Toyota discontinue SUVs

[lornemalvo]

It seems that Toyota are accelerating the drive to force us into poxy electric cars. They have discontinued the Highlander and the Rav 4, two very efficient hybrids, leaving three of those poxy little toy crossover things. Disappointing.

Edited by lornemalvo on Monday 19th June 08:53

[Krikkit]

If they don't sell then why bother? You hardly see any

[valiant]

Thought there was a waiting list for the hybrid RAV4?

It’s a bit pricey but I thought that it was a very popular choice.

[emperorburger]

I thought the RAV 4 was the progenitor of the poxy little toy crossover thing. I've literally seen one Highlander on the road and it was on Ukrainian plates, so I assume UK sales are pretty much non existent.

[dmsims]

1/10

[Truckosaurus]

emperorburger said:

I.... I've literally seen one Highlander on the road and it was on Ukrainian plates, so I assume UK sales are pretty much non existent.

Indeed. There's plenty on Autotrader so I suspect they just sit on forecourts waiting for the limited demographic who want a large expensive SUV with a small hybrid engine and non-premium badge, and don't want a Land Cruiser.

Surprised the RAV4 is going, I would have thought it was their bread and butter seller, but perhaps it is like Suzuki and the Jimny, where is counts too much against their emissions targets?

[vladcjelli]

Had Uber rides in these during our US trip last year.

Couldn’t tell what year they were from, as the dash did look dated, and as cabs some had done the hard yards.

But never felt like they were a bad car.

Was left thinking, why don’t they sell this in Europe/UK. Never thought anything more about it.

Turns out they did sell it over here, just no one knew about it. First time I’m aware of it is when I see it being discontinued.

Crap car or crap marketing?

[lornemalvo]

Truckosaurus said:

emperorburger said:

I.... I've literally seen one Highlander on the road and it was on Ukrainian plates, so I assume UK sales are pretty much non existent.

Indeed. There's plenty on Autotrader so I suspect they just sit on forecourts waiting for the limited demographic who want a large expensive SUV with a small hybrid engine and non-premium badge, and don't want a Land Cruiser.

Surprised the RAV4 is going, I would have thought it was their bread and butter seller, but perhaps it is like Suzuki and the Jimny, where is counts too much against their emissions targets?

The Highlander wasn't marketed at all, as it would have probably been far more popular. I want a well equipped, large SUV I can keep for 10 years without the likely prospect of some large and possibly ruinous repair bills, something the "prestige" marques, up to and including Porsche, seem unable to offer. The engine is "only" 2,5 litres but it's a proper hybrid and 240+ bhp is plenty. I'm unsure, though, about buying a discontinued model.

[jason61c]

where was this news released?

[ChattingWham]

lornemalvo said:

It seems that Toyota are accelerating the drive to force us into poxy electric cars. They have discontinued the Highlander and the Rav 4, two very efficient hybrids, leaving three of those poxy little toy crossover things. Disappointing.

Edited by lornemalvo on Monday 19th June 08:53

I knew the Highlander was being withdrawn from the UK market. No one was buying them. It's a bit difficult to make a case for one when (at least until the new RX came out) you could get a Lexus RX or RX L for not dissimilar money. And still can, if you're looking nearly new.

There's a significant facelift RAV4 coming out in 2024, so I guess the current model availability is being wound down for that.

Toyota UK has had supply problems on this model too I understand.

I could be wrong but I don't think the RAV4 is going anywhere. It's the bestselling car on the planet.

[braddo]

lornemalvo said:

It seems that Toyota are accelerating the drive to force us into poxy electric cars. They have discontinued the Highlander and the Rav 4, two very efficient hybrids, leaving three of those poxy little toy crossover things. Disappointing.

Edited by lornemalvo on Monday 19th June 08:53

So what you really mean is that Toyota will stop selling these models in the UK because no-one is buying them?

[Whataguy]

There's probably a Lexus equivalent SUV, they are the same company so crossover models with a bit of extra trim to sell for more money.

My Auris was a Lexus CT200.

[wyson]

https://media.toyota.co.uk/toyota-sets-new-records...

The RAV4 is one of the Toyota UK’s best sellers and consistently a top 5 seller globally.

https://www.thedrive.com/news/toyota-rav4-was-the-...

I talked to a Toyota dealer, they said they are having serious supply issues, for both the RAV4 and sister car the Lexus NX. The Lexus UK website is showing Q2 2024 for delivery.

A Honda dealer said the same thing about a new Civic. Both have a lot of parts suppliers in China who aren’t producing at full output.

Edited by wyson on Monday 19th June 21:05