5 Reasons to Pick the 2023 Toyota Prius Prime Over the RAV4 Prime
If you’re in the market for a hybrid vehicle, two great contenders are the 2023 Toyota Prius Prime and the RAV4 Prime. The Prius Prime was completely redesigned for the 2023 model year, sporting a new look and new technology. However, the RAV4 Prime provides more space and more capability.
In case you’re stuck deciding between these two, here are a few reasons the 2023 Toyota Prius Prime could be a better choice.
1. The 2023 Toyota Prius Prime is cheaper than the RAV4 Prime
It’s hard not to call out the obvious – price. A base 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime will set you back $43,440, and a more-loaded XSE model starts at $47,310. We tested the Toyota RAV4 Prime earlier this year, and with the Premium package had a sticker price of $51,719, including the $1,335 destination charge.
If you want to spend less, the 2023 Toyota Prius Prime is the way to go. The base model starts at $32,350 and tops out at $39,170. Our Prius Prime XSE Premium tester, which had a few options, carried a sticker price of $43,442, including the $1,095 destination charge.
That’s nearly $10,000 cheaper than the RAV4 Prime, so if you have a tight budget, you know which one to pick.
2. The 2023 Toyota Prius Prime can go a little farther than the RAV4 on electric power
The beauty of driving a plug-in hybrid is its ability to drive on electric power for a certain range. The Toyota Prius Prime has an all-electric range of 44 miles, and the RAV4 Prime can go up to 42 miles before it switches to the hybrid mode. Two miles might not seem like much, but when it comes to plug-in hybrids, every mile counts.
3. The new Prius Prime gets better fuel economy returns
The other benefit of driving a plug-in hybrid is that it’s a hybrid. When both of these vehicles are driven solely by gas/electric propulsion, they both return great fuel economy figures. However, the Prius Prime does a little better than the RAV4.
According to the EPA, the RAV4 Prime can achieve up to 40 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway in hybrid mode. The Prius Prime, on the other hand, gets up to 53 mpg in the city and 51 mpg on the highway.
In our real-world testing, the Prius Prime beat the RAV4 Prime by averaging 58 mpg. The RAV4 Prime returned 46.5 mpg after our week of testing.
4. The Toyota Prius Prime is easier to drive than the new RAV4 Prime
It’s no secret that smaller cars are easier to drive. That said, we found the Toyota Prius Prime easier to manage on the road than the RAV4. However, that’s not to say the RAV4 isn’t easy to drive. In fact, its 8-inch ride height gives the driver a commanding view of the road, and the visibility out of all four windows is great.
But the Prius Prime’s small stature and spry nature make it easier to zip in and out of traffic. The visibility from the driver’s seat is also good, although the rear window sits a little high.
5. The 2023 Prius Prime has a more tech-rich cabin
Both of these plug-in hybrids come with plenty of tech-savvy features. They both come equipped with heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a standard 8-inch infotainment system.
However, the Toyota Prius Prime ups the ante with an available 12.3-inch infotainment system, a standard wireless charging pad, and more USB ports than the RAV4.
2023 Toyota Prius Prime vs. RAV4 Prime: Which one should you choose?
If you’re in the market for a plug-in hybrid, the 2023 Toyota Prius Prime and RAV4 Prime are excellent choices. But if you have to pick between these two, the Prius could provide a better value, depending on your needs.
