2026 Toyota RAV4: hybrid, PHEV, and GR Sport heading our way

The Toyota RAV4 is one of Australia’s most recognisable cars, regularly sitting at the top of the sales charts. In the first half of 2026, we’ll see an all-new, sixth-generation model that adds more variety, more tech, and for the first time in this market, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV).

The big-ticket item is the GR Sport. Rather than just slapping on some badges and a red stripe, Toyota has given it a proper mechanical makeover. It combines a 2.5-litre hybrid engine with front and rear motors and a 22.7kWh battery for 227kW. That makes it the most powerful RAV4 ever, and with wider tracks, retuned suspension, and stiffer bracing, it’s aimed at being more than just a shopping trolley in gym gear. Paddle shifters, GR seats, and 20-inch alloys round out the package.

For those not wanting the full GR treatment, the PHEV system will also appear in the mid-spec XSE grade, with both 2WD and AWD setups delivering 200kW. The rest of the range continues with familiar badges — GX, GXL, Edge, Cruiser — now split between conventional hybrids and plug-in hybrids depending on grade. Even the humble GX scores a big infotainment screen, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, digital instruments, USB-C ports, and dual-zone climate, which a decade ago would have been unheard of in a base Toyota.

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ABOVE: 2026 RAV4

ALL-NEW TOYOTA RAV4 GRADE LINEUP

HEV 2WD	HEV AWD	PHEV 2WD	PHEV AWD
CRUISER	CRUISER		GR SPORT
	XSE	XSE	XSE
	EDGE
GXL	GXL
GX	GX

The adventure-minded Edge keeps its outdoorsy vibe with skid plates, wider arches, and off-road driving modes, while the Cruiser doubles down on comfort with leather, panoramic roof, head-up display, and JBL audio. Toyota knows its buyers: some want mud, some want Mozart.

Safety and connectivity get a major refresh across the board. Toyota Safety Sense has been upgraded with front cross-traffic alert, sharper cyclist and pedestrian detection, and a clever 3D panoramic monitor to help avoid car park scrapes. The new Arene multimedia platform promises quicker processing, smarter voice control, and over-the-air updates, dragging Toyota’s infotainment into the present day after years of lagging behind.

There’s also a new splash of colour. Buyers will be able to tick boxes for Dusty Bronze, Feverish Red, Daintree Green and more, alongside familiar shades like Glacier White and Eclipse Black. Two-tone roofs on selected grades will add a touch of fashion to what is still, at its heart, a sensible mid-sized SUV.

Pricing and detailed specifications will be confirmed closer to launch, but Toyota isn’t likely to move the RAV4 too far away from its core appeal: practical, efficient, reliable, and just interesting enough to keep buyers lining up. With the addition of a PHEV and a properly engineered GR Sport flagship, Toyota is clearly making sure the RAV4 stays at the front of the pack in a market full of hungry rivals.

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