For 2025, the RAV4 Prime becomes the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, or RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid for short. Otherwise, the SUV carries on as before.

In a fit of practical thinking, Toyota changed the name of its plug-in hybrid compact crossover SUV from RAV4 Prime to RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid. Technically, Toyota named it RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), but believes the shorter, simpler “Plug-in Hybrid” will be what catches on. I agree.

Afterall, the word Prime bears no empirical connection to hybrid technology. Adding it to the end of a model name to signify its plug-in hybrid status seemed fuzzy to me. Not long ago, Ford tried something similar with C-MAX, offering the Hybrid and “Energi” powertrains. That also seemed unnecessarily confusing. Calling the plugin hybrid version of the RAV4 exactly that takes away all the guess work.

For 2025, Toyota also plans to simplify the logo on the both the front and rear of the car. It will no longer include a “blue halo” within it. Again, simpler and more practical.

POWERTRAIN

Aside from the new name, the RAV4 continues unchanged. You still get a 2.5-liter engine that produces 177 horsepower and 165 lb.-ft of torque. In addition, two electric motors, one on each axle, provide more humph. The front motor generates 179 horsepower and 199 lb.-ft of torque, while the rear motor adds another 53 horsepower and 89 lb.-ft of torque to the equation.

The electric motors get energy from an 18.5 kWh, lithium-ion battery pack. And when put altogether, propels the RAV4 along with 302 horsepower and an undisclosed amount of torque. When that same pack starts with a full charge, it will also travel 42 miles on electricity alone.

Even when its depleted, the RAV4 still delivers reasonable fuel economy. 38 mpg combined according to the government, 39 mph in the city and 32 mpg on the highway, according to my own test, which I performed in less-than-ideal conditions.

Feeling a bit, impatient? Unleash the internal combustion engine, floor the accelerator, and this happy little crossover will launch you to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds from rest. It’s a capable powertrain, when needed.

RAV4 PHEV TRIMS

For 2025, Toyota will offer the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid in either the SE, or XSE trim. Regardless of which you choose, you get all-wheel-drive and eight inches of ground clearance. You also get 33 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 63 cubic feet if you fold the second row flat.   

Toyota includes heated front seats in the SE trim for comfort in the cold. You look at a seven-inch digital instrument cluster and play with an eight-inch center display. Option packages on the SE will add a moonroof, heated steering wheel, heated second row seats (except for the middle), and rain sensing wipers.

The XSE trim RAV4 PHEV ups the wheel size from 18-in to 19s and includes a bit of accent lighting up front. You look at your gauges from a 12.3-in digital instrument cluster and get work all the infotainment through a 10.5-in center display. Keep your smartphone charged on a wireless charge pad, too.

Toyota offers the Weather Package on the XSE, which adds a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats (except for the middle seat) and rain sensing wipers.  Or go weather and premium package to get all of the above as well as a head up display, ventilated front seated, a panoramic moonroof, and a bunch more.

conclusion

The base price for a 2025 Toyota RAV4 PHEV SE is $43,865 or $45,260 if you include the $1395 destination charge*. Expect to see them arrive at dealerships late this year. *dest charge for the 2024 Toyota RAV4. It may change for the 2025 model year.

Toyota only offers the Sienna minivan as a hybrid