It won’t be returning.
Toyota had announced at the end of October that it would gradually phase out its diesel engines from Europe. The 2.0-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder engine that powers the RAV4 crossover is being scrapped by the company. Although you won’t be able order a customized diesel-powered RAV4, you can still get one if you hurry as Toyota still has some in stock.
It’s obvious that we are referring to the previous-generation RAV4. The U.S.-spec model was unveiled by Toyota earlier this year at New York Auto Show. It will not be worth your time to search for a diesel engine on the specifications sheet when its European counterpart will be at your local dealer. Toyota will only sell it with a gasoline unit or a hybrid powertrain.
Following a similar announcement at the end 2017 when Toyota discontinued its diesel Auris, the news about the end of the diesel-powered RAV4 is similar. The Avensis had a diesel engine until a few months ago. However, the wagon and sedan of the mid-size sedan were discontinued about two months ago.
This means that you will need to buy Verso / Proace Verso minivan or Hilux pickup truck in Europe if you want a diesel Toyota. Although it’s impossible to predict when Toyota will stop making diesel engines, the fact that more models are dropping the popular type of engine shows how the industry is changing.
Customers are looking into other powertrains. JATO Dynamics published numbers that show that diesel cars and SUVs were in decline by nearly eight percent last year. The market share fell to 43.7%, the lowest level in eight years. This is a huge difference from 2011, when diesel sales peaked in the old continent. According to Automotive Industry Data, 55.5% of the market was captured by diesel.