Got 50 grand? New 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime roars and sips

2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE AWD vs. 2021 Lexus NX 300h Black Line vs. 2021 Mazda CX-9 Signature AWD: When you have just under 50 grand to drop on an SUV, here are three distinct ways to go.

This week: Toyota RAV4 Prime.

Price: $49,831 as tested. Weather package added $375; special color, $425; mudguard, $129; roof rack cross bars, $315; mats, $269; door sill protector, $199; and more. A couple big items noted below.

Conventional wisdom: Car and Driver likes the “impressive acceleration, useful electric range, costs less with tax credits than some RAV4 hybrid models,” but not the “performance elements ... with the power train, infotainment looks a generation behind, [and] quick charger is only available on the top trim level.”

Marketer’s pitch: The ultimate power move.

Reality: I guess I’m old-fashioned; I still think a $50,000 SUV really oughta serve morning coffee and a foot rub.

What’s new: The whole plug-in Prime version of the popular RAV4.

Up to speed: It’s not just for fuel economy; this is a RAV4 prime with vroom. But you have to know how to access it.

In my initial drives, I felt nothing remotely close to the window sticker’s proclaimed 302 combined horsepower, or hitting 60 mph in just 5.4 seconds, as Car and Driver said.

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Finally, at the end of the test, I decided to try out the pair of not-so-clearly marked buttons related to EV mode on the console. Once finally accessing all the power available, the RAV4 took off like a shot.

And that horsepower rating is almost 100 more than the gas-powered RAV4.

On the road: The RAV4 Prime does make a decent companion on country roads. It’s not going to blow anyone away with its fun personality, but it’s right up there with Subarus for a competent feel.

On highways, though, only Sport mode keeps the vehicle from swaying like a nightclub singer performing a touching tune. The combination of rocket power and merely steady handling is disappointing, though.

I did have the chance to test the RAV4 in about 7 inches of snow and ice and am happy to report these conditions bring out the best of the vehicle.

Wind noise was a surprisingly noticeable feature. I’m generally “testing the sound system” so if I hear the wind noise, it’s pretty loud.

Shiftless: The CVT controlled by the largish shift lever gives the Jeep Cherokee-looking vehicle more Jeepishness inside. The shift lever and paddles also provide shiftability.

Driver’s Seat: The RAV4 Prime Softex-trimmed seat is a comfy pod, wide enough and long enough for support, as well. The seats came heated and cooled as part of the $3,765 Premium Package, which also moved them eight ways, and added much more.

Unfortunately, the RAV4 telescoping steering does not come out far enough for my tastes, so I always felt like a T Rex.

Friends and stuff: The RAV4 is not as small as you think. (Toyota now offers the Venza as a smaller SUV. Watch this space for a review in three weeks.) Sturgis Kid 4.0 found the rear seat comfortable and roomy for a 25-mile trip to visit Sturgis Kid 1.0. The seat sits a little lower than most SUVs, but there still was enough room to stretch out.

I find that the rear seat back sits at an awkward angle, but maybe it’s just me.

Cargo space is 33.5 cubic feet but expands to 63.2 with the second seat folded.

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Play some tunes: The Premium Audio Package ($1,620) added 11 JBL speakers, a 9-inch touchscreen, and a navigation subscription for three years. Operation of the system was intuitive, with dials for volume and tuning and touchscreen for the rest.

Sound was pretty good, about a B+ or A-.

Night shift: I could see well at night, no real problems, which is notable these days. The map lights are a little bright, though.

Charging up: The RAV4 recharged in less than 12 hours, but the 6.6 kw charger comes only with the Premium Package.

Fuel economy: This is really what you’re looking for in the RAV4 Prime, and the vehicle does not disappoint. The 42-mile electric range helps, and I’d been able to plug it in enough to leave the engine off for about half my driving time. The RAV4 averaged a sippy 35 mpg during my testing.

Where it’s built: Aichi, Japan

How it’s built: Consumer Reports predicts the reliability to be a 3 out of 5.

Next week: Go hybrid with added luxury in the 2021 Lexus NX 300h Black Line.