Toyota RAV4 2022: what is the XSE hybrid and what do you get for your money?

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Toyota has confirmed the facelifted RAV4 midsize SUV will arrive in early 2022 with an entirely new grade known as the XSE within the line-up.

The new grade will sit in between the GXL and Cruiser in the RAV4 range lineup, and join the Edge Hybrid as a newcomer to the RAV4 family.

With the price of the RAV4 Cruiser grade increasing by $1585 on all configurations, the XSE will offer a cheaper alternative for those who want more equipment than the GXL but don’t want to fork out an extra $4,675 for a hybrid-equipped Cruiser grade.

The XSE will go on sale in Australia starting at $42,825 for the 2WD and $45,825 for the AWD version and will only be offered with a hybrid drivetrain.

The RAV4 is one of Toyota’s most popular models with the hybrid drivetrains in 2021 making up 70 percent of total RAV4 sales volume. 

Toyota’s RAV4 competes in a hotly contested marketplace of midsize SUVs including the Subaru Forester, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage and Mazda CX-5.  

What does the RAV4 XSE include?

RAV4 XSE hybrid models are fitted with either a 2.5-litre engine assisted by an electric motor that combine to make 160kW/221Nm with front wheel drive or an all-wheel drive system producing 163kW/221Nm. 

The XSE builds on the GXL variant which includes gloss black 18-inch twin spoke alloy wheels to include a black roof, softex artificial leather trim, front seat heating, 10-way power adjustment for the driver’s seat, leather door trims and ambient lighting.

Also standard for the XSE is a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster and a 8.0-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation, wireless charging and smartphone mirroring. 

However, buyers should note that the RAV4 XSE misses out on some key upgrades fitted to the Cruiser, such as eight-way power adjustment for the passenger seat and a digital rearview mirror.

The front seats also gain three-stage seat heating (instead of two-stage) and three-stage seat ventilation – the latter of which will be highly appreciated on a hot summer’s day in Australia.

Toyota RAV4 2022: prices in Australia 

All prices listed are before on-road costs.

• GX 2WD petrol: $34,300 
• GX 2WD hybrid: $36,800
• GX AWD hybrid: $39,800 
• GXL 2WD petrol: $37,825 
• GXL 2WD hybrid: $40,325 
• GXL AWD hybrid: $43,325 
• XSE 2WD hybrid: $42,825 (new variant)
• XSE AWD hybrid: $45,825 (new variant)
• Cruiser 2WD petrol: $42,500 
• Cruiser 2WD hybrid: $45,000 
• Cruiser AWD hybrid: $48,000 
• Edge AWD petrol: $49,820 
• Edge AWD hybrid: $52,320 (new variant)