Toyota outlines equipment, design tweaks for RAV4

CUSTOMERS on the long waiting list for a new Toyota RAV4 may be able to switch their order to an upgraded MY22 model which is due to enter production in December and arrive in Australian showrooms early next year.

Toyota Australia is yet to reveal images or pricing of the updated medium SUV but has outlined equipment upgrades, most of which apply to the second-from-top Cruiser variant.

Equipment changes to the RAV4 Cruiser include ventilated front seats, the addition of eight-way electric adjustment for the front passenger seat and a digital rearview mirror that can display vision from a rear camera.

Illuminated door switches will also be added to the Cruiser, as well as the mid-spec GXL and flagship petrol all-wheel-drive-only Edge, the latter also gaining reverse autonomous emergency braking in the update.

Cosmetically, all RAV4 variants will have upgraded LED foglights and most will get new alloy wheel designs.

Hybrids will come with new headlight design that Toyota claims will “enhance night-time vision”.

An idle-stop system will also be introduced to all petrol RAV4s but the drivetrains will otherwise remain unchanged, though Toyota’s announcement makes no mention of the current GX petrol base model’s manual gearbox option, suggesting it may have been dropped.

The entry-level RAV4 engine is a 127kW/203Nm 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol that drives the front wheels through an automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Hybrids come in front- or all-wheel-drive flavours respectively producing a combined 160kW and 163kW, distributing drive through what Toyota calls an e-CVT.

Exclusive to the top-spec Edge is a 152kW/243Nm 2.5-litre petrol with eight-speed auto and a mechanical all-wheel-drive setup that has torque vectoring on the rear axle.

Acknowledging long wait times for RAV4 deliveries, Toyota Australia sales, marketing and franchise operations vice president Sean Hanley said the company was encouraging customers to “speak with their preferred Toyota Dealer about the upgrade on any orders placed”.

“While these updates won’t arrive until early next year, Toyota is committed to keeping its customers aware of upcoming improvements,” he said.

“The RAV4’s mix of style and practicality, and in particular, its hybrid powertrain, really resonates with buyers and these upgrades will add to that appeal.”