2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs 2024 Toyota Prius

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid presented a robust and angular design that marked a departure from its previous softer crossover styling. The trapezoidal grille, borrowed from Toyota's truck line, added a sense of heft, complemented by beveled and angled bodywork that framed the headlights. This design choice, initially bold, became more mainstream as competitors like the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-50 adopted similar aesthetics. Inside, the RAV4 Hybrid continued the angular theme with a multi-tiered dashboard featuring beveled cutouts, adding visual interest to an otherwise straightforward layout. The materials used were average for its class, with hard plastics prevalent but lightly padded surfaces where contact was frequent. However, the base model and the new Woodland trim opted for a less appealing urethane steering wheel, which felt cheap compared to the leather-wrapped options available in other trims. Despite this, the build quality was solid, with no noticeable creaks or squeaks during drives.

The 2024 Toyota Prius retained its iconic wedge-shaped profile but introduced more appealing and aerodynamically optimized styling. The Prius XLE and Limited trims stood out with their attractive 19-inch aluminum wheels. Inside, the Prius maintained its quirky nature, moving the instrumentation from the center to in front of the driver, though visibility could be an issue depending on seating position. The interior was dominated by hard plastics, leading to a somewhat flimsy feel despite Toyota's reputation for durability. The 2024 model continued unchanged from the previous year, offering LE, XLE, and Limited trims with prices ranging from $27,950 to $34,965, excluding destination charges. Our XLE test vehicle, equipped with options like a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a glass roof, had an MSRP of $35,532. Despite the hard plastics, the Prius offered a comfortable driving experience with improved handling and acceleration, though some dynamic compromises remained.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor/generator, delivering a combined 219 horsepower. This setup allowed the RAV4 Hybrid to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, making it about half a second quicker than the standard RAV4. The hybrid system included a second electric motor for all-wheel drive, enhancing its performance. The brakes operated seamlessly, transitioning from regenerative to physical braking without noticeable shifts. The suspension provided a smooth ride over moderate bumps and offered confident cornering, though it wasn't particularly sporty. Overall, the RAV4 Hybrid's driving dynamics were competent but not exceptional, aligning with its competitors in the compact hybrid SUV class.

The 2024 Toyota Prius received a significant power boost with its redesign, boasting a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an 83-kilowatt electric motor and a lithium-ion battery. The hybrid system produced 194 horsepower with front-wheel drive and 196 hp with all-wheel drive, allowing the Prius to accelerate to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds with FWD and seven seconds flat with AWD. The Prius LE was the most fuel-efficient, achieving 57 mpg in combined driving, while the XLE and Limited trims offered 52 mpg. The Prius Prime plug-in hybrid variant provided 40 to 45 miles of electric driving range. During testing, the Prius averaged 48.3 mpg on a mountainous route, showcasing its fuel efficiency. The latest Prius improved driving enjoyment with enhanced handling and acceleration, though the steering felt artificial, and the CVT could be noisy under hard acceleration. Visibility was somewhat compromised by the dramatic windshield pillars and small windows.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered ample front seat space for larger passengers, while the rear seats comfortably accommodated average-sized adults. Although rear headroom was slightly more than competitors like the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage, legroom was a bit less, though the differences were negligible. The rear seat cushions were set low, potentially causing discomfort for taller passengers on long trips. The RAV4 Hybrid provided 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space, nearly matching the non-hybrid version and comparable to its rivals. Interior storage was a highlight, with a wide dashboard shelf, a phone tray, and large cupholders. However, a wireless charging pad was not available due to a chip shortage.

The 2024 Toyota Prius's interior felt snug compared to previous generations, with a dramatic exterior design impacting headroom. The driver's seat was comfortable, but the 7-inch digital display was small and could be obstructed by the steering wheel. The windshield pillars created a sense of claustrophobia, and rear seat space was limited but adequate for two passengers. Cargo capacity was 20.3 cubic feet for the XLE and Limited trims, with the LE offering 23.8 cubic feet. The cargo cover limited space for larger items, and the compartmentalized storage under the trunk floor was not suitable for bigger objects. An optional digital rearview mirror provided a panoramic view when the cargo area was full, but it was exclusive to the Limited trim.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid featured a new infotainment system with modern graphics and logical menu arrangements. Most trims came with an 8.0-inch display, while higher trims upgraded to a 10.5-inch touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though a wireless charging pad was optional. The system supported over-the-air updates and included a Wi-Fi hotspot. The top trim offered a fully digital instrument panel and an 11-speaker JBL audio system, while lower trims had a six-speaker setup.

The 2024 Toyota Prius's infotainment system included an 8-inch or 12.3-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim. It offered Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Five connected services plans were available, with varying trial lengths. The Limited trim featured an eight-speaker JBL sound system, though it was bass-heavy and left room for improvement. The Prius Limited also offered a 360-degree camera system and semi-autonomous parking assistance.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS. It came standard with Toyota's Safety Sense 2.5 suite, including forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and more. Higher trims added features like blind-spot monitoring and parking sensors. The safety systems performed well during testing, with smooth adaptive cruise control.

The 2024 Toyota Prius was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and more. It also featured Proactive Driving Assist, which subtly aided steering and braking. The Prius earned high safety ratings, with five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. However, it lacked hands-free Traffic Jam Assist and required periodic steering input to maintain lane-centering assistance.