What do we already know about the next Toyota RAV4?

Hybrid powertrains, modernized technologies, and a new design to continue the RAV4 dynasty.

Launched in 1994, the Toyota RAV4 made history by popularizing the compact SUV segment. Sold at the time for around 15,000 euros, it won over a broad audience thanks to its versatility, reliability, and innovative design. Gone were the old farmer’s 4X4s; the all-terrain vehicle became urban and cool. More than two decades later, it remains a global reference, but the youthful rebel has aged and become more bourgeois. It must face the new electric generation that has attracted the young and trendy clientele.

We already know that no revolution is expected, as Toyota has not decided to immediately offer it on a 100% electric philosophy, but its successful renewal is crucial for both the brand’s image and its sales. So Toyota keeps the secret, but clues allow us to guess the main lines of the future model.

The new Toyota hybrid path

The current RAV4 is based on the TNGA-K platform, a robust foundation that does not require major redesigns. However, the recent update of the Toyota Camry, which shares this architecture, sheds light on the upcoming changes. The Camry has abandoned its traditional gasoline engine for hybrid versions, either front-wheel drive or with all-wheel drive via an electric motor on the rear axle. The 2026 RAV4 is expected to follow this path, eliminating purely thermal engines to become fully hybrid.

This strategy illustrates Toyota’s desire to continue exploring hybrid technologies, preferring to consolidate its expertise in this area rather than fully committing to 100% electric, a choice that sets the brand apart. For clean energies, hydrogen is the Japanese manufacturer’s heart choice, which invests heavily in this technology.

Improvements to the battery are logically expected. The current model already offers an electric range of nearly 70 km, and the priority is to extend this range beyond 100 km and improve the charging time to make it practical for everyday use in 100% electric mode.

In terms of aesthetics, the 2026 model is expected to move away from current lines to adopt a retro-futuristic style with more angular shapes. The interior will undergo a redesign, featuring higher quality materials, a larger infotainment screen, and a customizable digital dashboard. Finally, while modernizing its appearance, the RAV4 will maintain its dimensions and spaciousness, ensuring generous space for passengers and luggage, staying true to its winning formula.

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