The new RAV4 revealed today will be the first plug-in hybrid sold by Toyota in Australia – amid growing sales of PHEVs – alongside boxier styling and an overhauled cabin.
The 2026 Toyota RAV4 has been revealed with blockier styling, a new high-tech cabin, and clever tech capable of automatic lane changes on the motorway, ahead of its Australian arrival in the first half of next year.
For the first time in Australia, the regular RAV4 hybrid will be joined by a plug-in hybrid offering up to 100km of claimed electric driving range, and more power than a Toyota GR Corolla hot hatch.
Revealed this morning after months of speculation, Toyota's new RAV4 is an evolution of the current model, with familiar proportions and underpinnings, but fresh bodywork, features and hybrid technology.
The interior introduces new infotainment and instrument displays, but retains physical controls for key functions, including the air temperature – but not fan speed – and audio volume.
Pricing has not been confirmed for the Australian market, but the new model is expected to cost more than the $42,260 plus on-road costs entry RRP of the current RAV4 – and top out north of $60,000 in plug-in form.
The new RAV4 will retain a hybrid-only line-up, but the conventional hybrid – which will be hit with a power cut for 2026 – will be joined by the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) in front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) forms.
Also new for 2026 is a GR Sport model that will be offered solely as an AWD PHEV, distinguished by sportier styling, and tweaks intended to sharpen its handling.
The new RAV4's styling is boxier and bolder than today's model, including in its bumpers that differ between regular, GR Sport and an overseas-market, not-for-Australia off-road version.
It is based on the previous model's underpinnings, and elements such as the wheel arches and side windows look similar, but the sheet metal appears to be all new.
In terms of sizing, the new RAV4 – being based on the previous generation – looks to retain a similar stature, but no numbers, other than a 20mm wider track for the GR Sport compared to other 2026 variants, have been published.
Exclusive to the GR Sport is retuned suspension with “high-performance” dampers and a stiffer rear brace, plus a unique power steering calibration.
These handling changes will be matched with 20-inch black wheels, unique front and rear lip spoilers and a GR Corolla-inspired front bumper that matches the rest of the GR Sport family.
Inside, the top trim will see GR logos and red accents throughout, upgraded leather and suede sports seats, console knee pads, and aluminium pedals.
It joins the upgrades introduced with the new cabin in all 2026 RAV4s, including a more contemporary dashboard layout, a Prado-esque steering wheel, and updated displays.
The infotainment touchscreen is powered by Arene, a new software system said to use AI modelling to work in collaboration with the safety systems and voice control, while offering “continual enhancements” through over-the-air updates.
There is a choice of two infotainment screen sizes, images released by Toyota show, both running the new Arene system, and fitted with Apple CarPlay, satellite navigation that presents itself on the instrument cluster, a tilt level gauge for off-roading, and hybrid energy diagnostics.
Toyota has not confirmed how large the infotainment screens, as well as the digital instrument cluster ahead of the driver, are.
The software running on them looks similar to the new Outback from Subaru – of which Toyota owns a 20 per cent stake – which has a 12.1-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
While physical controls have been retained for the air temperature, the fan speed, heated/ventilated seats and other climate features now appear to run through the touchscreen.
The first visuals of the car also show a change in gear shifter for the mid-trim level from a full-sized automatic selector, to a stubby level. It is believed the base and GR Sport trims will retain the old-style selector.
Powering non-plug-in RAV4s in Australia will be a conventional "series-parallel" hybrid system, claimed to offer "enhanced efficiency for the transaxle, PCU, battery, and electric motors."
However, power has been cut to 143kW – from 160kW in front-drive and 163kW in all-wheel-drive models today – suggesting it uses the 2.0-litre hybrid of the smaller Corolla Cross, not a 2.5-litre hybrid as with the current RAV4.
Fuel consumption figures are yet to be released, but if it is in line with the latest Camry update, there could be a 10 per cent reduction. The current front-drive RAV4 claims 4.7 litres per 100 kilometres, while a Corolla Cross claims 4.3-4.4L/100km.
The big news is the plug-in hybrid, which centres around a 2.5-litre petrol engine and a 22.7kWh battery.
It uses a new 150kW front electric motor for a combined output of 201kW in front-wheel-drive versions, and 227kW in all-wheel-drive models, possibly with the help of another electric motor.
The AWD offers a 2kW increase over the PHEV RAV4 that has been available in Japan since 2020, but never sold in Australia – and it is 6kW more than a GR Corolla hot hatch.
Toyota claims the new generation PHEV AWD model can accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 5.8 seconds, compared to 8.5sec for a current-generation 2.5-litre RAV4 hybrid.
The new 22.7kWh lithium-ion battery is claimed to deliver an electric-only driving range of 100km.
It supports DC fast charging at up to 50kW to recharge from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in a claimed 30 minutes. AC home charging is limited to 11kW and will see a charge time of around three hours.
Toyota has equipped PHEV models with geofencing technology that combines real-time road and traffic data, along with insights from the owner’s typical routes and driving style, to automatically switch between hybrid and electric modes to maximise efficiency.
In terms of safety systems, the RAV4 will gain front cross-traffic alert, while the blind spot monitor now includes a rear vehicle approach alert to warn the driver of a vehicle rapidly closing in from behind.
There is now autonomous lane change technology linked to the indicators – available when adaptive cruise control and lane trace assist are active – while the autonomous emergency braking system has gained improved recognition of obstacles including bicycles and motorcycles.
Toyota has also added a 3D view for the 360-degree camera, and owners have the option to “control parking from outside the vehicle with the use of a smartphone.”
Pricing for the new 2026 Toyota RAV4 will be confirmed closer to its launch next year.
With the current GX base model starting at $42,260 plus on-road costs, and the top-spec Edge starting at $58,360 plus on-road costs, PHEV variants are likely to see the RAV4 push into the $60,000 range – or more for the GR Sport variant.
Zane Dobie comes from a background of motorcycle journalism, working for notable titles such as Australian Motorcycle News Magazine, Just Bikes and BikeReview. Despite his fresh age, Zane brings a lifetime of racing and hands-on experience. His passion now resides on four wheels as an avid car collector, restorer, drift car pilot and weekend go-kart racer.
