Toyota RAV4- & Corolla Hybrid (2021) Specs & Price
Toyota SA recently previewed a hybrid derivative of the upcoming Corolla Cross, but before that model arrives, the Japanese firm is introducing petrol-electric versions of its RAV4 family car and Corolla compact sedan, the latter of which becomes Mzansi’s most affordable hybrid.
Although hybrids have long formed part of Toyota-owned premium brand Lexus’ local product line-up, Toyota South Africa Motors currently offers only the
Prius through the mother brand’s dealer network (although, for the record, the Japanese manufacturer did sell hybrid versions of the Yaris and Auris before)…
That, however, will change with the introduction of the RAV4
2.5 Hybrid GX and Corolla
1.8 Hybrid XS, which are powered by 2.5-litre and 1.8-litre 4-cylinder petrol engines mated with electric motors and hybrid batteries respectively. Interestingly, while the hybrid version of the upcoming
Corolla Cross will be the flagship of the range, these two newcomers are specified in entry-level GX and XS trim; in other words, they’re mid-range offerings!
The RAV4
2.5 Hybrid GX, which retails for R555 300 (August 2021), slots in between the new-spec 2.0 GX Auto and the 2.0 VX. Its asking price includes 3-year/100 000 km mechanical- and 8-year/195 000 km hybrid-battery warranties and a 6-services/90 000 km service plan.
It may not be the most expensive derivative in the RAV4 range, but it
is the most powerful offering in the all-petrol line-up… The first half of the powertrain is a direct-injection Atkinson-cycle 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine (with, inter alia, a 14:1 compression ratio and intelligent dual variable valve timing) that produces 131 kW at 5 700 rpm and 221 Nm of torque at 3 600 – 5 200 rpm. The second half is pair of electric motor-generators (that can produce up to 88 kW/202 Nm) in combination with a nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) battery.
Toyota SA is introducing petrol-electric versions of its RAV4 family car and Corolla compact sedan, the latter of which is SA’s most affordable hybrid.
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