The Toyota RAV4 is, certainly, crucial SUV in Australia. It doesn’t simply promote properly; it utterly dominates the section, outselling its nearest rivals mixed to grow to be Australia’s hottest SUV bar none – and the Japanese model’s top-seller – in 2024.
However now there’s a brand new one. The sixth-generation mannequin arrives in 2026 with a troublesome new look, a brand-new inside, and, for the primary time in Australia, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain possibility.
Nevertheless it additionally comes with a big value hike and, for the common hybrid, a discount in energy. We went to Toyota’s proving floor for a short, early drive of the brand new mannequin to see if the king can hold its crown.
How a lot does the Toyota RAV4 value?
That is the place you’ll want to sit down down. The worth for Australia’s favorite SUV has gone up, and never by a small quantity.
2026 Toyota RAV4 HEV
| Mannequin | Value earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| 2026 Toyota RAV4 GX FWD | $45,990 (+$3730) |
| 2026 Toyota RAV4 GX AWD | $49,340 (+4080) |
| 2026 Toyota RAV4 GXL FWD | $48,990 (+3180) |
| 2026 Toyota RAV4 GXL AWD | $52,340 (+3530) |
| 2026 Toyota RAV4 Edge AWD | $55,340 (-$3020) |
| 2026 Toyota RAV4 XSE AWD | $58,340 (-$5755) |
| 2026 Toyota RAV4 Cruiser FWD | $56,990 (+$5580) |
| 2026 Toyota RAV4 Cruiser AWD | $60,340 (+$5930) |
2026 Toyota RAV4 PHEV
| Mannequin | Value earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| 2026 Toyota RAV4 XSE FWD | $58,840 (new) |
| 2026 Toyota RAV4 XSE AWD | $63,340 (new) |
| 2026 Toyota RAV4 GR Sport AWD | $66,340 (new) |
The vary now begins with the GX 2WD Hybrid at $45,990 earlier than on-road prices – a $3730 bounce over the outgoing base mannequin.
The worth hikes are steep throughout the board. The favored Cruiser 2WD is up by $5580, and the brand new XSE AWD hybrid (which replaces a lower-spec variant) is $6430 dearer.
The large information is the introduction of three plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variants, which command a big premium. The vary now tops out with the GR Sport AWD PHEV at $66,340 earlier than on-road prices.
There’s one mannequin variant that will get a value minimize: the adventure-focused Edge AWD HEV is $3020 cheaper, however Toyota notes it has been “repositioned”, so it’s possible misplaced a few of the package from the outdated flagship to attain that.
To see how the Toyota RAV4 traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability device
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What’s the Toyota RAV4 like on the within?
If the outdated RAV4 had an Achilles’ heel, this was it. The inside felt dated, and the infotainment system appeared prefer it was from the Nineteen Nineties. This new mannequin, fortunately, is an enormous step ahead.
The most important change is the brand new tech, which is a real game-changer for Toyota and eventually brings the RAV4 into the twenty first century.
All fashions get a 12.3-inch absolutely digital instrument cluster as commonplace, which is evident, straightforward to learn, and configurable.
It’s paired with Toyota’s latest-generation multimedia system, which is housed in a ten.5-inch display within the GX, or a bigger 12.9-inch unition the Edge, XSE, and Cruiser. It’s a lot sooner than the outdated system and appears infinitely higher.
Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are lastly commonplace, together with embedded satellite tv for pc navigation.
One of many coolest new options, which can be commonplace throughout the vary, is the Embedded Drive Report. This makes use of the automobile’s forward-facing security digital camera as a built-in dashcam, which is a perform we expect ought to be commonplace in all new vehicles.
The cabin additionally will get Toyota’s newest Linked Companies, permitting you to test the automobile’s standing or (we anticipate) function features just like the local weather management out of your telephone.
Practicality, a trademark of the RAV4, continues to be a robust level. You continue to get two huge cupholders, storage beneath the wi-fi charging pad (commonplace from GXL), and an enormous centre console bin.
There’s additionally a intelligent ‘Easter egg’ with the centre armrest. You may pull a tab and the highest part comes out, making it in a position for use as a small tray. It’s a sensible contact that’ll be genuinely helpful for households on the transfer.
The brand new steering wheel feels good within the fingers, and in upper-spec fashions just like the Cruiser and GR Sport, you get a brand new shift-by-wire gear lever that cleans up the centre console.
The second row remains to be an adult-friendly zone with loads of room for passengers. On the charging entrance, the bottom GX will get 5 USB-C ports, which is a good inclusion. Nonetheless, within the pre-production vehicles we noticed, these had been solely 15W ports.
That’s not precisely going to interrupt the mould for charging a contemporary system, particularly whereas working wi-fi CarPlay. It’s important to step as much as the flagship GR Sport to get sooner 45W USB-C charging.
The wi-fi telephone charger (on GXL and up) additionally didn’t seem to have any energetic cooling, which is one thing we hope to see in manufacturing automobiles, as telephones are inclined to get scorching on these pads, particularly on lengthy drives.
To see how the Toyota RAV4 traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability device
What’s underneath the bonnet?
It is a hybrid-only vary for the primary time, but it surely’s cut up into two very various kinds of hybrid.
| Specs | RAV4 Hybrid | RAV4 PHEV |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.5-litre 4cyl hybrid | 2.5-litre 4cyl PHEV |
| Engine outputs | TBC | TBC |
| Electrical motor outputs | TBC | TBC |
| System outputs | 143kW | 200kW(FWD) 227kW (AWD) |
| Battery | TBC | 22.7kWh lithium-ion |
| Transmission | e-CVT | e-CVT |
| Drive kind | FWD or AWD | FWD or AWD |
| Electrical driving vary | – | 100km (WLTP) |
| Max AC cost fee | – | 11kW |
| Max DC cost fee | – | 50kW |
All hybrid variants (GX, GXL, Edge, XSE, Cruiser) include Toyota’s fifth-generation 2.5-litre series-parallel hybrid system.
The large information here’s a discount in energy for the Australian market, which Toyota blames on emissions requirements. The mixed peak output for each 2WD and AWD fashions is now 143kW, down from 160kW within the outgoing 2WD and 163kW within the outgoing AWD.
The XSE and GR Sport fashions get Toyota’s first plug-in hybrid system for Australia. That is all about efficiency.
It pairs a 2.5-litre petrol engine with a a lot bigger 22.7kWh lithium-ion battery and extra highly effective electrical motors.
- PHEV 2WD (XSE):200kW mixed output
- PHEV AWD (XSE, GR Sport):227kW mixed output (making it essentially the most highly effective RAV4 ever)
Toyota is focusing on an EV-only driving vary of as much as 100km (WLTP).
Crucially, the system helps each 11kW AC charging and 50kW DC fast-charging, which is uncommon for a PHEV and means you may get a 10-80 per cent top-up in round half-hour.
To see how the Toyota RAV4 traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability device
How does the Toyota RAV4 drive?
It is a carry-over platform, so Toyota hasn’t precisely reinvented the wheel. However whereas the underpinnings are acquainted, there are basic adjustments to the best way it drives – some good, some not so good.
The most important change for the Australian-market hybrid is a discount in energy. Toyota says we’re ‘strangled’ by emissions controls, and the brand new 2.5-litre hybrid system now has a mixed peak output of simply 143kW.
That’s a big drop from the 160kW within the earlier 2WD and 163kW within the outdated AWD. You may definitely really feel that deficit behind the wheel. We drove the brand new automobile back-to-back with the prevailing RAV4, and underneath full throttle it simply doesn’t really feel anyplace close to as punchy.
The trade-off, nevertheless, is a noticeable enchancment in refinement. The present RAV4 can sound thrashy once you’re on the throttle and the CVT is flaring, however this next-generation automobile feels considerably smoother. The best way it delivers its (decreased) torque is extra refined, and Toyota has clearly put work into sound deadening.
Brake pedal really feel can be a robust level. Toyota has finished a superb job of managing the transition between regenerative braking and the friction brakes – an space the place many hybrids really feel inconsistent. This feels pure and involves a cease easily.
The journey high quality additionally looks like a step up. We drove on each sealed and unsealed surfaces, and you’ll really feel this automobile has been constructed to work for regional Australia. On corrugated gravel roads, there was no actual concern – it felt good and steady.
The one main space of concern was the over-eager security aids.
On the gravel street, even with no traces, the lane-keep system would continuously attempt to ‘appropriate’ the steering, veering the automobile on the free floor.
That’s the kind of interference you merely are not looking for. Worse, you may’t shortly swap it off through the steering wheel; you need to dig by sub-menus to show it off. One of many different journalists reported that even when it was switched off, it nonetheless nagged.
On the plus facet, the motive force distraction monitor didn’t go off an excessive amount of for us, so it’s not all unhealthy information on the ‘nanny’ entrance. We didn’t get to drive the all-new PHEV fashions, as they aren’t touchdown till later in 2026.
Nonetheless, we’ve pushed the present era plug-in hybrid RAV4 (bought because the ‘Prime’ abroad), and we had been genuinely blown away. It’s correctly fast – like a scorching hatch. It’s so fast, so environment friendly, and beautiful to drive.
If that’s something to go by, the brand new flagship GR Sport AWD PHEV with its 227kW output ought to be a rocket. Even the bottom 2WD PHEV makes 200kW.
With a big 22.7kWh battery, a 100km EV vary goal, and uncommon 50kW DC fast-charging functionality, the tech is spectacular. The one drawback may very well be its $66k-plus price ticket, particularly now that almost all PHEV subsidies are gone.
To see how the Toyota RAV4 traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability device
What do you get?
The brand new vary is broad, with 11 variants. Right here’s a breakdown of the important thing tools.
2026 Toyota RAV4 GX tools highlights:
- 17-inch darkish gray metallic alloy wheels
- LED headlights
- 10.5-inch multimedia touchscreen
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Embedded satellite tv for pc navigation
- Embedded Drive Report (dashcam)
- Twin-zone local weather management
- Material upholstery
- Six-speaker audio system
- 5x USB-C ports
- Reversing digital camera
- Full Toyota Security Sense suite
RAV4 GXL provides (over GX):
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Privateness rear and facet glass
- Silver-painted entrance and rear skid plates
- Premium inside trims (doorways, sprint)
- Leather-based-accented steering wheel and shift knob
- 8-way powered driver’s seat with lumbar help
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Wi-fi smartphone charger
RAV4 Edge (AWD HEV) provides (over GXL):
- Darkish matte gray metallic alloy wheels
- Distinctive entrance and rear bumpers
- Wider black wheel-arches
- 12.9-inch multimedia touchscreen
- Premium trim upholstery
- Heated entrance seats
- Powered tailgate
RAV4 XSE (AWD HEV) provides (over GXL):
- 20-inch black alloy wheels
- Black entrance and rear bumpers
- Two-tone exterior paint
- Panoramic view monitor (360-degree digital camera)
- Enhanced LED headlights
- Mixture premium trim and suede upholstery
- Local weather concierge
- 3-stage heated and ventilated entrance seats
- 8-way powered entrance passenger seat
- Driver’s seat reminiscence
- Tilt and slide moonroof
RAV4 Cruiser provides (over GXL):
- 20-inch machined black alloy wheels
- Excessive-grade LED headlights
- Tilt and slide panoramic moonroof
- Real leather-accented seat trim
- Driver reminiscence seats
- Shift-by-wire gear lever
- Head-up show (HUD)
- Digital rear-view mirror
- Heated outboard rear seats
- Powered tailgate with kick sensor
- Two wi-fi smartphone chargers
- 9-speaker JBL premium audio system
RAV4 XSE PHEV provides (over XSE HEV):
- Bigger disc brakes
- 1500W inverter within the cargo space
RAV4 GR Sport PHEV provides (over XSE PHEV):
- GR-specific mechanicals (entrance damper, rear brace, distinctive springs)
- 20mm wider monitor
- Unique electrical energy steering tune
- Distinctive entrance and rear bumpers, wing-type spoiler
- Pink brake calipers
- Aluminium pedals
- GR Sport heated steering wheel with paddle shifters
- GR logos and purple stitching
- Premium trim and suede upholstery
- Digital rear-view mirror
- 45W USB-C charging ports
- Head-up show (HUD)
- Powered tailgate with kick sensor
- Two wi-fi smartphone chargers
- 9-speaker JBL premium audio system
To see how the Toyota RAV4 traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability device
Is the Toyota RAV4 protected?
The 2026 Toyota RAV4 has not but been crash-tested by ANCAP, so it stays unrated.
Nonetheless, the listing of ordinary security tools is complete, even for the bottom GX. All fashions get the subsequent era of Toyota Security Sense.
Normal security options embody:
- 8 airbags
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Emergency steering help
- Full-speed energetic cruise management
- Entrance and rear cross-traffic alert
- Lane hint help
- Proactive driving help
- Computerized excessive beam
- Blind-spot monitor
- Protected exit help
The inclusion of entrance and rear cross-traffic alert, plus a blind-spot monitor with protected exit help, for absolutely the base mannequin is a strong tick.
To see how the Toyota RAV4 traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability device
How a lot does the Toyota RAV4 value to run?
Toyota Australia has not but confirmed servicing prices for the new-generation RAV4, however we anticipate it to be lined by the model’s commonplace five-year, unlimited-kilometre new automobile guarantee.
The outgoing mannequin got here with capped-price servicing for the primary 5 years or 75,000km, with every 12-month/15,000km service costing $260.
We’ll have to attend and see if the brand new mannequin – with its value hikes – can keep this.
To see how the Toyota RAV4 traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability device
CarExpert’s Tackle the Toyota RAV4
To say the RAV4 dominates the market is an understatement. It isn’t only a gross sales chief; it’s in one other league.
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In line with the most recent VFACTS gross sales information from October 2025, Toyota bought 4401 RAV4s final month alone. Its nearest competitor within the mainstream Medium SUV section, the Mazda CX-5, managed simply 1813 gross sales.
The year-to-date figures inform the identical story. As of the tip of October, Toyota has bought 39,519 RAV4s. The subsequent-best CX-5 (18,842) and Mitsubishi Outlander (18,517) mixed nonetheless don’t match the RAV4’s whole.
It’s a real massacre, and it’s the market Toyota has to lose. This new mannequin addresses the outdated automobile’s largest weak point – its dated inside and infotainment – which will probably be an enormous aid for patrons.
The problem for a lot of will probably be pricing. A $3730-plus entry-level value hike pushes the RAV4 additional into premium territory.
Whereas patrons have confirmed they’re prepared to pay a ‘Toyota tax’ and wait years for a RAV4 hybrid, these new costs will check that loyalty, particularly with strong-value rivals from Kia, Hyundai, and GWM.
The brand new PHEV variants enter a unique battle, going through off in opposition to the Outlander PHEV and a wave of incoming Chinese language plug-in hybrids and full EVs.
Its huge 227kW output and 50kW DC fast-charging functionality give it a critical efficiency and tech edge, however its $66k-plus price ticket places it in an entire new bracket.
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