I just got a 2021 RAV4 Prime SE. Using the Toyota App, selecting "My Garage", my RAV4 Prime, and then "Vehicle Capabilities", it displays "EV Remote Connect" along with other capabilities. However when I press unlock, lock, start engine, etc the app displays a message: "This vehicle is not remote capable". The salesman that I worked with at the local dealership said he would look into it a few weeks ago. I later called the service dept and they are looking into it as well. I will probably complain when I take it in for its first service, but I'm assuming it is not supported and the App capabilities are set up wrong. I see a lot of poor support from Toyota for their remote connect/Apps in previous years from other discussions. This after a lot of advertisements from Toyota, the smart watch app, etc, is kind of sad. My wife has a 2017 Lexus and the quality of the Enform is poor as well, especially after a few years. Anyone else had a similar experience with a RAV4 Prime? Anything I can do to make this work?
EV Remote Connect will not connect
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You bought the wrong trim if you want Remote Services. You need the XSE for that.
This is the connected services table for 2021. The R4P SE does not support Remote Connect.
Start/Stop are technically not supported for any R4P.
Thanks so much for the info!
I would not expect the App to display it as a capability for the specific car selected. Also, with all the sales and advertising you would think a $40K vehicle would easily have this as an option at the least. Again, the capability is "EV Remote Connect", not Remote Connect. Trying to find out what that is...
Thanks. I don't really think I need the remote services, just curious why the App states "EV Remote Connect" under capabilities for my specific car.
I believe that EV Remote Connect is the same as Remote Connect except that it adds additional EV related services such as charge management. Since the pdf linked above shows that remote connect is not available in the SE trim, I suspect the reason you are seeing EV Remote Connect as a capability in the app is either and error in the app or an issue with the way the app is configured.
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I agree with you totally that you spend 45 grand on a car and the remote services aren’t included? I think it’s because the SE has the cheaper radio. You can still check your tire pressure, oil level, and remote battery status. They should be able to update your software to get all the services to work. I guess you have to spend 50 grand to get them.
Well, think of it this way. The RAV4 Prime is basically a RAV4 with a powertrain that cost approximately $8,000 more than normal. So it's not a $45,000 car, it's more like a $37,000 car + a big battery and electric motors (and raised suspension).
Would you expect a $37,000 car to have all these features? Maybe, maybe not. The Prime's price premium is driven by its highly capable powertrain, not the gadgets it has.
Now there's a legitimate argument to be made about the cost of remote services and how silly it is for Toyota to exclude them in any vehicle. I'd entertain that argument. However, I sometimes feel like some users on this forum / owners see the RAV4 Prime's price tag and immediately compare it to a similar gas-guzzling $45,000 vehicle with lots of creature comforts. It's apples and oranges. That plug-in hybrid power train is expensive. There's a reason there are government subsidies for these vehicles in many countries, otherwise the market wouldn't justify the cost of these vehicles with their level of equipment.
Compare the RAV4 Prime SE's amenities (roughly $39,000 base MSRP) with another vehicle that has an MSRP of $31,000. I think you'll find they're comparable.
Still crazy that I can see my fuel gage and miles, but cannot unlock the door. I have WiFi hotspot in the car, but cannot lock the doors. Also, there is a considerable difference in the suspension of the Prime over the standard RAV4. Much better handling and drive. I love the car, but Toyota has poor execution when it comes to the tech they advertise. You cannot even try it out until the car is yours and you register your app with the VIN.
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I have a 2021 Rav4 Prime XSE Premium. I have had it since April, 2021. The app (Android) has never been fully functional, but today after an app update (1.2.5(80)), almost all of it works with my car. I can finally lock and unlock the doors and find my car with the ability to navigate to it (on the EV Charging Station card).
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I have a 2020 Chevy Bolt, a $30,000 car. The MyChevrolet app has a basic set of remote connect services (start, lock/unlock, beep, flash lights) for the basic trim (which we got) and at no extra fee.
So yes, I was appalled to find that my new $45K 2021 RAV4 Prime SE did not have those basic features.
They were cool, fancy features 5-10 years ago; now they are expected; I am quite disappointed at the lack of remote connection features in a car that in a many other ways is "fancier" than my 2020 Bolt.
It depends what you mean by remote start. It has remote activation of climate control, but the gas engine will not start.
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And the climate control includes heat too, correct? So if I press my a/c button 10 minutes before heading out, the car should be warm? Also, how close do I need to be to the vehicle for the fob to work?
Yes, it includes heat. But the heat pump only works down to 14F. The closer it gets to that temp, the less heat you’ll have. It’s not great.
The RAV4 Prime has Remote Climate. It uses an electric heat pump for both heat and AC. As @generaltso pointed out, the heat pump is insufficient in really cold temperatures and the engine is the only thing that can provide heat. However, the engine will never start with remote climate, so effectively there is no remote climate in very cold temperatures. You can activate remote climate with the key fob using the AC button. Keyfob distance is generally weak compared to other manufactures, and your mileage may vary.
In case you are a new owner, you may not be aware that you can also use the Toyota app on your phone to activate remote climate. While the FOB will work when you are in proximity to the vehicle, the app will work from most anywhere.
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