Toyota has been offering their popular RAV4—a spirited compact SUV that's both spacious and fuel-efficient—in US markets since 1996. This vehicle proved an instant hit because there was nothing else like it when it came out. Most SUVs back then were large and sat on truck platforms. Crossovers weren't yet conceived, so drivers were basically stuck choosing between an unwieldy SUV and a short sedan. When Toyota put out its RAV4, with its sedan-like handling and fuel efficiency, along with its SUV-like height and capabilities, customers were more than ready for it.
The RAV4 is the perfect vehicle for Manhattan because it's small enough to navigate the congested streets and get into compact parking spots while spacious and fuel-efficient enough for trips out of the city, like to the Hamptons or Fire Island. When you find yourself searching for a "Toyota dealer near me" to check out the RAV4, your search will always conclude at Toyota of Manhattan. Once here, we'll show you the three iterations of this incredible compact SUV: the 2023 RAV4, the 2023 RAV4 Hybrid, and the more recently released electric option, the 2023 RAV4 Prime. Each one elevates the core characteristics of a modern vehicle, like a generous infotainment interface, a comfortable cabin, smooth handling, and tons of cargo room. However, there are some essential differences; here's a breakdown of these three distinct RAV4 options.
The Classic RAV4
The 2023 RAV4 is an excellent choice for drivers who are most comfortable with gas-engine vehicles, and it still gets an impressive fuel economy of 27 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the highway. It will do great on gas for those who primarily stick around Manhattan and shouldn't have you at the pump too often when you leave for nearby destinations like the Berkshires or the Catskills.
With a 2.5L four-cylinder engine, the RAV4 gets 203 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque—good numbers for a compact SUV yet the most modest power of the three models we'll discuss here. However, the classic RAV4 is where you'll find the highest towing capacity of the three models; you can tow up to 3,500 lbs with this option, which makes it a popular model among our customers who like to go camping or take a boat out for the day on Canopus Lake or Lake Tiorati.
The RAV4 also has the most ground clearance of all three models, with its underbody on some trims sitting at a nice 8.6 inches above the ground. Between its towing ability and ground clearance, this iteration is clearly designed for those aspirant explorers who like to break away from the Big Apple on the weekends.
Another adventure-ready feature of the RAV4 is the available torque-vectoring all-wheel drive. This rugged system monitors conditions and distributes 50% of engine torque to the left and right rear wheels when necessary to improve traction. Compared to traditional all-wheel drive systems, which send roughly 20% of torque to those rear wheels, the RAV4's torque-vectoring all-wheel drive can much more easily help you regain command on slippery roads.
The interior of the 2023 RAV4 will have cloth seats unless you get the XLE Premium trim, in which case you'll get faux-leather upholstery. This model is focused on performance and convenience and is ideal for someone looking for a practical vehicle for city and highway driving.
The RAV4 Hybrid
By 2016, Toyota recognized a market for customers who already loved the RAV4 but wanted even better fuel economy than offered by the standard model—especially if it meant they could go green. And so, the hybrid variant was introduced.
With up to 41 MPG in the city and 38 MPG on the highway, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is ready for the often torturous stop-and-go nature of Manhattan traffic; it will also get you far on one tank when you decide to break free from the city. Because the RAV4 Hybrid generates its battery power through regenerative braking, the congested streets of Manhattan are actually the perfect environment for this vehicle since you'll be recharging every time you stop your vehicle—which, in Manhattan, is often.
The RAV4 Hybrid has a mid-range output of 219 hp, and it has the lowest maximum available ground clearance of all three RAV4s, at 8.1 inches. However, even that figure still offers a nice, high driving position. The RAV4 Hybrid gets electronic on-demand all-wheel drive, so when you leave the always-plowed streets of the city for the more untamed roads of exurbia, you can activate this to get better traction.
The maximum towing capacity drops substantially for the hybrid model, down to 1,750 lbs. While it can still tow small items for occasional camping trips and similar excursions, we recommend this option to drivers whose main priority is excellent fuel economy combined with a comfortable cabin and impressive performance.
The RAV4 Prime
The Toyota RAV4 Prime is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), and thus it offers incredible fuel efficiency, with an estimated EV-only range of 42 miles. So if you find yourself on that last stretch of the I-278 on your way home from a trip to Atlanta City, low on gas with no station in sight, switch to EV mode and you'll make it back without issue.
The RAV4 Prime has an estimated 94 MPGe; its battery can conveniently be charged in 2.5 hours, too. If you need to commute between New York and Connecticut or New Jersey for work, this is likely the best RAV4 for your purposes. It's also the most powerful and the fastest of all three models, with 302 hp and the ability to go from zero to sixty in about 5.7 seconds.
The Prime is clearly made for someone looking for a little more oomph out of their driving experience—apparent in features like the available steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters and the electronic on-demand all-wheel drive. You will get a nice 2,500-lb towing capacity out of the RAV4 Prime, too, so it pairs its zippy prowess with the ability to tow a small camper out of the city for you.
Lastly, this model has a distinctly more upscale interior than the RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid. Its dark, contrast-stitched seats are bolstered and built to support you during spirited driving. Toyota doubled down on the futurism of this model by making its interior as exciting as its powertrain.
Performance, Convenience, & Fuel Efficiency
Toyota did a clever thing in distinguishing these three RAV4 options. Drivers have long loved the traditional gas-engine RAV4, so we don't see any reason for that to go away any time soon. However, as the creator of the Prius, Toyota is also a top name in hybrid vehicles, so offering a hybrid powertrain in the already popular RAV4 just makes sense. By expanding the lineup to include a PHEV, Toyota has appealed to consumers looking to do long-range driving with very few fueling stops.
The nature of Manhattan traffic can be tough on a vehicle with poor fuel economy. However, the RAV4 Hybrid and Prime will respond exceptionally well to the busy city streets. Life happens fast in New York City, and it's a real hassle to oblige the expensive tedium of frequent fill-ups. Make more trips to work or out of the city—and with fewer gas stops—with any of these three RAV4 options.
If it's a more spirited performance you're after, check out the Prime. If you want rugged capabilities, the original RAV4 has you covered. If you like the versatility of a hybrid, then the choice is clear. Visit Toyota of Manhattan, the best Toyota dealer in New York City, and test drive any or all of these models today.
