2019 Toyota RAV4 Australian drivetrains confirmed

Due to go on sale locally in the second quarter of 2019, Toyota Australia has announced local engine specifications of the 2019 Toyota RAV4. Due to offer a choice of three different drivetrains locally, the new RAV4 will be both more powerful and efficient than the model it replaces.

Due to be offered in 127kW 2.0-litre petrol, 152kW 2.5-litre petrol or a 155kW hybrid drivetrain formats, the 2019 Toyota RAV4 will offer a wider petrol drivetrain choice for buyers. Unlike the previous RAV4, a diesel drivetrain will not be offered.

Toyota Australia’s vice president sales and marketing Sean Hanley said the new drivelines and AWD systems will add to the RAV4’s spirit of adventure and driving pleasure by delivering enhanced performance, capability and control.

“All-new RAV4 will offer even greater appeal for people looking to re-energise in comfort and luxury, whether on the everyday commute or while enjoying weekend trips away,” Mr Hanley said.

“The new drivetrains deliver confidence-inspiring performance and agility and will result in a new perception of hybrid with electric AWD capability that enhances driving pleasure,” he said.

Like the new generation of Corolla, Camry, C-HR and Prius, the new RAV4 is based on the company’s TNGA platform. Initially revealed at the 2018 New York Auto Show, the new RAV4 is sized broadly similar to the outgoing model – it’s a little shorter at 4,600mm long and less tall at 1,700mm, though it is 10mm wider at 1,855mm. Like the current model and both the Camry and Corolla, the company’s active safety suite is expected to be standard across the range, which means that all new generation RAV4s will have forward collision warning with autonomous emergency braking, automatic high beam, lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control.

Available technology will include LED lighting, wireless phone charging, up to five USB chargers, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, a colour heads-up display, a digital driver’s display and, possibly, Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring.

The available drivetrains for the 2019 Toyota RAV4 will include a front-wheel drive 2.0-litre petrol engine with 127kW of power and 203Nm of torque – available with either a six-speed manual or CVT automatic with a launch gear for a more conventional feel. All-wheel drive models will be covered by a new 152kW/243Nm 2.5-litre engine – one not offered in the Australian Camry – with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The RAV4 AWD offers torque vectoring for the first time in a RAV4 model.

For the first time locally, a hybrid RAV4 will be offered. The RAV4 hybrid combines the 2.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor, and Toyota says the system can send up to 80 percent of drive to the rear wheels alone. A peak power output is listed at 155kW, though like other Toyota models, a peak torque figure is not available.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 is due on sale locally in the second quarter of 2019, and local pricing and specifications are due to be announced before then.

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