Wow! Where do I start?! My journey for a RAV4 Prime only started around 1 month ago (so not too long ago). I got impatient and bought a 2021 RAV4 Hybrid XSE (Metallic Gray). I mean, this thing looks great, with the black wheels, 2-tone exterior, etc.; and I even topped it off with additional accessories (running boards, tinted windows, LED Fog Lights, Led Interior Lights, Door Sills, Paint Protection Film on Hood, Front Bumper, and Door Sides).
Of course less than 3 weeks after this Hybrid purchase, I find “My Prime” in Maryland (two states over)! Now this is a fully loaded “Panda” RAV4 Prime XSE with XSE Premium (panorama roof, 6.6 kW battery, etc.). Yes, the dealership marked it up $4,995; but in all honesty, I have no regrets because this was the exterior color we wanted & top-of-the-line. Of course we spent another $2,500 on accessories (similar to the Hybrid). So it ended up costing us $57,039 out the door, hundreds for flights, an expensive Lyft ride, a whole day of traveling, etc. ($60K+); BUT IT WAS TOTALLY WORTH IT!
The driving experience is like Night and Day, the Hybrid does not even compare! Absolutely do not assume a RAV4 Prime is basically a RAV4 Hybrid! It is not, I own one of each and now I am wanting to sell the Hybrid for another Prime! I’m contemplating on settling for a Prime SE, but I really want another Prime XSE Premium. The HUD, pano roof, parking sensors, and especially the front ventilated leather cooling seats are just too hard to pass up!
TRUST ME… the extra money for the Prime is absolutely worth it! Good luck getting a fully loaded XSE; SE’s are readily available; but do not pay more than $2,000 over MSRP for an SE! For a fully loaded XSE, I think $5,000 to $7,500 over MSRP is totally worth it!