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Already one of the more expensive cars in its category, the Toyota RAV4 is set to receive a price rise when the new-generation model arrives next year, with the option of plug-in hybrid power.
The new 2026 Toyota RAV4 will cost more than the vehicle it replaces upon its Australian arrival next year – now slated for April to June – the brand has confirmed.
While news of a price rise for a next-generation model should come as no surprise, it rules out any chance of lower RRPs for the new RAV4, which replaces a vehicle that is not one of the cheaper cars in its class.
The current RAV4 GX Hybrid ($42,260 plus on-road costs) is less expensive than the entry-level Hyundai Tucson Hybrid ($42,850), but it is not as well equipped.
“The new model will no doubt be slightly more expensive,” Toyota Australia sales and marketing boss Sean Hanley told Drive.
The current, top-of-the-range RAV4 Edge starts from $58,360 plus on-road costs, which could see the new model push above $60,000 – especially in its new plug-in hybrid guises.
“I can tell you it will be the second quarter of next year [April to June],” said Hanley, when asked for an update on arrival timing, previously announced as sometime in the first half of 2026.
“[Pre-orders have not started] at this point because we're still finalising a few launch details, but we're on track and it's going to be incredibly exciting.”
The new RAV4 will introduce plug-in hybrid power to the Toyota line-up, using a 2.5-litre petrol engine and 22.7kWh battery for up to 100km of claimed electric-only driving range on the European WLTP test standard.
At least two versions of the 2026 RAV4 PHEV will be offered by Toyota Australia – a 201kW front-wheel-drive version, and a top-spec 227kW all-wheel-drive variant in flagship GR Sport trim.
Plug-less 2.5-litre hybrid technology will remain, but power will be cut to 143kW – from 160kW in front-drive and 163kW in all-wheel-drive models today – due to new emissions rules coming into force locally later this year.
The current-generation RAV4 Hybrid faced wait times from the start of its life cycle in 2019 – preceding the COVID-19 pandemic that made wait times for new cars the norm – which created a demand-over-supply imbalance that allowed resellers to capture the market.
“We advertise the new vehicle on our website, so it's actually against the law for dealers to go above that recommended retail, and our dealers are acutely aware of the consumer laws and competitive laws in Australia,” Hanley said.
“Toyota has built incredible trust with our customers. The reason we've done that is because of the way our Toyota dealer network engages in the culture of building trust.
“We will be encouraging always our dealers not to do that, and we expect to have good supply.”
Toyota will be hoping to maintain its lead as the best-selling mid-size SUV in the country, capturing over a quarter of the market with 58,718 new RAV4s reported as sold in 2024.
Zane Dobie comes from a background of motorcycle journalism, working for notable titles such as Australian Motorcycle News Magazine, Just Bikes and BikeReview. Despite his fresh age, Zane brings a lifetime of racing and hands-on experience. His passion now resides on four wheels as an avid car collector, restorer, drift car pilot and weekend go-kart racer.
