This is the 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid for PH

Toyota gives us a glimpse of the all-new RAV4 Hybrid Electric Vehicle

A few weeks ago, Toyota Motor Philippines officially confirmed that they will be launching another electrified model in the form of the RAV4 Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV). It will serve as Toyota’s fifth hybrid model in the country following the Camry HEV, Corolla Cross HEV, Corolla Altis HEV, and the Prius.

Details about the crossover have yet to be revealed in full. However, Toyota has sent us several images of the upcoming hybrid, and boy is it quite the looker.

This is your first look at the 2022 Toyota RAV4 HEV, and it has some unique exterior features that make it stand out from your regular RAV4. For starters, it gets the signature ’T’ badge that features a blue halo. Toyota uses this badge specifically for electrified models only.

The LED headlights on the RAV4 HEV are also different compared to the 2.5 LTD. Not only does it get a new lighting arrangement, but the LED daytime running lights (DRLs) have a more striking design than the LTD’s. Also worth mentioning are the new LED foglights which might only be exclusive to the Hybrid version.

Rounding up the exterior features (we’ve seen so far) are the stylish alloy wheels, the black-painted roof, and the ‘Hybrid’ badges on the front fenders. We have yet to see the RAV4 Hybrid’s rear, but we won’t be surprised if it will have a different set of LED taillights.

As far as its powertrain is concerned, the RAV4 HEV could come with a 2.5-liter naturally-aspirated inline-four that’s paired to an electric motor. In other markets, the RAV4 HEV makes a combined system output of 222 PS - making it more powerful than the regular 2.5 engine that already makes an impressive 203 PS.

Last but not least, the HEV will most likely get an E-CVT instead of the standard eight-speed automatic transmission. We did confirm with our sources that it will be a front wheel drive model; all-wheel drive seems to have been omitted.

Toyota will officially reveal the 2022 RAV4 HEV next month. However, the automaker is already accepting reservations from interested customers.

The RAV4 HEV will start at PHP 2.157 million. While the upcoming hybrid may be seen as pricey, the HEV will actually be PHP 117,000 more affordable compared to the current top-of-the-line 2.5 LTD. The reason is because the non-hybrid 2.5L does not qualify for JPEPA (3000cc or above), but the hybrid 2.5L qualifies for reduced excise taxes.

So if you’ve been thinking about getting a fuel-efficient crossover, the RAV4 HEV could be the vehicle you’re looking for.