2022 Toyota RAV4 SUV Australian details revealed

The Japanese brand’s mid-size SUV is so popular it has a waiting list of at least several months, and a range of new updates will make it even harder to get.

Toyota has announced a range of tech and styling updates for the country’s best selling SUV, the RAV4.

The Japanese giant has sold about 18,000 RAV4s through the first five months of this year, which is about 5000 more than its nearest rival, the Mazda CX-5. When it first launched the new RAV4 Hybrid was named the 2019 News Corp Car of the Year.

Toyota is taking an “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” stance with the new RAV4, making only mild tweaks.

Toyota has revealed details of its updated RAV4.

Leading the charge is the addition of eight-way electronically adjustable front seats with cooling function joining the current heating feature for Cruiser models.

This is joined by a digital rear view mirror and illuminated door switches on all but the base GX grades.

Petrol versions now get a stop-start system to help reduce fuel use.

Top-spec Edge versions add auto braking to the rear cross-traffic alert safety tech.

Styling tweaks include new LED fog lights on all grades as well as redesigned alloy wheels.

Toyota Australia’s head of sales and marketing, Sean Hanley, says the improvements will make the RAV4 even more popular.

Popular hybrid models have extremely long wait lists.

“The RAV4’s mix of style and practicality, and in particular, its hybrid powertrain, really resonates with buyers and these upgrades will add to that appeal,” says Mr Hanley.

The current RAV4 has an extensive wait list that stretches out for about six months on some models.

Hanley suggested customers waiting on their vehicle to be delivered to speak to their dealer about switching their order to the upgraded version. This would benefit Toyota by helping to alleviate wait times for customers sticking to their current order

Even the base GX is well equipped.

“While these updates won’t arrive until early next year, Toyota is committed to keeping its customers aware of upcoming improvements and we encourage our customers to speak with their preferred Toyota Dealer about the upgrade on any orders placed,” he says.

All engine options are to remain the same with the petrol versions using a 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit making 127kW/203Nm and the top-spec Edge using a 2.5-litre unit making 152kW/243.

The improvements will cause the price of the RAV4 to rise.

Hybrid models will maintain the same 2.5-litre petrol-electric combo that makes 160kW.

Price rises are expected, but shouldn't be significant. The RAV4 range currently starts at about $37,000 drive-away for the base front-wheel drive GX petrol matched to a six-speed manual transmission, rising to about $54,000 for the Edge version.

Originally published as 2022 Toyota RAV4 SUV Australian details revealed