Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid confirmed
Popular mid-sized SUV to get 50km EV range to back up petrol engineThe Toyota RAV4 now comes with a plug.
And will it will be the most fuel efficient – and most powerful – RAV4 available.
But it's not a full EV like the Hyundai Kona Electric; the new 2020 Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is tipped to offer a range of around 50km of pure EV range, backed up a conventional petrol engine that'll add another 500km.
It will rival vehicles such as the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV ($47,490) but has not yet been confirmed for Australia.
The new RAV4 PHEV will be revealed at the 2019 Los Angles motor show but details on the new SUV are limited, with Toyota USA showing just one image of the new model.
The EV range, power output and other details have not yet been confirmed but it's expected a lithium-ion battery will provide an electric range of around 50km or 30 miles.
Toyota says the 2020 RAV4 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle will "become the most powerful RAV4 yet", delivering "surprising performance capabilities".
In Australia there is already a RAV4 hybrid, that features an electric motor and 2.5-litre petrol engine (163kW) but it has limited electric-only range.
The local Toyota RAV4 range includes an entry-level 2.0-litre petrol RAV4 (127kW) and non-hybrid 2.5-litre (152kW) version.
The new Toyota RAV4 PHEV could offer as much as 200kW with fuel consumption of around 2.5L/100km.
The Toyota USA press release boasts "the new RAV4 plug-in hybrid will be celebrated by [sic] its spirited acceleration, nimble handling and impeccable style".
The RAV4 range and pricing for Australia are listed below but as it stands the plug-in hybrid is unlikely to join the range.
Toyota Australia spokesperson James Wang told carsales.com.au the RAV4 PHEV, or any plug-in hybrid, wasn't on the radar for Australia.
"At this stage we have no plans to introduce the RAV4 or the Prius plug-in hybrid to the Australian market," he said.
How much does the 2019 Toyota RAV4 cost?
GX Petrol 2WD manual — $30,640
GX Petrol 2WD CVT — $32,640
GXL Petrol 2WD CVT — $35,640
Cruiser Petrol 2WD CVT — $39,140
GX Hybrid 2WD CVT — $35,140
GXL Hybrid 2WD CVT — $38,140
Cruiser Hybrid 2WD CVT — $41,640
GX Hybrid AWD CVT — $38,140
GXL Hybrid AWD CVT — $41,140
Cruiser Hybrid AWD CVT — $44,640
Edge Petrol AWD Auto — $47,140
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