Toyota RAV4 Edge Hybrid 2022: rugged hybrid model unveiled in right-hand drive

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When revealing the 2022 facelift of the popular RAV4 midsize SUV, Toyota confirmed the rugged Edge model would now be offered in hybrid form for Europe in left-hand drive.

What they didn’t say – and Chasing Cars can now reveal – is that a new RAV4 Edge Hybrid is in production for right-hand drive markets, becoming a near-certainty for an Australian release in 2022 priced north of $50,000 plus on-road costs.

In photographs taken in Japan overnight and published by Japanese publication MOTA, the right-hand drive RAV4 Edge Hybrid is already being built, badged outside Australia as the RAV4 Adventure Hybrid.

RAV4 Edge Hybrid confirmed for RHD

Painted in Mineral Blue, a new RAV4 colour nabbed from the Yaris Cross small SUV, the photographed Adventure Hybrid sports all the cues already seen on the European-market facelifted Toyota RAV4 that has been locked in for Australia amid long wait times for the segment-topping model.

These include restyled LED headlights, new matte-graphite alloy wheels, and minor changes to the interior specification, including power adjustment for the passenger seat. A mooted head-up display is not included on the Japanese-specification Edge Hybrid.

Inside, the Edge Hybrid sports a new light-grey coloured interior option accompanied by the same orange trim as the current 2.5-litre petrol Edge found across the dashboard tray and wireless phone charger, plus the cupholder surrounds.

The existing black leather interior option will continue on for the RAV4 Edge in 2022.

Hybrid is the most popular RAV4 powertrain

At present, the $48,915 Toyota RAV4 Edge is available in Australia exclusively with a petrol-only 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine making 152kW of power and 243Nm of torque. This system sends torque through an eight-speed torque converter automatic to a mechanical AWD system.

GX, GXL and Cruiser grades feature less rugged styling and commence with the choice of a base 2.0-litre non-hybrid petrol engine shared with the Corolla.

However, by far the most popular RAV4 engine in Australia is the 2.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid that makes 160kW with front-wheel drive or 163kW with electric AWD. The RAV4 hybrid kicks off at $37,070 plus on-road costs for a GXL 2WD and is capped at $46,415 plus ORCs for a Cruiser eFour AWD.

The hybrid system is significantly more frugal than the petrol-only powertrains. Chasing Cars recorded long-term fuel economy of just 6L/100km across our long-term evaluation of a Cruiser AWD.

The Edge Hybrid is likely to be available only with the hybrid AWD system, which uses a third electric motor located at the rear axle to provide additional drive to the rear wheels. The front wheels are powered by the petrol engine and two electric motors.