Toyota RAV4 2.5 PHEV (2024) Price & Specs
Cars.co.za can confirm that the 225 kW Toyota RAV4 2.5 PHEV will soon launch as South Africa’s most affordable plug-in hybrid. Here’s how much it will cost…
It’s been a long time coming, but Cars.co.za can confirm that the Toyota RAV4 2.5 PHEV will soon finally launch in South Africa, positioned as the country’s most affordable plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) and the only contender currently priced below R1-million.
In 2022, Toyota South Africa Motors imported a fleet of RAV4 PHEV derivatives as part of what it described as a “market research exercise” (and even let us drive one; check out the video below). At that point, the Japanese firm’s local division said the plug-in version of its family SUV was “not officially on sale yet”. However, that’s finally about to change…
Yes, the RAV4 2.5 PHEV CVT E-Four (to use its full name) is expected to officially hit the local market shortly, priced at R980 000, according to our information. While that certainly won’t fit the average new-car buyer’s budget, it does make this model the most affordable PHEV on the market, undercutting the BMW X1 xDrive30e xLine (R1 050 000) by R70 000. How long it will hold that title remains to be seen, with Chinese firms Haval and Chery both seemingly poised to launch PHEVs in the near future.
Predictably, the all-wheel-drive 2.5 PHEV CVT – which is the first Toyota-badged PHEV to be offered in Mzansi – slots in the very top of the local XA50-series RAV4 range, taking the number of derivatives to 6 and commanding a R138 400 premium over the (non-plug-in) RAV4 2.5 Hybrid VX E-Four. For the record, the RAV4 2.5 PHEV is also a considerable R356 200 less expensive than the recently launched Lexus NX 450h+ F Sport with which it shares plenty of oily bits.
On that note, the RAV4 plug-in hybrid – revealed on the global stage as long ago as November 2019 – combines a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with a pair of electric motors (one on each axle) and an 18.1 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The petrol mill generates 136 kW and 227 Nm, while the front electric motor delivers 134 kW/270 Nm and the rear item an additional 40 kW/121 Nm.
Since these motors don’t produce peak power and torque at the same time, the total system power output is listed as 225 kW. What about maximum system twisting force, you ask? Well, Toyota unfortunately opts not to claim a combined overall torque figure. Regardless, we can expect a 0-100 kph sprint time of around 6.0 seconds and a top speed of 180 kph.
In addition, the company says the RAV4 PHEV – which rides on 19-inch alloys wrapped in 235/55 R19 rubber but makes do with a space-saver (steel) spare wheel – offers an all-electric range of “up to 80 km”, depending on “battery state of charge and usage conditions”. As such, this variant’s claimed fuel consumption comes in as low as 1.15 L/100 km. As many as 4 driving modes are on offer: EV mode, HV mode, Auto EV/HV mode and Charging mode.
So, when it’s not plugged in, how will you be able to distinguish the RAV4 2.5 PHEV from its siblings? Well, this flagship derivative features a model-specific design for the front bumper and grille (complete with gloss-black trim and chrome-effect accents) and will be available exclusively in bi-tone form. The latter effectively adds a black roof (and black side-mirror caps) to the 4 paint hues available for this derivative: Platinum White, Emotional Red, Chromium Silver and Graphite Grey Metallic.
Our information suggests standard features will include LED headlamps (with an auto high-beam function), rain-sensing wipers, a powered tailgate, leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, front-seat heating, front-seat ventilation, dual-zone climate control, parking sensors (fore and aft), a reverse-view camera, a 9-speaker JBL sound system, 7 airbags and a lane-keeping system. However, it seems the RAV4 2.5 PHEV will feature just a single USB port (as opposed to the 5 offered by each of its siblings), a little less luggage space and a slightly lower ground clearance.
Interestingly, when it comes to new-energy vehicles (NEVs), fully electric cars and traditional hybrids are proving far more popular in South Africa than plug-in hybrids, with sales of the latter coming in at just 138 units in the opening quarter of 2024. Still, year-on-year growth in the local PHEV market stood at a considerable 452% in Q1 2024, leaving this segment well placed to beat its modest 2023 total of 333 units.
How much will the Toyota RAV4 2.5 PHEV cost in SA?
Toyota RAV4 2.0 GX-R AWD – R705 600
Toyota RAV4 2.0 VX – R719 600
Toyota RAV4 2.5 Hybrid GX-R E-Four – R748 700
Toyota RAV4 2.5 VX AWD – R817 700
Toyota RAV4 2.5 Hybrid VX E-Four – R841 600
Toyota RAV4 2.5 PHEV CVT E-Four – R980 000
The prices above include a 3-year/100 000 km warranty and 6-service/90 000 km service plan. From what we can tell, the new PHEV derivative features the same 8-year/195 000 km battery warranty as the traditional hybrid variants.
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