The Toyota RAV4 is the most important and successful SUV in the U.S. It will see a complete reinvention soon.
The RAV4 is America’s third best-selling vehicle, the first non-pickup to occupy the medal stand in over a decade. Available as a gas-powered vehicle, a hybrid, and a plug-in hybrid, the RAV4 went home with nearly half a million Americans last year.
However, the current RAV4 has been on the market since the 2019 model year. Toyota rarely lets an important model last more than seven years.
This morning, Toyota published three teaser shots of a new SUV. They reveal almost nothing about what to expect. All three are aerial photos taken from high above, allowing us to discern nearly nothing. A note attached to the images says simply, “Get ready to stand out in all-new style, from urban streets to outdoor retreats. Check out the reveal May 20.”
But given its rough proportions and the date on the calendar, we’re reasonably sure it’s the 2026 RAV4.
What We Expect
Toyota didn’t become the world’s largest automaker by radically changing what’s working. We expect the next RAV4 to keep the rough proportions and virtues that have made the current model America’s top SUV.
However, one major change is likely: Toyota may drop the gas-powered model altogether. The company did the same with its popular Camry midsize sedan with its last redesign, and did so before that with the Sienna minivan. The Camry has kept its position as America’s best-selling midsize car despite no longer offering a purely gas-powered option, and Sienna also continues to sell well.
Going with a standard hybrid simplifies production, allowing the company to build two powertrains instead of three, assuming there will also be a plug-in in the mix. And it doubles down on Toyota’s reputation as the hybrid company — a move that has paid dividends as other automakers have moved toward more electric vehicles (EVs) faster than many shoppers were prepared for.
Spy photos taken at Toyota testing facilities have shown a heavily-disguised prototype in testing that looks boxier than the current model. That’s in keeping with current SUV design trends. We’ll know more on May 20.
