The veil has been lifted on Toyota’s new RAV4 petrol-electric hybrid SUV at the New York Auto Show. This hybrid SUV will join alternatively-fuelled siblings like the Prius, Yaris and Auris.
As well as offering a more frugal alternative to Toyota’s lifestyle SUV, the new facelifted RAV4 will also add enhanced interior and exterior design tweaks.
On the powertrain front, the new RAV4 hybrid will utilise a large 2.5-litre petrol unit, unlike the 1.8-litre unit used by the Auris and Prius models. This petrol engine will sit alongside two electric motors, one of which will enable the use of an electronic all-wheel drive system. This system goes together with an impressive towing capacity of 1,650kg.
At a glance, the RAV4 also gains full LED headlights – a first for the model – and a new ‘rocker panel’ on its flanks, which according to Toyota creates a more “flowing look.” The rear lights and bumper have also been reworked.
Quality inside the cabin has been raised from both a technological and material point of view. There are now more soft-touch materials on offer, giving a more luxurious feel and a full colour touch-screen display. Safety has been enhanced as well, with Toyota’s 360-degree Panoramic View Monitor, Adaptive Cruise Control and Pre-Collision System.
The new Toyota RAV4 will go on sale in the UK in December 2015, with the hybrid variant joining the range in early 2016. Pricing and specification details will be revealed closer to its launch date.
