- A prototype of the 2026 Toyota RAV4 was spied undergoing testing in Michigan.
- The crossover sports an evolutionary design that incorporates cues from the Camry.
- Toyota could offer a hybrid-only lineup that has outputs of 228 hp and 232 hp.
The RAV4 is one of Toyota’s most important products as the company sold over 475,000 of them in the United States last year. It’s so popular that nearly one out of every four Toyotas sold was a RAV4. Given that importance, the redesigned RAV4 is big news and it was recently spotted undergoing testing in Metro Detroit.
Interestingly, it appears to echo an image allegedly taken at a dealer event in China, giving that picture more credibility.
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Without further ado, let’s take a closer look at Toyota’s upcoming crossover. The front end is all-new and features C-shaped headlights that are connected by a prominent bar. They’re joined by a distinctive mesh grille and many of these components mirror what we’ve already seen on the Camry.
Further below, there are vertical air curtains that have a horizontal element. We can also see a rectangular intake and a subtle air dam.
Things take a more evolutionary turn further back as the 2026 RAV4 appears to adopt a taller beltline. As part of this effort, there are new front doors that eschew the small dip found on the current model. The beltline also appears flatter, but there’s a new upward kink in the third quarter glass.
Baldauf / Carscoops
Elsewhere, we can see streamlined bodywork and more angular cladding. Designers also gave the crossover pronounced hips and wheel arches.
The rear end borrows heavily from the current model, but adopts new taillights and a sizable spoiler. Toyota also cleaned up the design and hid the exhaust out of the way.
In fact, spy photographers initially believed this was an electric prototype as it was spied testing alongside a Tesla Model Y. However, this was quickly ruled out as “exhaust puffs” were clearly visible due to freezing temperatures. While it’s not entirely clear why the crossover was being benchmarked against the EV, spy photographers believe it’s related to sales.
Whatever the case, they got a brief glimpse inside. Unfortunately, there isn’t much to see as the cabin was covered by black camouflage. However, there appears to be a freestanding infotainment system similar to the one found on the current model.
Little is known about the redesigned RAV4 at this point, but it’s expected to ride on a familiar TNGA platform and be offered exclusively as a hybrid. If the Camry is any indication, the model could have a hybridized 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces a combined output of 225 hp (168 kW / 228 PS). The all-wheel drive variant adds a rear-mounted motor and this provides all-weather traction as well as an increased output of 232 hp (173 kW / 235 PS).
More: This Is What The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Will Look Like Without Camo
To put those numbers into perspective, the conventionally powered RAV4 has a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 203 hp (151 kW / 206 PS). The RAV4 Hybrid, on the other hand, has 219 hp (163 kW / 222 PS).
The redesigned RAV4 is expected to be introduced later this year and it might incorporate an assortment of aluminum body panels to reduce weight. This could help to improve fuel efficiency, but only time will tell.
