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What’s the range and performance?


There will be future Prime plug-in hybrid models from Toyota. Just don’t necessarily expect them to raise the bar for the genre quite like RAV4 Prime.

That’s one of the takeaways from a recent examination of Toyota’s electrification strategy with Cooper Ericksen, Toyota Motor North America VP of product planning and strategy.

But first, consider what Toyota is doing differently with hybrids. It has brought new life – and excitement – to a formula that GM led and then scrapped with the Volt, and who question the position for plug-in hybrids in today’s market. Look no further than the RAV4 Prime. As we have shown in tests ranging from a first time driving come off-roading, Prime makes everyday all-electric driving easily accessible — resulting in a vehicle that doesn’t feel lame by its sheer weight.

To that end, Prime offers an EPA-rated 42-mile range — and even more in all extreme weather, based on our real-world experience. It then runs as a 38 mpg hybrid suitable for weekend trips away from charging infrastructure. And with 302 horsepower, it accelerates to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, faster than any other Toyota except the Supra sports car.

However, not all Toyota plug-in hybrids offer the same level of performance and performance. NS Prius Prime offers 25 miles all-electric and gets 54 mpg combined as a hybrid. But it takes about 10.2 seconds to hit 60 mph.

Will we see more of the RAV4 Prime’s range, or even faster acceleration, from future Prime models? And will future Prime models represent the best performance of any model line?

Toyota RAV4 Prime 2021 driving for the first time.  - July 2020

Toyota RAV4 Prime 2021 driving for the first time. – July 2020

Unnecessary. Ericksen explains that first, RAV4 Prime is a special case; and second, carrying more battery than you need for a daily driving journey really doesn’t care about efficiency.

“Our research shows that the average customer commutes 20 to 30 miles per day,” explains Ericksen. “The key to a plug-in is having the right range to do your everyday tasks just on the EV, plugged in, in your garage — and then you have the hybrid for those long journeys. , so it’s a car that in today’s world can really do the job of many cars. “

Sweet location: Just enough to cover the way to work, all year round

“Honestly, from a consumer point of view, 40 miles is pretty much where it needs to be,” continued Ericksen, perhaps to meet needs like weather. “You start going above that, you have the weight, you have the price.”

That fits closely with the logic behind the cut-off point we’ve applied for years to plug-in hybrid candidates for Green Car Report’ Best car to buy—That is any qualifying vehicle that requires at least the distance of the average daily commute. In recent years, the number has been about 32 miles, and according to a semi-annual survey by AAA, this year’s Covid samples have reduced that number to 30 miles.

Toyota RAV4 Prime SE life 2021

Toyota RAV4 Prime SE life 2021

Ericksen added that Toyota wants to continue to improve the plug-in range of future Prime models without adding extra battery weight.

There is an exception to that, based on the proposed California Advanced Clean Car II regulation 50-mile electric range from plug-in hybrid vehicle. Ericksen explains: “Is that something that we can achieve to get credit value? Maybe; We’re pretty close right now. Is it something the customer is asking for? I do not think so. ”

Next, Toyota is expected to upsize the Prime formula to the Highlander. While Ericksen doesn’t confirm that, he does hint that applying it to larger, heavier vehicles won’t yield the same range.

“The lighter, lighter and more aerodynamic a vehicle is, the easier it is to create range. However, one of the biggest needs, one of the biggest environmental impacts, is the ability to tackle three-row SUVs, trucks — and so we think there’s a use case. for plug-ins, on larger vehicles. But honestly, 50 miles is going to be tough on such a big vehicle.

“So we think there should be a sliding scale about…what from a technical point of view is feasible at an affordable price,” explains Ericksen. For a full-size SUV that means 25 to 30 miles all-electric, while on a car or RAV4 Prime, 50 miles might make sense.

Key performance?

And then there’s the performance side. While Toyota has used the RAV4 Prime as an example of what its hybrid system can offer with more battery life plus an upgraded powertrain — with faster acceleration. electric scooter bZ4X it was recently revealed — don’t expect other Prime models to take the lead in terms of performance.

2023 Toyota BZ4X

2023 Toyota BZ4X

“We don’t have a strategy where any one of those technologies is going to be the pinnacle of performance,” Ericksen said. “It changes a lot in terms of powertrain availability, how it works in that platform.”

Those parts will fit together differently for Lexus, with that brand’s electric vehicles focusing more on long-range range and class-leading performance. Its upcoming model is previewed by LF-Z concept, which will likely be called the RZ 450h in production, hints at a range of over 370 miles and a 0-60 mph acceleration in about three seconds.

‘Electrified’ means completely mixed or better

In the US, Toyota is looking for 70% of its sales are electrified by 2030, of which the majority will be hybrids but “a substantial portion” will be PHEVs. According to Toyota’s estimates, battery- and fuel-cell vehicles will account for 15% of sales in the US by that time.

2022 Toyota Sienna

2022 Toyota Sienna

That part of electrification will not include small steps like mild hybrid technology; Ericksen insists they will at least be full hybrids. Last year, Toyota introduced two models, Sienna mini trucks and Venza crossover, which is only offered as a hybrid, and Toyota has just added hybrid technology to it Tundra pick up.

It’s good to see Toyota adopting the hybrid technology it pioneered with the Prius more than 20 years ago, but with the Prime and electric vehicles, perhaps it’s time to fully embrace what’s next.



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