With low fuel consumption, a wide variant selection, and affordable prices, America’s best-selling hybrid SUV offers something for almost every customer looking for a new frugal daily driver. Be that as it may, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is getting long in the tooth, with the current generation dating back to early 2019.
Next-gen RAV4 for MY2026
Later this year, the sixth-generation Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is expected to arrive at U.S. dealerships as a 2026 model. A few weeks ago, the first spy shots of test prototypes surfaced in Japan, hinting at evolutionary design changes. More recently, the first camouflaged vehicles were spotted on U.S. soil, seen undergoing testing in southeast Michigan.
More aerodynamic with ‘Hammerhead’ format
The next-generation Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid are expected to adopt a slightly more aerodynamic design compared to the current models, which have a drag coefficient of 0.32 Cd. The redesigned SUV has been spotted with a streamlined hammerhead shark-inspired front end. The curvier upper section is aimed at improving airflow around the vehicle, which should reflect in better fuel efficiency and slightly lower NVH.
It has a more refined and slender profile, with a sweeping front-end where the upper portion takes on a smooth, sculpted shape. The headlamps are noticeably sleeker and more angled, underlining the SUV’s sharper, more modern look.
Familiar profile with aggression
The side profile remains largely familiar, featuring trapezoidal wheel arches, traditional door handles, a straight beltline, and flush roof rails. While the overall window design is unchanged, the quarter glass panels seem larger, with a more pronounced upper section. Pictures also show an S-shaped crease across the door panels for a more aggressive character.
At the rear, the license plate garnish adopts a new rectangular design, and the combination lamps appear slimmer. A prominent roof spoiler and small fins near the windscreen should further optimize airflow and reduce wind noise.
New interior appointments & TSS 3.0
The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid should come equipped with a panoramic sunroof, gesture tailgate, digital key, USB Type-C ports, power driver’s seat with memory and lumbar support, and a 360-degree camera. Spy shots have also shown a revamped dashboard which could upgrade to a pair of 12.3-inch displays running the latest iteration of the Toyota Audio Multimedia system.
Toyota is expected to lift passenger comfort with improved front seats while retaining the spaciousness of the current model. A redesigned steering wheel, similar to the Crown and 2025 Camry, is also expected.
Safety should be upgraded to Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0), featuring Proactive Driving Assist, Pre-Collision System, Lane Departure Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist, Road Sign Assist, and Automatic High Beams.
2.5L powertrains
Toyota is expected to equip the next-gen RAV4 Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid with improved powertrains. Both variants are expected to retain the 2.5-liter engine, upgrading to the fifth-gen Toyota Hybrid System (THS 5) that debuted in the 2025 Camry. Output could rise to 232 hp, with a possible FWD variant offering 225 hp for better efficiency.
As for the 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid, efficiency should improve marginally, with the Hybrid targeting up to 42 MPG (combined) and the Plug-in Hybrid hitting 40 MPG (combined) or 98 MPGe.
Also Read: 7 changes we expect in the next-gen Toyota RAV4 Hybrid & Plug-in Hybrid
Featured image: TopElectricSUV’s exclusive rendering of the 2026 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 17 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading global CEOs and vehicle developers.
VERNA,Eartiga 15km RUN,Second Hand Car IN Kolkata