There’s A New Toyota RAV4 Hybrid And We Wish It Came To India

• The RAV4 PHEV is expected to feature additional hybrid tech and offer more power and efficiency.
• The teaser image also reveals minor cosmetic changes like revised LED strips and chrome wheels.
• Further details will be revealed at its official debut at the LA Auto Show next month.
• The new RAV4 is unlikely to make it to India shores anytime soon.

When Toyota unleashed its fifth-generation RAV4 Hybrid SUV last year, it was the most powerful RAV4 on sale with a 2.5-litre inline-four engine producing 219PS of power alongside two electric motors. Well, now that number is about to be trumped as Toyota has teased a more powerful plug-in-hybrid version of the 2021 RAV4 set to make its official debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show this November. As enthusiasts, we can only wish that this one comes to India. However, the company’s Indian arm, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, does not see a demand for it and is unlikely to introduce this premium compact SUV here.

While Toyota has not revealed any technical specifications of the upcoming compact SUV, the carmaker claims that it will not only be more powerful than current RAV4 Hybrid but also offer better range and more all-electric capabilities as well. The RAV4 Hybrid that’s on sale currently has a claimed efficiency range of 20.32- 21.43kmpl. 

Aside from mechanical changes, the teaser image also reveals some cosmetic changes with a new Supersonic Red colour scheme. Other exterior tweaks include vertical LED strips that replace the current circular strips, revised chrome accents on the lower lip and chrome wheels.

Further details about the 2021 RAV4 will be revealed by Toyota when the compact SUV makes its official debut at the LA Auto Show next month. There’s no word yet on the pricing of the new SUV, but we expect it to come at a premium over the current RAV4 owing to the additional power and hybrid tech that are expected.  Toyota’s SUV lineup in India currently consists of the Fortuner, Land Cruiser and the Land Cruiser Prado. The new RAV4 is unlikely to make its way to India anytime soon as Toyota is currently focussing on its joint venture with Maruti Suzuki. Toyota says that the Glanza, which is based on the Maruti Baleno, has been successful in the domestic market and the carmaker is now gearing up to introduce the rebadged version of the Maruti Vitara Brezza next.