# Test Drive Results 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Electric SUV - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/03/test-drive-results-2021-toyota-rav4-hybrid-electric-suv/ - Published: 2021-03-09T00:07:21-05:00 - Author: greenlivingguy ![Toyota rav4 hybrid Plano texas october 8 2020 very few vehicles have the capacity to be both a segment leader and a segment disruptor but the fifth generation toyota rav4 has managed to achieve just that The latest rav4 continues its bold leadership moves for 2021 by adding the xle premium model to the hybrid lineup at a starting msrp of 500 Additionally for the rav4 trd off road a new trd stamped stainless steel front skid plate has been added for 2021 I cannot wait to test drive the rav4 prime Thats all i kept saying Why Because if the hybrid is this good the prime must be amazing New for 2021 xle hybrid premium the xle premium grade includes 18 in 5 spoke super chrome finished sport alloy wheels power moonroof led projector headlights with chrome bezels automatic high beams and auto onoff](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy. com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/img_4513.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&quality=52&ssl=1 " img_4513 - The Green Living Guy") With up to an EPA-estimated. PLANO, Texas (October 8, 2020) Very few vehicles have the capacity to be both a segment leader and a segment disruptor. However, the fifth-generation Toyota RAV4 has managed to achieve just that. The latest [RAV4](https://greenlivingguy.com/2018/04/test-drive-results-2018-toyota-rav4-hybrid-electric-suv/) continues its bold leadership moves for 2021. Thereby adding the XLE Premium model to the hybrid lineup at a starting MSRP of $32,500. Additionally, for the RAV4 [TRD](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/08/test-drive-results-2022-toyota-rav4-prime-xse/) Off-Road. This is a new look. I mean a TRD-stamped stainless steel front skid plate has been added for 2021. I cannot wait to [test drive the RAV4 Prime](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/06/toyota-prius-prime-2025-test-drive-results/). That’s all I kept saying. Why? Because If the hybrid is this good, the Prime must be amazing. # **New for 2021: XLE Hybrid Premium ** # The XLE Premium grade includes: 1. 18-in. 5-spoke super-chrome-finished sport alloy wheels 2. Power Moonroof 3. LED projector headlights with chrome bezels, Automatic High Beams and auto on/ off 4. LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) with Accent Lighting* 5. Integrated Fog Lamps 6. Dual zone automatic climate control system with dust and pollen filter, front center vent flow controls and rear-seat vents 7. Leather-trimmed tilt/telescopic 3-spoke steering wheel with silver accent and audio controls 8. 5-passenger seating with SofTex®-trimmed seating surfaces 9. 8-way power-adjustable front driver’s seat with lumbar support; 4-way adjustable front passenger seat with seatback pocket 10. 4.2-in. digital Multi-Information Display (MID) ![Also a 7 0 in Touchscreen six speakers android auto™ & apple carplay® it also includes amazon alexa compatible Combined with a a usb media port four usb charge ports hands free phone capability and music streaming via bluetooth® wireless technology For it also includes a siriusxm® with 3 month all access trial subscription](https:// i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/img_4520.jpg?resize=300% 2C225&quality=52&ssl=1 "img_4520 - The Green Living Guy") Also a 7.0-in. touchscreen, six speakers, Android Auto™ & Apple CarPlay®  It also includes Amazon Alexa compatible. Combined with a a USB media port, four USB charge ports, hands-free phone capability and music streaming via Bluetooth® wireless technology. For it also includes a SiriusXM® with 3-month All Access trial subscription ## **New Skid Plate for 2021 RAV4 TRD Off-Road Model** For model year 2021, the TRD Off-Road will also continue to echo the persona of Toyota’s legendary off-road racers. I loved this part. Made the thing look tougher. Like a Jeep moreover and strong. ![Customers will also benefit from increased resistance against debris found on or off the road with this rav4 first ever front skid plate](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy. com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/img_4514.jpg?resize=300%2C225&quality=52&ssl=1 "img_4514- The Green Living Guy") Customers will also benefit from increased resistance against debris found on or off the road with this RAV4 first-ever front skid-plate. ## The 8.6-inch ground clearance of the RAV4 Adventure. So the TRD Off-Road goes above and beyond with suspension, wheels and tires engineered specifically for rugged trail driving. Dynamic Torque Vectoring All-Wheel Drive with Driveline Disconnect is standard and supported by and a full complement of off-road handling technologies. To take more adventure equipment along, such as personal watercraft, dirt bikes or a small enclosed trailer, the RAV4 TRD Off-Road is rated to tow a trailer up to 3,500 pounds. ![](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/image.jpg?resize =780%2C630&quality=52&ssl=1 "image - The Green Living Guy") It’s TRD Off-Road suspension is engineered to enhance body control and small-bump isolation to help smooth out trails and rough city streets. # Exclusive red-colored coil springs are tuned for an off-road focus. The 2021 RAV4 TRD Off-Road rolls on lighter and more rigid flow-formed 18×7-inch matte-black TRD alloy wheels with Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail all-terrain tires. Finally, the tires use a unique tread is rugged and square-shoulder design helps protect against punctures. The tires are Severe Snow Rated. That’s with open shoulder grooving to shed debris, mud and snow. # Yup⌊The toyota rav4 hybrid is powered by a 2 5 liter four cylinder engine that&aposs assisted by two electric motors for a combined output of 219 horsepower All wheel drive is standardone of the electric motors powers the rear wheels and the second motor and the gasoline engine drive the frontsas is a continuously variable automatic transmission cvt⌉ As Car and Driver added which I got the same numbers so here ya go LOL: ## **Engine, Transmission, and Performance** The Toyota [RAV4 Hybrid](https://greenlivingguy.com/2018/04/veganism-and-environmentalism-connection-making-them-go-hand-in-hand/) is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that’s assisted by two electric motors for a combined output of 219 horsepower. All-wheel drive is standard—one of the [electric motors powers the rear wheels](https://greenlivingguy.com/2005/07/electric-bikes-in-china-navigating-a-motley-array-of-wheels/) and the second motor and the gasoline engine drive the fronts—as is a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Not only is the [Toyota RAV4 Hybrid](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/09/toyota-crown-signia-limited-hybrid-test-drive-review/) more efficient than the unelectrified model, it’s also quicker. It snapped off a** [7.4-second 60-mph time](https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a27790333/2019-toyota-rav4-hybrid-awd-by-the-numbers/)** in our hands while the **[gas-only model needed 8.0 seconds](https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a24734743/2019-toyota-rav4-suv-drive/)** to perform the same task. Drivers will feel that pep, too. I mean particularly around town, where the electric motor’s gratifyingly immediate power delivery gives it an extra shove when taking off from a stop. If you want even more performance, the Prime model is happy to oblige. In our testing, the **[RAV4 Prime skipped to 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds](https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a33028735/2021-toyota-rav4-prime-xse-by-the-numbers/)**. Like the standard RAV4, the hybrid and Prime models’ handling is competent and its ride is comfortable, but don’t expect any cornering heroics here. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641? s=300&d=monsterid&r=g) greenlivingguy The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author, Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke # Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow. [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [ ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)