The Toyota RAV4 is a hybrid SUV that will be brought to India under the 2500-unit import car rule and is expected to cost upwards of Rs 60 lakh, ex-showroom. It is meant to showcase Toyota prowess in hybrid tech in India.
According to a latest report, Toyota will be bringing their RAV4 SUV to India as a full import, in an effort to strengthen their SUV range in India and also promote its hybrid drive technology. The Toyota RAV4 will come to India in limited numbers under the 2500-unit homologation rule and it sure wouldn’t be cheap. The SUV is expected to arrive in India sometime in the middle of next year and could cost upwards of Rs 60 lakh, ex-showroom.
But don’t get put off by the price immediately as the RAV4 itself is quite interesting. The Toyota RAV4 is based on the brand’s TNGA platform and it is one of Toyota’s more popular SUVs globally. It is however more of a crossover than an outright SUV as it sits relatively low and has a car-like stance. In terms of dimensions, the RAV4 measures 4,600mm in length, 1,855mm in width and has a height of 1,685mm. To put it into perspective, its as long as a Tata Harrier, but marginally narrower and shorter than the Harrier.
The styling is certainly quite edgy and could divide opinion in this regard. The face has a multi-layered effect with lots of cuts and angular lines and does appear quite busy. The side profile also has a mix and match of curvy surfaces and sharp lines while the rear profile is most attractive with its conventional styling cues. While the looks certainly may not be to everyone’s taste, its a fairly large car and it will surely catch your eye on the road.
It is on the inside where its very unlike Toyota and quite European in nature. The dashboard again has a layered effect but the design seems cohesive and aesthetic. The free standing touchscreen infotainment system and the jutting out dials for the climate controls look very cool indeed. The AC vents have a minimalistic design while the steering wheel, center console and instrument panel all seem well put together as well. It also gets translucent, illuminated, blue ‘hybrid’ bits to point out its green credentials. The RAV4 has a wheelbase of 2,690mm, which means interiors space should also be quite generous.
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It is what’s under the hood is the main talking point of the Toyota RAV4. The RAV4 is powered by a 2.5-litre, Atkinson-cycle petrol engine that comes mated to a strong hybrid system and produces as much as 218hp. That should give the SUV quite some good amount of performance as well as great fuel efficiency. The hybrid drivetrain is in its forth generation and its lighter and more compact than before. The system allows for four-wheel drive via a motor/generator on the rear axle which can send up to 80% of the torque to the rear wheels. This drivetrain comes mated to a CVT gearbox but that also is much improved than before.
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As with any hybrid or electric vehicle, the electric boost will be pretty instantaneous and performance thus will be quite spritely. The RAV4 will most likely be imported to India under the 2,500-unit quota without needing to homologate the car. At over Rs 60 lakh (expected), it sure wouldn’t be very affordable but it could be a good way to make a statement and showcase Toyota’s prowess when it comes to hybrid tech.
