Three hybrid variants for new Toyota RAV4

The fifth-generation Toyota RAV4 will continue the Australian market leader’s rapidly accelerating hybrid push when it launches Down Under in the second quarter of 2019.

The new Toyota RAV4 line-up will be split between three orthodox petrol models and three petrol-electric hybrid variants.

But while the 2019 RAV4 will be Toyota’s first hybrid SUV in Australia, the turbo-diesel offerings in the mid-size SUV it replaces will disappear.

The move pushes Toyota Australia further ahead of rivals such as Mazda, Hyundai, Ford and Holden, who do not offer any hybrid models as yet.

Among mainstream brands, the electrified SUV flag has been flown by Mitsubishi’s Outlander PHEV and Nissan’s larger Pathfinder hybrid. Of course, Hyundai will take SUV electrification a significant step further when it launches the Kona EV in early 2019.

The new RAV4 will be the sixth of 10 hybrid models Toyota intends to launch in Australia by mid-2020.

Three versions of the Prius plus Camry and Corolla account for the first five, while hybrid versions of the C-HR compact SUV, the new Corolla sedan and the next-gen Yaris mini-car and Kluger large SUV are expected to complete the count.

While the Prius, Prius C and Prius V are dedicated hybrid models, the new Toyota RAV4 will join both the small Corolla hatch and mid-size Camry sedan in being available in three hybrid variants – and the Yaris, Corolla sedan, C-HR and Kluger could follow suit.

“I think the hybrid offering is a significant movement in this market in the right way,” Toyota Australia marketing chief Sean Hanley told Australian media at the international RAV4 first-drive in California this week.

Sadly, you’ll have to wait until November 20 for the embargo to lift on our first drive review.

The new Toyota RAV4 will take over from a model selling in record numbers in a growing category as it enters run-out, with more than 22,000 forecast to clear dealer showrooms before the end of the year.

The new vehicle will offer three new direct-injection petrol engines, two front-wheel drive and two all-wheel drive systems (one mechanical and one electric) and a significantly ramped up safety package including standard autonomous emergency braking across the range.

Toyota is holding back a lot of specifics such as how many of three aggressive front fascias we’ll get, equipment details and the all-important pricing.

But on the latter, expect the buy-in to be going up, just as it did for the latest Corolla.

Read the Toyota Rav4 2019 Review

Expect the entry-level list price for RAV4 to jump beyond $30,000 from the current GX manual’s $29,450 plus on-road costs. In run-out, the GX auto is being offered for $31,990 drive-away.

On top of that increase, you can expect the hybrid will cost somewhere around $2000 more than the equivalent petrol model.

“I can assure you the new RAV4 will remain competitive and affordable,” said Hanley.

Toyota is budgeting on hybrid accounting for 20 per cent of RAV4 sales, but that’s looking a conservative estimate.

That’s because Toyota’s hybrid push into SUVs follows on from the success the technology has gained in the latest generation Camry and Corolla passenger cars, in which hybrids account for more than 40 per cent of orders.

We’ve already reported in detail about the new RAV4’s New York show debut, and provided initial details of the hybrid and confirmation it will be sold in Australia.

It can now be confirmed the RAV4 Australian line-up will start with a new 127kW/203Nm 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine, powering the front wheels via the choice of a six-speed manual with rev-matching or an eight-step CVT auto with mechanical launch gear. The current model has a 107kW/187Nm engine mated to a six-speed manual or seven-step CVT.

A front-wheel drive 2.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid will also be offered in Australia, but there are no performance figures or technical details available about that drivetrain.

The next step up the chain is a new dual-injection (direct and port) 152kW/243Nm 2.5-litre petrol engine mated with a mechanical all-wheel drive system that includes front-to-rear and rear-wheel torque vectoring for the first time. An eight-speed auto is the only transmission choice.

The current 2.5-litre RAV4 has a 132kW/233Nm petrol engine and a six-speed auto.

At the top of the pile is the hybrid all-wheel drive, which mounts an electric motor on the rear axle to drive the rear wheels, as seen in the new Lexus UX 250h.

The hybrid outputs claimed are 155kW and 221Nm, although the torque figure clearly does not take into account the pulling power provided by the electric motors. The sole transmission choice is a an e-CVT.

Fuel consumption figures are also being held back at the moment, but Toyota’s UK website claims the hybrid AWD is capable of achieving a combined 4.5L/100km. The same website claims an 8.2sec 0-100km/h acceleration figure.

Apart from AEB, the new RAV4’s standard safety pack will include a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, all-speed radar cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beam and speed sign recognition.

Seven airbags and a reversing camera will also be included. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert will be available.

Hanley confirmed the new RAV4 would not come with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto as Toyota Australia continues to grapple for a local smartphone mirroring solution.

As reported previously the new RAV4 sits on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), rolls on a longer wheelbase, is slightly shorter, wider and lower, yet releases more interior space in the rear and adds 79 litres of luggage space.

The latter is not affected by the hybrid’s nickel-metal hydride battery, which is mounted under the rear seat.

TNGA is also claimed to boost dynamics because of a lower centre of gravity and a 57 per cent improvement in torsional rigidity. It also has a new multi-link rear suspension and retuned front struts.