Toyota
RAV4 Prime

Press the brake, tap POWER on the dash — the dash says READY but the engine may stay off. The ICE will join in automatically when you ask for more power or the battery dips.

Console-mounted shifter, gated like a tennis-shoe sole — tap right out of D for Sport (S) mode and the +/- paddle gate; new EVs use a click-style toggle.

Drive modes are accessed via the Drive Mode button on the console. Available modes typically include Eco, Normal, Sport, Custom, EV (hybrids). Each mode reshuffles throttle mapping, steering weight, adaptive dampers (if equipped), exhaust valves, and stability-control thresholds. On performance trims, an 'Individual' or 'Custom' slot lets you save your favorite combination so you can recall it with one click instead of nesting through menus.

The driver display is a 7 or 12.3-inch digital cluster. Use the steering-wheel left thumb-pad to cycle layouts (Classic, Sport, Navigation, Minimal). When in Sport / Track mode the cluster automatically swaps to a wide tach with gear indicator and tire-temperature readout. The head-up display brightness, height, and content are configured from Settings → Displays → HUD.

Infotainment runs on Toyota Audio Multimedia (8-14 inch). Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard; pair from Settings → Connections the first time, then it auto-connects whenever your phone is in range. "Hey Toyota" wakes the in-car assistant for nav, climate, calls, and messaging without touching the screen. The main display also hosts vehicle-specific apps: tire pressures, performance data recorder (where fitted), drive-mode customizer, and the camera views.

Standard driver aids include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Toggle each system individually from the driver-assist menu (steering-wheel left-pad → Assistance). A surround-view camera and parking assist may be optional — turn them on once in settings and they default to active in tight spaces from then on.

Plug-in hybrid: charge nightly from a standard 240V Level-2 outlet (about 2–3 hours for full battery). The car will default to electric-only until the pack is depleted, then operate as a hybrid. Use 'Hold' mode on the energy screen to save battery for city driving later, or 'Charge' mode to use the engine to top up the pack on the highway.

Beyond the physical key, this car supports Toyota Digital Key (NFC + Bluetooth). Set up phone-as-key from the Toyota app app: it provisions a secure credential to your phone's wallet so a tap on the door handle unlocks the car and placing the phone on the wireless charging pad authorizes ignition. You can also share temporary keys to family members (with optional speed and area limits on performance trims) directly from the app.

A few things every new owner tells us they wish they'd known on day one:

• Download the brand app (Toyota app) and pair it with your VIN before your first long trip — remote climate, charging/fuel-level checks, and remote lock-status save you walking back to the garage in winter.
• Lower the load floor (rear cargo area) for hauling and raise it for everyday — this is the most-missed feature on every modern luxury SUV.