The sixth-generation Toyota RAV4 will arrive in Australian showrooms in late Q1 2026, marking one of the most significant updates to Toyota’s top-selling SUV in years. Priced from $45,990 plus on-road costs, the new Toyota RAV4 brings more technology, new hybrid systems, and, for the first time, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option for local buyers.
Pricing and range structure
Toyota has confirmed an 11-variant lineup for the 2026 RAV4, spanning both hybrid (HEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains. The RAV4 GX 2WD HEV opens the range at $45,990, while the all-new RAV4 GR Sport AWD PHEV grade tops it at $66,340.
| Variant | Drivetrain | Powertrain | Price (AUD) |
| Toyota RAV4 GX | 2WD | Hybrid | $45,990 |
| Toyota RAV4 GX | AWD | Hybrid | $49,340 |
| Toyota RAV4 GXL | 2WD | Hybrid | $48,990 |
| Toyota RAV4 GXL | AWD | Hybrid | $52,340 |
| Toyota RAV4 Edge | AWD | Hybrid | $55,340 |
| Toyota RAV4 XSE | AWD | Hybrid | $58,340 |
| Toyota RAV4 Cruiser | 2WD | Hybrid | $56,990 |
| Toyota RAV4 Cruiser | AWD | Hybrid | $60,340 |
| Toyota RAV4 XSE | 2WD | Plug-in Hybrid | $58,840 |
| Toyota RAV4 XSE | AWD | Plug-in Hybrid | $63,340 |
| Toyota RAV4 GR Sport | AWD | Plug-in Hybrid | $66,340 |
All prices are excluding on-road costs.
Optional full-size spare: $300; premium paint (mandatory on XSE): $675.
Exterior highlights
Toyota hasn’t reinvented the RAV4 so much as refined it. The model continues to straddle that middle ground between family practicality, efficiency, and reliability, but now with a stronger emphasis on electrification.
There’s no petrol-only option this time for the new and improved Toyota RAV4. Instead, every model features a hybrid system, with the PHEV joining the range later in Q3 2026. The goal is clear: to keep the RAV4 relevant and at the top of a segment increasingly crowded by electrified rivals such as the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, and Kia Sportage Hybrid.
Interior highlights
Toyota has finally addressed one of the RAV4’s biggest criticisms — its ageing infotainment system. The 2026 RAV4 SUV introduces Toyota’s latest multimedia platform, with a 10.5-inch touchscreen on base GX models and a 12.9-inch unit on higher trims.
Notable tech upgrades include:
- Embedded Drive Record feature (acts like an in-built dashcam)
- Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™
- Over-the-air (OTA) software updates
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- Five USB-C ports across the cabin
- Toyota Connected Services with app-based access via myToyota Connect
The result is a far more contemporary cabin experience, something the outgoing model lagged in.
Powertrains: efficiency meets new performance
Toyota continues to bet on hybrid efficiency while edging closer to electrification with the introduction of its first plug-in hybrid (PHEV) RAV4. Both electrified powertrains are built around the same 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, but the way they deploy electric assistance differs significantly.
| Specification | Hybrid (HEV) | Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) |
| Engine | 2.5L 4-cylinder petrol | 2.5L 4-cylinder petrol |
| Electric motor setup | Front motor (2WD); dual-motor with rear drive unit (AWD) | Larger motors; dual-motor (AWD) or single front motor (2WD) |
| Combined power output | 143kW | 200kW (2WD) / 227kW (AWD) |
| Battery type | Nickel-Metal Hydride | Lithium-ion |
| Battery capacity | Not disclosed | 22.7kWh |
| Charging | Regenerative braking only | 50kW DC fast charge / 11kW three-phase AC |
| Drivetrain options | 2WD / AWD | 2WD / AWD |
| Fuel type | Petrol-electric hybrid | Petrol-electric plug-in hybrid (EV capable) |
The 2026 Toyota RAV4 hybrid (HEV) models focus on balanced efficiency and smooth operation, offering modest performance gains over the outgoing model. The newly introduced RAV4 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions, due in Q3 2026, raise the bar with significantly higher outputs and EV-only capability.
Toyota Australia hasn’t yet confirmed the electric-only driving range, but says the 22.7kWh battery will deliver “ample” zero-emission driving for shorter trips, expect close to 80km in the real world. That, combined with faster DC and AC charging capability, positions the PHEV as the most advanced and most powerful RAV4 ever sold in Australia.
Safety highlights
The 2026 RAV4 is the first Toyota in Australia to feature the company’s Arene software platform, which underpins its next-generation Toyota Safety Sense suite.
Standard safety kit now includes:
- Autonomous emergency braking with junction detection
- Front and rear cross-traffic alert
- Proactive driving assist
- Lane trace assist and adaptive cruise control
- Blind-spot monitoring with safe exit assist
- Parking support brake
- Eight airbags across the range
Variants and features
Toyota has retained its familiar grade structure for the 2026 RAV4 lineup, GX, GXL, XSE, Cruiser, Edge, and added the GR Sport, with a sharper focus on differentiation. Each variant now carries a more distinct visual and equipment identity, aimed at appealing to a broader range of buyers.
Toyota RAV4 GX
The entry-level GX remains the most accessible option, offering a solid foundation of features, including:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Dual-zone climate control
- Reversing camera
- LED headlights and tail-lights
While it’s the base model, the GX doesn’t feel stripped down, maintaining Toyota’s reputation for strong value and practical design.
Toyota RAV4 GXL
Stepping up to the GXL adds a few comfort and convenience touches that daily drivers will appreciate:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Powered driver’s seat
- Wireless phone charger
The GXL effectively bridges the gap between affordability and upmarket appeal, likely to remain one of the volume sellers.
Toyota RAV4 XSE
Positioned as a sportier mid-tier choice, the XSE gains both cosmetic and functional upgrades:
- 20-inch black alloy wheels
- Suede interior with blue stitching
- Panoramic view monitor
For 2026, this grade also marks a significant milestone; it serves as the entry point for the new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain, available exclusively with a 2WD setup. This makes it the most affordable way into the electrified RAV4 range, offering plug-in capability, giving buyers a taste of EV-like driving without committing to the higher-spec AWD models.
The Toyota RAV4 XSE’s blend of style, technology, and now electric performance positions it as a compelling choice for urban drivers and younger buyers looking for efficiency with a touch of flair.
Toyota RAV4 Cruiser
The Cruiser continues to play the premium comfort card, bringing in a suite of luxury features:
- Leather-accented upholstery
- JBL premium audio system
- Panoramic moonroof
- Head-up display
It’s the RAV4 most likely to tempt buyers away from compact European rivals, thanks to its blend of technology and refinement.
Toyota RAV4 Edge
The Edge remains the most rugged of the lot, now AWD-only and with a stronger visual link to Toyota’s off-road lineup. It gains:
- Unique bumpers and body cladding
- Trail mode for improved traction control
The Edge’s design and drivetrain clearly target adventure-seeking buyers who still want everyday usability.
Toyota RAV4 GR Sport
At the top of the range sits the GR Sport, Toyota’s performance-inspired flagship. Key highlights include:
- Performance-tuned suspension
- Wider track (+20mm)
- Red brake calipers
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- GR-specific interior trim
While it doesn’t turn the RAV4 into a full-blown performance SUV, the GR Sport injects a sportier feel into the lineup, both visually and dynamically.
A cautious evolution
Toyota’s update strategy for the all-new RAV4 is typically conservative, incremental rather than radical. But given its sales dominance (often topping the SUV charts in Australia), the approach is pragmatic.
Where rivals have taken bold steps toward zero-emission battery electric vehicles, Toyota has chosen a slower, more measured path, prioritising hybrid efficiency over full electrification. The addition of a plug-in hybrid is a significant milestone for the brand locally, though pricing will put it in the same ballpark as more advanced EVs.
Key takeaways for buyers
For most buyers, the Toyota RAV4 hybrid SUV range will remain the smart pick, efficient, familiar, and competitively priced. Toyota’s fifth-generation hybrid system continues to prioritise smoothness over excitement, but its reliability and real-world economy are what keep the RAV4 at the top of Australian SUV sales charts. The new infotainment and safety tech bring it up to date, addressing long-standing complaints about the cabin’s dated feel. The updates do carry a nice bump up in prices, especially at the entry-level. Typically, this increase in prices for a top-seller like the Toyota RAV4 is not a major concern, but with the rising number of more affordable hybrid options from Chinese carmakers, it could affect the overall market share for the popular SUV.
The plug-in hybrid models push the Toyota RAV4 into new territory altogether. They deliver serious performance and the promise of EV-only commuting, but at $60k-plus, they’re playing in a space where rivals like the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Hyundai Tucson Hybrid already compete aggressively, and where entry-level EVs start to tempt buyers.
For those seeking innovation or daring design, Toyota’s conservative approach may underwhelm. But for anyone who values consistency, practicality, and dependability above all else, the RAV4 remains the benchmark mid-size SUV.
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