Case builds for Toyota RAV4 Rugged X
Burly RAV4 busts out in Japan as Toyota Australia studies potential for off-road version hereAustralia’s most popular SUV, the Toyota RAV4, has received an adventurous ‘offroad package’ upgrade in Japan – and the idea has piqued the interest of the brand’s Australian arm.
Indeed, this could be the genesis of the Toyota RAV4 Rugged X.
The Japanese-market package does not take the mid-size SUV up to the level of, say, a Toyota LandCruiser Prado, but does include a 10mm lift kit, recalibrated suspension and front and rear (plastic) protective guards.
Priced from around $A45,000 (¥3,460,000), the RAV4 Adventure model with the off-road package also features black 18-inch alloy wheels shod with Falken Wildpeak all-terrain tyres to give it a little more capability off the beaten track.
A more robust bridge-type roof rack is also available.
The RAV4 offroad package is a Japan-only upgrade at present but a Toyota Australia spokesperson told carsales: “We wouldn’t rule it out.”
It’s unlikely the package would be exported from Japan to Australia as is, given both countries have different design rules and regulations.
“The toughest thing is getting the homologation right, getting local engineers to green-light [the Japanese-market parts],” said the spokesperson.
But there is scope for locally-made options as Toyota Australia looks to expand its Melbourne-based vehicle conversion centre, and this could result in the RAV4 Rugged X.
The conversion centre has designed, developed and produced add-ons for the $70,000 Toyota HiLux Rugged X ute, including its steel front bar with integrated LED light bar, and Toyota Australia’s sales and marketing chief Sean Hanley said a Rugged X version of the upcoming LandCruiser 300 Series is under consideration.
“The facility has capacity to do more,” the Toyota spokesperson explained.
“But we need to pick the model that makes the most sense. Do we prioritise one model over the other?”
As the Toyota RAV4 continues to sell up a storm in Australia, positioning itself as the number-one SUV and one of the top-selling models across all vehicle categories, the company is now taking a closer look at potential upgrades and special editions for the model – something it wouldn’t have considered a few years ago.
Last month, Toyota sold almost 2500 examples of the RAV4, which brings its year-to-date total to more than 27,000 units. The Mazda CX-5 is next best with around 15,500 sales over the same period.
The Japanese-market RAV4 Adventure ‘offroad’ model also comes with upgraded interior appointments including splashes of crimson around the cabin with red stitching on the dashboard, door inserts and the leather-accented seats. There are also red plastic highlights around the cup holders.
Power-wise, and the only option for Japanese outdoorsy types is the petrol-electric hybrid set-up, comprising a conventional 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine (131kW/221Nm) with twin electric motors for a total power output of 163kW.
Sales of capable 4WD vehicles in the new and used car markets has increased significantly in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic keeps people from holidaying overseas – or even interstate in some cases – as Aussies prepare to head bush.
This shift in buyer attitudes may help the case for a Toyota RAV4 Rugged X in Australia.
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