More Toyota RAV4 variants for 2022

More hybrid availability, more variants and tweaked styling headline the 2022 Toyota RAV4 portfolio, the first examples of which are due to arrive Down Under in the first quarter of next year.

Such updates and running changes were alluded to by Toyota earlier this year but only now have the full details of the wider MY22 RAV4 range emerged.

For 2022, Toyota is broadening the scope of the RAV4’s hybrid powertrain to be available on every trim level, including a pair of new mid-range XSE twins.

Priced from $42,825 plus on-road costs in front-wheel drive form and $45,825 for the all-wheel drive version, both XSE variants are fitted as standard with the popular 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid powertrain found elsewhere in the range, splitting the familiar GXL and Cruiser grades in terms of spec and price.

Building on the GXL’s standard kit list, the XSEs up the ante with ‘Softex’ premium seat upholstery, two-stage front seat heating, 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat, leather-accented door trims, ambient lighting, wireless smartphone charging, a bigger 7.0-inch ‘multi information display’ and a powered tailgate.

The aesthetics have been enhanced via a series of darkened cosmetic touches to the bumpers, grille, fog light garnish, bumpers, exterior mirrors and door mouldings. In addition there’s a two-tone roof and the whole package rides on gloss-black 18-inch alloy wheels.

A new AWD version of the flagship RAV4 Edge has also been added to the range, carrying a price tag of $52,320 plus ORCs.

In terms of the wider RAV4 portfolio, which remains Australia’s top-selling mid-size SUV, there will also be some subtle tweaks to the standard equipment list for certain variants.

These include LED foglights, new alloy wheel designs (save for the Cruiser trim), some new body colours and a new segmented LED projector headlight design for hybrid variants.

Base GX variants will score DAB+ digital radio, LED interior lights and a rear seatbelt reminder system, while the Cruisers gain a digital rear-view mirror and three-stage seat heating and cooling.

The flagship Edge twins will have their safety credentials upgraded through the addition of rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA) and parking support brake (AEB paired to the RCTA system).

Predictably these upgrades have resulted in subtle increases of between $410 and $1585 for GXL variants and their superiors, however, GX prices have actually dropped by between $270 and $395 depending on the variant.

“Customer demand for the RAV4 hybrid models has been most encouraging with the intelligent hybrid powertrain making up over 70 per cent of all RAV4 sales,” said Toyota Australia sales, marketing and franchise operations vice-president Sean Hanley.

“The wider availability of hybrid, along with the introduction of the sporty XSE and other specification upgrades demonstrate Toyota’s commitment to deliver on what our customers demand, and continue to deliver ever better cars.”

One notable absence from Toyota Australia’s updated MY22 RAV4 line-up is the Adventure model revealed back in September – a more rugged new variant that will join the European line-up from its launch early next year.

How much does the 2022 Toyota RAV4 cost?
GX 2WD petrol – $34,300
GX 2WD hybrid – $36,800
GX AWD hybrid – $39,800
GXL 2WD petrol – $37,825
GXL 2WD hybrid – $40,325
GXL AWD hybrid – $43,325
XSE 2WD hybrid – $42,825
XSE AWD hybrid – $45,825
Cruiser 2WD petrol – $42,500
Cruiser 2WD hybrid – $45,000
Cruiser AWD hybrid – $48,000
Edge AWD petrol – $49,820
Edge AWD hybrid – $52,320
* Prices exclude on-road costs