The last thing you want with your new vehicle is for it to annoy you. So, before settling on the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime, know that it has a few annoying features. See if you can live with the Toyota RAV4 Prime drawbacks. 

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime could be annoying 

Now, we aren’t saying that the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime is a bad SUV at all. It’s a great plug-in hybrid option for families and as a daily driver. However, Cars.com did a thorough review of the Toyota RAV4 Prime and found a few frustrating features. They had positive things to say, as well. 

For a little background information, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime begins around $38,100, making it a higher-priced option. It has a 42-mile electric range and when in hybrid mode, gets about 38 mpg combined. 

Frustrating 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime features 

The folks at Cars.com didn’t like the binary brake feel of the RAV4 Prime. The regenerative brakes are clunky and don’t seem to have much range. When you mash the pedal or lift your foot, the SUV either seriously stops or does nothing. 

To make matters worse, they say the RAV4 Prime has an annoying EV noise. It has a clashing mix of white noise and clashing notes. But the added noise is required because quiet hybrids and EVs are dangerous around pedestrians. 

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime also has limited space for taller passengers. They may hit their knees against the center console, and the seats don’t adjust much to provide more space. Adults could feel cramped and uncomfortable in the backseat. 

Cars.com continued to share that the body isolation has issues. On uneven roads, the Prime starts to feel shaky. The XSE trim comes with 19-inch wheels, which could contribute to the bumpy ride.

However, they say that smaller tires probably won’t help. Plus, the Dunlop Grandtrek all-season tires lack traction, which undercuts the Prime’s responsive steering. 

Last but not least, the Toyota RAV4 Prime has cheap materials in the base trim. That’s pretty disappointing for such an expensive SUV. The materials in front and back seats feel cheap and ruin the potentially attractive space. 

Positive 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime features 

Cars.com likes that sporty acceleration that the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime has to offer. The powertrain provides a combined 302 horsepower, and Toyota suggests that it will accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. All-wheel drive comes standard, too, allowing the Prime to handle snow easily. 

Along with the excellent battery range, the battery is also quick to charge. With the standard 3.3-kilowatt charger and 18.1-kilowatt-hour battery, it takes about 4.5 hours to charge on a 240-volt outlet. It takes 12 hours to fully charge on a regular household 120-volt outlet. 

The new Toyota RAV4 Prime also has an abundance of cargo space. Despite having 11% less space than the gasoline-powered RAV4 and hybrid, there is plenty of room thanks to multiple storage compartments. The Toyota RAV4 Prime has up to 63.2 cubic feet of cargo space.