Current Toyota RAV4 Wait Times (USA, Canada & Australia)
There was once a time when you could walk onto any dealership lot and get the vehicle you wanted right then and there. These days, it’s not always so simple, leading many people to wonder about the current Toyota RAV4 wait times.
In this guide, I show you the average wait times per country based on each model. This data was gathered by calling dealerships in each area. If you are looking for a new RAV4, you want to plan ahead.
United States of America
It’s important to look at the different models to determine availability. The Hybrid and Prime models appear to be more challenging to secure in the United States than the gas-only variant.
RAV4 (Non-Hybrid)
To find a new RAV4 non-hybrid variant, you should notice the shortest wait time in the Southeast and Northwest regions of the country. In fact, there’s a good chance you could walk off the lot with a new RAV4, depending on what trim and features you want. On the other hand, you may wait the longest in the Northeast, Alaska, and Hawaii.
| Region | Estimated Wait Time |
|---|---|
| Midwest | 2-4 weeks |
| Northeast | 1-4 months |
| Northwest | 0-2 weeks |
| Southeast | 0-4 weeks |
| Southwest | 1-4 weeks |
| Alaska | 1-2 months |
| Hawaii | 4-8 months |
RAV4 Hybrid
While the wait times differ slightly with the RAV4 Hybrid model, the same patterns emerge. It’s easiest to get this RAV4 in the Southeast. It takes much longer in other parts of the country, and the Hybrid variant isn’t available at all in Hawaii.
| Region | Estimated Wait Time |
|---|---|
| Midwest | 2-4 weeks |
| Northeast | 1-10 months |
| Northwest | 1-12 months |
| Southeast | 0-4 weeks |
| Southwest | 1-2 months |
| Alaska | 2-4 months |
| Hawaii | Not available |
RAV4 Prime
RAV4 Prime availability can be discouraging. Depending on how flexible you are with the trim and features, you may have a shorter time in the Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, or Southwest parts of the country. However, you could wait up to 18 months in the Northwest.
Additionally, the RAV4 Prime isn’t available at all in Alaska or Hawaii.
| Region | Estimated Wait Time |
|---|---|
| Midwest | 1-6 months |
| Northeast | 1-7 months |
| Northwest | 6-18 months |
| Southeast | 1-8 months |
| Southwest | 1-12 months |
| Alaska | Not available |
| Hawaii | Not available |
Australia
Getting a new Toyota RAV4 in Australia is possible, but the wait times are slightly longer. Depending on where you live, you could wait up to a year.
RAV4 (Non-Hybrid)
While most regions in Australia have a wait time of up to 12 months to get a non-hybrid RAV4, you could find something sooner if you live in Western Australia. The remaining regions have availability as soon as six months.
| Region | Estimated Wait Time |
|---|---|
| New South Wales | 6-12 months |
| Queensland | 6-12 months |
| South Australia | 6-12 months |
| Tasmania | 6-12 months |
| Victoria | 6-12 months |
| Western Australia | 4-12 months |
RAV4 Hybrid
If you would rather have the Hybrid RAV4, you are going to wait a minimum of one year. In some regions, it could take up to three years to get the RAV4 you want.
| Region | Estimated Wait Time |
|---|---|
| New South Wales | 1-2 years |
| Queensland | 1-2 years |
| South Australia | 1-2 years |
| Tasmania | 1-3 years |
| Victoria | 1-3 years |
| Western Australia | 1-3 years |
RAV4 Prime
The RAV4 Prime cannot be ordered in Australia at this time.
Canada
If you live in the Great White North, you can get into the cabin of a RAV4 after waiting for a short time. Depending on the model, you may get a new RAV4 in just two months, while others can take months if they are available at all.
RAV4 (Non-Hybrid)
If you live in Central Canada, you have the shortest wait time for a gas-powered RAV4. The longest waits occur in the Northern Territories.
| Region | Estimated Wait Time |
|---|---|
| Central Canada | 2-6 months |
| The Atlantic Provinces | 3-6 months |
| The Northern Territories | 10-12 months |
| The Prairie Provinces | 3-6 months |
| The West Coast | 3-6 months |
RAV4 Hybrid
If you hope for a hybrid RAV4, the shortest possible wait time is eight months in most parts of the country. However, you could wait two to three years in the Northern Territories.
| Region | Estimated Wait Time |
|---|---|
| Central Canada | 8-12 months |
| The Atlantic Provinces | 8-12 months |
| The Northern Territories | 2-3 years |
| The Prairie Provinces | 8-18 months |
| The West Coast | 8-12 months |
RAV4 Prime
There’s no way to order a RAV4 Prime in the Northern Territories. However, other parts have some availability if you are willing to wait one to four years.
| Region | Estimated Wait Time |
|---|---|
| Central Canada | 1-4 years |
| The Atlantic Provinces | 1-2 years |
| The Northern Territories | Not available |
| The Prairie Provinces | 1-2 years |
| The West Coast | 1-2 years |
Why Do These Wait Times Exist?
It wasn’t that long ago when there was no wait to get a RAV4. If you’ve owned your Toyota for a few years and are ready for an upgrade, you probably remember having no trouble getting your previous SUV.
Numerous factors have caused this long wait time. Here are a few to consider.
- Higher demand
- Limits on production
- World events
- Automotive part shortages
- Natural disasters
- Post-COVID economic recovery
- Labor constraints
Of the three RAV4 models, the Prime is the hardest to produce. That’s why the wait time for this plug-in hybrid is the longest.
Reserving Your Spot
If the wait time doesn’t bother you, it’s time to reserve your RAV4. The sooner you do this, the faster you get to enjoy your new SUV.
Most dealerships require a deposit at the time of the reservation. This deposit is then put toward the cost of the vehicle once it arrives. Deposit amounts vary, so it’s important to speak with your local dealership. Here’s a generalized idea of what’s charged per country.
- USA: $500 to $1,000
- Australia: $500 to $1,000
- Canada: $1,000 to $1,500
It’s up to the dealership whether the deposit is refundable or not. In the United States, the majority of deposits are non-refundable, while Australia and Canada seem to offer more refundable options.
Additionally, some dealerships do not charge a deposit at all.
How to Shorten Your Wait Time
If you want to shorten the wait time, you can choose whatever is most available at the dealership near you. With each dealership receiving a particular allocation, you need to see what’s available where you live.
Here are some suggestions to shorten your waiting time.
- Search nearby dealers to find the one with the shortest wait time
- Get your name on the waiting list quickly
- Put your name on multiple waiting lists if the dealer doesn’t require a deposit
- Use a RAV4 shopping service that will handle the search process for you
There’s also the option to buy a used RAV4. While you can get a pre-owned RAV4 quickly, you may spend more than you are used to since the resale prices have risen.
How Toyota Customers Are Being Impacted
Sadly, a lot of Toyota customers are being strung along. Dealerships offer short estimates in hopes of gaining business but end up with unhappy customers that are stuck waiting for a RAV4.
At this point, no one would blame a Toyota owner for choosing a different brand or vehicle. It takes a very loyal person to continue waiting for the RAV4.
Will Conditions Improve Over Time?
There are a few indications of the future RAV4 market. Here are some insights worth looking at.
- In December 2022, 1.1 million new cars were added to dealer lots overall, with an expected increase of 80,000 to 100,000 more cars each month
- More buyers have backed out of the waitlist as interest rates rise, creating fewer shoppers
- Since November 2021, RAV4 production has dropped 7%
According to the Wall Street Journal, if you can wait until the fall of 2023 or later to purchase a new car, you may get a better deal. By then, there should be a larger inventory and less demand, creating better conditions for the buyer.
(Cars.com)
What Toyota Is Doing About the Situation
Even though it feels like Toyota doesn’t care, the company is taking steps to fix the problem.
For starters, Toyota is increasing output in 2023 with 15% more production. This should help to cut down some of the wait times.
The company also said, “Currently, we are working toward production volume with a ceiling of 10.6 million units for 2023. However, as the previous year, the impact of parts supply shortage, such as semiconductors, remain unclear.”
Related Content
How Long Will Toyota Customers Wait?
There are plenty of brand-loyal Toyota owners that are willing to wait a bit for their new car, yet these wait times still seem ridiculous to most. It takes a true enthusiast to wait this long to get a vehicle.
I fear that Toyota will lose some customers in the process, so hopefully, the company will pull it together soon. Only time will tell what the outcome will be.