It may not be obvious at first glance, but this plug-in hybrid SUV is a bit of a big deal. You see, last year the Toyota RAV4 bested the Tesla Model Y to be named the best-selling car in the world… and now there’s a new one.
Hang on, haven’t I already seen this on the road?
Ah yes, you may well have done if you’re on the other side of the pond. This new sixth generation RAV4 went on sale in North America towards the end of 2025, but first deliveries for UK customers won’t happen until July 2026.
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You can read our US-spec review by clicking these words. That one is built over there by the way, while ours is stuck together in Japan.
Is our version different?
Well, while the US and the rest of Europe gets both a PHEV and a standard hybrid option, Toyota UK is only taking the plug-in.
There is still a decision for prospective buyers to make over here though, because the PHEV now comes with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive.
The former pairs a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a hefty new 20kWh usable battery and a more powerful electric motor than the previous gen, for a total output of 268bhp and a 0-62mph time of 7.5 seconds. All-electric range is up to 85 miles, and it’ll now fast charge at 50kW for a 10 to 80 per cent top up in 30 minutes if required.
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The all-wheel drive variant adds an extra electric motor on the back axle for a bit more grunt, taking the power output up to a healthy 305bhp and dropping the 0-62mph sprint down to 5.8 seconds. That’s half a second quicker than a GR86.
Toyota reckons only 15 per cent of UK buyers will tick the box for the extra driven wheels though, which is not so much of a surprise when you realise it knocks around 10 miles off the electric range.
Rivals include the Honda CR-V, the Peugeot 3008, the Volkswagen Tiguan eHybrid, and the strong-selling Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage. Not to mention the Skoda Kodiaq.
It looks surprisingly chunky…
Yep, the RAV4 has come a long way from the friendly three-door that first launched back in 1994. It’s now sporting a Land Cruiser-lite look with chunky arches, a more upright rear end and a “hammerhead frontal design”. Side note, why does every carmaker seem to want a hammerhead front end? Hammerhead sharks look ridiculous.
Anyway, we’re told that there has been no increase in exterior dimensions over the previous version despite the blocky look, while UK cars get either 18 or 20in wheels.
Is there a sporty one?
Of course there is. Toyota is riding the wave of aggressive styling packs with a fancy GR Sport trim.
We’re told that this is “motorsports-inspired” with a gaping GR-spec grille, extra air intakes up front and 12.5mm wider wheel arches. There are also special 20in black alloy wheels and a black interior with red stitching. In the US the GR Sport also gets a proper rear spoiler, but for some reason that has been toned down for Europe. Shame.
We do get specially tuned power steering though, plus ‘high-performance’ front dampers that make the GR Sport stiffer than the standard RAV4.
How much will it cost?
Ah, well because we’ll only be getting plug-in hybrid RAV4s from now on, prices start at a rather punchy £43,845. That’ll get you into the entry-level Icon trim with front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive only becomes available once you’ve made a couple of jumps up the trim levels, with the GR Sport actually then the most affordable at £52,045. Ooft. Head over to the Buying tab of this review for more detail.
For reference, prices for the standard hybrid setup in the US start at just over $30,000. Ouch.
What’s the verdict?
“Almost double the EV range for less money than before. We can’t see RAV4 sales slowing any time soon”
With nearly double the electric range of the previous RAV4 PHEV and an entry price that has actually come down by a couple of hundred quid (thanks to the front-wheel drive plug-in option), it looks like this sixth-generation offers decent value for money.
It’s far from the most exciting thing to drive, but the soft setup makes for a comfortable ride, and the all-wheel drive variant is surprisingly sprightly. Shame about some of the tech, but Toyota has been brave with the chunky looks, and we can’t see worldwide sales slowing down any time soon. Can anything challenge the RAV4’s figures in 2026?
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