Add new comment

This is an opinion piece by Torque News reporter Jeff Teague.

I have been surrounded by the world of Toyota cars, trucks and SUVs for the last 15 years. I have also owned 5 myself in this span. Needless to say, I am a true Toyota fan.

However, I do not think there has been a Toyota launch I can remember met with more anticipation than with upcoming 2021 RAV4 Prime.

Maybe the insanely popular 2019 RAV4 Hybrid. But Prime will be even crazier.

If you want one, you probably will not be able to get one immediately. Just plan now on a long wait time. It will be less stressful to anticipate this right away.

2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime specs

I understand this huge buyer demand completely. Fans have been expressing tremendous excitement for months. Why would people not want to buy a RAV4 Prime?

This plug-in hybrid electric vehicle will average 90 MPGe (combination of gasoline plus electric efficiency) in fuel economy. It can be driven up to 39 miles on one single electric charge without using any gasoline.

This is Toyota next level stuff here, folks.

Plus, it will accomplish this fuel efficiency while becoming the fastest and most powerful Toyota RAV4 of all time. Imagine 302 horsepower (83 more hp than RAV4 Hybrid) with a 0-60 time of 5.8 seconds. Only Toyota Supra is faster.

VIDEO: Compare RAV4 Prime specs vs RAV4 Hybrid. Also, compare RAV4 Prime SE vs XSE.

Yes, we all want one. Ladies and gentlemen, this is going to be a problem.

I will take “RAV4 Prime Supply” for $800 please Alex

There will not be enough 2021 RAV4 Prime vehicles to meet the demand when it is officially launched. This I am nearly certain of.

Toyota is broken up into several selling regions. According to sources, Toyota will be placing allocation preference on states and “regions with higher natural demand for plug-in vehicles first.” This is aimed at meeting regulatory ZEV (Zero Emissions Vehicles) requirements.

Most regions will be given far less supply, which a lot of consumers across the country may not realize yet.

For example, I live in the Southeast region. I have heard buzz that each dealer in this region can expect to receive just one total RAV4 Prime for 2020.

No way will this meet buyer expectations.

A rumored memo circulating through the Chicago Region may have confirmed this lack of RAV4 Prime supply.

“One RAV4 Prime per dealer based on total RAV4 Hybrid sales in 2019…We understand that the demand for this vehicle far exceeds the available allocation…At this time, production of the RAV4 Prime is extremely limited and it may take multiple model years before each dealer in the Region is offered at least 1 unit.”

This is the time to play that music we hear every time a contestant loses their game on The Price is Right.

Time for your thoughts on RAV4 Prime

If this extreme lack of supply is true, I do not feel this is fair to potential buyers who have fallen in love with RAV4 Prime’s amazing offerings. In my opinion, it is the least I can do to help rip the band-aid off quickly to avoid severe buyer disappointment in the coming months.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime is set up to instantly become one of the best-selling, most popular vehicles of all time. Provided, of course, there is sufficient supply to go around.

I am respectfully asking Toyota to keep up with this demand from the start. Everyone is waiting.

What do you think about 2021 RAV4 Prime? Are you excited and how would you use it? If you cannot get one, would you buy a RAV4 Hybrid instead?

Thanks for reading everyone. See you next story when I dig deeper into 2021 RAV4 Prime XSE.

Follow Jeff Teague on social media:

- Torque News Toyota - my regular column
- YouTube channel - My "Toyotajeff" Toyota reviews
- Facebook page "Toyotajeff"
- Instagram page @toyotajeff1
- Twitter @toyotajeff1

Thank you everyone for following me.