2026 Toyota RAV4.
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The top image is supposed to show a prototype of the new 2026 Toyota RAV4.
It shows a brand-new design that looks more like the new Toyota Crown Signia than the current RAV4. Which could be good news. But also compete against the Signia. Which doesn’t sound like such a great idea.
A brand new design would be great news since it is not a given anymore with Toyota. Something we have seen with the 2025 Camry that ended up being a refresh of the 2027 design. A refresh of the RAV4 would be bad news.
It also seems the next-generation RAV4 could be ready for a Hybrid-only powertrain, just like the Camry. However, the RAV4 would keep its PHEV powertrain as an option. Something the Camry doesn’t offer. The PHEV RAV4 EV range is currently rated at a very decent 42 miles. Any improvement and something over 45 miles would be even better and would make it even more popular.
Something else that would make it more popular is to reduce the almost $10,000 difference between the Hybrid and the PHEV trim. Which is ridiculous. Especially since a Prius PHEV is $5000 more than the Hybrid. Which is bad enough.
As I mentioned, I am not sure the prototype photo is actually real. So who knows, we might still end up with a disappointing refresh for the 2026 model year…
That spy photo looks close to what everyone has been saying about the 2026 being a refresh vs. a redesign. The side windows and doors are almost identical (similar to the Camry’s refresh).
Thank you for posting actual car news and spy shots. This is the kind of stuff we come here for rather than fantasy auto news.
Toyota will reskin and update the RAV4, not full redesign, just as they did the Camry.
I’m certain that Toyota now realizes that the Crown and Crown Signia aren’t going to meet sales expectations. They just can’t justify the prices for this badge, without it being a van or a truck, and I suspect demand for those has even cooled a lot. I wont be suprised to see some of the Prius Hammerhead design on it, but i suspect it will be a much more rugged looking version than the Signia – so they offer an offroad version. If that photo is real, it already seems they lowered the rear window line to make it look more rugged and planted around the haunches.
I sincerely doubt that Toyota can get away with just a refresh for the RAV4 because the current generation is severely behind rivals in terms of wheelbase and interior space. They need to keep up with the segment which for better or worse has grown significantly in the years since the RAV4 was launched. And if they are gonna bump the wheelbase it makes sense that the body panels would be brand new as well