Toyota has introduced its first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle to the Australian market, with the new-generation RAV4 PHEV combining a 2.5-litre petrol engine, electric motors and a 22.7kWh lithium-ion battery.
The RAV4 PHEV has a claimed electric-only driving range of up to 154km on the NEDC test cycle, positioning it as an option for drivers who can complete much of their regular travel on electricity while retaining petrol power for longer regional and interstate journeys.
Ray Munday, Senior Manager Product Planning and Pricing at Toyota Motor Corporation Australia, said the RAV4 PHEV was intended to expand Toyota’s multi-pathway powertrain range.
“For the first time in Australia, Toyota is introducing a plug-in hybrid powertrain offered in two grades of new sixth-generation RAV4,” Munday said.
“This plug-in hybrid technology combines a 2.5-litre petrol engine with electric motors and a significantly larger battery than the hybrid models to provide substantial electric-only driving around the city.”
The front-wheel-drive RAV4 PHEV produces a combined maximum output of 201kW, while the all-wheel-drive versions produce 227kW, making them the most powerful RAV4 models offered in Australia.
Toyota says the PHEV system uses a 151.4kW front electric motor, with all-wheel-drive versions adding a 40.7kW rear electric motor. That compares with a 143kW combined output for the regular RAV4 hybrid.
The vehicle offers EV, Auto EV/HEV and HEV drive modes, allowing the driver to prioritise electric driving, allow the vehicle to automatically blend electric and hybrid operation, or conserve battery charge for later use.
Munday said the system had been developed for drivers with shorter daily travel patterns and access to regular charging.
“Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles allow a customer who spends most of their time doing shorter commutes the opportunity to run on EV alone with the convenience of long-range ICE driving when needed,” he said.
“This is particularly useful for customers who can charge at their home or office daily.”
Toyota Australia Vice President of National Sales, Marketing & Franchise Operations John Pappas said the RAV4 PHEV was part of the company’s wider plan to offer different lower-emission technologies for different vehicle applications.
“Toyota has long approached decarbonisation through a multi-pathway strategy that aims to offer Australians the right vehicle with the right powertrain for the right time,” Pappas said.
Toyota expects the RAV4 PHEV to account for about five per cent of its Australian sales in 2026, alongside a growing range of hybrid and battery-electric vehicles.
For buyers considering the move beyond a conventional hybrid, the RAV4 PHEV offers a longer claimed electric range than many plug-in hybrid SUVs, while retaining the familiar flexibility of a petrol engine for longer trips where charging is unavailable.
