Toyota South Africa Motors has imported a “limited number” of plug-in hybrid RAV4 units to test market feedback. Here’s what we know so far…

Toyota’s New Energy Vehicle (NEV) strategy is well underway and the Japanese firm has expanded its hybrid rollout with the recent introduction of the Toyota Corolla Hybrid hatchback. Although Toyota’s new-energy vehicle strategy in South Africa has thus far comprised only traditional (self-charging) hybrid vehicles, there appears to be some change on the horizon. In fact, a few examples of the plug-in hybrid RAV4 are already in the country and we were able to briefly sample the model at the launch of the updated Corolla in early November 2022.

According to Toyota South Africa Motors, these units have been brought in as part of a trial conceived to “test market feedback”. It’s important to note, therefore, this vehicle is not (yet) available for sale to the public. The key objectives of this market research exercise are to test customer response, vehicle behaviour, infrastructure requirements and to educate customers on plug-in hybrid technology. The main benefit of the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid is that it offers the efficiency of an EV but negates the associated range anxiety that is a typical concern for potential EV buyers.

As a reminder, the current RAV4 line-up in South Africa comprises three purely petrol-powered derivatives and two traditional hybrid variants. The latter wear the E-Four badge and combine a 2.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor on each axle and a small battery. Total system is rated at 163 kW, while the claimed average fuel consumption comes in at 4.8 litres per 100 km.

By contrast, the likewise-AWD RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) features a significantly larger battery (a lithium-ion item with a capacity of 18.1 kWh) and a more powerful front-mounted electric motor (rated at 134 kW) in addition to the standard 40 kW rear item and the naturally aspirated petrol mill, pushing peak system power to a heady 225 kW.

In Europe, the RAV4 PHEV has a WLTP-rated fuel consumption figure of just 1.0 litre per 100 km. Interestingly, it runs in electric mode by default, in which it can cover around 65 km on a full battery and reach speeds of 135 kph.

In terms of charging, 2 solutions are provided including Toyota Mode 2 and Mode 3. Mode 2 allows for home or office charging using conventional AC 220-240V electric outlets with an average charging time of between 7-9 hours depending on the battery state. Mode 3 allows for fast DC charging via dedicated charging stations and support speeds up to 6.6 kW (32A) with charging time reduced to 2.5 hours.

The plug-in version of Toyota’s RAV4 has four drive modes: EV (fully electric), HV (hybrid vehicle), auto and charging (with the combustion engine topping up the battery). The battery pack is positioned under the passenger compartment, comes equipped with an electric heater and is cooled via a refrigerant cooling system.

Would you like to see the Toyota RAV4 PHEV go on sale in South Africa?

We had the opportunity to drive the RAV4 PHEV for about 5km in Gauteng and the experience was hardly enough to fully come to grips with what the vehicle is capable of. However, a few things stood out. Firstly, the RAV4 PHEV is very comfortable and refined to drive. It glides along effortlessly and mostly silently. Secondly, it waspretty responsive and eager to accelerate which is perhaps most evident when compared to itsICE counterpart.

As a vehicle that essentially “bridges the gap” between ICE and EVs, the case for the RAV4 PHEV might bea strong one considering the increasing demand for hybrids and EVs locallybut its success may very well hinge on its pricing. As the RAV4 PHEV is not for sale in South Africa, local pricing is unknown and we can only speculate on what it might cost if it was offered to local buyers. If you consider that the range-topping 2.5 Hybrid VX E-Four is currently priced from R759 800 then it’s not hard to imagine that the RAV4 PHEV could be priced well north of R800k.

Other new-energy Toyota vehicles on the cards for SA

The crossover version of the new Crown is one of many new-energy Toyota vehiclesheading to SA soon.

Toyota SA Motors has a few more fresh new-energy vehicles coming soon, despite having recently pulled the plug on the Prius. As mentioned, the company haslaunched a hybrid version of the Corolla Hatchback, while also rolling out a specification change for the Corolla Sedan Hybrid.

The crossover version of the new Crown, meanwhile, is likely to touch down in the first quarter of 2023, complete with a traditional hybrid powertrain, while the fully electric bZ4xis also on the cards.

The Japanese firm’s local division furthermore has big plans for its Lexus line-up, which already includes a wide range of full-hybrid vehicles. The new RX is scheduled to make local landfall early in 2023 (in hybrid form), while the LC Hybrid is set for a local introduction next year, too. We can also expect to see a plug-in hybrid version of the NX as well as the fully electric UXe at some point further down the line.

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