Toyota reveals updated RAV4 in spite of production delays

Wednesday, 15 September 2021

Toyota has given the RAV4 SUV an update, despite Covid-19 and the ongoing semiconductor crisis causing production headaches.

The reveal happened overnight in Europe, comprising new-look LED headlights, LED fog lights, a redesigned grille that looks larger and more imposing, and new wheels. That’s about it for exterior changes, as the rear looks unchanged.

Interior tweaks include ambient lighting, USB-C charge ports and a powered passenger seat to go with the existing powered driver’s seat. Higher-spec variants will also get seat ventilation, a digital rearview mirror and autonomous braking for the rear cross-traffic alert system.

The updated RAV4 gets a different grille and new headlights.

It seems the powertrain options will remain, which means the 2.5-litre hybrid, 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine and 2.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine will all still be available in FWD and AWD forms.

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The rear looks unchanged, but it still looks great.

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Inside is also largely the same as before, albeit with seat ventilation and a powered passenger seat.

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These changes are headed to Australia, so we’d confidently expect to see them here too.

Production is set to begin in December this year, but Toyota NZ has warned about supply issues.

“With the delta variant, many countries around the world have seen a surge in cases resulting in factories having to be shut down for periods of time. For Toyota, this has disrupted our supply of essential componentry parts for the vehicle manufacturing process,” said Steve Prangnell, Toyota New Zealand General Manager of New Vehicles.

“Unfortunately, these production adjustments are beyond our control, but we are doing our utmost to minimise the impacts to their new vehicle delivery wait times.”

Toyota New Zealand said that this will place additional pressure on customers waiting for their new Toyota to be delivered with most models affected. It is also experiencing business disruption due to the COVID alert levels, further delaying deliveries to customers waiting for the new Toyota.

This comes on the back of Toyota’s head office slashing production forecast by 300,000 vehicles due to the spread of the coronavirus in Southeast Asia disrupting access to semiconductors and other key parts.

Toyota Chief Purchasing Group Officer Kazunari Kumakura previously said the brand had planned a high level of production for the latter half of the fiscal year and will try to recover as much lost output as possible, however, it is still prepared to adjust its financial outlook if production woes continue.