Toyota to launch RAV4 SUV in India: Spotted testing ahead of launch

Japanese car manufacturer Toyota has been present in our market for over two decades. During this time, they have launched several models in our market. Toyota became popular among Indian buyers for its reliability, low cost of maintenance and comfort. In the last couple of years globally, the demand for SUVs have increased and Indian scenario is no different. Several manufacturers have started introducing SUVs, especially sub-4 meter and mid-size SUVs in India. Toyota is also planning to launch a new mid-size SUV in the market and the same was spotted testing on our roads recently. A test vehicle of Toyota’s RAV4 SUV was recently spotted testing on Ahmedabad-Mumbai highway.

The spy pictures of the Toyota RAV4 has been shared by IAB on their website. The spy pictures only show the rear profile of the RAV4 SUV. The SUV was spotted testing without any camouflage on it. The SUV looks similar to the version sold in the international market. IAB also mentions that the reader who had sent this images had confirmed that the RAV4 was on test with ARAI. Which is a hint that Toyota will be soon launching RAV4 in the Indian market soon.

Also read: 3 year-old Toyota Camry Hybrid luxury car for sale in Delhi

Toyota RAV4 is an SUV that is already available in the international markets. The one spotted here is the fifth generation RAV4 which uses TNGA-K platform. This is the same platform that is used in Toyota Camry. As we looks at the pictures, we notice a badge on right hand bottom side of the boot. We have seen similar type of badge on Toyota’s hybrid vehicles in the past. This indicates that Toyota RAV4 will be launched with a plug-in hybrid powertrain in our market.

Internationally, Toyota offers RAV4 with a petrol only engine but, we are not sure whether Toyota will be bringing that to India. Toyota is expected to bring RAV4 to India as a completely Built Unit (CBU) under the 2,500 unit import quota. This means Toyota RAV4 is not going to be a cheap SUV by any means. It is a mid-size SUV but, with higher import taxes in place, the hybrid version of Toyota RAV4 is expected to be priced around Rs 60 lakh.

Coming to engine specifications of Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, it is powered by a 2.5 litre, four cylinder, Atkinson cycle petrol engine. This petrol engine is paired with an electric motor. The petrol engine and the electric motor jointly develop 218 Ps in two wheel drive models. The sam engine develops around 222 Ps in the all-wheel drive versions. The engine will be mated to a CVT gearbox option.

In terms of features, the cabin of the Toyota RAV4 SUV will get a floating 8.0 inch touchscreen infotainment screen that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It will also get premium sound system from JBL, wireless phone charger. International version of RAV4 also get saety features like collision warning with pedestrian detection and emergency braking, dynamic cruise control, lane departure warning, steering assists and so on. We are not sure how many of these features would be available in the Indian version. Toyota is expected to launch the RAV4 in Indian market by mid-2021.

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