The Toyota RAV4 is one of the best-selling vehicles in America, and with EV demand still growing, many people assumed a fully electric version was only a matter of time.
Toyota says not so fast.
Despite rapidly expanding its EV lineup, the automaker says a battery-powered Toyota RAV4 isn’t a priority right now. In fact, the company admits it hasn’t spent much time seriously considering one.
Instead, Toyota believes buyers looking for an electric SUV should simply buy the Toyota bZ4X.
Toyota Says The bZ4X Already Fills That Role
Speaking with Drive Australia, Yoshinori Futonagane explained that Toyota doesn’t want every model to offer every possible powertrain.
That’s part of the company’s broader “multi-pathway” strategy.
Rather than stuffing gas, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric versions into one nameplate, Toyota wants different vehicles serving different purposes across its lineup.
According to Futonagane, the Toyota bZ4X is where Toyota wants to experiment with its most advanced EV technology.
The RAV4 Is Already Pretty Electrified
Toyota also isn’t exactly ignoring electrification.
The latest Toyota RAV4 already comes standard with hybrid power in some markets, while plug-in hybrid versions are also available.
The plug-in model combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric motors to produce around 320 horsepower.
It can also travel roughly 50 miles on electric power alone.
For many buyers, Toyota likely believes that’s enough.
Toyota’s Previous Electric RAV4
Interestingly, Toyota has actually built electric RAV4s before.
Back in 1997, the company produced 328 electric versions of the original Toyota RAV4 EV for California buyers. Those models offered just 95 miles of range.
Toyota tried again in 2012.
That version was built using technology from Tesla and managed around 103 miles of range. Only 2,489 examples were produced.
Neither version ever became a mainstream success.
Don’t Expect One Anytime Soon
Toyota isn’t completely ruling out an electric Toyota RAV4.
Executives say future battery advancements could eventually make it worthwhile.
That said, it’s clearly not happening anytime soon.
For now, Toyota wants the Toyota RAV4 to remain the practical SUV buyers already know, while the Toyota bZ4X handles EV duties.