Toyota RAV4 Prime Availability & Wait Time [2024]
Those in the market for a RAV4 Prime have been met with unfortunate news of long delivery times.
I’ve received so many emails from RAV4 enthusiasts who are frustrated with the current market conditions, asking me for help.
Although I can’t speed up wait times, I was able to shine more light on the situation. I personally reached out to over 100 dealerships, asking about RAV4 Prime availability and current wait times.
By the end of this article, you’ll understand the current market conditions, so you can decide whether or not the wait is worth it.
I will update this data approximately every few months. Please refer to the publish date at the top of this article to see when it was last updated.
Current Wait Times
The current estimated wait times are anywhere from 1 month to 4 years, with an average wait time of 13.1 months. This data is based on my calls to all regions of the USA and Canada.
Wait times vary significantly by region, so I’ll break it down even further for you.
USA
Those searching for a RAV4 Prime in the USA market can expect to wait anywhere from 1-18 months, with an average wait of 4.6 months.
| Region | Estimated Wait Time |
|---|---|
| Midwest | 1-6 months |
| Northeast | 1-7 months |
| Northwest | 6-18 months |
| Southeast | 1-8 months |
| Southwest | 1-12 months |
| Alaska | Not available |
| Hawaii | Not available |
According to my research, availability is the worst in the Northwest and Southwest regions of the USA. Many of these dealerships regularly told me that there was no hope of getting a Prime model through them. They didn’t even give me the option to join a waitlist.
In comparison, there appears to be greater availability for the RAV4 Prime in the Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest portions of the country. If you live in one of these regions, the RAV4 Prime’s availability may be a bit more promising.
Canada
Canadians are seeing severe RAV4 Prime wait times, with wait lists as long as 1-4 years and an average wait of 21.6 months.
| Region | Estimated Wait Time |
|---|---|
| Central Canada | 1-4 years |
| The Atlantic Provinces | 1-2 years |
| The Northern Territories | Not available |
| The Prairie Provinces | 1-2 years |
| The West Coast | 1-2 years |
The situation in Canada is much worse, with wait times of 1-4 years for the RAV4 Prime.
Most regions of Canada have wait lists of 1-2 years, except for Central Canada, which has limited availability leading to wait times up to 4 years.
It’s also worth noting that the RAV4 Prime was not available at all in the Northern Territories.
Future Outlook
There is hope in 2024 for RAV4 Prime buyers.
Although shortages are expected to continue into 2024, conditions are improving, which will allow for more supply to satisfy demand (J.P. Morgan).
Additionally, demand could go down with the recent release of the Toyota bZ4X and Crown EVs.
Some buyers will opt for these Toyota EVs instead, especially the bZ4X, which shares a lot of similarities with the RAV4.
As buyers move towards these alternatives, demand for the RAV4 Prime decreases, which means wait lists will be shortened.
However, you should also keep in mind that Toyota may reduce production for the RAV4 Prime if demand falls. I don’t expect that to happen, but it is a possibility.
Preordering
The dealerships that are accepting names for the waitlist will also allow preorders for the RAV4 Prime. This process isn’t complicated, and it only takes a few minutes to secure a spot.
To preorder a RAV4 Prime, a deposit is usually involved. The deposit is typically $500-1,500, and sometimes it’s refundable. It’s worth verifying this information before putting any money down because some dealerships don’t offer to refund the deposit.
If the dealership has a long waitlist, a deposit may not be allowed at this time. While you might be able to put your name on the list, there’s no deposit to secure your spot for now.
Read my full article: How to Pre-Order a Toyota RAV4 Prime
Buying Used as an Alternative
With the current RAV4 Prime availability, the chances of getting a new one are limited. For now, it might be better to focus on finding a used model.
I collected data on cargurus.com, looking at like-new RAV4 Primes (2023 model year with less than 5,000 miles).
Based on my data, you can expect to pay approximately 6.2% more for a lightly used RAV4 Prime compared to a brand new one. This is not too bad considering how long the wait times are.
When it comes to buying a used hybrid vehicle, here are a few tips to make it easier.
- Avoid high-mileage cars unless you are prepared to pay for mechanical failure
- Price battery replacement before purchasing a used hybrid
- Look through service records to ensure the vehicle was well cared for
- Check the vehicle history report to ensure there have been no accidents
- Take a test drive and try out everything
- Be prepared to pay more for what you want in the current market
Summary
RAV4 Prime wait times are long, ranging anywhere from 1 month to 4 years depending on your country and region. The average wait time is 13.1 months.
Although these wait times have been around for several years, it is expected to shorten in 2024 as parts shortages improve and new Toyota EVs pull customers away from the RAV4 Prime.
If these wait times are acceptable to you, you can place a deposit with most dealerships to secure your spot in line.
Alternatively, you can consider buying a used RAV4 Prime for a premium price, which will eliminate the wait time completely.
What are you thoughts about these wait times? How long have you been waiting? Leave a comment below!