Toyota RAV-X Concept is one badass rally car

Toyota has been busy of late releasing concept after concept at the 2024 SEMA Show. From the WRC-inspired GR86 with the running gear of the GR Yaris to the Land Cruiser ROX concept, Toyota is showing the countless possibilities of dressing up its cars.

But if you think Toyota's done releasing new concepts, they have another one that recently caught our attention. This is the Toyota RAV-X concept, and boy does it look ready to take on the grueling rally stages with ease.

With a beefed-up suspension, chunky off-road tires, and a sleek exterior, this tricked-out RAV4 is not only a looker but is ready for uneven terrain. The RAV-X is the brainchild of Toyota Service Parts and Accessories Development (SPAD) in North America, a team focused on accessories and performance upgrades. What originally started as a sketch became a concept car complete with several features.

Inspired by the grueling Dakar Rally, the team used a RAV4 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) as a base and fitted it with a long-travel suspension that raised its ride height by 2 inches (or 51mm) and widened its track by 6.3 inches (or 160mm). It also gets fully adjustable 2.5-inch internal bypass shocks at the front and rear. Complementing that is Dual Speed Compression adjustment which allows for precise tuning of the dampers to smooth out the terrain and improve overall handling.

It also gets front external reservoirs and rear piggyback reservoirs are added to keep shock oil temperatures in check while the vehicle is going off-road. Last but not least, SPAD engineers installed forged aluminum front lower control arms and forged aluminum rear upper supports to ensure the vehicle can repeatedly tackle the harsh desert terrain.

Rounding up the exterior upgrades on the RAV-X include a Dakar-inspired front bumper with integrated cooling ducts, bespoke fender flares, 17-inch forged aluminum alloy wheels with 265/65 off-road tires, front & rear skid plates, an aggressive rear spoiler, red mudguards, and a high-clearance dual exhaust system that's integrated into the rear bumper.

“This Toyota RAV-X is more than just a concept; it’s a bold statement of what’s possible when innovation meets performance. RAV4 is one of our most popular and versatile vehicles; with RAV-X we’re showing an entirely new possibility of just how cool and adventurous a small crossover like this can be,” said Mike Tripp, group vice president, Toyota Division Marketing, Toyota Motor North America.

Should Toyota be thinking about fielding a RAV4 at any rally races, perhaps the RAV-X will serve as a key inspiration for their motorsport division. Heck, some customers may even borrow inspiration from the RAV-X concept to customize their RAV4.