Details firm on generation six Toyota RAV4

GENERATION six of Toyota’s best-selling RAV4 medium segment SUV is due in the first half of 2026 with details coming to light this week revealing a GR Sport grade, more variants, a PHEV powertrain option, new generation Toyota Safety Sense technology, and an evolved look.

The previous generation five RAV4 arrived back in 2019 with petrol and hybrid powertrains morphing into (HEV) hybrid only a couple of years ago along the way achieving the accolade as Australia’s top selling SUV by chalking up nearly 60,000 sales last year most of them hybrids.

In the process, the angular looking RAV4 knocked off Toyota’s HiLux ute as its number one seller.

Toyota says the all-new, gen six RAV4 “will provide customers with more choice, next-generation safety and multimedia technology, and two hybrid powertrains, including Toyota Australia’s first-ever plug-in hybrid (PHEV)”.

With a performance-focused RAV4 GR Sport in the mix there will be six grades of RAV4 available in generation six.

They will be available with a choice of front-wheel drive (2WD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) hybrid and PHEV powertrains.

Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations Sean Hanley said the expanded RAV4 range and introduction of Toyota’s first PHEV powertrain for Australia will make the all-new RAV4 even more appealing for customers (and help Toyota Australia meet NVES provisions).

“The RAV4 has been hugely successful in Australia, having been the best-selling vehicle in the country for eight of the past 12 months and this all-new model will broaden its appeal even further,” he said.

“The introduction of the new PHEV powertrain showcases our multi-pathway approach to electrification by offering a range of powertrain options suited to different applications, with our plug-in hybrid delivering both high levels of performance and efficiency.

“This all-new RAV4 also takes our driver assistance and multimedia technologies to a whole new level to deliver state-of-the-art safety and connectivity to ensure the new model provides our customers with the features and technology they need and desire.”

A new colour palette will be introduced including Massive Grey, Urban Rock, Feverish Red, Dusty Bronze and Daintree Green, with carry-over Glacier White, Frosted White, Eclipse Black, Atomic Rush and Saturn Blue depending on grade.

Frosted White, Dusty Bronze, Massive Grey and Saturn Blue will also be available with a two-tone black roof on the XSE grade.

The GR Sport flagship will be offered exclusively with the new PHEV AWD powertrain using a sixth-generation 2.5-litre hybrid system, 22.7kWh lithium-ion battery and powerful front and rear electric motors generating a maximum combined power output of 227kW, making it the most powerful RAV4 to date.

Complementing the model’s high-power AWD/PHEV powertrain is a dynamic package featuring high-performance dampers, a stiffer rear suspension brace, retuned suspension and power steering calibration and 20mm-wider wheel track to deliver performance and agility on the road.

Toyota says the new PHEV powertrain (with EV-only driving capability under certain conditions) will also be offered in the mid-range XSE grade, both in AWD and 2WD configurations “with the latter’s front-drive hybrid PHEV system using a single electric motor to help generate a maximum combined power output of 200kW”.

Complementing the PHEV GR Sport and XSE grades will be familiar GX, GXL, XSE, Edge and Cruiser hybrid variants.

At the lower, more affordable end of the range, the hybrid RAV4 2WD will be available in three grades including the entry-level GX, mid-range GXL, and premium Cruiser.

All three are also available in AWD that uses a second rear-mounted electric motor as part of the hybrid system with the hybrid AWD powertrain also offered in XSE specification and the adventure-focused Edge grade.

All hybrid (not PHEV) grades will employ a fifth-generation hybrid system with a 2.5-litre petrol engine and either front or front and rear electric motors and produce a combined maximum power output of 143kW regardless of 2WD or AWD, while providing typically smooth operation.

And all grades will feature comprehensive standard specification, safety equipment and Toyota Connected Services functionality, even on the base GX which will include 17-inch dark grey alloy wheels, LED auto-levelling headlamps, a 10.5-inch multimedia system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with smartphone integration, five USB-C ports, and dual-zone climate control, among other features.

GX owners will also be given the choice of upgrading their temporary spare tyre to a full-size spare.

Stepping up to the popular GXL grade increases luxury with features including 18-inch alloy wheels, privacy rear and side glass, leather-accented shift knob and steering wheel, eight-way electric driver’s seat adjustment with two-way lumbar support and a wireless smartphone charger.

The adventure-focused Edge grade which is available exclusively as an all-wheel-drive hybrid, features “unique” front and rear bumpers with integrated silver skid plate and wider black wheel arches, while other enhancements include synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, a powered tailgate and a larger 12.9-inch touchscreen with integrated HVAC controls.

Like other hybrid AWD grades, Edge features downhill assist control and a trail and snow drive mode which tailors the vehicle’s traction control system to provide extra grip in slippery conditions.

The all-wheel-drive XSE, adds 20-inch black alloy wheels, dark stainless steel-look moulding, black front and rear bumpers, tilt and slide moon roof and two-tone exterior paint.

Inside, the XSE gains combination synthetic leather and suede upholstery, three-stage front seat heating and ventilation, driver memory, electric front passenger seat adjustment, panoramic view monitor and climate concierge.

The range topping Cruiser grades offer 20-inch machined black alloy wheels, high-grade LED headlamps, tilt and slide panoramic roof, leather-accented seat trim, head-up display, two wireless smartphone chargers , digital rear view mirror and a nine-speaker JBL premium audio system, among other features.

The PHEV XSE is specced to the same level as its hybrid counterpart while some of the additions to the GR Sport flagship include GR-themed front and rear bumpers, wing-type spoiler, 20-inch machined alloy wheels, aluminium pedals and GR Sport seats, steering wheel and suede knee pads, paddle shifters and unique stitching.

The PHEVs offer a 1500W inverter capable of powering small appliances.

Safety technology in new RAV4 is boosted with the latest Toyota software showcasing sophisticated next-generation Toyota Safety Sense active safety features including front cross-traffic alert and improved functionality for the blind spot monitor and lane trace assist systems.

The new model has “greatly expanded Toyota Connected Services” functionality supported by the myToyota Connect app provides a range of security and convenience benefits including vehicle insights, connected navigation, connected voice assistant and emergency communications.

Toyota says the new RAV4 will debut its new-generation multimedia system powered by Arene, a software development platform that provides fast processing power and allows for over-the-air updates.

Finally, we find a new infotainment layout that “includes a home button which remains available at all times whether running the native system or paired with a smartphone, while an improved voice assistant provides quicker response times to commands”.

Further details will be announced closer to its arrival Down Under in H1 of 2026.