2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE
All photo credits
- Photo: 2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition, front right, 03-21-2026 by MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 2.5 E-Four Limited XA50 FL Platinum White Pearl Mica (1) by Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID (XA50) China (8) by Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2019 Toyota RAV4 Excel HEV CVT 2.5 Rear by Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2019 Toyota RAV4 Interior by Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE is a 302-hp 2.5-liter with an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission and all-wheel drive. It starts at $41,575 MSRP and is rated at 38 mpg combined.
It makes 302 horsepower and 165 lb-ft of torque. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 40 mpg city and 36 mpg highway (38 mpg combined).
The RAV4 Prime measures 180.9 inches long on a 105.9-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 4,300 lb.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | SUV |
| Powertrain | Plug-in Hybrid |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $41,575 |
| MSRP with Destination | $42,750 |
| Destination Charge | $1,175 |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 2.5-liter Dynamic Force 4-cylinder Atkinson-cycle PHEV, DOHC 16-valve Dual VVT-i, D-4S Dual Injection |
| Displacement | 2.5 L |
| Horsepower | 302 hp |
| Torque | 165 lb-ft |
| Valvetrain | DOHC 16-valve, Dual VVT-i |
| Compression Ratio | 14.0:1 |
| Injection Type | D-4S Dual Injection EFI (direct + port) |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | Electronic On-Demand AWD (separate rear electric motor) |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | Electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (ECVT) with sequential shift mode |
| Final Drive | 10.781 |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 40 MPG |
| Highway | 36 MPG |
| Combined | 38 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | 87-octane or higher |
| Tank Capacity | 14.5 gal |
| Suspension | |
| Front Suspension | Sport-tuned independent MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar |
| Rear Suspension | Sport-tuned multi-link with stabilizer bar |
| Brakes | |
| Front Brake Disc | Ventilated disc, 12.9 in. |
| Rear Brake Disc | Ventilated disc, 12.4 in. with integrated regenerative braking |
| Tires & Wheels | |
| Wheels Front | 19-in. 5-spoke painted and machined sport alloy |
| Wheels Rear | 19-in. 5-spoke painted and machined sport alloy |
| Tires Front | 235/55R19 all-season |
| Tires Rear | 235/55R19 all-season |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 180.9 in |
| Width | 73 in |
| Height | 67.2 in |
| Wheelbase | 105.9 in |
| Front Track | 62.6 in |
| Rear Track | 63.3 in |
| Ground Clearance | 8.2 in |
| Approach Angle | 19.5° |
| Departure Angle | 21.5° |
| Cargo Volume | 33.5 ft³ |
| Curb Weight | 4,300 lbs |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 37.7 in |
| Headroom Rear | 39.5 in |
| Legroom Front | 41 in |
| Legroom Rear | 37.8 in |
| Shoulder Room Front | 57.8 in |
| Shoulder Room Rear | 56.4 in |
| Hip Room Front | 54.3 in |
| Hip Room Rear | 47.7 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
Tested, but no star ratings were published (2021 Toyota RAV4 PRIME SUV AWD).
Recalls
4 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2021 Toyota RAV4 PRIME. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Jul 12, 2023 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:DC/DC CONVERTER
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2022 RAV4 Prime and 2022 Lexus NX450h+ plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) vehicles. The electric current rectifying module contained within the DC-DC converter may have been damaged during production, which can result in an electrical short-circuit.
Consequence: A short circuit can cause the DC-DC converter to overheat, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles when the ambient air temperature is below or expected to drop below 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius). Dealers will replace the DC-DC converter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 29, 2023. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB07/23LB01.
NHTSA campaign 23V478000
Feb 2, 2023 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:HYBRID MANAGEMENT:POWER CONTROL UNIT/MODULE (HPCU)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021 RAV4 Prime Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. During certain cold weather driving conditions, while driving in EV Mode, the hybrid vehicle control engine control unit (HEV ECU) software may cause the hybrid system to shut down if the accelerator is rapidly pressed to further accelerate the vehicle, resulting in a stall.
Consequence: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the HEV ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 27, 2023. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TA01.
NHTSA campaign 23V041000
Apr 13, 2022 · ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC):CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Lexus LX 600, Lexus NX 350h, Lexus NX 450h+, Toytoa RAV4 Hybrid, 2021-2022 Lexus LS 500h, Toyota Mirai, RAV4 PRIME, Sienna, Venza, and 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The Skid Control ECU software may not turn on the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system when the vehicle is restarted after the driver has disabled the VSC system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Consequence: Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the Skid Control ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22TA03. Lexus' number for this recall is 22LA01.
NHTSA campaign 22V239000
Nov 12, 2020 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021 RAV4 Prime vehicles. The headlight aiming caps may have been improperly closed, allowing for horizontal adjustment of the headlight beam. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: Adjusting the horizontal headlight beam can increase glare, reducing the visibility of an oncoming driver or the vehicle operator, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will close the aiming caps on the headlights, free of charge. The recall began January 6, 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA15.
NHTSA campaign 20V698000
99 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2021 Toyota RAV4 PRIME
Owner Complaints
99 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Toyota RAV4 PRIME (12 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Electrical System | 37 |
| Unknown Or Other | 24 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 18 |
| Service Brakes | 16 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 10 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2021 TOYOTA RAV4 PRIME. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.