This world is getting yet another plug-in hybrid car pretty soon. Judging by the spy shots, the black RAV4 model isn’t any kind of the SUV, but the PHEV. It was quite simple to figure out that since the automaker hasn’t bothered to hide a charging port on the opposite side of the usual cup. Also, the popular crossover sports a dynamometer in that trailer around back, which is another clear sign that we are looking into the 2021 Toyota RAV4 PHEV.
Since it’s still far away from the production lines, the Japanese car manufacturer didn’t want to reveal any specifications of the RAV4 plug-in hybrid so far. Still, bearing in mind that most of PHEVs use pretty similar drivetrain like their hybrid siblings, we think we know what’s cooking under the skin of one of the most popular compact SUVs currently available.
As far as we think, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 PHEV will come fitted with a 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder gasoline engine, which will be coupled with a slightly more powerful electric motor. Together, the drivetrain will produce around 220 horsepower. What we can’t say at the moment is what exactly is going to supply the electric motor. Well, okay, we know it’s going to be a lithium-ion battery, but we have no idea how big the unit could be. Two things are clear though: First of all, the crossover has more than enough floor space to store the unit, so it would not be a problem if the battery is oversized; and second, the 2021 RAV4 PHEV is not going to borrow the Prius Prime’s battery for sure. How come? Well, the battery has the 8.8-kWh capacity, which is not enough to compete with the biggest rivals and to meet the European new CO2 standards. Meaning, the SUV should get at least twice bigger battery.
According to words for the street, the plug-in hybrid version of the SUV will make its official debut sometime next year, so stay tuned for updates.
