- While extensively updated, the new RAV4 is expected to ride on the same platform.
- The hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants will return with power and efficiency boosts.
- Interior upgrades will include higher-quality materials and a larger infotainment screen.
Toyota’s wildly popular RAV4 continues to dominate sales charts, holding the title of America’s best-selling vehicle that wasn’t a truck in 2024 and, in the process, printing money for the Japanese automaker, even as new competitors line up for a piece of the action. As the fifth-generation RAV4 approaches the end of its current lifecycle, Toyota is preparing to replace it, but don’t expect a complete reinvention.
2026 Subaru Outback: Everything We Know From Design To Powertrains
Recent spy shots and reports from Japan suggest the upcoming RAV4 is in for a significant visual update. However, it might not be as extensive as most full redesigns that we have come to know. Much like the latest Camry, the new model is expected to retain the existing platform and powertrains. While the exterior gets a sleek new polish, there are clear signs that this isn’t an “all-new” model in the traditional sense.
Evolutionary Design
When the current fifth-gen RAV4 debuted in 2018 at the New York Auto Show, it stood out with its sharper and more aggressive styling, a clear departure from the softer designs of its immediate predecessors. Even today, it still looks fresh. For 2026, the design remains familiar but with subtle aerodynamic tweaks here and there.
The front fascia embraces Toyota’s latest design language, as seen on the Prius and the new Camry. It sports wrap-around DRLs with hammerhead inner sections and a honeycomb grille. We expect a few differences from our preliminary illustration that’s based on prototypes spied in Japan, so the final product may look squarer with more contrasting elements.
From the side, the RAV4 maintains its recognizable silhouette, with two-tone roof options and bold contrasting lower cladding. The glasshouse and pillar layout are nearly identical to the current model. Around back, you’ll likely see a full-width LED taillight cluster paired with squared-off lower cladding that features silver inlays for a modern touch.
Given Honda’s recent announcement of a more rugged CR-V TrailSport trim coming later this year as part of a mid-cycle facelift, it’s highly likely that Toyota won’t want to be left behind in this growing segment. To stay competitive, Toyota may tap into its off-road expertise, introducing a rugged TRD Pro trim similar to what’s offered in the latest 4Runner.
What About the Leaked Photo?
It’s worth mentioning that our rendering was created before Friday’s leaked photo, which allegedly surfaced on a backscreen during a media presentation in China. The vehicle in question is believed to be the successor to the Toyota Wildlander, a China-only version of the RAV4, developed in partnership with FAW and sold by GAC domestically.
Compared to the international RAV4, the current Wildlander features distinct front and rear fascias. At this point, it’s unclear whether the next-generation RAV4 and Wildlander will retain their mild styling differences or converge into a single, unified design.
Under The Skin
We’ve yet to catch a glimpse of the new RAV’s interior. However, if the redesigned Camry is anything to go by, expect higher-quality materials and an improved tech roster compared to the current car. Internal dimensions? We don’t anticipate much change here.
The tech roster will likely include an expansive infotainment display with sharper graphics and support for Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa for enhanced voice recognition control of various functions. Premium touches such as a head-up display (HUD), panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, and wireless charging are also expected to carry over.
As for underpinnings, it will likely use the current model’s TNGA-K architecture with improvements to crashworthiness to help it pass more stringent IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) crash test protocols.
EV and Hybrid Power
Rumors of a newly developed 1.5-liter turbocharged engine have been circulating, but it’s unlikely to appear in this sixth-generation of the RAV4. Instead, the familiar 2.5-liter engine and plug-in hybrid setup will return, albeit with slight boosts in power and efficiency.
The more significant news lies in the possibility of a fully electric variant. Details are slim, but word is revisions to the TNGA-K platform have considered full electrification. If Toyota goes down this path, we won’t see silly BZ4X-like nomenclature again.
Rivals and Reveal
The RAV4’s next iteration will face stiff competition in a crowded segment. Rivals like Mazda’s all-new CX-5 hybrid, the Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, and Ford Escape are all aiming for a slice of the compact SUV pie.
2026 Mazda CX-5: After 9 Years, New SUV Coming With Big Changes In Tow
Toyota is expected to officially unveil the updated RAV4 later this year, with sales likely beginning later this fall as a 2026 model year vehicle. Pricing is anticipated to remain in the same ballpark as the current model, starting from around $29,000 to $30,000.
What do you think of the RAV4’s heavily revised new appearance? Let us know in the comments below.