The Toyota RAV4 is already well known and seen on many rural driveways, being New Zealand’s most popular vehicle. Kiwi drivers will now have a practical, no-compromise choice of electrification with the addition of the first-ever Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV).
Said to blend electric driving for everyday use with the flexibility and confidence of Toyota’s proven hybrid technology, the company suggests you can plug it in and do most of your weekly driving on electric power, but when you need to go on a long journey it still works like a highly efficient hybrid.
The RAV4 PHEV front wheel drive has an NEDC-tested driving range of 154km and the all-wheel drive variants have an NEDC tested driving range of 144km – enough for many drivers to complete their weekday commuting on battery power alone. Its larger battery can be charged at home, typically at a cost of around $9 per charge.
Built on Toyota’s sixth-generation plug-in hybrid system, the RAV4 PHEV pairs a 2.5-litre petrol engine with electric motors. This delivers a total system output of 201kW in the GXL front-wheel drive grade, while the all-wheel drive XSE and GR SPORT grades produce 227kW, making them among the most powerful vehicles in their class.
Drivers can also tailor the vehicle’s behaviour through three drive modes. Auto mode selects the most efficient combination of petrol and electric power for everyday driving, HEV mode prioritises hybrid operation to preserve battery charge, and EV mode enables fully electric driving for shorter urban trips.
All-wheel drive variants offer 1500kg braked towing capacity, while the front-wheel drive GXL offers 800kg braked towing. All RAV4 PHEV grade are also equipped with a 1500W/220V AC inverter, allowing the vehicle to power small appliances directly on a worksite or out on the farm.
Offered in GXL, XSE and GR SPORT grades, the GXL front-wheel drive grade offers 201kW of output, three driving modes, an 11kW onboard charger and 50kW fast charging capability, along with practical interior features such as heated front seats and a durable fabric interior.
The XSE all-wheel drive grade builds on the GXL spec with 227kW and Toyota’s E-Four all-wheel drive system, providing improved traction, additional drive modes for trail and snow, along with downhill assist control, further enhance its versatility. Inside, the XSE introduces premium features such as a larger 12.9-inch multimedia display, panoramic view monitor, synthetic leather and a moonroof.
The top of the range, the GR Sport features all-wheel drive, the same 227kW output and a series of engineering enhancements inspired by Gazoo Racing. These include retuned suspension, performance dampers, a wider track and upgraded steering calibration to deliver sharper handling. Unique exterior and interior elements include lightweight 20” alloy wheels, GR styling details and a performance-oriented cabin.
Toyota Safety Sense is standard across all RAV4 PHEV grades, providing a comprehensive suite of active safety technologies. This includes an enhanced pre-collision system with improved detection capability, driver monitor camera, proactive driving assist, front cross-traffic alert and lane trace assist. Additional features such as blind spot monitoring with safe exit assist, parking support brake, tyre pressure monitoring and smart key entry contribute to a safer and more convenient driving experience.
The RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid arrives in Toyota New Zealand from June 2026.
Visit www.toyota.co.nz
