[Retired Boomer]

If the Rav4 Prime can get within a grand or two of the CRV in similar trim, there is no way I'd buy the CRV next year.

Extra 25% power would be an amazing thing in this size of vehicle.

Agreed... except the 2021 RAV4 Hybrid Prime Plug-in will be WAY more expensive than the 2020 CRV Hybrid.

I'm guessing the RAV4 Prime will be at least US$55,000 out-the-door.

And if there's no tax credit?

My estimated price breakdown:
-- $37k for 2020 RAV4 Hybrid Limited
-- Add $10k for 302hp Prime Plug-in package
-- Add $3k for option packages (Tech, Weather, Protective)
-- Add $2k for typical extras
-- Tax, license, registration, delivery, extended warranty.
-- Maybe ~$3k dealer markup.

That is, initially I bet the RAV4 Prime is offered only on a restricted-availability loaded top-of-the-line Limited model.

And even if it's eventually offered on a base model, I expect the RAV4 Prime will still be $10k-ish more expensive than a comparable CRV Hybrid.

No thanks.

Instead, to replace my current 2011 CRV SE AWD, I'll be looking for a base CRV Hybrid hopefully around $30k.

 

[Retired Boomer]

Most of your assumptions are fairly reasonable, though I think your end result number is too high... and they will sell in other trims besides Limited. I'm guessing more in the range of $40K-42K, not $55K...

I agree, eventually we'll see low-$40K lower-trim RAV4 Prime models.

But still, that's much more expensive than the sub-$30K I expect for a lower-trim 2020 CRV Hybrid.

Anyway, 300hp notwithstanding, for me a plug-in hybrid just isn't worth the added cost & complexity. And down the road, the larger plug-in battery will likely be much more expensive to replace. Not good for a brand that's noted for longevity.

All I know for sure is, my one-owner low-mile 2011 CRV SE AWD is running great. So I'm willing to wait & see.

 

[Retired Boomer]

I played around with the Toyota configurator, and it looks like the Hybrid option is only $425 more than the equivalent AWD version (across all the trims the hybrid is offered). Toyota already mentioned that the plugin will only be available in the SE and XSE trim. The XSE Hybrid is currently $34K. The Prius Prime is an additional $3500 over the regular Prius. Let's say the RAV4 Prime has a $5000 premium over the hybrid. That means the top-trim model would come out to around $39K, and once you factor in the $6K federal tax credit that's down to $33K. The SE is probably a couple thousand cheaper than the XSE, so net price of that trim is probably real close to $30K. Throw in the additional state incentives, and it might even drop below $30K.

RAV4 Prime is only offered on SE and XSE? I just checked, you're correct.

But don't overlook the cost for the horsepower difference in the RAV4 Prime (302 hp) vs the regular RAV4 Hybrid (219 hp).

For comparison, it's $5100 extra for the V6 Camry (301 hp) over the 4-cyl Camry (203 hp).

Anyway, now that I think about it, I hope you're right about a $30K net price for the RAV4 Prime. It might persuade Honda to offer incentives on the CRV -- especially the non-hybrids.