The next generation of the best-selling SUV will arrive with a refreshed design, tech upgrades, and hybrid-only powertrains.
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. Update 2/8: After a prototype was recently spotted testing in the U.S., we're revisiting this story with a fresh batch of spy shots and new information about the powertrain options.
We've also added a second render, based on a recent leak from China, which is believed to show the domestic-market Toyota Wildlander. Toyota’s wildly popular RAV4 continues to dominate sales charts, having ended the Ford F-150's reign as America’s best-selling vehicle in 2024 after many years 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. Recently spotted testing in Metro Detroit following multiple sightings in Japan, the upcoming RAV4 appears to be 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 original rendering was created before the 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 have been circulating about Toyota’s new 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, but it’s unlikely to make its way into the sixth-generation RAV4. Instead, the 2026 model could go hybrid-only, featuring a powertrain similar to the latest Camry, with slight improvements in both power and efficiency over the current version. If the Camry’s setup is any indication, the new RAV4 may feature a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, resulting in a combined output of around 210 horsepower. Toyota is also likely to introduce a plug-in hybrid variant, offering extended electric driving range and improved fuel economy
TOYOTA RAV4 SUV NEXT GENERATION HYBRID DESIGN TECHNOLOGY PREVIEW
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