- A redesigned sixth-generation Toyota RAV4 is anticipated to debut in 2025
- The new RAV4 may be offered exclusively with hybrid powertrains
- The starting price should continue to remain in the low $30,000 range
The Toyota RAV4 has stood for decades as a symbol of an affordable and practical vehicle with stellar dependability. However, with the current fifth-generation model, Toyota dialed up the performance by adding a plug-in hybrid powertrain packing 302 hp.
The current RAV4 has been on sale since 2018, making it one of the oldest vehicles in Toyota’s lineup. That won’t be the case for long, as a new sixth-generation model has been spotted testing ahead of an expected debut later this year.
Through the camouflage, we can see that the designers have opted for a much more chiseled look for the new RAV4, along with a headlight and grille combination similar to what’s found on the Toyota Crown Signia introduced for the 2025 model year. There also appears to be a more steeply raked windshield compared to the current RAV4, plus a much more upright tailgate, which should result in increased cargo space.
Toyota hasn’t shared details about the new RAV4 yet, though an electric powertrain isn’t expected, even though Toyota engineers were spotted testing prototypes alongside a Tesla Model Y, according to our photographer. Instead, it’s more likely that Toyota will offer an all-hybrid lineup, something we’ve already seen with the latest Camry launched for the 2025 model year. A senior Toyota official stated last year that the automaker was considering offering only gas engines paired with hybrid technology in the U.S.
2026 Toyota RAV4 spy shots – Photo via Baldauf
Every 2025 Camry has a 2.5-liter inline-4 rated at 184 hp. It pairs with a hybrid system to generate a peak of 225 hp in front-wheel-drive models. All-wheel-drive models get an electric motor at the rear axle, along with a slightly higher combined output of 232 hp. Expect similar offerings in the RAV4. A plug-in hybrid powertrain should also be offered, though perhaps not at launch.
The platform for the new RAV4 is likely to be the latest evolution of the TNGA-K modular platform that underpins the current RAV4. There are rumors that more aluminum will replace non-structural steel elements to help reduce weight.
The new RAV4 is expected to reach U.S. showrooms later this year as a 2026 model and with a base price expected to remain in the low $30,000 range. The formula is one Toyota won’t want to get wrong. With 475,193 units sold in the U.S. last year, the current RAV4 is Toyota’s most popular vehicle and the third-best-selling vehicle overall, trailing only the Ford F-Series and Chevrolet Silverado pickup trucks.
