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Uh oh, you may face a problem with the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime. Its biggest problem is that it sells out too quickly. Toyota RAV4 Hybrid models aren’t being built fast enough to keep up with demand, creating long delays. 

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime faces delays 

According to Industry Week, Toyota has a problem with selling options like the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime and RAV4 Hybrid models. They can’t produce enough of them to keep up with demand. 

A red honda cr-v
The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime on display during the AutoMobility LA event, at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show in Los Angeles, California on November 21, 2019. – The four-day press and trade event precedes the Los Angeles Auto Show, which runs November 22 through December 1. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP) (Photo by MARK RALSTON/AFP via Getty Images)

Bob Carter, Toyota North American Executive Vice President of Sales, shared, “We can’t make enough Toyota Corolla and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid models. The only thing holding us back is capacity.” Toyota hybrid models accounted for 13-percent of the total Toyota and Lexus sales in March, and its top seller is the RAV4. 

They could sell twice the amount of RAV4 Prime and hybrid models if they could source more electric batteries. They currently have an 11-day supply in stock compared to over a 20 day supply of gasoline-powered versions. 

Toyota plans to shift production of the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid from Canada to a plant in Kentucky early next year. They’ll also add a new plug-in hybrid variant to the lineup, which will be imported from Japan. 

Is the Toyota RAV4 Prime a good SUV? 

Yes, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime is an excellent SUV. There’s no surprise that the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and Prime outsell the Toyota Prius models. The RAV4 Prime has appeal as an attractive, sporty, and efficient model. 

The Toyota RAV4 Prime has an MSRP of about $38,250, and the RAV4 Hybrid starts around $28,500. These prices are the MSRPs. They are listed before the dealership fees, and destination fees have been added. Also, dealerships can decide how much to mark up each vehicle, which may vary based on supply and demand. 

The RAV4 Prime provides 302 hp and can tow up to 2,500 lbs. According to Edmunds, it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 5.6 seconds, which is pretty quick. But the brake pedal is soft, and the handling doesn’t feel athletic. It has an electric range of about 42 miles and averages 34 mpg. You can drive about 600 miles with a full tank of gas and fully charged battery. 

The RAV4 Hybrid has 219 hp and can tow up to 1,750 lbs. Edmunds noted that it could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds, which is excellent for its class. It’s fun to drive with responsive steering, but the brake feels mushy. It gets an EPA estimate of 41 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. 

Toyota RAV4 Prime and Hybrid features 

Both the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime and Hybrid have spacious interiors with a practical layout. Tall passengers can sit comfortably and stretch out in the rear. The RAV4 Hybrid offers 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, and the Prime provides 33.5 cubic feet. 

A dark-blue 2021 Toyota RAV4 XLE Hybrid on a plains road
2021 Toyota RAV4 XLE Hybrid | Toyota

The infotainment system in the Prime feels a little more advanced compared to the Hybrid. However, both systems are easy to use, and they come with standard AppleCarPlay and Android Auto. 

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and Prime come with a long list of standard safety features. You get automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control. 

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Allison Barfield

Allison Barfield joined MotorBiscuit in 2020 and covers all things trucks, SUVs, and Jeeps. Having grown up on a farm in Rock Hill, South Carolina, she’s no stranger to the “Best in Class” truck and SUV debates; people in her hometown were always gathering to help work on vehicles together, and deliberation would naturally arise.

Allison graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Media Arts. She has helped bring awareness to issues Women In Trucking face and has promoted Truckers Against Trafficking, an anti-trafficking NGO.

A fan of creatively dark literature, Allison appreciates the works of Shirley Jackson and Emily Dickenson. She lives in a mountainous area of the country and enjoys off-roading and camping. Her dog, Bruce, often joins her in testing trucks and SUVs for our site.