2022 Toyota RAV4 Adventure Has Better Towing Capacity Despite Lack In Power Compared To Prime

Any cool compact SUV or pickup truck which has words like Adventure, Cross Track, Mountain, or any other outdoorsy word as its model edition has to have some sort of towing ability with it. Even the most subtle of these like the Toyota RAV4 Adventure have some sort of towing ability. Interestingly enough, while the Adventure RAV4 is not a hybrid, it does offer more towing capability than the RAV4 Hybrid and Prime.

Why is this? For cars like the RAV4 Prime and Hybrid, their respective drivetrains do not have a reverse gear. This means that if you try to back up a trailer on a Prime or Hybrid RAV4, you would be pretty much struggling to get that done. Also given the fact that an electric motor in reverse does not have any metal on metal contact to make something move also gives the PHEV and hybrid vehicles a bad rap for towing.

However, if you ever did wonder this, you are not the only one. On Facebook’s Official Toyota RAV4 Prime Group, “Eric Penabella asked, “Why does the Adventure, that weighs less and has less power, have a much higher towing capacity (3500lbs) than the Prime (2500lbs)?”

Interestingly enough, this question has been kind of a growing topic in some back-room forums due to the latest release of the Woodlands editions and some new editions set to come out for the 2023 model year. Knowing this information can also help you decide which RAV4 to get if you are tipsy on the choices.

John M said, “A prime has no reverse gear, none of the hybrids do. It couldn’t back a 3500lb trailer up a steep hill… that wouldn’t be on top of any cooling system limitations the prime may or may not have.” Granted, a 3500lbs trailer is something like a small pontoon or a half-loaded lawn care trailer. Nothing too big but nothing heavy duty.

I think a lot of you have seen that video of the gen 2 Prius towing a gooseneck trailer with ease. I think that maybe backing up a trailer might be a bad idea with a Prime or Hybrid but defiantly pulling and maneuvering might make it with ease. The EV power gives more torque so while a hybrid may make only 200hp, the torque compensates for that by giving it an easier handling and pulling aspect.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.

Harutiun Hareyan is reporting Toyota news at Torque News. His automotive interests and vast experience test-riding new cars give his stories a sense of authenticity and unique insights. Follow Harutiun on Twitter at @HareyanHarutiun and on YouTube at Toyota Time for daily Toyota news.