What’s Next for the Toyota RAV4?

Toyota is plugging the gap left when it discontinued its Toyota RAV4 EV model. The Toyota bZ4X EUV is a dynamic response to a host of competitors in the burgeoning electric segment and an encouraging evolution of the carmaker’s well-established RAV4.

A Logical Compromise

The Toyota bZ4X EUV is a significant redesign of the Toyota RAV4 EV, a sleek, symmetrical SUV retaining enough of the Toyota RAV4’s basic look and features that consumers should find it an acceptable compromise between gas or hybrid and an electric future. It’s not too radical a departure for an EUV that represents a substantial, yet logical upgrade. Toyota RAV4 fans won’t be disappointed, or left wondering what in the world happened to their favorite vehicle.
No matter how you slice it, the look and feel of the new EUV is unmistakably modern, and the fact that it’s easier to drive is apt to please even the most critical Toyota RAV4 fan. A wing-shaped steering column makes it easier to see indicators, while a rotary electronic gear selector adds an element of fun for drivers who like the feel of rapidly shifting gears.

Today’s Tech

The Toyota bZ4X also represents a leap forward in terms of the latest tech, particularly voice recognition. Drivers can activate a range of functions, including wipers and climate control, by voice command. Smartphone activation is another nifty techy convenience, a new way to lock, unlock and start the vehicle.
Toyota developed the bZ4X in conjunction with Subaru, a collaboration which appears to have yielded an efficient electric engine with a 71kWh battery and a maximum range of about 500 kilometers. There’s even a model with a solar roof designed to extend that range. Bottom line: it charges fast and goes a long way, which should win over many EV skeptics.

Sleek and Sporty Power

Though electrification ultimately means greater economy and efficiency, the Toyota bZ4X is no scaled-back, boxy version of its former self. Its exterior is downright racy, featuring a lower profile, concave front end, symmetrical front and rear doors, and stylish, narrowed headlights.
According to TopElectricSUV.com, Toyota is developing no less than seven zero-emission models of the EUV, covering a range of sizes. This is a compact SUV with plenty of interior room and a generous wheelbase.

Coming Soon

Word is that Toyota plans a mid-2022 rollout of the Toyota bZ4X, at a cost estimated to start in the $40,000 range. (Toyota is also working on a new battery that will be safer and easier to recharge than liquid-based batteries.)

In the Meantime

The Toyota RAV4 Prime is bridging the electric gap until the Toyota bZ4X starts rolling off the production line. The Prime became available in the United States in spring/summer 2021, and quickly proved popular, possibly an indication that a significant number of Toyota customers still retain their desire for an electric alternative.
If that’s true, then the official rollout of the Toyota bZ4X EUV will make 2022 an exciting year for consumers who are always on the watch for the latest and greatest in the SUV and EV market segments. The upgrade of the now-defunct Toyota RAV EV is an eye-catching, aesthetically appealing, and powerful entrant into the rapidly expanding field of electric vehicles.