As Toyota‘s high-performance GR range of sports cars continues to expand, its racier character is trickling down to the firm’s mainstream models. Following on from the likes of the Yaris, C-HR and Hilux, Toyota has revealed a GR Sport version of the RAV4, featuring bespoke design touches and stiffer suspension.
The visual differences aren’t extensive, but the GR Sport is distinguished by piano black wheel arch trims and plastic mouldings, along with more aggressive fog light surrounds and a front spoiler. The sportiest RAV4 also receives GR badging and unique 19-inch wheels, painted gloss black with machined edges.
Inside, there’s a pair of sportier front seats trimmed in suede and synthetic leather, with embossed GR logos on the headrests. Silver stitching picks out the seats, steering wheel and gear lever, with gunmetal grey inserts on the door panels and further GR logos on the floor mats. Standard equipment includes a 10.5-inch infotainment display and a 12.3-inch digital dash, along with Toyota’s Safety Sense driver assist tech. Under the skin, the RAV4 GR Sport is fitted with firmer springs and dampers to improve handling and body control.
Pricing hasn’t been confirmed yet, but the new model is set to hit UK showrooms before the end of this year in both hybrid and plug-in hybrid forms. The GR Sport won’t receive a power uplift as part of the upgrades, so the hybrid variant will offer 215bhp and 221Nm of torque from a 2.5-litre petrol engine and an electric motor. The RAV4 hybrid completes the 0-62mph sprint in 8.4 seconds, and reaches 111mph flat out.
The RAV4 GR Sport plug-in hybrid will also utilise a 2.5-litre petrol unit, albeit with two electric motors and four wheel drive. As the most powerful model available, it offers 302bhp and a 0-62mph time of 6.0 seconds. Depending on wheel and tyre specifications, the GR Sport’s efficiency figures could differ between models – for reference, Toyota quotes 47.8mpg and 126g/km for the current hybrid RAV4, with the plug-in hybrid achieving 282.4mpg and 22g/km.
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