The RAV4 is the latest Toyota to get the GR Sport treatment, with the new sporty trim due in Europe in the fourth quarter of 2022.
The GR Sport has yet to be confirmed as a member of the updated range here, with Toyota Australia still to detail pricing and specs for the 2023 Toyota RAV4 due before year’s end.
“We’re always considering exciting new models as they become available for our market, but we have no announcements to make today,” said a spokesperson for Toyota Australia.
As opposed to more comprehensively fettled GR models, GR Sport models typically offer aesthetic enhancements plus mechanical tweaks like retuned suspension – but no extra power.
The RAV4 GR Sport follows this formula, with carryover hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains with all-wheel drive, but stiffer springs and shock absorber settings for “a handling boost” and a “more engaging driving experience”.
Aesthetic tweaks include piano black trim for the wheel arches, side mouldings and back door garnish, while up front there are more prominent fog light cutouts plus a new front spoiler – the latter finished in silver on the hybrid and in gunmetal grey on the plug-in hybrid.
The GR Sport also rides on unique 19-inch alloy wheels with a five-spoke design, finished in gloss black with machined pinstripe detailing.
Inside, there are power-adjustable front sports seats finished in suede-like upholstery with synthetic leather bolsters. The driver’s seat has memory, while both have the GR logo embossed on the headrests.
Silver stitching can be found on the seats, steering wheel and shifter, with gunmetal trim on the doors and steering wheel.
It comes with the updated RAV4’s 10.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, as well as a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
The infotainment system runs on the company’s new T-Connect software and includes connected navigation and a voice assistant.
Also standard on the European GR Sport is a new Emergency Steering Assist system and an enhanced autonomous emergency braking system. This has previously been confirmed to now feature junction-turning support.
Toyota Australia has confirmed our 2023 RAV4 will get upgraded infotainment plus the new safety features, as well as Toyota Connected Services.
Seven models are already equipped with an initial release of selected Toyota Connected Services for a three-year complimentary period: Camry, HiLux, LandCruiser 300, Fortuner, Yaris Cross, HiAce and Granvia.
The Corolla Cross debuts a wider range of services across three different membership tiers. You can read more about this here.
While not confirmed for Australia, the RAV4 GR Sport would give Toyota an alternative to other sporty mid-sized SUVs like R-Line variants in the Volkswagen Tiguan family.
RAV4 GR Sport PHEV 
Toyota Australia currently offers GR Sport versions of the C-HR and LandCruiser 300 Series, with a Yaris Cross GR Sport due here in December.
After rolling out slightly different HiLux GR Sport models in Japan, Europe, Thailand and South Africa, a HiLux GR Sport will finally arrive here in the second half of 2023 but Toyota hasn’t provided any substantial detail on it.
In other markets, there are also GR Sport versions of models like the Yaris, Corolla and Prius.
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