The Toyota RAV4 Thread

New Toyota RAV4 (including GR Sport) revealed

Meet the new Toyota RAV4, the 6th generation of the Japanese automaker’s popular SUV (now also offered in GR Sport form). And it’s coming to South Africa in 2026…

Say hello to the new Toyota RAV4. Finally revealed after a string of teasers, the 6th generation of the Japanese firm’s SUV debuts on the global stage in Core, Adventure and GR Sport trim.

Toyota South Africa Motors has confirmed to Cars.co.za that the new RAV4 is scheduled to hit local roads in the opening half of 2026. At this stage, however, details on the local range have yet to be confirmed.

The RAV4, of course, is an incredibly popular nameplate worldwide, having placed 3rd on the list of the world’s best-selling vehicles in 2024. In South Africa, it’s not quite as strong-selling as it once was, with 1 174 units told locally last year. Over the opening 4 months of 2025, a further 525 examples have been registered in SA.

But back to the new RAV4. Unwrapped in Japan, the 6th-generation RAV4 sports new exterior styling (including a fresh model logo) and what Toyota describes as “similar dimensions” to those of its predecessor. Inside, you’ll find a redesigned cabin featuring the brand’s latest 12.9-inch multimedia system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster as well as new safety technology.

 
All-new, SA-bound Toyota Rav4 revealed: hybrid only, three design themes, smarter cabin

Although it has been pushed from prominence in South Africa by the locally produced Corolla Cross, the Rav4 is still Toyota’s second best seller globally, after the Corolla range, which means this 2026 redesign is a crucial one.

The sixth-generation Toyota Rav4, revealed to the world on Wednesday, receives a more muscular look along with new hybrid drivertrains and high-tech cabin featuring the company’s new self-developed Arene software.

The exterior, with its chunkier proportions, more pronounced creases and ‘hammerhead shark’ face, is available with different design themes depending on the model.

Regular versions feature a colour-coded borderless grille, much like the facelifted Corolla Cross, while the GR Sport flaunts an enlarged honeycomb grille. An ‘Adventure’ specification is also set to join the line-up, boasting a more rugged appearance package.

The new Rav4 will be available either as a regular self-charging hybrid (HEV) or as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), with the latter featuring a new 22.7 kWh battery that allows a claimed electric range of up to 150km, or 100km on the WLTP combined cycle.

Smart geo-fencing technology furthermore optimises the electric range, based on each unique journey.


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Toyota RAV4 revealed: new SUV gets up to 300bhp and a GR Sport version

And in 300bhp guise, this sensible Toyota can accelerate from 0-62mph in 5.8s

After fifteen million versions sold, the sensible Toyota RAV4 has grown up. Learnt a new language. Hit the gym. Found muscles it never knew it had. This is the new sixth-generation car, available exclusively as a hybrid and with up to 300bhp on tap. Sounds like the GR Sport team's food truck got diverted to HQ.

Speaking of which, there is actually a GR Sport version of the new RAV4 - the red car in the pics above - but more on that in a tick. First, some power. In the UK, you've got the choice of two plug-in hybrid cars: a 264bhp front-wheel-drive version, or that range-topping 300bhp AWD car. Elsewhere in Europe there's the choice of a 'full' hybrid (ie, the kind you can't plug in), but we won't get those.

All cars will get a new 22.7kWh li-ion battery developed from Toyota's full EVs and buried in the floor of the car, allowing up to 62 miles of electric only driving. It'll also top back up to 80 per cent in half an hour using a 50kW charger.

Floor it in the 300bhp PHEV version, and you'll manage 0-62mph in 5.8s. Five point eight. In a RAV4. Good thing it looks... robust. The dimensions and use of sharp creases mirror its predecessor, only here it's all been moulded to look a bit tougher, broader and more rugged. Especially when combined with that new headlight and grille combo.

 
I am a Toyota fan, have one currently - Top of the range Corolla - previous spec - 10 years old now still in perfect condition with only 130k on the clock.

Was looking at the new Corolla as a possible purchase and some of the other models like the Rav4. Personally I am just not liking the interior on the new models. Especially the seats in 2.0 Corolla. In general the dash boards on most models are not something that gels with my likes... I really like my previous model... Will probably stick with it for a while longer until I find something that catches my eye.
 
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