I have had my RAV4 Prime SE
I have had my RAV4 Prime SE since Sept. 2020. Before buying the RAV4 Prime, I considered and test drove the Mercedes GLC 350e, BMW X3 and Audi Q5 and Volvo XC60 all plug in hybrids. I live in California, so the coldest weather I have experienced is about 33F, when I noticed at full charge I only get 40 miles of EV. I suspect this would be worse in colder weather. That aside, the car is perfect. The ride is comfortable both in driver seat and passenger seat. It handles potholes and bumps very well. Flexibility of driving modes is perhaps where RAV4 prime shines the best. Most of my trips, to and fro, are within the 42 mile range. Therefore for a full tank of gas I have been able to get just under 950 miles. Another way I look at it, is that for 40 miles on all electric mode, I am paying about 4.5c/mile to charge the battery whereas for the same distance with a gas engine car that offers 30MPG, I would have to pay 12c/mile. By the way, there are not many gas engine cars that would offer 30MPG, where the roads are quite hilly! But I have tried to be as conservative as possible in my assessment. I have also learned that if my trip includes small sections that are hilly, for all the short Hill climbs I change to HV mode and for downhill and flat sections I go back to EV. This allows me to get better efficiency on the combined EV/HV without burning too much gas and yet get extended electric range. There are still quite a few things I have to learn about the RAV4 Prime, such as how it fairs on long hilly drives. On long highway rides best option I have had is the auto EV/HV mode. The car's control system is quite clever to switch back and forth between the modes without me having to do a whole lot of thinking and the switchovers are seamless. When gas engine kicks-in the noise is of course noticeable but it is by no means intrusive. The battery is never fully depleted so, it is always available for any on demand accelerations. This is by far the most practical car I have ever owned and belive me, I have owned a few! The cargo space is perfect for my needs. I often load my bicycle in the back without having to take the front wheel off after I lower only one side of the rear seats. My only complain about this car is that the interior could do with a little more lighting on some of the switches at night, or at least some accent lighting to make them a little more visible. Visibility throughout the car is excellent. The rear view camera could be a little better in terms of Visibility, particularly at night. In general,, I am very happy and I love driving this car and give Toyota close to perfect score for it.