The strong-selling Toyota RAV4 has been toppled by the Mazda CX-5 in the sales race for the first time in 2021.
The RAV4 had its weakest result for 2021 last month, with its 2501 sales well down on its average of 3393 monthly sales and its peak of 4506 in April this year.
The usually-best-selling RAV4 was outdone by the Mazda CX-5 in June 2021, the first time it’s happened this year.
Toyota has struggled with supply since the fifth-generation RAV4 launched, particularly on high-end hybrid models.
Wait times for some models stretch to six months, as has been the case since early in 2020.
Toyota Australia says customers should contact their dealer for more specific details about the wait for particular colours or trim levels.
The company has repeatedly told media it’s pushing for more supply, and in June 2020 announced a better flow of cars would come to Australia, but long wait times have been a constant with the RAV4.
Despite the supply constraints, the RAV4 was the best-selling mid-sized SUV in Australia during 2020.
It owned a 25.2 per cent share of the segment with 38,537 sales, well clear of the Mazda CX-5 with 21,979 sales and a 14.4 per cent share.
An updated RAV4 is due to arrive in Australia early in 2022 with upgraded LED fog lights, and new alloy wheel designs.
The popular Cruiser, the highest-spec model available with the hybrid powertrain, adds some luxury and convenience features previously limited to the top-spec Edge.
All Cruiser models will add an eight-way power front passenger seat, three-stage ventilation for the front seats, and a digital rear-view mirror.
That’s in addition to the 10-way power driver’s seat and heated front seats of the 2021 Cruiser, though it appears the option of a panoramic sunroof is still exclusive to the Edge.
The flagship Edge’s rear cross-traffic alert adds what Toyota calls a parking support brake, which means the system will apply the brakes if it detects you’re going to back into the path of an oncoming vehicle.
Cruiser, GXL and Edge models all pick up illuminated door switches.
While power and torque are unchanged for each powertrain, automatic stop/start will now be standard in all petrol variants.
