The next-gen Toyota RAV4 is currently undergoing road tests, with prototypes recently spotted in Japan and the U.S. Although Toyota has not officially confirmed the sixth-gen RAV4, following the typical 6-7 year lifecycle, it should arrive at U.S. dealerships later this year.
Demand is expected to rise for the Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid variants in the 2026 RAV4 lineup. Some reports also speculate Toyota might adopt a hybrid-only strategy for the new SUV, similar to the 2025 Camry, dropping the gas-only model in the U.S.
Interestingly, Japan’s Best Car magazine suggests a third electrified version, a fully-electric RAV4. Known for regularly presenting exclusives on future Japanese models, the publication claims the sixth-gen RAV4 will ride on an improved version of the current TNGA-K architecture that can accommodate a battery pack.
A key advantage of this platform is its compatibility with current production lines, eliminating the need for expensive retooling. This would be a first for Toyota, as the company currently builds pure-electric vehicles only on the e-TNGA or the borrowed GAC platform for China.
This would mark the third instance of this powertrain type in the compact SUV, as Toyota launched a limited-edition EV in the fourth-gen RAV4 for the Californian market in 2012, which was powered by a Tesla powertrain, preceded by the first-gen RAV4L EV in 1997.
As for the looks, the RAV4 Electric will retain the same design as the other variants, but with unique emblems and color-coded body parts. As illustrated in our exclusive renderings, the sixth-gen RAV4 maintains a hammerhead shark-inspired front, perforated grille, Y-shaped side detailing, muscular fenders, and sleek combination lights.
Inside, expect a refreshed dashboard featuring a floating-style touchscreen, a new steering wheel, and enhanced seating comfort. While test prototypes show no significant changes in external dimensions, Best Car reports slight increases in length and width to enhance passenger and cargo space.
As we noted during our review of the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid, extra cargo room would comfortably house the electrical components without sacrificing practicality. Both electrified variants are expected to retain the 2.5L four-cylinder engine with upgrades to the battery and motors.
The publication is reporting a fall 2026 Japanese launch for the new RAV4 family, with the battery-electric variant priced at around JPY 6 million (USD 39,881).
Featured image: TopElectricSUV’s exclusive illustration of the next-gen RAV4 PHEV
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.
