The covers are off the 2026 Toyota RAV4 – currently the best-selling medium SUV in Australia (and many other parts of the world).
Featuring a more futuristic design as described in yesterday’s teaser, the lineup will be augmented by a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version for the first time in Australia. Also new is a GR Sport flagship variant featuring sporty highlights.
Inside, occupants are treated to a new shift-by-wire mechanism, a 12.3-inch instrument panel and a massive 12.9-inch infotainment screen. A new operating system called Arene and over-the-air updates freshen the UX to new levels.
Toyota also says there have been improvements to the usability from a voice and touch perspective. Toyota Australia’s vice president of sales and marketing, Sean Hanley, said:
“Since the 2001 launch of Toyota’s first hybrid electric vehicle in Australia, we have led the development of hybrid technology that is refined, powerful and efficient, delivering customer confidence for quality, durability and reliability. With the launch of our first plug-in hybrid, we are taking that broad customer appeal in a diversified powertrain landscape to a whole new level.”
The existing hybrid powertrain is revised with a lower nominal output of 143kW compared with 160kW of its predecessor. This is expected to provide a trade-off for economy, however.
If you want grunt, the PHEV is for you. Available in front- and all-wheel drive configuration, the PHEV combines a 22.7kWh battery with up to 100km of electric range. A maximum charge rate of 11kW AC and 50kW DC will be possible – the later of which can bring the battery from 10-80 per cent in 30 minutes.
Sprinting across 0-100km/h takes an impressive 5.8 seconds in the 227kW AWD PHEV. The front-wheel drive version makes do with 201kW and 7.3 seconds, but evokes memories of the front-hoop-frying Aurion. We can’t wait to wrestle with this bronco.
The 2026 Toyota RAV4 GR Sport will set itself apart with wider track (+20mm), added suspension bracing, sports tuned dampers and 20-inch alloy wheels, as well as a unique grille and bodykit.
How safe is the 2026 Toyota RAV4? Toyota has enhanced the new model with front cross-traffic alert, rear vehicle approach in the blind-spot monitor and autonomous lane change. Pre-collision preparation has been revised to include bikes and motorbikes.
A seemingly US-only version of the RAV4 called the Woodlands showcases a more open front grille, but sadly we will more likely-than-not miss out on this variant. The new model is scheduled to arrive in Australia in the first half of 2026.
