How long is the wait time for a 2022 Toyota RAV4? Update on lead times for Mazda CX-5, Kia Sportage, Mitsubishi Outlander rival

Toyota customers have faced lengthy delays for delivery of new models, particularly the super popular RAV4 SUV, and now we know how long people will have to wait in 2022.

Like many manufacturers, the Japanese carmaker has struggled with supply in the past 12 months because of delays caused by parts shortages, including the global semi-conductor shortage, and production issues resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns.

In late October, CarsGuide reported that the wait time for a new RAV4 hybrid was, on average, nine-to-10 months.

Read More About Toyota RAV4

2021 new-car sales results: Toyota HiLux edges Ford Ranger as Australia's best-selling car, with RAV4 and Corolla not far behind 2022 Toyota RAV4 takes fight to Mazda CX-5, Nissan X-Trail Hyundai Tucson and Mitsubishi Outlander with sporty new XSE grade: Pricing and features detailed Payback time: Is waiting for a 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid actually worth it or should you just get the petrol engine?

According to Toyota Australia vice president of sales and marketing Sean Hanley, that has blown out to an average of 11-to-12 months for high-grade hybrid and petrol variants.

“Now that can vary between dealerships I understand and between customers but on an average that’s where it is sitting as with the best knowledge I have, as of even last night,” he said during a press conference for the 2021 sales figures this week.

“Some parts continue to be of short supply resulting in interruptions to RAV4 in terms of petrol and hybrid vehicles. But on the RAV hybrid they are specifically around Cruiser and Edge variants now.

“So, we are working through the impact to Australia obviously. We are continually contacting customers to update them as best we can on the latest situation.”

The facelifted RAV4 is set to land in showrooms in the first quarter and the wait times appear to impact current and updated RAV4s.

Mr Hanley added that the increase in production that was previously announced for December will eventually have an impact beyond the first quarter, depending on the ongoing impact of COVID-related issues and parts shortages.

“I think from our perspective the first quarter is deeply important as we stabilise. We are hoping that once we stabilise production, we get more certainty for some of these other issues that are outside Toyota’s direct control, that we will see a ramp up of production as we go through the second and third quarters.

“Towards the second half of the second quarter, our third and fourth quarter is when we can expect that recovery period. And therefore, we will be able to be in some more certainty, I hope.”

Despite the lengthy wait times, Mr Hanley said few customers were cancelling their RAV4 orders when they find out how long the lead time is.

“Whilst people would expect that when you have got a significant wait time, you’d have a huge cancellation rate. And we are not seeing any, what I would say, abnormal trend in terms of our cancellation rates. Which means we are managing our customer base as best we can. I do thank them, I understand it’s frustrating.”