Toyota RAV4 2023: GR Sport grade revealed for Europe with sports suspension, could come to Australia

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The popular Toyota RAV4 has gained a sharper GR Sport variant to the line-up that brings some sporting flair to the midsize SUV. 

Toyota has yet to confirm the GR Sport for Australia but it’s likely this new variant will be adopted locally, following the likes of the GR Sport-badged Yaris Cross and C-HR. 

The RAV4 GR Sport has received some mild styling tweaks, as well as a unique, stiffer suspension tune and will be available in Europe from Q4 2022. 

Both the hybrid electric and plug-in hybrid models will be available with the GR Sport grade in Europe, but it’s more likely that we’ll see the former in Australia.

Toyota has rolled out the GR Sport variant across a wide variety of its vehicles. In Australia, the C-HR and Land Cruiser 300 Series are both available in GR Sport guise and will soon be joined by a new Hilux GR Sport. 

GR Sport products differ in performance from the full-blown GR models such as the GR Yaris, GR Supra, GR86 and the upcoming GR Corolla with more aesthetic changes and suspension modification rather than engine development and tuning. 

A Toyota Australia spokesperson told Chasing Cars that “we’re always considering exciting new models as they become available for our market, but we have no announcements to make today”.

A sportier RAV4?

Toyota has added stiffer springs and shock absorbers to the RAV4 to “give a handling boost and offer a more engaging driving experience”. 

However, the Toyota RAV4 in GR Sport trim won’t gain any extra performance from its hybrid engine setup. The combined power output is likely to remain at 160kW. 

You’ll be able to pick the RAV4 GR Sport from the crowd thanks to plenty of exterior GR Sport badging, as well as black wheel arches, side mouldings and boot lid garnish. 

The RAV4 GR Sport gains 19-inch alloy wheels that are finished in gloss black with fine pinstripe detailing. 

Inside, the RAV4 GR Sport will gain embossed GR Sport suede seats, with more GR logos adorning the steering wheel and floor mats. 

A 10.5-inch central touchscreen is standard, along with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Power adjustment for the front seats is also standard, along with a 360-degree camera. 

Toyota RAV4 2023: prices in Australia

All prices listed are before on-road costs.

• GX 2WD petrol: $34,400
• GX 2WD hybrid: $36,900 
• GXL 2WD petrol: $37,950 
• GX AWD hybrid: $39,900 
• GXL 2WD hybrid: $40,450 
• XSE 2WD hybrid: $43,250
• Cruiser 2WD petrol: $43,250
• GXL AWD hybrid: $43,450 
• Cruiser 2WD hybrid: $45,750 
• XSE AWD hybrid: $46,250
• Cruiser AWD hybrid: $48,750
• Edge AWD petrol: $50,200
• Edge AWD hybrid: $52,700