All-new 2026 Toyota RAV4 revealed
A plug-in hybrid EV (PHEV) and GR Sport variant are the headline additions to the all-new sixth-generation Toyota RAV4, which has just been revealed globally and will arrive in Australian showrooms in the first half of 2026.
Advertised with a ‘Life is an adventure’ tagline, the all-new RAV4 is roomier and more upmarket than the model it replaces, and will be offered in three specifications: Core, Adventure and GR Sport.
While all models have improved capability on rough roads, the Core will look to satisfy the RAV4’s more urban-focused buyers with softer suspension for a more comfortable ride, while the Adventure will have with bigger wheels and a terrain monitor.
The base model RAV4 retains the existing 143kW parallel hybrid 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and will be offered in 2WD and AWD variants.
The new model will also debut a PHEV powertrain in Australia producing 201kW in 2WD models and a combined system output of 227kW on AWD models, with the latter capable of hitting 0-100km/h in just 5.8 seconds.
Employing high-capacity batteries, the RAV4 now has “the world’s most efficient PHEV system”, according to Simon Humphries, Toyota’s chief branding officer and head of design.
“It’s got 50 per cent longer EV range, up to 150km on electricity alone, as well as new DC fast charging,” he told media during a livestreamed event from Japan on May 21. “A fully charged, fully fuelled PHEV can give you over 1350km of total range.”
The GR Sport is a complete change in direction for the RAV4, with a 20mm wider track, lower ride height, lightweight wheels, performance dampers, a more rigid body and sports-tuned steering. It will be offered in AWD form only.
Where the previous generation RAV4 had a decidedly square and utilitarian look (leading to comparisons with Jeep), the sixth-generation has reverted to a slightly rounder and sleeker shape with narrow horseshoe-shaped headlights surrounding the edges of the bonnet.
Each model grade has its own distinctive styling, especially at the front, with the GR Sport getting over-fenders and a rear spoiler.
Inside, the GR Sport has discreet GR logos and red accents, sports seats, synthetic leather and suede upholstery, console knee pads, and aluminium pedals.
Toyota says the new RAV4 has a larger and more versatile luggage space and electric models will be rated for a 1500kg towing capacity. An optimised hybrid system layout relocates more components into the engine bay for more space in the cabin. Additional sound dampening also means a quieter interior.
The RAV4 will debut with Toyota’s latest ‘Arene’ safety and infotainment technology, which uses ‘big data’ so its active safety systems can ‘learn’ on the go. An intuitive AI voice agent also allows additional customisation and control of multimedia.
Safety systems such as front cross-traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, lane changing assistance and pre-collision warning all have functionality upgrades, plus a 3D panoramic-view monitor aids with parking.
The RAV4 is Toyota Australia’s second most popular vehicle after its HiLux ute and globally Toyota has sold 15 million RAV4s since the early 1990s.
The fifth-generation XA50 Toyota RAV4 went on sale in Australia in May 2019. By the end of the year, it had conquered the medium SUV sales charts and it has seldom been out of Australia’s top ten selling models ever since.
