Aside from minor suspension tweaks to account for the added weight of the batteries, Toyota has not gone through extensive efforts to improve the RAV4 Prime's handling characteristics. This means you should not expect the RAV4 Prime to be a performance variant of the RAV4, despite the hot rod levels of power. It rides well over rough pavement and exhibits an acceptable amount of body roll for a non-performance crossover while the steering feels light and fairly responsive. Toyota has integrated regenerative braking that comes on automatically during coasting but it lacks the stopping power to execute one pedal driving like a Tesla or Nissan Leaf. You can trigger heavier regen by downshifting using the gear lever or optional paddles but most drivers will likely leave the system to its own devices. We found the brake pedal feel to be a bit inconsistent, likely due to the regen system, but we also had just a few days with the car and may have gotten smoother with the brakes after a longer period of time.
The RAV4 Prime's higher price point has allowed Toyota to add more sound-deadening materials including thicker glass. Road noise has been a sore point on recent Toyotas but the Prime feels noticeably quieter than the standard RAV4 Hybrid. In EV mode, the cabin feels eerily quiet and under most circumstances, the engine rarely intrudes into the cabin.
Drivers can choose between four different drive modes: Hybrid Mode, EV Mode, a mode that cycles automatically between EV and HV, and Charge Mode. Hybrid Mode delivers max acceleration, using the engine and electric motors together and keeping the batteries at their current charge level. EV Mode shuts off the engine completely, allowing up to 42 miles of electric-only driving range. Charge Mode activates the engine to charge the batteries, which could be useful if you want to arrive at a destination with a full battery. Eco, Normal, and Sport modes can also be triggered regardless of the drivetrain mode.
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