New Toyota RAV4 to double down on hybrid power and rugged styling

• All-new Toyota RAV4 to be revealed this year
• Hybrid and plug-in hybrids engines will be available
• Chunkier styling and an overhauled interior

The all-new Toyota RAV4 will be revealed later this year, and it’s shaping up to be bigger, chunkier and more advanced than its predecessors. As one of the most popular SUVs on sale today, it’s a hugely important car for the Japanese brand, so a lot will be riding on its success when it goes on sale in 2026.

Toyota has recently promised to unveil six new electric cars by the end of next year, with the new Urban Cruiser, C-HR+ and updated bZ4X making up half of that tally. Despite this drive towards zero emissions, the RAV4 will continue to rely on its well-proven hybrid engine, satisfying fans of Toyota’s impressive fuel efficiency and reliability.

What will the new Toyota RAV4 look like?

While the new RAV4 will be unveiled in full later this year, we already have a few clues about its styling that have influenced the exclusive render image you see here. It’s expected to lean into a more rugged look than before, taking on chunkier SUV proportions and boxier styling.

Details like its squared-off wheelarches and black cladding should remain, giving it the faux-off-roader look that mid-size SUV buyers can’t seem to get enough of. But the new RAV4 will pick up a few styling elements from Toyota’s latest models, including the Prius and C-HR. The front end will undergo the biggest transformation, sporting the brand’s ‘hammerhead’ headlight design with C-shaped daytime-running lights.

Below the headlights, the upright front grille is expected to take on a new geometric pattern, possibly painted in the same colour as the rest of the bodywork. The faux front skid plate should be carried over from the current car, helping to emphasise the rugged aesthetic.

Toyota won’t go down the trendy coupe-SUV route for the new RAV4, unlike its latest electric C-HR+. Instead, the roofline and rear end will remain boxy, helping to maximise interior and boot space. Still, we expect Toyota to offer a sportier GR trim level to add an extra touch of style to what will otherwise be a fairly traditional SUV. This model could pick up bigger wheels, unique badging and a contrasting roof to help it stand out against more pedestrian models.

Little is known about the new RAV4’s interior at this point, but it will be completely overhauled for this generation. In keeping with rivals, we expect it to pick up bigger screens and more tech, possibly influenced by the flagship Land Cruiser SUV.

What engine will the new RAV4 get?

Under the new bodywork, the next-generation RAV4 will use the same platform as the current car, known in Toyota-speak as the ‘TNGA’ architecture. It’s used across a wide range of cars already – from the Camry in North America to the Lexus RX – and is designed for hybrid engines.

That’s right – the new RAV4 will remain as a hybrid SUV, rather than adopting a fully-electric setup. While we don’t know specific details about the new RAV4’s hybrid engine, we suspect that it will use an updated version of what’s currently offered in the Toyota lineup. That could mean a 2.5-litre petrol engine with a self-charging hybrid system, possibly returning upwards of 50mpg for front-wheel drive versions. An all-wheel drive model should be offered, too, providing extra traction for slippery conditions at the expense of fuel economy.

It would make sense for Toyota to continue to offer the RAV4 as a plug-in hybrid, as well, appealing to company car drivers and those who live in urban areas. The current RAV4 can be driven up to 46 miles on electric power alone, but this figure could increase for the new model. Rivals like the Volkswagen Tiguan can drive for almost 80 miles on a charge, so a range closer to this number would help keep the RAV4 competitive.

How much will the new RAV4 cost and when can I buy one?

We expect the new Toyota RAV4 to be priced similarly to the current car, meaning a starting price of just over £40,000. That’s quite a lot compared to some rivals – the Hyundai Tucson costs from around £36,000 in hybrid guise – but customers appear to be happy paying a premium for the Toyota. The RAV4 Hybrid is currently sold out, leaving customers with the plug-in hybrid only for the time being. 

That model currently costs from around £44,000, so we expect the new model to be priced around this figure, too. That would make it around £2,000 more expensive than the Volkswagen Tiguan plug-in hybrid, which is likely to be the RAV4’s key rival when it goes on sale in 2026.

Can’t wait until 2026? Find the latest new and used Toyota RAV4 deals on our sister site Auto Express