A look ahead: What to expect from the 2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime

The RAV4 Prime, the plug-in hybrid variant of Toyota’s best-selling model in the U.S., is not only one of the most efficient vehicles in the company’s line-up but also the quickest four-door Toyota.

Launched as a 2021 model back in 2020, the Toyota RAV4 Prime will welcome its 2024 model year update, likely in the second half of the year. In this story, we detail everything you can expect from the 2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime, which will compete with the Hyundai Tucson PHEV, Kia Sportage PHEV, and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Please be aware that the information and visuals provided in this story are reflective of the current model year, and as new details emerge, this page will be revised.

Design

The first-ever Toyota RAV4 Prime is nearing the end of its lifecycle, so it’s unlikely to gain design changes with the 2024 model year update. Customers who want a completely new exterior will need to wait for the next-gen Toyota RAV4 Prime, which is expected in 2025.

The front-end of the RAV4 Prime has been aggressively styled to appear intimidating, while the various shapes, angles & creases help provide additional layers of design flair. Meanwhile, the sculpted bumper houses slim but vertical LEDs, along with a front chin spoiler. The painted and wide grille add to the overall width of the front fascia, while the sweptback headlamps feature multiple LED units and look stylish. As expected in an electrified Toyota, the company logos on this RAV4 sport a blue hue.

The side profile of the RAV4 Prime, especially when finished in the Supersonic Red with Midnight Black Metallic, looks the part! The distinctive contrast between the body and roof matches well with the 19-inch alloy wheels and their squared arches, while the front fenders get the obligatory ‘Plug-in Hybrid’ badge. At the back, there’s a stubby but sporty-looking roof spoiler, a chrome strip on the liftgate, LED combination taillights, and chrome-tipped exhaust pipes.

Dimension	2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime Specification (Expected)
Length	180.9 in.
Width	73 in.
Height	67.2 in.
Wheelbase	105.9 in.
Turning Circle Diameter	36.1 (SE) / 37.4 ft. (XSE)
Curb Weight	4,235 lbs. (SE)/4,300 lbs. (XSE)
Cargo Volume (rear seats up/rear seats folded)	33.5 cu. ft./69.8 cu. ft.
Seating Capacity	5
Ground Clearance	8.0 in. (SE)/ 8.2 in. (XSE)
Approach Angle	19.0° (SE)/19.5° (XSE)
Departure Angle	21.0° (SE)/21.5° (XSE)

Interior & features

The interior of the 2024 RAV4 Prime, too, will likely look identical to the current SUV. Thus, it will offer a practical and spacious place for families, though the batteries and electric motor will take a little bit of space away from those seated in the back. However, most of the touchpoints will feel well-built and solid. The premium SofTex upholstery will do a good job of offering comfort as well as style, courtesy of the contrast stitching and use of different textures. The leather-wrapped steering wheel will feel nice to hold.

The stubby gear lever may seem odd at first, but it won’t be difficult to use and it’ll even feature soft leatherette on its base. Adding to the cabin’s ambiance will be the blue LED ambient lighting and the twin-pane panoramic sunroof.

The interior layout will be mostly simplistic, but there will be some stylistic elements like oversized door handles, contrast stitching on the wide front armrest and along the dashboard & doors, plus steering-mounted paddle shifters to give the driver a sporty feel.

Apart from the above-mentioned equipment, the features list of the 2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime will be quite lengthy, though not extraordinary. Expect Smart Key System with a hands-free power liftgate, dual-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, wireless smartphone charging, heated front seats, an electric parking brake, 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support, plus a Drive Mode selector.

Toyota Audio Multimedia

The 2024 RAV4 Prime will feature the Toyota Multimedia Audio infotainment system, which Toyota developed right here in America, in Plano, Texas, to be specific. The company will likely offer the plug-in hybrid SUV in SE and XSE trims. Like in the outgoing model, the former may get it with an 8-inch touchscreen and the latter may get it with a 10.5-inch touchscreen. Toyota may make other equipment revisions with the 2024 model year update, though.

Both versions of the Toyota Multimedia Audio infotainment system would come with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Backing this up would be an 800-watt, 11-speaker JBL Premium Audio system, and Toyota’s Remote Connect feature that allows users to operate some of their vehicle’s features via a smartwatch app. Lastly, the in-house developed infotainment system would include a voice assistant that customers can engage with “Hey/Hi/Hello/OK” phrases.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+

The 2024 RAV4 Prime will likely have Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+) across the range. The ADAS suite has the same driver assistance functions as Toyota Safety Sense 2.0+ (TSS 2.0+), but they work better due to some improvements.

Pre-Collision Assist of TSS 2.5+ includes two additional functionalities: Intersection Support and Emergency Steering Assist. It can detect an oncoming vehicle/pedestrian when the vehicle is turning left and an oncoming pedestrian when making a right-hand turn. As for Emergency Steering Assist, when the driver makes a sudden maneuver around an obstacle within their lane, it stabilizes the vehicle, reacting to a preceding vehicle/bicyclist.

Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) includes a new curve speed management feature, which, using the vehicle’s camera and yaw sensors, senses curves and reduces speed when entering a turn and then increases the speed to the set number upon exiting. Automatic High Beams (AHB), Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), and Road Sign Assist (RSA) are the other features of TSS 2.5+.

Specifications

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime should carry over the outgoing model’s powertrain without changes. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine producing 177 hp and 165 lb.-ft. of torque would be assisted by two electric motors – a 179 hp/199 lb.-ft. front unit and a 53 hp/89 lb.-ft. rear unit. In all, the combined system output of the new RAV4 Prime will likely stand at 302 hp.

A lithium-ion battery pack mounted under the floor would store the energy for the electric motors. Its capacity would be 18.1 kWh, enough to give the plug-in hybrid SUV an electric-only driving range of 42 miles (expected). A 6.6kW onboard charger will likely come as standard and allow fully recharging the battery pack in 2.5 hours.

Aspect	2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime Specification (Expected)
Drivetrain Layout	AWD
Powerplant	2.5-liter naturally-aspirated inline four-cylinder gasoline
No. of Electric Motors	Two (front & rear)
Motor Output (Front & Rear)	179 hp/53 hp
Power (System Combined)	302 hp
Torque	N/A
Transmission	CVT
0 to 60 MPH	5.7 seconds
Battery Capacity	18.1 kWh
Onboard Charger	6.6 kW (240V at 32A)
Charge time	2.5 hours
Electric range	42 miles
Fuel Tank	14.5 gallons
Gas-only Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)	40 / 36 / 38 MPG
Gas+Elec Fuel Economy (combined)	94 MPGe

Price & Release Date

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime’s prices in the U.S. will likely start at approx. USD 43,300. We’re expecting Toyota to offer model information during summer, and will update this page when we have more.

TopElectricSUV says

For the new model year, the RAV4 Prime is poised to continue as a top all-rounder in its segment, offering great fuel economy, performance, comfort, and style in a single package. After all, it has been a top performer for Toyota in the United States, especially in the compact crossover segment below USD 50,000.

2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime FAQs

Featured Image Source: Toyota