2022 Toyota RAV4 updates announced

The updated 2022 Toyota RAV4 has been announced today, promising a raft of upgrades when it arrives early next year in a mid-life update for the third-most popular vehicle in Australia.

Toyota Australia has confirmed all variants of the RAV4 will undergo improvements, from powertrain tweaks in the petrol variants to new headlights in the hybrid versions of the model.

With production set to begin in December 2021, the 2022 RAV4's biggest visible change will come in the form of fog lights upgraded to LED technology across the range – with a new look on the hybrid models – while all versions but the GX will get illuminated door switches.

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The current RAV4 Edge sits as the model's premium variant

Petrol-powered RAV4s score new-look alloy wheels while the big change is in the engine itself, finally adding stop-start technology to further reduce emissions and fuel consumption in traffic.

The range-topping Edge trim now includes a parking support brake with the existing rear cross-traffic alert system, while the variant below it, the Cruiser, gets an eight-way power adjustable passenger seat, three-stage seat ventilation for the front row and a digital rearview mirror.

Toyota Australia Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations, Sean Hanley, says the update to the RAV4 range will serve as a boost to model's popularity.

"The RAV4's mix of style and practicality, and in particular, its hybrid powertrain, really resonates with buyers and these upgrades will add to that appeal," said Hanley.

"While these updates won't arrive until early next year, Toyota is committed to keeping its customers aware of upcoming improvements and we encourage our customers to speak with their preferred Toyota Dealer about the upgrade on any orders placed."

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RAV4 GX is currently the base-model in the range, missing out on some minor updates to the 2022 model

Powertrains will remain the same as the current RAV4 line-up with a choice of two petrol engines available, a 2.0-litre unit making 127kW/203Nm and sending power to the front wheels through a CVT transmission (GX, GXL, Cruiser) or a 2.5-litre 152kW/243Nm engine which is mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox, only available in Edge all-wheel-drive guise.

Hybrid options remain as either a front-wheel-drive 160kW/221Nm or an all-wheel-drive 163kW configuration, both engines available across the GX, GXL and Cruiser variants.

The RAV4 is coming off a strong May where it sold 4014 units across the month, an increase of 71 per cent on 2020 and helping it reach a total of 17,858 units sold in 2021 thus far.