Toyota RAV4 Wait Times in Canada (Q2 2024)
It may be surprising to find that Canadians are having to wait for their favorite SUV given a large amount of RAV4 production takes place in Ontario. Still, in 2024 consumers are struggling to find and purchase Toyota’s affordable, crossover SUV.
This has been a problem since 2021 that still hasn’t been resolved. Although there have been some improvements to the situation, people are finding themselves on wait lists extending months or years into the future.
We want to get to the bottom of this, so we called more than 25 dealerships in all regions of the country to collect data about wait times.
Here’s what we gathered from our discussions with those dealerships.
Note: We will continue to update this article as we receive new information.
RAV4 (Non-Hybrid)
You can expect to wait 1-10 months for a non-hybrid RAV4 in Canada with an average waitlist length of 4.4 months.
While Central Canada is experiencing the shortest waiting times of only a couple of months, consumers in The Northern Territories will find themselves waiting for nearly a year.
| Region | Estimated Wait Time |
|---|---|
| Central Canada | 1-4 months |
| The Atlantic Provinces | 2-6 months |
| The Northern Territories | 6-10 months |
| The Prairie Provinces | 2-6 months |
| The West Coast | 3-6 months |
The non-hybrid RAV4 is the best-selling SUV in Canada and has the highest production numbers out of all RAV4 models. Therefore, it has the shortest wait times.
Although this isn’t an ideal waiting time, it’s the best model to choose if you’re looking to buy a RAV4 as quickly as possible.
RAV4 Hybrid
Because of its popularity, the wait times for the RAV4 Hybrid are significant, ranging from 2-24 months with an average of 8.3 months. This timeline has decreased significantly in some areas over the past year. One thing to keep in mind is that flexibility in options and colors will get you a vehicle faster!
Most areas of the country have wait times of less than a year, but The Northern Territories are experiencing wait lists extending for several years.
| Region | Estimated Wait Time |
|---|---|
| Central Canada | 2-8 months |
| The Atlantic Provinces | 3-12 months |
| The Northern Territories | 2-3 years |
| The Prairie Provinces | 8-18 months |
| The West Coast | 8-12 months |
The RAV4 Hybrid is a popular option for those seeking a more fuel-efficient and eco-friendly SUV.
RAV4 Prime
With limited supply and selective buyers, most RAV4 Prime wait lists in Canada are as long as 1-4 years, with an average of 21.6 months.
| Region | Estimated Wait Time |
|---|---|
| Central Canada | 1-4 years |
| The Atlantic Provinces | 1-2 years |
| The Northern Territories | Not available |
| The Prairie Provinces | 1-3 years |
| The West Coast | 1-2 years |
If you’re seeking the most fuel-efficient, technology-packed RAV4, the Prime is the right choice for you. However, it is in limited supply.
Unfortunately, the wait times on the Prime are quite stagnant. It seems that Toyota’s production has yet to outpace the customers joining waitlists at this time.
Since the RAV4 Prime is quite expensive compared to other RAV4 models, buyers also have strict requirements for their desired trim levels, colors, and option packages. This further exaggerates the long wait times.
To learn more about why these wait times exist, how to shorten your wait time, and more, read our full RAV4 wait time guide.
Future Outlook
At the moment, there is not much information available about whether or not Canadian RAV4 wait times will be improving.
Globally, we are seeing improvements with parts shortages and production, so it is expected that these benefits will carry over to Canada as well. For example, RAV4 wait times in Australia are confirmed to be on track for improvement in mid-2024.
We have reached out to Toyota Canada regarding the future outlook of the situation and have not heard back yet. We will update this with any new information we receive in the future.
Reserving Your Spot
When you’re ready to jump in line for a RAV4, there are some things you should know.
Most Canadian Toyota dealerships require a refundable deposit of $1,000-$1,500 to join the waitlist. Although rare, some dealers calculate the deposit based on the vehicle price. A minority of dealerships do not require deposits at all.
Any deposit that you make will be applied toward the vehicle price. We have gone into full detail in our article, RAV4 wait time guide, on the best practices for decreasing your wait time. Some of the information is U.S. centric but, there is still great tips for Canadians looking to reduce their wait.
Going to Jump In Line?
Now that you fully understand the RAV4 delays in Canada, are you willing to jump in line for a RAV4 or are you seeking alternative options?
We’d love to know your comments, so leave them below!