- The 2026 Toyota RAV4 has been unveiled with both the exterior and interior enjoying design updates, plus plenty of tech inside.
- For the first time, the base model also arrives as a fast-charging plug-in hybrid, while Toyota also debuts the all-wheel-drive RAV4 GR Sport.
- Australian pricing remains TBC, however, deliveries are confirmed to begin in the first half of 2026 (pre-orders are currently open).
Outside of Australiaโs relentless love of utes, our most competitive automotive category is that of the mid-sized SUV, which Toyota has long dominated with the RAV4. For fans waiting for the update, Toyota has finally unveiled the sixth-generation 2026 Toyota RAV4 that builds on its enormously popular forbearers, while delivering plenty of fresh tech and an all-new look.
For the first time in Australia, the RAV4 arrives as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), with both 2WD and AWD configurations promising up to 100 km of pure electric range (WLTP). Beneath the bonnet sits a 2.5-litre petrol engine married to a 22.7 kWh lithium-ion battery, with charge optimised by tech that learns your commute and toggles between electric and hybrid modes while youโre on the go.
An interesting point to note, however, is that the Australian edition of the 2026 Toyota RAV4 will offer less power than both its predecessors, and its US counterparts. The hybrid power system will deliver a total of 143kW, which is 17kW less than the current front-drive version and 20kW less than the AWD version. Thatโs also 26kW less than Americaโs front-drive edition and 33kW less than the AWD model.
The reason behind this reduction in power? According the Toyota, itโs to meet new Australian light vehicle emission standards (Euro 6d) rules that will come into effect from December 2025 (all new vehicles sold in Australia will need to meet Euro 6d by July 2028).
Fast charging arrives as the new norm, with the 50 kW DC onboard charger replenishing the battery from 10% to 80% in just 30 minutes, while the 11 kW AC unit tops up fully in around three hours. Improved thermal management keeps battery temperatures stable, and the PHEVโs low centre of gravity and chassis rigidity are deliberately designed to improve both driving economy and road feel.
โWhen it first arrived in Australia in 1994, the RAV4 appealed to Australian customers with its family-friendly utility, bold design and signature Toyota dependability and has since attracted more than 500,000 sales,โ Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations Sean Hanley said in a statement.
โThe all-new sixth-generation RAV4 will carry on the legacy created by its predecessors, while introducing exciting new Toyota-first technologies like plug-in hybrid powertrains and next-generation software.โ
Joining the lineup is Toyotaโs first RAV4 GR Sport, arriving exclusively as an AWD PHEV. It wears 20-inch twin-spoke black alloys, bespoke GR mesh grilles, and front and rear spoilers. Owners can also expect sports-tuned dampers, suede-trimmed sports seats, and a combined 227 kW system output (12kW less than its US equivalent) that translates to a 0โ100 km/h sprint time of 5.8 seconds.
One of the most important updates to the entire range is the debut of Toyotaโs Arene-powered multimedia system, featuring a configurable home screen, real-time navigation and AI-enhanced voice control, all of which is updated seamlessly over-the-air. This new system doesnโt do away with the widely accepted Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, but simply offers additional functionality that promises to improve further as Toyota releases updates.
As weโve come to expect from Toyota, safety is far from an afterthought. The entire range features Toyota Safety Sense, which delivers front cross-traffic alerts, turn-signal-linked autonomous lane changes, expanded Pre-Collision recognition, and remote smartphone-controlled parking.
More on local specifications and grades will arrive nearer to the RAV4โs first-half-2026 launch, but one thingโs clear: Toyotaโs benchmark medium SUV has never looked more cutting-edge. Deliveries are confirmed to begin in the first half of 2026 (pre-orders are currently open).
