In a case of slightly odd timing, Toyota has unveiled the newly updated 2022 RAV4 in Europe; showing it off in the midst of well documented production delays for the popular model spurred on by Covid-19 and the semiconductor shortage.
The unveiling (which doubles as the European market’s debut of the RAV4 Adventure, a model that’s been offered in New Zealand for several years) gives us our first taste of changes that are likely to come down the pipe to Kiwi customers, too.
With the current RAV4 still relatively fresh and kicking all sorts of sales goals, it’s no surprise that the update is relatively mild. The model’s bodylines and silhouette are all the same, as is most of its interior.
Outside, the RAV4 gets new LED projector headlights with a new light signature and LED fog lights. There’s also a set of new wheel designs, and … actually, that’s about it for the exterior. Non-Adventure models may pack more changes, but that’s something for the ‘wait and see’ basket.
Inside, the update features LED mood lighting, USB-C charge ports for devices, and a powered passenger seat to match the powered driver’s seat.
With most of these changes having already been confirmed for Australia’s 2022 RAV4, we suspect they’re also a shoe-in for New Zealand’s RAV4 line-up, too. NZ Autocar has contacted Toyota New Zealand for confirmation.
All-in-all it’s a fairly minimal set of changes; a move indicative of how well rounded the current RAV4 offering is. It’s been a sales hero for Toyota worldwide, including in this part of the world where it holds the crown for most popular SUV in both New Zealand and Australia.
What’s maybe most critical for the 2022 model, at least in New Zealand’s case, is whether Toyota will be able to expand the hybrid line-up to include the Adventure, or whether it could finally wrangle the plug-in hybrid variant.
The latter would be a handy feather in the RAV4’s cap, and a prime recipient for the government’s Clean Car Discount.
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