Right now, the hottest Toyota RAV4 on sale is a GR Sport spec rated at 324 PS (320 hp / 238 kW). It’s a decent crossover as it is, but the Japanese automaker believes there could be room for another one – with a turbocharger slapped on.
The statement comes from Yoshinori Futonagane, the leading developer of the RAV4. In his interview with Drive, he admitted that the current model was already “sporty enough” but let it slip that there was enough space in the engine bay for a turbocharged 2.4-liter mill. The same powertrain is currently utilized by the Lexus RX and NX, delivering up to 340 PS (335 hp / 250 kW) based on the spec.
In other words, the technical opportunity is there; the demand is the biggest unknown. In an earlier conversation, Futonagane said Toyota had no plans for an all-electric RAV4, while a high-end hybrid wasn’t fully out of the question. The company will have to collect feedback from many interested buyers before it greenlights the development of the Gazoo Racing RAV4.
