New look for Toyota RAV4

Running changes improve the hottest ticket in town for Australian families looking for a new SUV, but can’t address its major flaw.

Toyota has updated its RAV4 for 2022.

Toyota has updated its RAV4 for 2022, bringing new looks and fresh tech to the best-selling SUV in Australia.

Hybrid power is available across the range for the first time, even the range-topping “Edge” model with more off-road ability than regular variants.

That’s good news for the 70 per cent of customers who choose the petrol-electric option that slashes running costs and delivers extra power for only $1500.

Toyota’s RAV4 Edge is now available with hybrid power.

But the Toyota RAV4’s popularity, coupled with component supply shortages and shipping delays, mean customers should expect to wait about a year to get hold of one.

Running changes to the model include fresh alloys and LED projector headlamps.

Stop-start fuel-saving tech features on the non-hybrid version, which is no longer available with a manual transmission.

The new Toyota RAV4 XSE Hybrid.

A new Toyota RAV4 XSE Hybrid model slips between the GXL and Cruiser, bringing a sporty mood with the help of dark exterior elements, a black interior headlining, faux leather trim and heated seats.

RAV4 Cruiser models get a digital rear mirror, plus three-stage heated and cooled seats, plus eight-way power adjustment for the front passenger.

The RAV4 Edge has orange interior highlights.

Range-topping Edge models benefit from tweaks to rear cross traffic alert and parking sensors that automatically apply the brakes to avoid a collision.

The range starts from $34,300 plus on-road costs or an automatic RAV4 GX petrol (an increase of $1660), rising to $36,800 for a two-wheel-drive hybrid or $39,800 for a hybrid with all-wheel-drive (both up by $1660).

Expect to wait a while to get hold of a new RAV4 Hybrid.

The better-equipped RAV4 GXL adds $3525 to the bill, and the blacked-out XSE is a further $2500 upstream.

The RAV4 Cruiser Hybrid is $45,000 in two-wheel-drive trim or $48,000 with all-wheel-drive (both up $3360).

The range-topping Edge Hybrid is $52,320 plus on-road costs.