Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Spied While Testing in India, Launch Likely by Mid-2021

The Japanese automaker Toyota has plans to launch its global SUVs in our market. The upcoming models will be brought into our market as CBU (Complete Built Unit) under the government’s offer of importing 2,500 vehicles without a local homologation process. The upcoming Toyota RAV4 is also expected to be introduced in our market as a CBU unit. Recently, Toyota RAV4 has been spied while getting tested in India, which suggests that it could hit our shores in the near future. The spotted test mule features ‘Hybrid’ badging above the front wheel arch.

The 5th-gen Toyota RAV4 is based on the company’s TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) platform, which also underpins Prius and Camry. In terms of dimensions, the Toyota RAV4 is 4,600 mm long, 1,855 mm wide, 1,685 mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2,690 mm. It is likely to launch in our market by the middle of this year and, the SUV is expected to be priced between Rs 50-60 lakhs. Mechanically, it will get propelled by an Atkinson-cycle gasoline unit with a strong hybrid system, which is capable of shredding out 218 Bhp of peak power. The electric motor is fixed on the rear axle, which will allow the hybrid power plant to drive all-4 wheels. The motor offers up to 80 per cent of power to the rear wheels.

The upcoming RAV4 is expected to come equipped with many advanced features like an  Entune 3.0 multimedia system with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment unit along with Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa support, a hands-free powered-tailgate, a new JBL audio system with 11 speakers, heated rear seats, 5 USB ports, ventilated front seats, electric parking brake, a panoramic sunroof, 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory function and 2-way lumbar support. Furthermore, the SUV will also feature the Toyota Safety Sense suite, which consists of automatic high beams, trailer sway control, lane departure alter with steering assist, road sign assist, adaptive cruise control and pre-collision with pedestrian detection.