Leaked Appearance of the New Toyota RAV4 PHEV Version, Launching This Week

KatadataOTO – Toyota is set to launch the latest version of one of its SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicle), the RAV4, this week. The seventh-generation RAV4 receives many changes, especially on the exterior.

The model is a hybrid car PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle). In the United States market, the RAV4 is said to have received a positive response and even beat the Ford F-150 as the best-selling car in 2024.

PHEV itself is a hybrid technology, claimed to have various advantages. Such as the ability to be filled with gasoline but also equipped with a battery to be charged like an electric car.

It is strongly suspected that the RAV4 will still be built on the same platform. The changes focus only on the exterior appearance and features, not the powertrain.

Photo : Toyota

Unlike the fifth-generation RAV4 currently sold domestically, its front fascia is standardized with other Toyota models using the hammerhead headlight design.

Then its appearance is made sportier than the previous RAV4 PHEV. A glimpse from the official Toyota press release image shows the front bumper looks more aggressive thanks to the inclusion of a cooling intake.

Some characteristics or identities of the previous RAV4, such as the black fenders, are retained. 

Moving to the rear, the LED taillights have a pattern of neatly and elegantly arranged vertical lines. Right in the middle of the tailgate, there is a chromatic-colored RAV4 emblem.

Reporting from Carscoops, Tuesday (20/05), it seems Toyota will introduce a GR Sport version for the latest RAV4.

In the published image, a variant suspected to be the GR Sport is seen wrapped in red, with an additional rear roof spoiler and a honeycomb-patterned grille.

Unfortunately, the destination countries for the RAV4 PHEV are not yet known. In Indonesia, the RAV4 GR Sport PHEV is available by spot order, with a price in the range of IDR 1 billion.

With the presence of rivals from China like Chery, offering a PHEV in the IDR 400 million range, it will be difficult for Japanese manufacturers to compete on price.

However, it is not impossible that PT TAM (Toyota Astra Motor) will bring it in if PHEVs become popular in the country.

Photo : Toyota

In addition, the RAV4 is an SUV. Therefore, it is in high demand by consumers and is claimed to be suitable for customers' mobility needs to tackle various road conditions.

If Toyota decides to bring in the latest RAV4 PHEV, the main challenge will certainly be the price. 

For comparison, the price of the latest PHEV from Chery, the Tiggo 8 CSH (Chery Super Hybrid), is IDR 499 million specifically for the first 1,000 customers. The normal price is IDR 519 million.