Toyota’s RAV4 is celebrating a double milestone in Australia, passing 500,000 customer deliveries and marking the 30th anniversary of its local introduction.
Official sales figures reveal RAV4 reached a cumulative total of 501,546 local sales to the end of June, a month that also completed the model’s third decade on Australian motorist shopping lists.
Credited as having ushered in the car-based SUV globally, RAV4 is the best-selling SUV in this country since its July 1994 debut and the only vehicle in its class to post half a million sales here.
Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing & Franchise Operations Sean Hanley said RAV4 is a trend-setting model that continues to anticipate changing customer needs.
“Customer demand has never been higher for RAV4 because it delivers a winning formula that combines SUV fun and adventure with passenger-car ride, handling and economy – just as it’s done for three decades,” he said.
“RAV4 enters honoured company in reaching 500,000 sales in Australia, joining other Toyota icons in Corolla, HiLux, LandCruiser and Camry – all of which have now exceeded one million sales.”
RAV4’s popularity in Australia has accelerated over the years. It took more than 11 years to reach the first 100,000 sales, but fewer than three years for the most recent 100,000 deliveries.
The half-way point of 250,000 RAV4 SUVs was reached after more than 21 years on the market, yet RAV4 has now doubled that total in fewer than nine years – or more than twice as fast.
Over the model’s 30-year history, demand has averaged above 16,700 cars per year. The car’s best five years of sales have all occurred in the past five years.
RAV4 is on track to set another full-year sales record in 2024 with its January-June tally at a new high of 25,405 cars. This total includes 5,857 sales in April, of which 5,504 were Hybrid Electric vehicles (HEVs) – both of which were all-time records.
Hybrid variants were introduced with the fifth-generation RAV4. Since then, hybrids have accounted for 72.4 per cent of all RAV4 sales in Australia. They have dominated the model’s local sales since the start of 2020, accelerating to a record share of 94.2 per cent so far this year.
Australia has kicked above its weight with demand for this SUV icon. Local customers have accounted for approximately 3.5 per cent of the 14 million RAV4 SUVs sold around the world, even though Australia’s population is just one-third of one per cent of the global total.
RAV4 made automotive history in Australia in July 2020 when it became the first SUV to become the country’s best-selling vehicle.
The following month, RAV4 again entered the record books when its hybrid sales alone outsold every other vehicle available in Australia.
Last month, on the back of surging customer demand for hybrid variants, Toyota Australia announced it is no longer offering petrol-only variants of RAV4 or any other models where HEVs vehicles are available.
RAV4: the beginning
Toyota signalled its interest in creating a compact all-wheel-drive (AWD) model by displaying the RAV-FOUR concept (Recreational Active Vehicle Four-wheel drive) at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show.
The production version, named RAV4, made its debut at the Tokyo show in 1993 and was released in Australia in July the following year.
First generation: 1994-2000
Aimed primarily at urban users, the original RAV4 was instrumental in pioneering the crossover vehicle concept in Australia.
RAV4 set a trend for small AWDs by offering car-like ride and handling, thanks to its fully independent suspension and a monocoque construction rather than a separate chassis. It also provided the ability to go off the tarmac courtesy of a raised ride height and constant AWD.
Toyota designers broke with convention by creating a bold, fun design with eye-catching curves and unique lines.
The first generation was powered by a 96kW 2.0-litre twin-cam four-cylinder engine mated to either a four-speed auto or five-speed manual gearbox.
Initially available as a three-door, the RAV4 range expanded to include a five-door variant in 1995 and a three-door Cabrio in 1998.
Second generation: 2000-2006
The appeal of its versatility quickly took hold, leading to the July 2000 launch of a longer, wider, roomier and more sophisticated RAV4 range in 3-door hardtop and 5-door wagon configurations.
Engine power for the second-generation RAV4 increased to 110kW and the model featured many new safety and convenience features, including twin airbags, remote central locking, power windows and a CD player.
A November 2003 upgrade introduced a 120kW 2.4-litre engine – coupled with improved safety, steering, handling, refinement and equipment levels. Full-time 4WD with a viscous-coupled centre differential continued.
Third generation: 2006-2013
The third-generation model launched in 2006 was built on an all-new platform with a longer wheelbase and wider track, offering more interior space and equipment.
Maximum power increased to 125kW while the drivetrain moved to a part-time AWD system with a manual AWD lock for use below 40km/h.
A 201kW/333Nm 3.5-litre V6 arrived in 2007 – the most powerful naturally aspirated engine offered by Toyota in Australia at the time, and the most powerful model in its segment.
In late 2008, exterior design changes were adopted while vehicle stability control and active front seat head restraints became standard across the range. A front-drive entry-level RAV4 was introduced in 2010.
Fourth generation: 2013-2019
For the fourth generation in 2013, RAV4 delivered a sportier look and sharper driving dynamics as well as a new AWD system, two new petrol engines and the model’s first turbo-diesel.
2WD variants were powered by a 107kW/187Nm petrol four with a six-speed manual or a CVT with a seven-speed sequential mode. AWD customers could choose from a 132kW/233Nm 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol or a 110kW/340Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel, both available with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic.
An upgrade in late 2015 brought sleeker and more dynamic exterior styling, refreshed interiors, Euro 5 engines, trailer sway control and new features including an available package of integrated active safety and driver assistance technologies.
These safety features were made standard in 2017, including a pre-collision system, autonomous emergency braking, lane-departure alert, active cruise control and automatic high beam.
Fifth generation: 2019 to date
The current fifth-generation RAV4, launched in 2019, raised the bar for SUV performance, technology, style and refinement. It offered class-leading safety technologies across the range.
It was the first SUV to be built on a Toyota New Global Architecture platform, which achieved a low centre of gravity, light weight and a strong chassis for exceptional handling and stability.
Among its innovations, Toyota unveiled the first hybrid SUV for the Australian market on GX, GXL and Cruiser grades. Combined with a new 2.5 litre petrol engine, the hybrid system was offered in 160kW (2WD) and 163kW (AWD) drivetrains – the most powerful and most efficient in the range.
2WD petrol variants were also available with GX, GXL and Cruiser – all powered by a new 127kW/203Nm 2.0-litre, direct injection, four-cylinder engine.
Topping the range was the adventure-focused Edge AWD powered by a new 152kW/243Nm 2.5-litre petrol engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
In 2021, Toyota announced a new XSE mid-level grade, expanded hybrid availability to all grades and improved specification across the line-up. Further improvements in 2022 included the latest generation multimedia system and new safety features.
