New Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 2021 still in-demand but supply to decrease as facelifted HiLux looms large

After two consecutive – and unprecedented – months as Australia’s favourite new vehicle, Toyota Australia says the RAV4 mid-size SUV remains in-demand, with Hybrid variants still leading the charge, both figuratively and literally.

That said, Toyota Australia vice-president of sales and marketing Sean Hanley hinted to journalists today the RAV4’s hot streak – and therefore its time at the top – might come to an end soon as supply falls from its recent peak.

“There’s no doubt that RAV’s performed well, and we have a lot of strong demand,” he said. “I can tell you the demand on RAV Hybrid has not diminished at all. In fact, it’s very strong.

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“We are always endeavouring to fulfil our customer orders as quickly as possible. We certainly have been able to achieve that with increased production over the past couple of months.

“I think supply going forward is reasonable, demand is high, so we’ll continue to strive to support our customers who are ordering the RAV Hybrid as best we can.

“Nothing’s changed, and we’re encouraged by it.”

Toyota Australia is expecting RAV4 back orders to be filled before the end of the year (the average delivery wait time was six months), after which the mid-size SUV is likely to concede its best-seller status back to the HiLux ute, which was recently facelifted.

Of the 4825 RAV4s sold last month, 4405 – or 91.3 per cent – were Hybrid, with petrol variants making up the remaining 420. Either way, the model’s sales were up 140.5 per cent over August 2019.

For reference, the current-generation RAV4 was launched in May last year and is currently priced from $32,695 to $48,915 plus on-road costs, with Hybrid variants checking between $37,070 and $46,415.