Everything We Know About The Next-Gen 2026 Toyota RAV4

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Toyota’s 2026 RAV4 will debut new ‘hammerhead’ styling, a brand new interior and even greater hybrid efficiency when the order books open in Australia ahead of first deliveries in 2026.

With its new styling still top secret, camouflaged prototypes have hit public roads in Europe and the USA as Toyota tests the sixth generation of its smash-hit hybrid SUV – Australia’s top-selling SUV in 2024.

Based on the same TNGA-K platform as the Camry, the new hybrid-only RAV4 is expected to grow in size as part of what will be a heavy update, rather than a ground-up redesign. Here’s everything Chasing Cars predicts for the 2026 Toyota RAV4.

RAV4 to get latest ‘hammerhead’ design

The new generation RAV4 will adopt the same sharply styled design language as the new-generation Prius, new Camry, bZ4X, C-HR and Japan-only Crown Sport.

Ahead of a potential unveiling in the first half of this year, Chasing Cars’ exclusive renders by artist Theottle preview how the 2026 RAV4 may appear, based on a detailed evaluation of high-resolution spy images and other intel.

In the new RAV4’s case, think C-shaped ‘hammerhead’ headlights, potentially a diamond grille while at the rear, new slim, wrap-around tail-lights. For the side profile, spy shots indicate the RAV4 will retain its current ‘boxiness’ in the form of aggressive body creases and rugged, squared-off wheel arches.

All-new turbo 1.5-litre engine, or upgraded 2.5?

No details on the next RAV4’s powertrain have yet been released, but it could come with an uprated version of the current 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, paired to Toyota’s ‘fifth generation’ hybrid system and CVT automatic transmission.

That could see power increase from the current AWD car’s 163kW to approximately 170kW combined, using the same triple electric motor set-up. Toyota is expected to continue offering 2WD and 4WD variants.

Fuel efficiency will improve on the current RAV4’s already super-low 4.7L/100km (claimed combined, for the 2WD), edging towards the new Camry’s spectacular 4.0L/100km claimed combined figure.

The current RAV4’s 2.5-litre hybrid powertrain will eventually be replaced by a new generation of hybrid-ready turbocharged 1.5- and 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines, as announced in June 2024. Japanese magazine Best Car reported a battery electric RAV4 is also in development.

Plug-in hybrid RAV4s will be offered overseas, and Best Car reported a range of up to 120km may be possible. Toyota Australia has said PHEVs are ‘on its agenda’ and will play a ‘big role’ in the brand’s local line-up from 2026.

Overhauled interior, bigger screens

While no spy photographers have captured the interior, expect larger central infotainment screens, up from the current 8-inch display in the GX and GXL and 10.5-inch of the XSE, Cruiser and Edge. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless phone charging, present on the current model, are almost a given.

For heating and cooling, the new RAV4 could do away with the existing, chunky rotary temperature knobs for a row of simple switches like that of the new Prado. This would mean retaining hard buttons and dials instead of shifting the heating-cooling controls into the central infotainment screen, as has become popular.

Expected larger exterior dimensions could increase cabin space, and spy photos hint at a potential increase in rear luggage space. It’s not clear if the 2026 RAV4 will come with a sliding second row, matching mid-size SUV rivals such as the Nissan X-Trail and Honda CR-V.

Improved safety, but for a price?

The RAV4’s safety suite will improve, likely including the addition of a front-centre airbag and driver attention monitor in order to score a five-star ANCAP crash rating.

Pricing will be revealed closer to the RAV4’s Australian launch but given increases to new models such as the Prado and Camry, expect to see a jump compared to the current model.

The existing RAV4’s nine-variant range starts at $42,260 for the 2WD base GX and tops out at $58,360 for the all-wheel-drive Edge (before on-road costs). Chasing Cars estimates pricing will increase across the RAV4 range by approximately $2000-$2500, potentially up to $5000 depending on the variant and powertrain.

Launched in Australia in 2019, Toyota sold 58,718 RAV4s in Australia last year, just 3875 units short of the top-selling Ford Ranger. Despite being five years into its model lifecycle, 2024 was the RAV4’s highest-selling year locally, eclipsing even the HiLux.