Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Import Information

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Import Information and SEVS import eligibility for Australia

The June 2020+ Toyota RAV4 hybrid PHV 4WD (AXAP54) can be imported to Australia and is ‘the most powerful RAV4 ever produced’.

Closely related models include the Lexus RX 450h and Toyota Harrier PHEV.

The RAV4 PHV has a claimed driving range of almost 100 km on EV-mode only, which is actually a BIG DEAL as many city drivers could cover the majority of weekly trips just using battery power with at-home charging and no need to visit the petrol station.

Even better, the PHV version is the top of the range RAV4 model with significantly more power and performance plus improved fuel economy over the locally-sold standard hybrid.

The basic 2.5L RAV4 hybrid is sold new in Australia in 2WD and 4WD but the highest spec 2.5L RAV4 hybrid PHV (PHV / PHEV = plug-in hybrid vehicle / plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) was held back by Toyota and NOT made available to Australian buyers.

The standard hybrid RAV4 sold in Australia CANNOT be plugged in to charge and has other significant differences to the much more powerful and efficient top spec PHV hybrid sold in Japan.

This allows the more advanced plug-in hybrid RAV4 model to be imported direct from Japan under the low volume import scheme (SEVS) – great news for Australian buyers who are sick of the 1 to 2 year wait times (plus changes in price / spec) for the low spec / low powered / less efficient RAV4 hybrid from Toyota Australia, and want the best plug-in RAV4 option available.

Australian buyers can now skip the queue and immediately import a completely new or near new higher spec RAV4 hybrid PHV direct from Japan.

There is a good selection going through auction in Japan every week and we can assist with the entire process from selecting the best example to shipping it to Australia.

We specialise in direct vehicle import from Japan and have been sourcing vehicles to order for private Australian buyers for over 25 years. Every vehicle is hand-picked and we only source the very best.

See how our import process works.

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Check recent Japan auction sales data for the Toyota RAV4 hybrid PHV.

The PHV version of the RAV4 from Japan uses the AXAP54 model code where P stands for plug-in hybrid and they are all 4WD with front and rear electric motors.

The Australian model uses the slightly different AXAH54 Toyota model code where H stands for Hybrid and they are offered in both front wheel drive or 4WD.

The Japanese model RAV4 PHV hybrid is powered by a differently-tuned 2.5-litre A25A-FXS engine with 130 kW / 6000 rpm and 219 Nm of torque at 3,600 rpm.

Total power output for the full drivetrain of 2.5-litre Dynamic Force hybrid engine plus electric motors is 225 kW (302 HP), which is 62 kW (83 HP) higher than the regular hybrid version.

That’s a BIG difference.

The RAV4 PHV accelerates from 0–100 km/h in 6.2 seconds (2.1 seconds faster than the standard hybrid), which at the time of its introduction made it the second quickest acceleration time in Toyota’s lineup after the GR Supra sports car.

Drivability for the PHV version is also notably improved over the standard hybrid model, for example 50% more power is available at 60 km/h.

In EV mode, performance is comparable to a 2.0-litre petrol model, with 0-100 km/h acceleration in 10 seconds.

The RAV 4 is a 5-seater ‘compact crossover SUV’ first introduced by Toyota Japan in 1994 and has been a popular model worldwide since then.

In 2019, the RAV4 was the best-selling SUV of any type in the world, and the fourth best-selling passenger car overall (Wikipedia).

Toyota marketed the RAV 4 PHV as the RAV 4 PRIME in North America.

Compared to the Toyota Prius Plug-in where the focus was on extending the EV driving range by using a larger and high-voltage battery, the RAV4 plug-in uses a more powerful motor together with a larger battery and inverter to gain significantly more driving power plus the ability to cover much greater distances at higher speeds in EV mode – making the RAV4 one of the most practical and usable PHEV’s on the market.

The RAV4 PHV has all the usual Toyota options and safety features you would expect for such a recent model, including Toyota Safety Sense.

The RAV4 PHV has fold-flat rear seats for plenty of cargo space.

The RAV 4 hybrid battery is able to supply power for charging devices with the engine switched off (max. 1,500 W / AC 100 V).

RAV 4 hybrid model options in Japan

RAV4 PHV 4WD Black Tone

RAV4 PHV 4WD G

RAV4 PHV 4WD G Z Package

RAV4 PHV 4WD Z

Drivetrain

130 kW, 2.5 L aluminum alloy petrol engine

2 x Electric Motors

Front: 5NM model motor with 134 kW / 270 Nm of torque, permanent magnet synchronous motor

Rear: 4NM model motor with 40 kW / 121 Nm of torque, permanent magnet synchronous motor

HV Battery: 18.1 kWh sealed Li-ion battery pack with 96 cells and a rated voltage of 355.2 V. Increased current allows for more power: maximum output is significantly higher than the standard RAV4 Hybrid.

The front electric motor produces 134 kW compared to just 88 kW in the standard RAV4 Hybrid (the rear motor output is the same at 40 kW). The higher powered front electric motor provides more support for the hybrid engine enabling it to run at lower revs, giving the plug-in variant reduced noise and vibration levels compared to the standard hybrid model sold new in Australia.

CVT automatic transmission.

Power and performance

THS II Plug-in with reduction gear

(A25A-FXS 2.5 L Dynamic Force Engine)

Total power output for the full drivetrain of 2.5-litre Dynamic Force hybrid engine plus electric motors is 225 kW (302 HP).

*62 kW / 83 HP higher than the regular hybrid version.

0–100 km/h in 6.2 seconds (2.1 seconds faster than the standard hybrid).

In EV mode, performance is comparable to a 2.0-litre petrol only RAV4, with 0-100 km/h acceleration in 10 seconds.

Range of up to 95 km / max speed of 135km/h on EV-only mode.

Fuel economy

22.2 km/L (4.5 L/100 km) (WLTC); almost 10% more efficient than the standard hybrid RAV4 at 20.3 km/L (4.93 L/100 km).

If used predominantly in EV mode the figures would swing vastly in favour of the PHEV model.

Up to 95 km range on EV-only mode in urban driving (WLTC) on a full battery charge.

55L fuel tank plus battery gives a theoretical driving range of 1,300 km.

Charging

2.5 hours (32 AMP) – 8 hours (10 AMP) to fully charge the 18.1 kWh lithium-ion traction battery.

Operating and Drive modes

The RAV4 Plug-in has four different operating modes for its plug-in hybrid system:

– EV (electric vehicle) mode – the default mode

– HV (hybrid vehicle) mode

– Auto HV/EV mode

– Charging mode

In addition the driver can select from 3 different driving modes – Normal, ECO and Sport.

Dimensions

Length 4,615 mm

Width 1,855 mm

Height 1,685 mm

Wheelbase 2,690 mm

Curb weight 1900 kg – 1,940 kg

Contact us for current availability and pricing if you would like to import RAV4 hybrid PHV to Australia.

Every vehicle of interest to our clients is carefully inspected in person at auction, with more pictures provided along with market pricing guidance to help set the budget.

View all vehicle import options for Australia.

More info – Global Toyota Newsroom

RAV4 hybrid PHV pictures