2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE - FULL REVIEW from an everyday tech nerd

Howdy people of YT! It's been a little over a month/1,600 miles, and I now feel confident in "reviewing" my new 2023 RAV4 Prime XSE.

As before, this will be a completely unprofessional, off the cuff, down to earth assessment of the Prime -- but that's sort of the point. Unlike most other reviews, this is purely for my fun and your information; I don't have any PR bullet points that I'm tracing through, and I'm not borrowing the car -- it's mine and I paid for it, so I can be completely honest with you about my likes and dislikes.

While I'm not much of a car dude, I *am* a guy with an extensive history (20+ years) of product review experience -- at various major tech and gaming websites -- and technology consulting work, which is my primary gig today. And as such, I *do* have a unique attention to detail and a critical/diagnostic mindset that helps me to pick these sorts of products apart and condense everything into cohesive thoughts.

So hopefully you like what you see here, but if not... haha, the joke's on you! ;-)

LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE! (this is a joke... kind of)

[OtherSteve]

I may have fixed the problems with my infotainment by unpairing and repairing my phone and denying permissions to restrict connectivity to Android Auto only. I'll make a short video about it soon once I'm positive it's fixed for good!

[djaztec]

Digital rear view mirror is something that people actually need. I tend to travel with a lot of suitcases and speakers for my job and as a result they block my view. I have to setup the cargo space so that it doesn't block my rear view. The digital rear view will eliminate those issues and allow my to put as many stuff in the cargo area without affecting my view.

[SlickJWilly]

As an avid Android user who happens to rent vehicles very frequently. The black screen, trouble connecting etc happens on many vehicles. Ive noticed if i have many apps open in the background or havent power cycled my phone in a while those errors happen very predictibly. Phone is currently set to power cycle automatically on Monday mornings at 3AM and its habbit now to close all apps while im entering the address into google maps and only having maps and Youtube music open. No issues.

[supermodestmouse]

really apreciate your vids. i just got mine saturday so i'm working on learning everything. my previous car was 20 years old and was pretty basic.

[abushaheedal]

Thank you very much you never bored anyone You are 1 of the better reviewer On YouTube But I would like sometimes that you all give review of the more lower trims

[teknightrider]

Amazing similarities!!! Part 2 of 2 🤪 Continuing

5. I agree… LOVE all the simple controls that do not take a person’s eyes off the road.
Sometimes change for change sake or to be more “designer” or tech-y just is not near as efficient. Like when Apple changed from color icons in the side bar (where a person’s eye could and would instantly catch the “green” Download Folder)… then they changed it to all monochrome… so now (even though it is a very slight pause or delay)… still it takes a person’s mind just an extra unnecessary moment away from production and a lil’ less efficiency every day, multiple times a day, week after week. 🤪

6. Charge Mode - Just so a person is aware that there is a 23% loss in energy to purposefully use the gas engine to charge the battery compared to plugging it in. So it’s usually better to just let the computer do its thing. However, I personally use Charge Mode, like a Launch Control if I really want her to fly from the line! ha ha 🤪
Alex on the Auto Buyers Guide (which BTW, Alex is a fabulous detail car guy who seems to notice every little tinny thing that I notice on every car rental I’ve ever gotten when flying all over… or any car I’ve ever purchased Alex is right on the money). Anyway, Charge Mode will keep the engine ON, then put it into Sport Mode and boom you are gone from the line in 5.4 seconds. Which again the RAV4 Prime is currently Toyota’s 2nd fastest vehicle… 2nd only to the 3.0L Supra (BMW), but still the RAV4 is quicker than the 2.0L Supra. And still gets amazing MPGs!

7. No Black Screen, Syncing or Crossfade Problems for me personally.
So I really don’t have any problems w/my iPhone 15 Pro (again not trying to be dork) 😇 And I do have 4, 400+ contacts that sync. So again, a person’s milage may vary. I also typically do NOT use Apple CarPlay. I just bluetooth and talk to Siri if I want it to do anything. And then for music track “Crossfade” a person just goes to Settings > Music > Crossfade > then select 1-12 seconds (but again that’s on an iPhone). But I’d think Android would have that, maybe? 🤷🏻


8. ECO Heat/Cool - Helps quite a bit with efficiency, as the manual explains quite a bit about that. 🤓


9. Parking Inside -
Parking inside makes a HUGE difference. I’ve owned two (2) Prius’; one (1) Camry Hybrid; one (1) Avalon Hybrid Limited w/Tech Pkg. and my beloved Accord Hybrid Touring… and the Accord sat outside in the Northwest… having to heat the cabin was a killer where normally I’d get 42.3 MPG… I’d get down to 36.6 MPG in the winter. But if parked inside that made a 4.0+ MPG difference. Just like the F-150 Lightning hates the cold as was discovered later. RAV4 with it Heat Pump is amazing… again if a person wants super detailed info about how the Prime’s Heat Pump works… a person should check out The Car Care Nut with AMD (a big time Toyota Master Diagnostic Tech).


10. Squeaky Shoes - Unless it’s the soles… just put Baby Powder under a person’s insoles and the squeaking goes away! 👍


11. Lease for $6, 500 is VERY Smart!!!
We were blessed to do the same thing. Next we’ll get $5K from our state… so basically $40, 500 for the XSE w/PM Prem. Pkg.


12. Premium Package (13) Features -
So for those that would like to know every detail, the below is what the $2, 585 package gets a person (keep in mind this was 2023, not sure about 2024 pricing that’s gone up again). We only waited 4 months and got it configured exactly like we wanted without anything extra added to the window sticker.

- 10-in. color Head-Up Display (HUD) with speedometer, navigation and Hybrid System Indicator
- 6.6 kW onboard charger
- Panoramic glass roof with front power tilt/slide moonroof
- Panoramic View Monitor w/360-degree Overhead View in low-speed drive and reverse, and Curb View.
- SofTex - trimmed* seats w/sporty red accents and stitching.
- Heated & Ventilated Front Seats.
- 8-way Power Driver's Seat w/Two-Position Memory
- 4-way Power Passenger Seat w/Seat-back Pocket
- Digital Rearview Mirror w/HomeLink
- Smart Key System on All 4-Doors
- One (1) 120V/1500W AC Power Outlet in Cargo Area
- Height-Adjustable, Foot-Activated Power Lift-gate w/Jam Protection
- Front & Rear Parking Assist w/Automatic Braking PA

13. Maui Jim’s - Again I totally agree… fantastic! ha ha 🤪😇

Hope my novel will be helpful!!! 😇🤓🤪 Again sorry for any eyestrain for anyone!

[MrRaitzi]

BTW if you don't use ICE much, get higher octane gas with less ethanol so gas last longer in tank before issues.

[dslightam]

Very thorough and hilarious. Great review. Like you, I'm not just "some random dude" 😆, nor a car expert either, and i'm a software architect, and Dad, with 1000 miles on my 23 R4P XSE (non-PP) with lease cash. Basically all the same rationale you used. Toyota part of the infotainment is like a first release or beta. Gosh, I hope it can be updated with better usability/perf, but you're right, we may not be so lucky. Before this I had a 17 BWM i3 Rex. I also had a 2023 Honda Civic Sport Touring 6MT briefly, and the interior on that car... and especially the infotainment, was a cut-above, despite a smaller infotainment screen. No problems with Android auto, like with this. But in terms of the complete package of the vehicle, I prefer my R4P. The number of clicks to swtich from Android auto to radio is ridiculous and probably dangerous. Love the review. Thanks. We are completely aligned on our opinions of the prime.

[christophersharpe]

I have the same loading problems on my 2023 R4P. And don’t like the clunky way you have to go between Android auto and Toyota screens. Excellent video! I learned something(s) new about charging! I have 14k miles after 1 year of ownership. Extremely satisfied with R4P’s performance and efficiency. Plug in hybrid is the best answer to hybrid vs. electric question. I don’t use gas except for long trips. And with the hybrid engine l’m not so concerned with wintertime battery power loss.

[Yellowbasterd]

I wish they put this plugin rav4 prime in to Toyota sienna

[goneridingparts]

so if you plan on doing the lease buyout in the first month, I assume you really have to watch what the Dealer charges for the vehicle during the lease sign up... is this clearly in the paperwork when you initially lease it. And is it smarter to do zero down on the lease up front, or have a down payment to setup for the lease buyout. I just don't trust dealers. I would like to do a lease buy out though.

[zicat]

Sharing with the Facebook Official Rav4 Prime Group. I have a 2021 XSE PP 25K miles, am delighted. I live in NY no problem with original tires, but will get CC2s when I change. I got ceramic, it looks gorgeous but I do have a few paint chips. Yes XSE PP is way into Lexus territory. I also have S23 Ultra, don't use the charging pad because it gets very warm (maybe they fixed). Enjoy your car!

[OtherSteve]

Sorry about the several split second instances of video hiccups throughout guys... Not sure what caused that but I can't fix it now 😂

[jpdoc]

1:05, “traction” a must for a family crossover with a powerful motor👍.
btw, what tire width do you have? ( 235 or 225) thanks 🙏

[francis]

I have the cross climate 2 on an Elantra. Considering getting Winter tires or another Cross Climate for the Rav4 Prime. I live in Vancouver, Canada. Doesn't snow here much but I do like going up the mountain for snowboarding. Any further input regarding what I just mentioned? Would love to hear it. Thanks in advance.

[Txiczombies]

Best video on this vehicle that I’ve seen! Thanks!

[teknightrider]

Amazing similarities!!! Part 1 of 2

Also I hope the below answers/solutions and comparisons might be helpful to you and others… at least coming from anther “Tech Guy” who also has been blessed to have been entrusted with a 2023 RAV4 Prime w/the Prem. Pkg. (basically further below I tried to cover everything I’d heard form squeaking shoes to Michelin CrossClimate 2’s, to syncing phones, and perhaps several other things from having read all the manuals cover to cover) as has been my propeller head life, and my personal experience with the RAV4 Prime XSE w/PM in Northwest. ha ha 🤓😇

Preface - So I know in any written text it can be difficult to relay a person’s truly intended “positive tones”, so please know I’m positive (as I also use a lot of emojis). Plus, I also realize each person has their own grading system and/or level of details. So, of course, I certainly don’t want to sound like a professional wrestler with a long list of previous experience, but rather a lil’ background is also sometimes helpful at times. Anyway I’ve had 35 vehicles over the span of my young 55 years (dating myself I know) ha ha 🤣 Fourteen (14) have been Toyotas and thirteen (13) of the 35 have been Honda Products (9 Honda/4 Acura). Well to continue (and I hope you’re not put off by this), but I was an Apple Level III Tech & former Sales Manager (actually still active on the macOS Dev. Team… where I’m amazed they still listen to some of my feedback). But anyway, I later moved on to work for a company with five divisions where I was blessed to be their Systems, then Operations and then Executive Director (where again not of my doing) but we had some great clients like BASF, Industrial Finishes, Meguiar’s (before John sold to 3M), Chip Foose, Coy Wheels, Summit Racing and etc). Basically a VERY meticulously and detailed clientele in the Hot Rod / Motor Sports Industry. But still, I have 4, 400+ contacts in my iPhone, where several folks just kind of followed me from the ole Apple days, or Beta testing for Adobe or Macromedia (see showing my young age again). ha ha 🤪 End of Preface (sorry for any eye strain already).

So again, the below are my personal experiences or things that I’d tried that worked fantastic for me (hope they may help others out there): 😇

1. Michelin CrossClimate 2’s (MCC2) - And Chains Info (too).
I agree, the MCC2’s are GREAT TIRES - So next, I’d suggest trying to add 5 PSI… Worst I’ve gotten is 39.1 MPG (hand calculated at the pump… normally 43.2 MPG both in full Hybrid Mode i.e. NOT EV or purposefully not charging it to test). Well, I personally have the MCC2s that I also swapped out immediately on the RAV4 Prime XSE and they are also on my wife’s ’17 Honda Ridgeline (where I’d originally put Michelin Defender LTX on when it was new in 2017). Plus, I have seven (7) other friends who have purchased the MCC2s for their Nissan Maxima’s (2), Toyota Sienna, Venza, Honda Odyssey. So before purchasing I’d read hundreds of reviews (including Consumer Reports and Tire Rack) where it is clear MCC2 is a GREAT tire. Yet a few folks, and perhaps these were earlier versions of the MCC2 were folks would say they are “noisy”. But the compound is so grip-y (like you’d mentioned in the video). And for ALL those 7 vehicles I’ve ridden in (and I’m a VERY sensitive driver and passenger)… ALL of them are way WAY quieter. Like our Ridgeline… I thought the Michelin Defender LTX was so much quieter and much more confident than the stock Firestone tires. But these MCC2 are ultra quiet (so I cannot speak for those that “say” they are noisy). Also this MCC2 will take a LOT more air/tire pressure and still ride very nice… and I noticed that on both the RAV4 Prime and our Ridgeline (where yes again, I’m Mr. Detail where I’ve hand calculated every single fuel up on every single one of our 35 vehicles over the years at the pump, so I do NOT rely on the computer… ha ha coming from a tech guy). Basically once I added 5 PSI I was almost back to the same MPGs I was getting before. Also we’ve had a lot of heavy vehicles in the past besides Toyota and Honda Products we’ve owned a Ford Lightning EV (which I would not recommend sorry to say), Dodge Cummins, Regular F-150 and 2500 Suburban. So again just had a lot of rigs over the years. 🤪 But I think you’ll be happy with more tire pressure (that will still wear evenly and gain back several MPGs… at least it did for me). 🤓 Plus plus, if a person reads the manual… the 19” wheels that come on the Prime XSE… a person CANNOT put on even “S” class chains. The Manual says NO clearance… so for us MCC2 is the ONLY way to go w/the (3) Three-peak Mountain Snowflake… as a NEED, that also qualifies as chains on an AWD vehicle to cross the Cascade Mountains here in the Northwest.


2. Paint Protection Film (PPF) - I went w/LLumar Valor (12 yr. warranty) on the RAV4 Prime (this time around).
So I do travel a ton still… and in years past I’d had my window tinter (who uses LLumar on the Windows for as long as I can remember)… last he’d put 3M Pro on my 2015 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring. BUT, my experience/observations of several “car guys/gals” vehicles (and also several other owner’s of PPF install shops that I know personally) told me that the older 3M Pro PPF adhered better than the new 3M 200. Where actually several shops that install both 3M and LLumor told me this time that they’ve been having a really hard time with 3M 200 lifting really bad. So I suppose a person’s milage may vary… but WOW am I impressed with LLumar’s Valor… it is like nothing sticks to it with its hydrophobic coating that is like glass. Again, I hope that might help others out there!!! 😇


3. 302 HP and Plug-in Hybrid… that’s the ticket! 🤓 Especially after having owned an F-150 Lightning EV. To my way of thinking the Toyota’s PHEV tech is the way to go!
So I’d signed up the day Ford announced the Lightning back in May of 2021. Where again I was thankful to have gotten the Lighting BEFORE Ford jacked up the prices like CRAZY (seriously it was $16, 000 swing after we got ours by 1 week). 🙄🫨 Plus also, Ford Crop. is out of touch and has been horrible to their dealers too (again I’ve gotten to know a few GM, GSM, and Fleet guys over the years). Anyway, I sold our Lightning to a non-profit who really needed it for around town for the same price I paid… but once winter came that thing with the big battery pack would only go 174 miles here in the Northwest. So again thankfully they traded it in and got more than we’d bought it for (before the current collapse)… and got something that worked for them. And now, well, Ford cannot give EV’s away.

4. Loved seeing the ole RAV4 Limited in the background… I had a 2007 Sport w/the V6.
It was also a kick in the pants. Just the family was growing back then… so it eventually gave way to a 2008 Highland (that back then was also made in Japan).



To Be Continued...

[akshayalakshmieswaran]

How do you use the remote connect app to start the car, for some reason I’m only able to do the climate control through the app but not start the car?

[brandonhunziker]

Great video. I'd love to know more about the lease bonus and payoff. Can you tell me what your downpayment was, lease terms, and MF?

I was planning on doing the same thing. Found an XSE for about $4k under MSRP. The dealership's manager told me that this hack doesn't work. But clearly it did for you. I'm just wondering if you could walk us through your actual lease deal and numbers.

[kyrosmike]

I have a 2022 XSE I wish I knew the engine hours, does 23 have that buried somewhere in the options? Also only way I can see engine RPM is through the HUD.