- A new Toyota Wildlander is rumored to debut at the Shanghai Auto Show in April.
- A twin model to the RAV4, the Wildlander is manufactured in China by GAC-Toyota.
- The new generation is expected to mirror the upgrades in the upcoming RAV4.
Last month, spy shots surfaced showing what’s believed to be a prototype of the much-anticipated 2026 Toyota RAV4. And now, a new report has added fuel to the fire, suggesting that its Chinese counterpart, the Wildlander, will make its debut at the Shanghai Auto Show this April. If this timeline holds, it could signal the debut of the original RAV4 isn’t far behind.
The Toyota Wildlander was introduced in late 2019 and went on sale in China in early 2020. The SUV shares its underpinnings, interior, and most of the exterior body panels with the RAV4, albeit with a redesigned front end and unique taillights. The Wildander is produced by GAC-Toyota, while the RAV4 is made from FAW-Toyota.
More: Toyota RAV4 Goes AWD-Only In Japan With Minor Tweaks For 2025
While 2025 could be the right time for a facelift, the Shanghai Auto Show is rumored to host the debut of a next-generation model. This is expected to mirror the changes on the upcoming RAV4, which will reportedly ride on a further developed version of the TNGA-K platform.
The RAV4 and the Wildlander will likely gain a more efficient self-charging hybrid powertrain, alongside ICE and PHEV options. Furthermore, it has been reported that Chinese buyers might get access to a second and more affordable hybrid setup, using the smaller 2.0-liter engine as a base, instead of the 2.5-liter mill.
Toyota Wildlander
GAC-Toyota
The bodywork of the Wildlander will be fully redesigned compared to the outgoing model, although it is not clear how different it will look from the next-gen RAV4. As for the interior, the Wildlander will gain the latest tech features, likely including a new digital cockpit with dual 12.3-inch displays, and a more modern design for the dashboard.
What is not clear is whether the 2026 Toyota RAV4 will be introduced prior to the debut of the next-gen Wildlander, or follow a bit later. In any case, both SUVs will be renewed in 2025, sharing a great deal of components. This means that whichever comes first will give us plenty of information about its twin.
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Interestingly, the Wildlander and the RAV4 have another sister model, the Suzuki Across which is available in Europe. The rebadged SUV shares the headlight design with the Chinese model, but sports a unique front bumper and borrows the rear-end design from the RAV4, albeit with Suzuki badges. While we don’t have information about the future of the Suzuki Across, there is a chance it won’t follow the Toyota siblings into the new generation.
Toyota RAV4 Spy Shots
