New Toyota RAV4 2026 – FIRST LOOK & visual REVIEW (Australian hybrid & PHEV)
Australia’s favorite SUV just got a massive upgrade, and it’s not what you’d expect. The 2026 Toyota RAV 4 is landing in showrooms with something we’ve never seen from Toyota Australia before, a plug-in hybrid. This is huge news for anyone who’s been watching the RAV 4 dominate sales charts year after year, because now there’s genuine electrified performance to back up that popularity. Let’s start with what matters most. The standard RAV 4 still runs Toyota’s fifth generation hybrid system. You’re looking at a 2.5 L engine paired with electric motors delivering 143 kW of combined output. It’s proven tech refined over years, and Toyota’s made it even better for this generation. Fuel efficiency remains exceptional, and the transition between electric and petrol power is seamless. Whether you’re in stopgo city traffic or cruising on the highway, the system just works. But here’s where things get interesting. Toyota’s bringing plug-in hybrid technology to Australia for the first time in the RAV 4. The plug-in hybrid variants pack a 22.7 kWh lithium ion battery paired with that same 2.5 L engine and front and rear electric motors. In the all-wheel drive setup, you’re getting 227 kW of total system output. That makes this the most powerful RAV 4 ever sold. 200 kW in the front-wheel drive version isn’t shabby either. The real gamecher is the electric only range. Toyota claims up to 100 km on the WLTP cycle. Think about your daily routine. The school run, commute to work, grocery shopping, those quick errands around town. Most of that can happen on pure electric power, zero emissions, silent operation, minimal running costs. Then when you need to head out for a weekend trip or venture beyond the city, the hybrid system kicks in seamlessly. You get the range of a conventional car with the efficiency of an electric vehicle. Toyota’s not messing around with charging either. The PHEV supports 50 kW DC fast charging and 11 kW 3-phase AC charging. That’s proper infrastructure compatibility right there. And get this, there’s a 1500 W inverter in the cargo area. You can power small appliances, camping equipment, work tools, whatever you need. It’s like having a mobile power station. The lineup is massive, 11 variants total, starting at $45,990 for the GX two-w wheelel drive hybrid, going all the way up to $66,340 for the flagship GR Sport. Yes, Toyota made a GR Sport RAV 4. We’ll get to that because it’s wild. On the hybrid side, you’ve got the GX, GXL, Edge, XSSE, and Cruiser. Each available in two wheel or all-wheel drive, except the Edge, which is all-wheel drive only. The plug-in hybrid comes in XSSE and GR Sport variants, with the XSSE available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. That’s serious choice. Whether you want efficiency, adventure capability, luxury, or performance, there’s a RAV 4 spec exactly how you want it. Let’s talk about what you actually see. The exterior is completely redesigned. It’s sleeker than the outgoing model, more refined, but it still looks unmistakably RAV 4. Narrow horseshoe-shaped LED headlights wrap around the front corners. Depending on which grade you choose, you get different front bumper treatments, wheel designs, and styling cues. The GX starts with 17-in dark gray metallic alloys, while higher grades move up to 18 and 20 in. The Edge is where things get adventurous. Dark matte gray metallic wheels, unique bumpers, wider black wheel arches. The whole package screams outdoor lifestyle. It’s built for people who actually use their SUV for adventures, not just the idea of adventures. Then there’s the XSE with its two-tone paint scheme, 20-in black alloys, enhanced LED lighting, and that panoramic view monitor for parking. It sits in that premium middle ground. More style than the adventure focused edge. More capability than the luxury cruiser. Speaking of the cruiser, that’s your flagship hybrid model. 20-in machined black alloys, genuine leather accented seats with driver memory, panoramic moon roof, head-up display, digital rear view mirror, nine- speakeraker JBL premium audio. It’s properly up market. You also get two wireless smartphone chargers and a powered tailgate with kick sensor. This is the RAV 4 for people who want refinement with their practicality. Inside, Toyota’s completely overhauled the cabin. The base GX gets a 10.5 inch multimedia touchscreen, while Edge and above models jump to 12.9 in. The system is powered by Toyota’s new Aren software platform, over-the-air updates, customizable widgets, embedded voice assistant, connected streaming, satellite navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. It’s modern, responsive, and actually intuitive to use. You get aluminium pedals, a GR Sport heated steering wheel with paddle shifters, red stitching, GR logos on the premium trim, and suede upholstery, and GR Sport suede knee pads. It’s sporting without losing the practicality that makes the RAV 4 so popular. Plus, you get all the luxury features from the XSE PHEV, like the digital rear view mirror, head-up display, powered tailgate, two wireless chargers, and that JBL premium audio. Every RAV 4 gets a fully digital 12.3 in instrument cluster. Dual zone climate control is standard. The GX has fabric upholstery with manual seat adjustment, but move up to GXL and you get leather accented trim, 8-way power driver seat with lumbar support and a wireless smartphone charger. The Cruiser adds climate concierge, three-stage heating and ventilation for the front seats, heated outboard rear seats, and that premium JBL sound system. There’s a new feature called embedded drive record. The vehicle’s onboard cameras function as a dash cam, letting you record and save video clips while driving. That’s genuinely useful for insurance purposes or capturing memorable road trips. Now, let’s get to the GR Sport because this changes everything about what a RAV 4 can be. Toyota gave this thing a 20 mm wider track, 10 mm wider on each side that immediately improves handling stability. They added a front performance damper, rear brace, and unique coil and spring rates. The electric power steering has its own exclusive tune. This is proper chassis development, not just cosmetic badges. The exterior matches the performance intent. Wide black wheel arches framing 20-in black alloys with red brake calipers. Unique front and rear bumpers, a wingtype rear spoiler, GR badging everywhere. It looks aggressive without being over the top. Safety is next generation across the entire range. Toyota’s new Aren software platform enables proper advanced driver assistance. The pre-colision safety system has autonomous emergency braking and emergency steering assist, full speed adaptive cruise control, front and rear cross traffic alert, lane trace assist, proactive driving assist, automatic highbeam, parking support brake, blind spot monitor with safe exit assist, eight SRS airbags throughout. This is comprehensive active safety that can actually prevent accidents. The all-wheel drive variants add downhill assist control and trail and snow drive modes for low traction scenarios. Whether you’re tackling muddy tracks, sandy beaches, or snowy mountain roads, there’s a mode designed for those conditions. Pricing reflects the significant upgrades. The base GX hybrid at 45,990 is up 3,730 from the previous generation. The GXL hybrid is 48,990. The Cruiser is 56,990. Add all-wheel drive and you’re looking at 49,340, 52,340, and 60,340 Australian, respectively. The Edge all-wheel drive sits at 55,340, while the XSSE all-wheel drive hybrid is 58,340 plus mandatory $675 premium paint. The plug-in hybrids command premium pricing. XSSE plug-in hybrid starts at 58,840 for front-wheel drive or $63,340 for all-wheel drive. The GR Sport Plug-in Hybrid tops the range at $66,340 Australian all-wheel drive only. All prices are before on-road costs. Hybrid models arrive in showrooms late Q12026. The plug-in variants follow in Q3 2026. Order books are open now. Given the wait times on the previous generation and the massive interest in PHEV technology, getting your order in early makes sense. Here’s the bottom line. Toyota’s taken Australia’s most popular SUV and made it genuinely cutting edge. The hybrid variants offer proven efficiency and practicality. The plug-in hybrids deliver real electric driving capability with hybrid backup. The GR Sport brings legitimate performance dynamics. Combined with next generation safety tech, modern multimedia, and comprehensive grade choice, the 2026 RAV 4 isn’t just keeping pace with the competition. It’s setting the standard for what a mainstream SUV should be. Whether you’re an urban commuter, adventure seeker, family hauler, or driving enthusiast, there’s a RAV 4 configured exactly for your needs. That’s why this thing sells like crazy, and that’s why the new generation is going to be even more popular. Thanks for watching. If you enjoyed this video, hit that like button and subscribe for more content just like this. Leave a comment below with your thoughts or questions. I read every single one. And don’t forget to click the bell icon to get notified about my next upload. See you in the next video.
The all-new 2026 Toyota RAV4 arrives in Australian showrooms with groundbreaking technology that changes everything about this SUV. Toyota’s bringing their first-ever plug-in hybrid to Australia, delivering up to 100 kilometers of electric-only range combined with 227 kilowatts of total system output in AWD configuration. The standard hybrid variants continue with the proven 143kW fifth-generation system, offering exceptional fuel efficiency across an expanded eleven-variant lineup that includes the adventure-focused Edge, luxurious Cruiser, and the first-ever RAV4 GR Sport with motorsport-inspired chassis tuning.
This comprehensive review covers the complete 2026 RAV4 range starting from 45,990 dollars for the GX 2WD hybrid through to the flagship GR Sport PHEV at 66,340 dollars. We explore the new Arene software platform with its 12.9-inch touchscreen, next-generation Toyota Safety Sense with enhanced detection capabilities, the 22.7kWh battery with 50kW DC fast charging support, and exclusive features like the 1500W cargo inverter, panoramic moonroof, digital rearview mirror, and JBL premium audio. Whether you’re considering the practical GX, adventurous Edge, premium Cruiser, sporty XSE, or performance-focused GR Sport, discover which specification delivers the perfect balance of efficiency, capability, and technology for your driving needs.
2026 Toyota RAV4 Specifications:
Hybrid: 2.5L + electric motors, 143kW combined output
PHEV 2WD: 2.5L + 22.7kWh battery, 200kW combined output
PHEV AWD: 2.5L + dual electric motors + 22.7kWh battery, 227kW combined output
Electric range: Up to 100km (WLTP, PHEV variants)
Charging: 50kW DC fast charging, 11kW AC three-phase
Screens: 10.5″ or 12.9″ touchscreen, 12.3″ digital instrument cluster
Safety: Next-gen Toyota Safety Sense, 8 SRS airbags
Grades: GX, GXL, Edge, XSE, Cruiser (Hybrid), XSE, GR Sport (PHEV)
Pricing: From $45,990 to $66,340 (before on-road costs)
Availability: Q1 2026 (Hybrid), Q3 2026 (PHEV)
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