2026 Toyota RAV4.

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This illustration shows what a next-generation 2026 Toyota RAV4 could look like.

A design that is at the same time entirely new yet familiar to the millions of RAV4 owners around the world.

The Toyota RAV4 has become hugely popular in the US and Toyota might not want to roll the dice on the next one even if a more outdoorsy-looking design could be even more popular. As a matter of fact, it seems the new RAV4 could also end up just being a heavy refresh of the current generation. With a redesigned front end, rear lights, and interior. Just like the 2025 Camry. Which would be tragic for those of us looking for something new to populate our streets and parking lots.

There is also a strong rumor about a hybrid-only Toyota line-up for 2026. Which has already been mentioned as a possibility by some Toyota suits. Since the Camry went all Hybrid for the 2025 model year, this would make a lot of sense.

Since we saw the new Prius and a year later, the 2025 Camry, at the Los Angeles auto show, it would be logical for Toyota to continue the trend. The Los Angeles auto show is coming soon next month. However, we have not seen any spy shots yet of the next-generation RAV4. While we had seen many “new Camry” shots before the Los Angeles unveiling.

Let’s hope they do come up with a truly new design. They did get away with a refresh for the new Camry, but the RAV4 is their most popular model over here. They sold almost 435,000 in the US alone last year.

A huge number that makes a redesign very important.

Conversation 2 comments

  1. I dont think they’ll make the RAV4 an all hybrid vehicle – not upon intro of the redesigned model. I suspect they’ll still have some trims with the standard 2.5L ICE, or maybe this is where they’ll apply their new 1.5L currently in development to replace the 2.5L (ETA – about 2027) a little later. I also suspect it will be heavily based upon the existing model’s platform, just like the Camry. And so will the Corolla. Toyota is trying to figure out where its going with BEVs and those require a fully new structure to house the batteries. They’re not ready for that yet, so the basic platform will be modified just like the Camry was.

    Also, Toyota just got rid of the Highlander and Venza, making the RAV4 ready to move up slightly in size, and giving the Corolla Cross the option of adding feature content and a decent multilink across all trims while accomodating a slightly higher price. Expect the next RAV 4 to be slightly longer and about $3500 more in a top trim.

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