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ALL-NEW RAV4 SUV ARRIVES IN AUSTRALIA WITH BOLD NEW STYLING, NEW-GENERATION TECHNOLOGY AND REFINED HYBRID POWERTRAIN
The sixth generation of Australia’s favourite SUV, the Toyota RAV4, has arrived in Australian showrooms boasting a new-generation design, the latest in Toyota Connected Services and active safety technology, and a hybrid powertrain line-up which will include Toyota’s first ever plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option.
The all-new RAV4 range has also been expanded to include six separate model grades, including the first-ever GR Sport flagship whose 227kW all-wheel-drive PHEV powertrain will be the most potent ever offered in a RAV4 when it arrives mid-year.
Toyota’s sophisticated Arene software platform makes its debut in the new-generation RAV4, delivering substantial improvements to multimedia and active safety systems, while marking a significant step in Toyota’s ongoing development of software-defined vehicles (SDV).
Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations John Pappas said the all-new RAV4 would build on the traits that have made it so popular with Australian customers.
“Australian customers appreciate the RAV4 for its appealing mix of family-friendly amenity, hybrid frugality, comfort and signature Toyota durability and reliability,” Mr Pappas said.
“The all-new RAV4 builds on all of those traits, while also pushing the model line forward with a powerful new plug-in hybrid powertrain option and levels of technology never before seen on a Toyota vehicle.
“With bold new styling inside and out, and substantial improvements in driving behaviour and interior comfort and features, the all-new RAV4 is perfect for weekday commuting or getting away for weekend adventures,” he said.
While the new design is immediately distinguished from the previous generation RAV4, it sits comfortably on a platform and dimensions that are similar to the outgoing model with an overall length of 4600mm (Edge - 4620mm), width of 1855mm (Edge - 1880mm) and wheelbase measuring 2690mm.
Like the exterior, the interior has been completely redesigned offering greater comfort, more features and a flexible and spacious five-seat cabin.
All hybrid models in the new RAV4 range are powered by Toyota’s 5th generation hybrid system that generates a maximum combined power output of 143kW and has undergone substantial revisions to reduce weight, and improve efficiency and driveability.
Likewise, the TNGA-K platform has been revised to increase rigidity and improve sound deadening and insulation while revisions to suspension, steering and braking systems have been designed to improve ride comfort and handling on a variety or surfaces.
The all-new RAV4 line-up is priced from $45,9901 for the GX 2WD HEV, which is distinguished on the outside by 17-inch dark grey alloy wheels, LED headlamps, roof rails and acoustic front windshield glass.
Inside, the GX features dual-zone climate control, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, fabric upholstery with six-way manual driver and front passenger seat adjustment, reversing camera, six-speaker audio system and five USB-C ports.
The introduction of the Arene software platform has enabled a substantial increase in multimedia, safety and driver assistance, and Connected Services functionality across the RAV4 range.
For the entry-level GX, Toyota’s new-generation multimedia system is accessed via a 10.5-inch touchscreen display, and offers upgraded features including customisable widgets, new embedded voice assistant functions, connected Spotify2 streaming3 and satellite navigation4, faster processing power, and the new Embedded Drive Recorder feature which provides owners with an inbuilt dashcam capable of recording and saving video clips.
Compatibility with wireless Apple CarPlay®5 and Android Auto™6 is included across the RAV4 range.
Toyota Connected Services3 functionality offers increased security and convenience, with extensive vehicle information available at the owner’s fingertips via the myToyota Connect smartphone app7.
With the all-new RAV4, Toyota has also introduced digital key functionality for the first time that is activated by either an NFC card (Near Field Communication) or through an owner’s smartphone.
The next generation of Toyota Safety Sense active safety features are standard across the RAV4 range, including the autonomous emergency braking pre-collision safety system, emergency steering assist, full-speed active cruise control, front and rear cross traffic alert, lane trace assist, proactive driving assist, automatic high beam, parking support brake and blind spot monitor with safe exit assist, along with eight SRS airbags.8
The GX grade is also available with the choice of all-wheel drive priced from $49,3401, which packages an additional electric motor on the rear axle, as well as downhill assist control8 and Trail and Snow drive modes for better traction in slippery, rough-road conditions.
The standard space-saver spare tyre on GX can be upgraded to a full-size 17-inch alloy spare tyre for an additional $300.
The GXL HEV is the next grade up in the RAV4 range, priced from $48,9901 and $52,3401 for the 2WD and AWD respectively.
Additional features on the GXL include 18-inch alloy wheels, privacy rear and rear side glass, silver painted front and rear skid plates, premium door and instrument panel trim, leather-accented shift knob and steering wheel, eight-way powered driver’s seat with lumbar support, rain-sensing wipers and a wireless smartphone charger.9
Sitting above the GXL grade and aimed at customers with active lifestyles who use their vehicles for recreational pursuits, the RAV4 Edge is available exclusively as an AWD hybrid priced from $55,3401.
The Edge is visually unique in the RAV4 range with its own bumper and grille design, and wider wheel arches housing 18-inch dark matte grey metallic alloy wheels that sit on a 20mm wider track compared to the rest of the hybrid RAV4 range.
Inside, the Edge features a larger 12.9-inch touchscreen multimedia display, premium trim and upholstery, heated front seats, illuminated entry, metallic ornamentation, a cargo area side pocket with netting and a powered tailgate.
Priced from $58,3401 (plus $675 mandatory premium paint), the XSE AWD sits above the Edge in the RAV4 HEV lineup and includes 20-inch black alloy wheels, black front and rear bumpers with integrated skid plates, mid-grade LED headlamps, panoramic view monitor, black wheel arches, rocker and door moulding, and two-tone paint.
The XSE’s cabin features include combination synthetic leather and suede sports front seats with contrast blue stitching, climate concierge, three-stage front seat heating and ventilation, eight-way powered front passenger seat, driver’s seat memory, tilt and slide moonroof and storage tray illumination.
The Cruiser grade tops the RAV4 HEV range, and is available as a 2WD from $56,9901 or AWD from $60,3401.
Features unique to the Cruiser among the HEV grades include 20-inch machined black alloy wheels, high-grade LED headlamps, tilt and slide panoramic moon roof, genuine leather-accented seat trim, shift-by-wire shift lever with integrated park brake, head-up display, digital rearview mirror, heated outboard rear seats, powered tailgate with kick sensor, two wireless smartphone chargers9 and a premium nine-speaker JBL®2 audio system.
For customers wanting the extended EV driving range and performance of PHEV technology, three RAV4 variants will be offered from mid-year, with the XSE PHEV 2WD priced from $58,8401.
The plug-in hybrid XSE features the same specification levels as its hybrid counterpart with the exception of its increased brake size, water repellent front side glass and 1500W inverter, which replaces the 12V outlet in the cargo area and can be used to power small appliances.
The XSE is also available with a dual-motor AWD powertrain from $63,3401.
Topping the all-new RAV4 range is the first-ever GR Sport grade priced from $66,3401, which features a raft of visual upgrades over the rest of the range including unique 20-inch alloy wheels with red brake calipers, GR-style front and rear bumpers, a wing-type rear spoiler, GR Sport badging and the same 20mm-wider wheel track as the Edge.
More than just visual changes, the GR Sport also adds meaningful mechanical changes including a front performance damper, rear brace, stiffer coil spring and damper rates, and a unique electric power steering tune.
Inside, the GR Sport is differentiated by aluminium pedals, GR Sport heated steering wheel with paddle shifters, suede GR Sport knee pads and combination synthetic leather and suede-accented seats with red stitching and GR logos.
Further specification enhancements over the XSE include two 45W USB-C charging ports, digital rearview mirror, head-up display, powered tailgate with kick sensor, shift-by-wire shift lever with integrated parking brake, two wireless smartphone chargers9 and a nine-speaker JBL®2 premium audio system.
The sixth-generation plug-in hybrid system combines a 2.5-litre petrol engine with compact and powerful electric motors, with AWD grades producing a combined 227kW – the highest output of any RAV4 to date. 2WD grades produce a combined 201kW with the removal of the rear motor.
The RAV4 PHEV uses a 22.7kWh lithium-ion battery, which supports 50kW DC charging and 11kW three-phase AC charging.
All new RAV4 grades are covered by the Toyota Warranty Advantage, with a five-year/unlimited kilometre new-car warranty.10
Capped-price servicing is available for five years or 75,000km (whichever comes first), at a cost of just $325 per service over intervals of 12 months/15,000km.11
A broad palette of 10 single-tone and four two-tone paint options are available across the all-new RAV4 range depending on grade, with new additions including Urban Rock, Daintree Green and Massive Grey.12