Home Cars & More Electrified RAV4 Plug-in Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid: our new flagship SUV

Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid: our new flagship SUV

By Joe Clifford

This is the new Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid, the most powerful and efficient version of the world’s best-selling SUV. Taking its place as the new flagship of Toyota’s hybrid vehicle range, the model is equipped with a new plug-in hybrid system that sets electric power as the vehicle’s default running mode.

Click here to find out more about the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

Toyota RAV4 Plug-in: performance and technology

The new RAV4 Plug-in represents the next development in performance and technology following two generations of Prius Plug-in models. Previously, the focus was on achieving a longer all-electric EV driving range by using a larger high-voltage battery in conjunction with the standard hybrid vehicle’s electric motor. Now, however, the RAV4 Plug-in pairs a more powerful motor and a larger battery to gain extra drive power, as well as the ability to cover greater distances and run at higher speeds in EV mode.

Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

Maximum output for the full powertrain is 302bhp, which is 38% more than the standard RAV4 Hybrid. This equates to a 0-62mph time of six seconds (2.1 seconds faster than the RAV4 Hybrid) and more accessible power for improved driveability. In fact, there is now 50% more power available when accelerating out of urban zones.

At the same time, CO2 emissions and fuel consumption are sharply improved. Official weighted WLTP combined cycle figures show 22g/km CO2 and 282.4mpg respectively.

Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

RAV4 Plug-in operates as an authentic electric vehicle: with pure EV running as its default mode where it can cover up to 61 miles in urban driving (WLTP city cycle) on a full battery charge, and 46 miles in mixed (WLTP combined cycle) driving, comfortably more than the average European daily commute, and reach speeds of 84mph (where permitted), with no intervention from the hybrid powertrain.

Further flexibility is built into the technology in order to allow the driver to choose to start the journey in hybrid (HV) rather than EV mode. For example, this would allow the driver to maximise efficiency by saving the vehicle’s EV range for an urban area. Nevertheless, when the limit of EV driving range is reached, the RAV4 Plug-in automatically switches to hybrid (HV) mode.

Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

In Auto EV/HV mode, the hybrid system will automatically come into play when extra power is needed, for example under sharp, sudden acceleration. It will then return to EV mode immediately afterwards.

Toyota RAV4 Plug-in: hybrid system

Toyota has developed a more powerful hybrid system for the RAV4 Plug-in, making detailed changes to the compact, lightweight components in the fourth-generation hybrid technology featured in the current RAV4 Hybrid model.

It uses a new lithium-ion battery with a significantly higher output. Energy capacity has been increased to 18kW/h and voltage is now rated at 355.2V. The power control unit has also been adjusted with the addition of a boost converter so that more power can be drawn from the battery. The output of the front electric motor is also increased, by 46kW to 134kW.

Battery charging is simple and safe and can be accomplished in 2.5 hours using a 230 V/32 A connection and a wallbox charging unit. Type 2 cables for connection to a domestic power supply or wall box are provided as standard with the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid.

Grades and prices

The new RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid will be available in two equipment grades: Dynamic and Dynamic Premium with on-the-road prices for the former are £47,395, while the latter will cost £50,895.

Featuring a 2.5-litre petrol engine, a more powerful electric motor and a larger battery, the RAV4 Plug-in delivers more rewarding performance (0-62mph in six seconds) and drivability, with 50% more available at 37mph compared to the standard RAV4 Hybrid. Due to official fuel consumption of 282mpg with 22g/km CO2 emissions (WLTP combined cycle), the Plug-in Hybrid secures a benefit-in-kind rate of just 6.0% for company car taxpayers.

Based on the equivalent RAV4 Hybrid specification, Dynamic will offer 19-inch machined-face alloy wheels, a nine-inch multimedia touchscreen, access to connected services, heated front and rear seats and LED projector headlights. To support its EV capability, it will come with a 6.6kW (32A) cable for fast charging (wall box system required).

The Dynamic Premium version adds black leather upholstery, front seats with ventilation and memory settings, a panoramic roof, a head-up display and a JBL Premium Sound System.

All information is correct at the time of publishing.

22 comments

  1. I’m looking forward to see one in the flesh! The circa 40 mile range would easily see me never use any petrol! I already get around 60% EV running from my new(ish) RAV4 🙂

    It would be good if you could try and keep the price below the £40k threshold to avoid the ‘luxury tax’ of £320 from year two!

    I’m looking forward to a future BEV version of this car to compete against the VW ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq IV which have just been launched, if Toyota can sell 900,000 RAV4’s worldwide with just Petrol and Hybrid engines – think how many you can sell if you add PHEV and BEV to the range?!

    Reply

  2. My wife will not need to use any fuel on her short work journey. Won’t the octane level on the unused fuel in the tank get low as in stale fuel that can damage the engine?

    Reply

    1. Hi Thomas,
      Thanks for getting in touch with us.
      We recommend that at least 20 litres of fuel are cycled through the vehicle every 12 months.
      Thanks.

      Reply

  3. My wife drives a 27 year-old RAV 4 that recently had its first cam-belt change. (Our bad). It has carried on steadfastly while my vehicles, from a range of manufacturers, are putting my mechanic’s daughters through university. Next year I might bite the bullet and buy a new car and it will be a RAV-4, but is a panoramic roof going to be available for the UK market?

    Reply

  6. Hello Peter, yes we do.

    This is something that your local Toyota Centre will be able to help with.
    Alternatively, when creating your desired vehicle using our car configurator, there will be an option to input the details of your trade in vehicle.
    Here is the link: http://fal.cn/yv.Y

    Thanks

    Reply

  7. I have just agreed to purchase an ex demonstrator RAV4 PHEV from my local dealer. Where can I find details, with diagrams, of exactly how the hybrid system works? So far I have seen reference to one electric drive motor but assume there must be two to run in 4WD EV only mode.

    Reply

  8. We currently haven ‘Excel’ Rav4 Hybrid and placed an order for the new PHEV back in February and have been excited and looking forward to it arriving in November, already had the house electrics upgraded and additional power installed for the charger.
    We have just been told by the dealership that the only trim option is the the basic ‘Design’ version and we are unable to have either a removable tow bar (as we currently have for a bike rack) or the panoramic roof, the dealership are not being particularly helpful.
    Is the PHEV going to be available with upgraded trim to the Excel level ? , if not then we may as well keep our current model.
    Many thanks

    If no

    Reply

    1. Hi Kevin, thanks for your query.

      We are sorry to hear of your situation and apologise for any inconvenience.

      The Toyota Centres have the most up-to-date information on purchasing vehicles and part availability. Therefore they are the best point of contact for your questions.

      However, our Customer Relations team would be more than happy to support you further with this matter should you need any help. They can be found through the following link: https://fal.cn/3A0yA

      Thanks.

      Reply

  9. Can you please explain the difference between a Toyota RAV4 2.5 PHEV Dynamic DYNAMIC 5d AT 4×4 and Toyota RAV4 2.5 PHEV Dynamic DYNAMIC 5d CVT 4×4?

    Reply

    1. Hi Allan, thanks for your comment.

      AT and CVT refer to the vehicle’s transmission.

      – Automatic Transmission (AT)
      – Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

      Hope this helps.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  10. I am interested in the RAV4 PHEV – however, nowhere can I find a comprehensive specification sheet which tells me the available models and what they have included. Toyota website doesn’t have it – there is no brochure to download, even the local dealer admits this and cant give me anything helpful.
    I have driven Sorentos for the last 6 years but always like to keep an open mind – but i feel like giving up and sticking to what I know in the absence of clear info from Toyota.
    I want to know what model RAV i need that is equivalent to the top spec Sorento.

    Reply

    1. Hi Piers, thanks for your interest in the RAV4 Plug-In.

      The GR Sport grade is currently the most equipped option. In addition to those found on the Design grade, the GR Sport adds the following features: heated steering wheel, 360 camera, head up display, wireless phone charger and blind spot monitor. We’re not familiar with the details of the Kia Sorento, but the Design grade of the RAV4 PHEV is also well equipped with most of the key features, it is just the GR Sport grade that offers more ‘like to have’ options.

      Further details can be found on our website: https://www.toyota.co.uk/new-cars/rav4-plugin

      Thanks,

      Toyota UK

      Reply

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