RAV4 Prime PHEV for 2021 - anyone considering adding / jumping ??

insightman said:
You were wise to get your Audi Q5 PHEV rather than wait for this RAV4 Prime. It will be funny if people get so carried away vying for one of the few RAV4 Primes that they end up paying more than the price of a Q5!
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Lousy range and mileage!

"Let's start with the popular Q5 SUV, which finally gets an electric boost that will unsurprisingly offer more efficient driving, what with its EPA-estimated 20 miles of range and 65 MPGe once the 14.1-kWh battery's all-electric range is depleted. If you're driving the gas-only Q8, you're looking at getting just 18 miles per gallon (combined)."
 
Tek_Freek said:
Lousy range and mileage!

"Let's start with the popular Q5 SUV, which finally gets an electric boost that will unsurprisingly offer more efficient driving, what with its EPA-estimated 20 miles of range and 65 MPGe once the 14.1-kWh battery's all-electric range is depleted. If you're driving the gas-only Q8, you're looking at getting just 18 miles per gallon (combined)."
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The moderator has requested this thread stay on the RAV4 Prime and there is an Audi section on Insideevs. But I can’t let the blatant weirdness of the quote above go by. The quoted writer starts out on the Q5e, then flips to the Q8. The EPA mpg of the Q5e on gas only is 27 and real world is between 28-29 mpg. In addition, I’m seeing 35 miles per charge on EV only driving this spring and even last winter my Q5e was operating at about 30 miles per charge. Others are reporting the same.
 
Dan Albrich said:
For me, you don't win the transportation game buying new vehicle often. I drove my last car for about 17 years. Bought it new. I would've driven it longer if repair cost hadn't necessitated a different action. While I'm super happy with Clarity, don't know what I'd do if buying new right now. I would definitely consider and try to test drive the RAV4 Prime. But, yeah, I'm likely many years away from any vehicle change.
(I realize you can have unforeseen problems with any car. But my intent is to keep Clarity as long as possible. It's part of the reason I was happy to buy the 8yr, 120K extended warranty--thanks to this forum about $1500. And actually, if the car makers sold a longer warranty, depending on the dollars I'd consider it).

I find all vehicles today to be obnoxiously expensive. When I bought my last car, a 2 year car loan was pretty standard. I took a 5 year loan for the Clarity (mainly due to awesome terms-- 0.9%).
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Dan,

Are you me? Except for the tenure with my last new car (I was 18 years) this is exactly me.
 
leehinde said:
I saw that and it seemed odd, but I don't know how to compare that against the Clarity. What's the rating for a Clarity?
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6.6 kW
Battery is roughly the same overall capacity as the Clarity, and likely usable capacity is also close. Will take <5 hours to fully charge with the standard 3(3.3?) kW charger. Fine for those that charge overnight and/or at work.
 
I'm now two years in and am still using the Level 1 charger that came with the car. It sounds like I'd need a level 2 charger to get overnight charging for the new Rav 4.
 
leehinde said:
I'm now two years in and am still using the Level 1 charger that came with the car. It sounds like I'd need a level 2 charger to get overnight charging for the new Rav 4.
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Level 1 charging will be at virtually the same rate as the Clarity or ~12A @ 120V (The Clarity OEM EVSE seems to pull about 11 Amps). Since the m/kWh efficiency of the RAV4 is likely to be less, is should essentially be a wash.
The J1772 standard is actually based on amps and not kW. The onboard charger on the Clarity is capable of 32A, the RAV4 Prime will be 16A without the upgraded highest trim spec. Often times the charger in the car will limit 120V (L1) charging to a lower rate - usually 12A. Some EV's default to 8A in case it is plugged into a non-dedicated circuit.
 
I was driving a Clarity FC and was really hoping to get into the Prime. To have an SUV, decent EV range, amazing performance etc. Really what I was looking for.

It's going to be priced out. Fully loaded XSE is going to be over $50k with dealer markup. That will get about $10 back in rebates etc (here is CA) but still, $40k as opposed to $25k for a Clarity Touring after rebates makes Clarity the clear better option for me finacially.

Maybe in 3-5 years if the wallet and needs dictate an upgrade to an SUV. But the trunk is huge and with a hitch for a cargo holder or bike rack, I can avoid any need for 4WD.

That 0-60 though....../drool
 
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