Toyota will lower the entry price of its RAV4 plug-in hybrid range in early 2027, adding a GXL front-wheel-drive model as competition from Chinese-built electrified SUVs continues to expand.
The RAV4 GXL 2WD PHEV will arrive in the first quarter of 2027, joining the existing XSE front- and all-wheel-drive versions and flagship GR Sport AWD. Toyota has yet to announce its price.
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However, the current RAV4 pricing structure suggests a starting point around $53,000–$54,000 before on-road costs, potentially lowering the price of entry by about $5000–$6000.
The clearest comparison is between the existing XSE AWD hybrid and plug-in hybrid. The ordinary hybrid costs $58,340, while the PHEV is $63,340 — a $5000 premium. Applying that same premium to the $48,990 GXL front-wheel-drive hybrid produces an estimated price of $53,990. These are calculations based on existing prices, rather than Toyota guidance.
There is also an argument for a slightly lower figure. Toyota charges $3350 to move from front- to all-wheel drive in its GX, GXL and Cruiser hybrids, compared with $4500 between the two XSE PHEVs.
Allowing for that difference implies a front-wheel-drive plug-in premium of $3850, which would put the GXL PHEV at $52,840. Final pricing will depend on Toyota’s positioning and any changes to the range before its arrival.
Either estimate would bring the Toyota closer to an increasingly crowded field of Chinese plug-in hybrid SUVs, although several rivals would retain a substantial price advantage.
Current alternatives include the Geely Starray EM-i from $37,490 before on-road costs, Chery Tiggo 7 PHEV from $39,990 drive-away, Jaecoo J7 PHEV from $43,990 drive-away and GWM Haval H6 PHEV from $47,990 drive-away.
GWM is also preparing to launch its new Haval H7 PHEV in October, with an indicated price between $50,000 and $60,000. Its 320kW all-wheel-drive powertrain will offer considerably more power than the front-wheel-drive Toyota.
Further competition will arrive in the second half of 2027 with Ford’s Chinese-developed and built Bronco Basecamp.
The Ford uses a range-extender powertrain, with electric motors driving the wheels and a petrol engine generating electricity. Australian pricing remains unannounced, although an anticipated starting point around $55,000 would put it close to the cheaper RAV4 PHEV if both estimates prove accurate.
The new GXL will retain a substantial equipment list, including 18-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting, an eight-way powered driver’s seat, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and start, rain-sensing wipers and wireless phone charging.
A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.5-inch multimedia touchscreen are also included, along with synthetic leather trim for the instrument panel and upper doors and leather-accented steering wheel and gear selector.
Its front-wheel-drive PHEV system combines a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor for a combined 201kW output.
A 22.7kWh lithium-ion battery provides a claimed electric-only range of 121km on the WLTP test cycle. The existing front-wheel-drive RAV4 PHEV also supports 50kW DC charging and 11kW three-phase AC charging, giving it the ability to replenish its battery at public fast chargers as well as at home.
The GXL’s arrival will broaden Toyota’s plug-in offering as the RAV4 attempts to close the gap to Australia’s biggest-selling vehicles.
Toyota previously identified the new-generation RAV4 as a potential outright sales leader, raising the prospect of an SUV and electrified vehicle topping the annual Australian charts for the first time.
However, through August the RAV4 was fourth overall with 26,585 deliveries, behind the Ford Ranger on 32,796, Toyota HiLux on 32,161 and Tesla Model Y on 31,454.
That left the RAV4 6211 sales behind the Ranger with four months remaining — requiring it to average about 1553 more deliveries per month than the Ford to draw level.
Its August result was stronger: 5470 deliveries placed it second overall behind the Model Y’s 6414, ahead of the HiLux on 4833 and Ranger on 2440. Tesla reports separately from VFACTS, so its figures must be included when assessing the outright sales race.
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