Toyota Australia is expanding its hugely popular RAV4 medium SUV range, confirming a new GXL plug-in hybrid variant will join the lineup in the first quarter of 2027. The new RAV4 GXL PHEV will combine the equipment of the mid-range GXL with Toyota’s new-generation plug-in hybrid powertrain and should be priced at around $54,000 before on-roads.

The new model will be offered exclusively in front-wheel drive form, sitting beneath the existing XSE 2WD, XSE AWD and flagship GR Sport AWD plug-in hybrid variants, and the addition will take the sixth-generation RAV4 range to 12 variants across regular hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains.

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Under the bonnet, the GXL PHEV will use the same 2.5-litre plug-in hybrid system as the XSE 2WD, combining a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a front-mounted e-motor. Combined system output is 201kW, making it considerably more powerful than the 143kW non-plug-in hybrid GXL (pictured above).

As with other RAV4 PHEV variants, a 22.7kWh lithium-ion battery features and provides an electric-only driving range of up to 121km on the WLTP cycle. It can be charged at up to 11kW AC and 50kW DC charging, with Toyota claiming a full AC recharge of around 2.5 hours, while a 10 to 80 per cent DC charge can be completed in around 28 minutes.

GXL hybrid equipment includes dusk-sensing automatic LED lighting, 18-inch alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, rain-sensing automatic wipers, a wireless phone charger, an eight-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat and “leather-accented” steering wheel and gear shifter. A 10.5-inch touchscreen with Toyota’s latest Arene software also features, as does a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display.

Pricing for the new GXL PHEV has not yet been announced, but using the upper-spec XSE as a guide, we’re expecting a $5000 price gap between the hybrid and plug-in hybrid drivetrains. The existing RAV4 GXL Hybrid 2WD is priced from $48,990 before on-road costs, pointing to a potential $53,990 +ORC price for the GXL PHEV.

Toyota says further information, including pricing and complete specifications for the new RAV4 GXL Plug-in Hybrid, will be announced closer to its Australian arrival.