Toyota RAV4 hybrid confirmed for Australia
Petrol-electric variant confirmed for all-new 2019 range
Toyota Australia has confirmed the new-generation RAV4 hybrid will be headed Down Under – marking the first time the popular SUV has been available locally with petrol-electric power.
The Japanese automotive giant quietly made the announcement in a press release detailing the hybrid powertrain in the all-new Corolla.
Specifications for the local model are yet to be confirmed, though we do know the overseas version pairs a 2.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor, paired to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Outputs remain unknown at this stage, however.
It's possible the new RAV4's hybrid system could be the same as or very closely related to that of the new Camry and its combined power output of 160kW from its hybrid system – which also features a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.
Given that both the new RAV4 and Camry share their Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) underpinnings, the idea of shared powertrains as well isn't so farfetched.
The RAV4 hybrid will likely fill the void left by the current diesel model, as the oiler has been dropped for the new-generation car.
At this stage the new RAV4 is scheduled for release in Australia in the first half of in 2019, with more specific timing and details to be confirmed. Stay tuned to CarAdvice for all the latest.