Tundra, Corolla wagon, RAV4 PHEV and more models that should be on Toyota Australia's radar

Toyota Australia boasts an expansive line-up of models covering almost every segment, but there are a few models available overseas that could strengthen the Japanese brand’s position at the top.

Would all the models make sense Down Under? Well, the business case would need to stack up first, but each sale wouldn’t necessarily need to make Toyota a bundle of cash, as every new customer for Toyota would be one buyer taken away from a competing rival.

Toyota Australia has talked about potentially introducing a few of these nameplates in the past, so some of these models aren’t so farfetched, but only time will tell if the brand will follow through.

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Aygo X

With the micro-car segment dwindling to just three models in Australia, it might not make sense for Toyota to enter such figuratively and literally small market.

However, Kia has proven with its Picanto that there are still plenty of buyers looking for a fun-to-drive and stylish sub-$20,000 hatchback, with 6591 new registrations in 2021.

The Toyota Aygo X could easily capitalise on these numbers, and wrestle control of the micro-car segment away from Kia, especially because the Japanese brand has jacked-up its latest model for a more rugged crossover look.

Built on a shortened version of the TNGA-B platform that also underpins the Yaris and Yaris Cross, the Aygo X has potential to be a decent steer too, while power comes from a 53kW 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine.

It would also slot in below the Yaris, which now starts from $23,740 before on-road costs, and return Toyota to the sub-$20,000 price bracket that is proving popular for the likes of the MG3.

Corolla wagon

In it’s latest-generation form, the Corolla hatchback can’t be said to be the most practical small car out there, while one could argue the sedan version suffers from styling difficulties – especially at the rear.

The Corolla wagon, known as the Touring Sports, could very well be the answer that marries handsome styling with a long roof and big boot.

The cherry on top of the cake? The Corolla wagon is also available with the 1.8-litre petrol-electric hybrid powertrain that has proven so popular with the current-gen Corolla, outputting 90kW/142Nm.

Paired to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), fuel economy is as low as 4.3 litres per 100km, while boot space measures a sizeable 691 litres, up from the hatchback’s 217L and the sedan’s 470L.

And while the likes of the Ford Focus and Renault Megane wagons have now disappeared from Aussie showrooms, Volkswagen still serves up its Golf in estate form for its eight-generation model.

RAV4 plug-in

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has proven extremely popular in Australia, but the Japanese brand is still yet to commit to the more advanced plug-in hybrid version.

The plug-in hybrid electric model would compete directly against the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and upcoming Ford Escape PHEV, and offers up nearly 75kms of pure electric driving.

If that sounds good, well the news gets even better, because the RAV4 plug-in is a bit of a sleeper, serving up 225kW to all four wheels thanks its 2.5-litre petrol engine and electric motor combo.

The result? The RAV4 plug-in can accelerate from zero to 100km/h in just 6.2 seconds, making it the third-quickest model in the Toyota stable behind the flagship GR Supra sports car and GR Yaris hot hatch.

This could also assist buyers in the transition from petrol to electric, and fills the gap between the petrol-only RAV4 and the tailpipe emissions-free – and yet to be launched – bZ4X.

Prius plug-in

Since the proliferation of hybrid technology across Toyota’s line-up in models like the Yaris, Corolla, Camry, RAV4 and Kluger, it feels like the Japanese brand just doesn’t know what to do with its once-pioneering Prius.

Well, the answer could be a plug-in powertrain to take on the Hyundai Ioniq sedan.

Pairing a 1.8-litre petrol engine with an electric motor endows the Prius plug-in a 90kW total system output, but it’s the lithium-ion battery that will enable up to around 55km of all-electric range.

The sedan shape might not be as appealing as it once was, but the Prius could again be the advanced powertrain flagship it once was in Australia with the plug-in option.

Tundra

Utes are no doubt big business in Australia, and they don’t come much bigger than the Tundra.

Built on the same platform as the LandCruiser 300 Series, new-gen Lexus LX and Sequoia SUV, the Tundra is a big and burly model, but large dimensions have not stopped the likes of the Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado finding success in local showrooms.

Powering the Tundra is also a mighty 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 with hybrid technology for a total output of 326kW/790Nm, making it even more potent than its diesel-powered LandCruiser cousin.

Paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Tundra can tow a maximum of 5400kg, which easily outclasses the most popular dual-cab utes in Australia such as the Ford Ranger, Nissan Navara and Mitsubishi Triton.