Toyota unveils RAV4 plug-in hybrid SUV, longer battery warranty, luxurious fuel cell car

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Toyota will launch a plug-in hybrid version of its popular RAV4 SUV and a luxurious new sedan powered by a hydrogen fuel cell next year as a 2021 model.

The RAV4 is on track to be America’s best-selling non-pickup this year, making the new model a key part of Toyota’s strategy to establish hybrids as mainstream vehicles of all sizes and types.

Toyota plans to position hybrids as its most capable drivetrains, a premium feature that improves performance and drivability, not just a way to save gas money and reduce emissions, Toyota vice president of corporate strategy and planning Doug Murtha said.

The automaker is also extending its hybrids’ battery warranty 50% to 150,000 miles starting with the 2020 model year in an attempt to persuade cautious buyers the technology is a safe bet. The warranty will last 10 years and transfer automatically to buyers of used hybrids.

The 2021 Mirai luxury sedan will be Toyota’s second car powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. It’s longer and more luxurious than the current Mirai, which went on sale in 2015. Fuel cells remain expensive, so Toyota decided to wrap the new Mirai in a sporty and luxurious body that would look at home in a Lexus showroom.

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Hybrids to be Toyota’s flagships

Expect Toyota to promote the plug-in hybrid as the most capable RAV4, with more power of better performance than other models of the compact SUV.

Toyota already sells a hybrid RAV4. The plug-in will have bigger batteries so it can travel for miles on electricity alone before its gasoline engine is needed. The 2019 RAV4 hybrid is rated at 40 mpg in combined city and highway driving. Prices start at $27,850.

The RAV4 plug-in hybrid will make its public debut at the Los Angeles auto show, open to the public Nov. 22-Dec. 1.

Hybrids account for 9% of Toyota’s U.S. sales, far more than any other automaker, but nowhere near the company’s goal of 25% in 2025. To reach that goal, Toyota will add more hybrids to its lineup.

“Our goal is to have people think hybrid equals Toyota,” said Heather Updegraff, general marketing manager for Toyota vehicles.

Fuel cells have far to go

The new Mirai is a much more grown-up looking car than the quirky little fuel-cell sedan Toyota sells today.

It’s based on a new rear-wheel-drive platform Toyota will also use for other vehicles, possibly including the next-generation Lexus GS sport sedan. Toyota expects it to be able to go nearly 400 miles on a full tank of hydrogen. Fuel cells work by converting hydrogen into electricity. The only emission from a fuel cell-powered car is a trickle of water.

The sleek new Mirai is lower, longer and wider than its predecessor. Add that to rear-wheel drive and you have the classic formula for a sporty and desirable luxury vehicle.

Toyota said interior features will include a 12.3-inch horizontal touch screen and 14-speaker JBL audio. The Mirai will seat five.

That sounds great, but 20% of Americans have never heard of a fuel cell and 55% have no idea how they work, Toyota senior fuel cell engineer Jackie Birdsall said. On top of that, there are very few places to refuel a hydrogen-powered vehicle. A lot of people think the gas is dangerously explosive, despite advances that make it safe.

Despite those challenges, automakers can’t resist fuel cells’ one big advantage over battery-powered cars: They’re as fast and easy to refuel as a gasoline-powered car.

The new Mirai will initially be available in California. Toyota has no forecast for when it may sell the sedan in other parts of the country. The lack of places to refuel is a major stumbling block.

The 2021 Mirai should go on sale in late 2020.

Contact Mark Phelan at 313-222-6731 or mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan.