another one. :) Love my RAV4.

[@neildesposito1492]

Good honest review, we appreciate it . 👍

[@CaliwoodHills]

I was offered a RAV 4 Prime but I decided to go for the Hybrid XSE fully loaded because the Prime was to expensive. And since I live in an apartment villa I don’t have a garage to charge the prime 😅

[@nomadjedimaster7690]

Me to man ,I feel ya..but just so you know the charging is optional just to get the max mileage

[@shahsmerdis]

RAV4 hybrid has better mpg if you aren't gonna plug in. Battery is heavy. Where did you find the RAV4? I can't find any

[@tsdr6830]

There available at some dealerships if you look around. There's one at my dealership. It's a Brand New 2024 Rav4 Prime in white. I got a New 2024 Rav4 Prime in Magnetic gray metallic. Last i checked it's still available. Mikecalvert toyotaMike​@shahsmerdis

[@Aschoolbusandsimulatorfan2219]

My very first hybrid SUV! Nice review Ben.

[@aveightr1]

Had my RAV4 Prime XSE for a week now. Love it! 21 miles to work, and they have free Level 2 charging at work, so this was worth the premium for us. NJ dealer has a few in stock, with a few more added every few weeks. 5% dealer markup 😒 is frustrating, but on the same level or better than many others. I think we’ll have the roof racks removed, as I think it will make the ride a bit quieter at higher speeds.

[@GarryBurgess]

The dealer told me that the waiting list was greater than 5 years, so they wouldn't take any orders for a Rav4 Prime.I don't expect that this is going to change any time soon. I'd buy one in a heartbeat if it ever became available.

[@10schimmelg]

I can pickup a Rav4 prime today but in states where I do not live. They are out there and dealers are getting new ones.

[@jsb1221]

There are lots on the used market with low kms (dealer demos etc)

[@pbear216]

It must depend on where you live. I walked in and bought mine a week later.

[@AFRetPA]

I'd buy one today, if my local dlr could get them. They tell me that the wait list is a year. I've got them keeping their eyes peeled for one, and they're supposed to call me if something comes available. I have put down a deposit, just to keep the fires lit. I’ll be checking nback with them.

[@McGuinness89]

I got mine a week later. 5 years makes no sense

[@ronwolff2066]

I just got one, and the review seems spot on. He might want to talk a little slower in certain sections of the video (especially the end) so the listener can actually understand the words.

[@allendavid4139]

I’d stick with the normal hybrid.Hopefully you can get you’re hands on the Corolla Hybrid AWD when one of those arrives

[@tanyand]

I wish you should have shown more of the new gauge cluster and infotainment system

[@Onyxus_Music]

Been looking at this, the Prime XSE, and the non plug-in hybrid XSE, but unsure what to get, specially since they’re practically identical besides the horsepower and full EV mode when needed. Would you be able to do a comparison between both models or help me with a comparison, please? Thank you! Keep on making these amazing videos! They help out so much! ☺️

[@alfontana6242]

We have a 2022 RAV 4 Prime, base model SE, with the sunroof option package purchased new in March 2002 for MSRP and not a penny more. So far over 15,500 miles on the odometer. Plug in Hybrids are the way to go right now. No range anxiety, and even running just on gas without ever plugging it in you still get a solid 35-45 MPG. With a full charge electric range depending on weather, road conditions, speed, etc. are 35-55+ miles, with us living here in Northwestern Oregon on the Coast. I don't get it why GM who developed the Chevy Volt, a true plug in electric, ceased production in 2019 with the Volt. They could have by now a SUV plug in Hybrid, AWD, that gets 50 miles on electric and 35-45 MPG on gas., and they could not make enough of them to meet demand. Crazy isn't it....

[@christiancontreras4051]

Ended up going with a subaru forester wilderness because the Rav 4 Prime was nowhere to be found.

[@PostprandialTorpor]

This car has my soul and heart but my brain tells me what’s the point it’s so hard to get in with Mark ups we’re talking about $55-$60,000 out the door. Why buy that when I can get a Tesla model Y long range that goes 330 miles and after state and federal rebates, I save 7500 t two 9500 which brings it out the door price down to 46,000 or less. I’m not a fan of musk, nor am I a tesla fan boy, but those numbers are really hard to argue with especially since the model Y has more cargo space

[@portnuefflyer]

Just bought a 2021, 22 K miles, for 40 K, at least I was able to get it without a wait! Selling my plug in Prius.

[@jw6451]

this car was exciting up until it wasn't eligible for the $7,500 rebate.. now it's just overpriced

[@paulira7407]

Correct. In 2021, I was able to buy my Prime for MSRP and I qualified for the $7,500 tax credit. No way would I’ve payed over MSRP for the Prime, especially without the $7,500 tax credit.

[@deanb3033]

Add that to a long list of overpriced vehicles. I want one of these just because it's a great vehicle, imho

[@noblekitty]

If it's still selling, it isn't overpriced yet.

[@jonathanbeswick9414]

These are very good my dad had had a hibrid care for four years but the entertainment sis is not good my dad's car is a69 reg

[@N20Joe]

I wish they'd make a Camry or Corolla with the electric motors that are in the Rav4 Prime. that would be a punchy little car and I'd buy one tomorrow (if they could get them in stock)!

[@CHN-fh2sn]

Well I guess Toyota Murray maybe does sell above MSRP (10:52) at just like "California dealers". *MSRP Pricing excludes Rav4 Prime. (* from their website)

[@kenmccune8843]

Rav4 is a awesome SUV

[@guitarman3001]

Great review. I've managed to reserve an XSE with premium package but man, I'm having a hard time justifying it. The way the dealer ordered it, it comes with just over $1K of add-on options like mud guards, roof rack bars, etc, and the dealer is adding a $4K "security" package. Price for the car before tax, tag, is $55K. At that price it's almost what you'd pay for a Lexus PHEV. I'm in California where electricity is the most expensive in the Continental USA so charging at home wouldn't really save me any money in gas. Plus the increase in insurance going from a 2017 to a much more expensive 2023, then the cost to install a Level 2 charger at home. How are regular people justifying/affording buying one of these??? I haven't decided one way or the other yet and yeah, it's nice to have a new car with a lot of new technology that my current one doesn't have but that's a big expense for basically just the satisfaction of having a newer/nicer car. I guess it's the same as someone who picks a BMW over a Honda Accord, but in this case the Toyota Rav4 is supposed to be the BMW? But...almost $60K for a Rav4?? Seems like insanity.

[@jw6451]

It's crazy how currently, the tesla model y is cheaper than this

[@shawn_magnum9208]

Go for Hyundai Tucson. Much better interior, premium features for Limited version that are not available in Rav4. And all of that just $38k MSRP. No markups either

[@litrick5471]

Feels to me like it's for a very niche market like for people who already have their homes setup with solar power and so aren't worried about paying to charge it daily

[@davevolz6138]

X3 M is 90 k so its all relative

[@heresdamian]

You can get by on a lvl 1 charge since it's not a full EV

[@crow_2k11beatsbydre8]

Mr Hardy always enjoy your reviews, RAV4 Prime is unfortunately months to years wait time........

[@llldaslll1590]

I have a Fusion Energi PHEV and would sell it for one of these in a heartbeat if it was available anywhere. They should be mass producing these. It's the best of both worlds.

[@paulholterhaus7084]

What do You call Mass Produced........Toyota sold over 400,00 of these last Year in just the US........The MOST mass produced car in the World....Period..............Paul

[@ColonelZanders]

When used versions are going for greater then new msrp, its hard to negotiate with any dealers adding those bs dealer premiums. Even hard to find XSE w/premium online like at carmax, carvana, etc. Toyota needs to really crank up production of these beasts, they really can do everything!

[@tsdr6830]

The Rav4 Primes are Made in Japan. That's why there hard to come buy. The regular Rav4 and hybrids are made here in the US.

[@mahmmadpatel5112]

Need this one in Ontario

[@tell-dtruth5470]

This car is classified as CAV Clean Air Vehicle in California. Wonder how it works with a gasoline engine on board? Thanks!

[@nolanburton1025]

I'd love to purchase one but it is apparently impossible right now. Can I get on a waiting list? Can I choose the color/model? Toyota is SO smart but they seemed to have dropped the ball on availability.

[@Chazz8Tube]

Coming from 4 previous Toyota hybrid & Plug-ins, I changed my “allocation” from a Rav4 Hybrid to a Prime after waiting 3 months for Japan build with adaptive headlights (2021 Rav4 models). THEN I waited another 8 months for my “allocation” to arrive in the first wave of R4Primes to make it to USA. Cut to the chase, I now am driving the best vehicle I’ve ever owned (BVIEO) and feeling like I’m half my age when driving with full 302HP (ICE all warmed up) and I’m teleporting through traffic. So that is the good news (I got my R4P). The bad news is that my BVIEO is the wrong color, I wanted Blueprint and I got only other color I would accept, silver. I wanted to trade up to a 2023 R4P max trip in Blueprint, and finally put my name in the hat at my regular dealership that sells at MSRP. That was 9 months ago??? I finally figured out that Toyota’s chip shortage was cutting ALL top trim R4Primes from North America, I’ve started to see a handful (single digits national searches) of top trim in US, but always pre-sold. Now my BEVIO is loosing trade-in value as I wait for Toyota corp to get me what I want. It should not take a combined 17 months (and counting) to purchase 2 R4Primes (top trim). Bad Toyota!!! I’ve lost faith in Toyota Corp to provide my vehicles in a timely manner. The good news epilogue; I get to drive around in my silver top trim R4Prime with the biggest smile on my face because I know that I have great EV AND HV efficiency, and power to teleport past 18 wheelers on the highway😅. I’m hoping that Toyota will add incentives (in the future) to offset my decreasing trade-in value when my 2023+ R4P max trim in Blueprint finally falls through the dealerships R4Prime reservation list. One Rav4 to rule them all. (The/my Prime!)

[@markstreeter9920]

Don't know if I would say "teleport", it's acceptable though :) I've been spoiled by 500-700hp vehicles though.

[@CrumResearch]

No EV mode for you! at 9:15, good guess, may have ambient temperature threshold below which the gas engine stays on. In Jeep Wrangler 4xe, that threshold is -13 C == 8.6 F.

[@tripletransam87]

Seems to behave just like my 2012 Prius V, it's uncanny. Fire up the car, the first minute is just engine warmup, if you drive it will have no choice but to run off the batteries... in the unfortunate event you need power urgently, the gas engine will contribute to motion but won't sound happy about it. Once the basic warmup is done, there's a definite change in engine tone as you now realize the engine is contributing to forward motion. Usually the forced-EV mode is locked out for a while longer still... I think it's a matter of batteries not being warmed up enough to safely handle the current necessary to pull a heavy vehicle. The gas engine stays on as it tries to reach operating temp and keep the catalyst in the exhaust hot enough to do its thing. Maybe 3-4 minutes of driving is enough to get it warm enough that the engine turns off on low demand situations or coast-down. If warm enough, I might even be able to take off (sllllowwwly) from a stop sign on electric power alone. I *may* be able to successfully order forced EV-only mode at this point, but it will jump out of that mode at 16 kph, sometimes sooner under heavier load. It will take a fair amount of warmup (maybe 10-15 minutes of driving) before the forced EV-mode will *stick* for the fully-allowed range of speed (0-39 kph). Again, all this applies to my Prius V but the philosophy is likely the same for this RAV4... ie. no forced EV mode until all the right conditions have been achieved. So no chance of that happening in a parking lot. :)

[@Tipjar333]

Is it possible the car wouldn't go exclusively into EV mode because the range charge was so low? I thought I saw EV range showed only 2-4 miles.

[@jy5960]

no one gonna mention the Mustang that got pulled over right before Ben "punched it"

[@trutru9018]

If this comes in at around $61K, how does it compare to the Macan , T or S?

[@beagle101ful]

I ordered one in Dec 2021. I was just updated by my sales rep that it’d be 2-2 1/2 more years😮

[@McGuinness89]

There's 5 sitting at my dealership in NY. I waited a week, twice, to get both of mine (once in 2020 and now in 2023). I was super specific also. Only accept XSE Premium in White with black trim. Do you live on Mars?

[@beagle101ful]

@@McGuinness89 no, but in Ontario Canada it’s definitely backordered. My dealership gets roughly 14 a year, and the list is still 40 deep according to the dealer. YMMV.

[@mojavedesertsonorandesert9531]

Test drove one the other day, if it were the right color would have bought it!

[@TonyHepp]

Mitch has no Primes available and won't for a good while. I just spoke to him. Over 20 people are on his waiting list. The last Prime that he sold went to a man who had been waiting since 11/2021. 😑

[@802asher]

Interesting to see that the gas engine comes on even when you're in EV mode. Wondering if this is normal or if the vehicle acts much like the Hyundai Tucson Plug In and turns engine on for heat and other power needs? I'm guessing it does knowing that my Toyota Highlander Hybrid (2021) did and gas mileage was a full 30% less in the winter. Other reviewers have been somewhat disingenous I think in saying that the Rav4 Prime will not run the gas engine in EV mode period with an adequately charged battery. I have a new Tucson Plug In and am pretty psyched with it. Love the inclusion of a regular auto transmission and turbo, think it makes a pretty compelling, unique package. Interior is hands down better in my book (Car and Driver calls the exterior styling 'wildly attractive') and the tech is just plain better than this Rav4 (hello 360 birdseye and front view cameras). Digital gauge cluster and infotainment in Tucson has almost no glare in direct sun and doesn't protrude from dash like this 'stuck on tablet' design in the Rav4. I can get 125 mpgs in my mixed highway/city 32 mile commute. I think if I kept it around 60 the entire time it would do it fully electric (have only done one commute thus far). Imagine this mileage will probably cut in half in the winter though with gas engine running for heat, we will see in 5-6 months. I rented a BMW X5 plug in recently (MSRP $30k more than the Tucson) and honestly the Tucson is almost that lux and nearly as fast. Also $3k-5k less than the Prime and no waiting, just walked onto a lot and bought the exact trim and color I wanted (granted they only had that one, but they are much easier to come by). I also got a 20 year/200,000 powertrain warranty as dealer doubled the already insane manufacturer's warranty!

[@botruong5083]

Can't price gouge if they build more

[@christianjared1586]

True

[@1633Thierry]

Belle Vidéo !!

[@evsrule]

Love the PHEV format and loved my Chevy Volt - great car! But I decided I needed more room and that RAV4 Prime was the car for me. However, there are very few for sale in the whole state of Ohio and all were reserved except for one that might be available in 2 mo at a price $10k over MSRP. From Toyota website I found one at a dealer 400 mi away that was available - financing for previous guy just fell through. Cheap flight and 6 hour drive home were worth it! This is a great car. Do you need a plug in? Not really - the hybrid version already takes care of the loud and rough acceleration of the RAV4 ICE. But I do charge every night (on 110 V) and EV driving is the best. I'll never save enough to make up the difference, but it's a big boy toy that is worth it if you can afford it. I have what the car came with - SE model with added package including moonroof, heated seats and steering wheel. Very cool inkjet blue color. Wish I had the large digital instrument panel that comes on the XSE, but that's not critical. I'm getting more than 43 mi in EV mode, and the power is amazing. I recommend looking far from home to find one that comes available.

[@laura-ann.0726]

You were lucky to find one only 6 hours away. I live in California, and will have to travel clear across the country to Baltimore, MD on July 18 to get mine. I have a particular requirement - the car has to have a plain steel roof without the weather and moonroof package, and I have never found one anywhere closer than 2,000 miles away. This one in Baltimore isn't even the color I most wanted (white), so I had to settle for blue, my second choice. The reason I don't want to glass roof option is that I am 6'-2" and it reduces headroom by 2-1/2". This is unacceptable, as my head actually hits the roof on the Rav4's that have the moon roof option. I started looking for one of these in October 2020, and the dealership closest to me, where I bought my last 3 Toyota's, has NEVER received a Rav4 Prime SE without the moon roof option; the few that Toyota brings in all seem to go only to the east coast for some reason.

[@PostprandialTorpor]

Dealers still being stealership: lol, $5-15,20…40k markups. trimgating features like crazy. Seriously why is dynamic back up lines not standard like in Honda?

[@tell-dtruth5470]

Also this is my dream car...:)

[@Im2bz2p345]

@4:51 - why are there two miles numbers (2 mi and 4 mi)? Does anyone know what these represent? One of them is the EV miles you can travel (likely the 2 miles), but what does the other number mean then?

[@Im2bz2p345]

Nevermind! I found out from a forum that the top number is the EV range & bottom number is the trip information (Trip A, Trip B).

[@richhughes2225]

Badges? Badges!!! We don't need no stinking badges.

[@Jose43210]

that beard Ben. No bueno

[@christiancurtis9277]

lol bro, you need to get yourself a beard comb. Videos are great BTW

[@BenHardyCars]

Beard will be gone soon

[@PlayApps2Day]

@@BenHardyCars Spoilers!

[@theotang681]

it's also a shame that toyota will not change the look of the rav4. it's been the same looking the last what.....5 years. i also have to add, yes, you don't get a hell of a lot with these trims. there are a lot of stuff that you have to add on. i have the xse trim and nothing else added on and i don't even get navigation or memory settings for your seats. you pay a lot for just the name i think and the resale value. i am actually waiting for the right time to get a tesla.

[@user-oc5id2ur3h]

Why do people like talking about the shape of the headlights? Is it some kind of fetish? Should get straight to the Prime features.

[@SD-it8nj]

What’s the kilowatt hour for 2023 RAV4 prime thanks?

[@CuongTran-oe6zw]

6.6kW standard on all models

[@jakepthsd]

what does it mean of this video title? So Toyota will not produce the RAV4 Prime anymore after 2023?

[@zzanatos2001]

It just means Toyota has not built many Rav4 Primes yet, so they are difficult to find and dealers see it as an opportunity to tack on "market adjustments" to the MSRP. I just bought my son a Rav4 XLE Hybrid with 17,000 miles on it, and he absolutely loves it. 38 mpg is also great.

[@MercOne]

Toyota is a master at production. They will produce almost enough to satisfy demand. All for obvious reasons.

[@zzanatos2001]

False advertising. That was not a driving test/review. You just went through the parking lot and parked it. You didn't even do a 0-60 pull or take it out on the highway. How's the ride quality? Is there a lot of wind noise or engine/exhaust noise? Does the lane tracing and adaptive cruise work well? Does it have wireless Apple Carplay/Android Auto? This video seems like you just went through the motions. Maybe it's time for you to consider a new line of work.

[@FrayAdjacentTX]

USB Ports. They are not "USBs".

[@gtrived3]

👍

[@trentmalik5308]

Just picked mine up, got for MSRP less the $1050 NJ credit

[@shahsmerdis]

Which dealership if you don't mind me asking ty

[@trentmalik5308]

@@shahsmerdis Princeton however think you have to live within in 25 miles and I’m 23.7. Think Langhorne PA has the same but I was out of their radius

[@shahsmerdis]

@@trentmalik5308 yep I called them before. Seemed nice people. They didn't extend to NYC . I respect that good for them.

[@rocklobster5074]

Howdy there, hipster

[@michael.phelps]

Got my prime this week 9k under MSRP, deals are abounding!

[@davisindustries2780]

Please review a deleted 6.7 power stroke

[@zzanatos2001]

Only if it's tuned to roll coal and get 8 mpg on the highway.

[@Ketoswammy]

Well, if they did they couldn’t price them so high, so…

[@abelsc2108]

Nice 😍😍😍

[@josueperez1002]

What is EV driving????

[@wayneschenk5512]

We will look back in years to come and wonder why they were so expensive.

[@zzanatos2001]

A normally-aspirated 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder that makes 203 horsepower and gets 38 mpg added to a hybrid electric powertrain that brings the horsepower up to 302, can go 42 miles on battery only and increases fuel economy to 94 mpge is not cheap to make. Then add in the active lane keeping, blind-spot warning/cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise, pre-collision mitigation, decent sound system, responsive infotainment system with Apple/Android connectivity, intelligent all-wheel-drive, LED lights, etc.

[@joesmith9483]

dealers want 1000s over sticker. not worth it

[@zzanatos2001]

They think customers are too dumb to realize that MSRP already includes a generous dealer profit.

[@user-kv7ys6cg8s]

Why review a phev with a near dead battery. This is a waste of time.

[@davisindustries2780]

Also straight pipe your raptor and wrap it puke green

[@DiroPhoenixFan]

doesn't have 360 camera 😒😒😒😒😒

[@mp-sv2cp]

I really hope all this car market crashes.

[@vreeke777]

It’s a shame there is no diesel version

[@paulholterhaus7084]

Talks toooo fast....Makes Me nervous............Paul

[@andrewkhody]

Why can’t Toyota make an infotainment system?? My 2023 RAV4 4 Prime XSE system is absolute Junk. It’s a simple fix. Copy Tesla 😂

[@BostonPower]

TOYOTA COULD BUILD A TRILLION DOLLAR CAR AND IT WOULD STILL HAVE CHEAP DOLLAR STORE PLASTIC AROUND THE CLUSTER......

[@blusky109]

Way overpriced !

[@rayj1131]

Useless video. How many times did he say “look at the red stitching” and “look at the padding”. We can see it! Very little info, just pointing out the obvious.

[@cs1992]

Too expensive.

[@lazyhusband]

Make more $$$

[@cs1992]

@@lazyhusband Hardly the point. This vehicle is simply NOT WORTH it's price.

[@SomnnaVibes]

@@cs1992 it’s definitely worth it. IMO

[@ibrahimbashir6634]

@@cs1992 u deserve a hyundai or a kia 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@phileasler5401]

Toyota hates plug 🔌 in cars, they don’t want to make them. That’s why they make so few of the Prime vehicles. 42 epa ⚡️electric miles is not that impressive. The 2016-2018 Volts had 53 epa ⚡️ miles and that was 7 YEARS AGO!!!

[@zzanatos2001]

Most people drive less than 30 miles per day - so it could be a practical commuter for a lot of folks. The Chevy Volt is a compact car made out of tinfoil - not a rugged, long-lasting SUV with all-wheel-drive.

[@joka5345]

Those seats are ugly

[@clearcut6818]

Not gonna buy this

[@pbear216]

I paid $38k for my 2021 Rav4 Prime. Thats $10k less than this and the only difference with the new one is a newer infotainment system.

[@pbear216]

Oh, and I got the $7500 rebate, so really I paid $30,500.