- New 6th-gen RAV4 for customer test-drives early-2026.
- Core, Adventure and GR Sport models confirmed.
- First-ever RAV4 plug-in hybrid for Kiwi model range.
Toyota New Zealand has firmed up its offering around the sixth-generation RAV4, with vehicles available for test-drive from the start of 2026 and first customer deliveries in the first half of the year.
It will offer all three of the new model's design concepts: Core, with a range of grades and powertrains, the more off-roady Adventure (already a part of the current RAV4 range) and for the first time, a GR Sport version. All three now have very different styling detail.
Toyota NZ has also confirmed a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain for the new model, which will offer higher power output and the potential for extended pure-electric driving. The current model is available as a PHEV but has never been sold here as a new vehicle, although some exampes have come through as used imports.
Toyota NZ chief strategic officer Andrew Davis says the company expects the PHEV will accelerate a trend already happening with the 5th-generation RAV4: “Increasingly, we are seeing RAV4 as a core part of the two-vehicle family – either as the larger car pairing with a Yaris or Corolla, or the smaller of a pair when matched with a Hilux or Land Cruiser.
"In the first case, it might be used for longer trips and family holidays away; in the second case it might be the city car or the farm-to-town car. RAV4 has become the epitome of versatile mobility.
“The flexibility of the PHEV RAV4 is going to be key, it’s an evolution of our proven Hybrid (HEV) powertrain, trusted and widely adopted by New Zealanders. As long as there is fuel in the tank, the RAV4 PHEV will function as a traditional Hybrid (HEV).
"But RAV4 PHEV can also be charged at home in your garage – which suits the many Kiwis who live in houses and townhouses with garaging. Or it can even be charged on the road using a DC charging station. When charged, RAV4 PHEV can be driven in pure EV mode, once the PHEV battery is depleted the RAV4 PHEV seamlessly converts back to self-charging hybrid (HEV) mode.”
Toyota NZ is still not sharing specific technicla detail for Kiwi models, but globally Toyota has said the top GR Sport PHEV could offer up to 239kW.
RAV4 interior is an island
The new model features what Toyota calls "Island Architecture", in which various functions such as displays and switches are grouped together.
While the overall RAV4 size remains the same, the back door window angle is now more upright resulting in the trunk capacity expansion from the previous 733 litres to 749l.
New RAV4 safety systems
The latest version of Toyota’s Safety Sense gains safety features such as front cross-traffic alert which is designed to minimise the risk of a collision with crossing traffic at intersections, while the blind spot monitor now includes the rear vehicle approach indicator feature which can alert drivers of rapidly approaching vehicles from behind, allowing them to react accordingly.
Upgrades have also been made to the lane change assist, pre-collision system and parking systems.