The Toyota RAV4 Prime Is Just The Autobot We Were Looking For At the LA Auto Show

• The RAV4 Prime uses a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine and electric motors to develop 302PS.
• It is the fastest and the most powerful version of the RAV4 yet.
• The next-gen Mirai was first showcased at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show.

Toyota’s exhibits for the 2019 LA Auto Show came in the form of the New RAV4 and the Mirai fuel cell vehicle. We already got to see the Mirai at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show along with the hotly-anticipated Raize sub-compact SUV. The Japanese carmaker has also made it clear that it will continue to offer sedans, unlike some of its competitors that have shifted their focus to SUVs and crossovers. Next on Toyota’s agenda for the US market are all-wheel-drive versions of the Camry and Avalon. Meanwhile, here are the highlights from Toyota pavilion at the ongoing LA Auto Show:

2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime

The fifth-generation RAV4 Prime is the fastest and most powerful version of the RAV4 since its inception in 1994. The crossover packs a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine that works in conjunction with electric motors to produce a solid 302PS of power. This figure also translates to an impressive 0-100kmph time of 5.8 seconds, making it quicker than much bigger cars out there.

The Prime also gets an AWD system to put down all that power efficiently. Some standout features on offer include 19-inch wheels,  paddle shifters, a sunroof, wireless phone charging, ambient lighting, and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime will go on sale in the US by summer 2020. It will be available in two variants: SE and XSE. 

Mirai

We got some insight on the Mirai from this year’s Tokyo Motor Show. The next-generation Mirai is bigger than before and is slated to launch by the end of 2020. What makes the Mirai standout from the usual crop of hybrids and EVs is its FCEV technology. Thanks to the new platform, the powertrain now sends power to the rear wheels instead of the front. There are also upgrades to the hydrogen fuel cell system performance and energy storage, resulting in increased driving range.

Cabin highlights include a 12.3-inch high-resolution TFT touchscreen infotainment system, a 14-speaker JBL sound system and an 8-inch digital instrument cluster. The fact that the Mirai is a fuel cell vehicle that doesn't need to be charged like an EV seems promising for the future. We can only hope that Toyota brings the Mirai to India to solve our pollution woes.