6th Generation Toyota RAV4 Master Thread

[F1 Silver Arrows]

2026 Toyota RAV4 spied for the first time

What is thought to be the next-generation Toyota RAV4 has been snapped testing in North America.

www.drive.com.au

Here we go!

I know it's camouflaged, but what are your thoughts? It looks like it has the headlights of the bZ compact crossover and the styling of a CR-V! There seems to be a light bar that's wrapped around the entire front fascia!

Also, this should have the new 1.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder that Toyota teased earlier this year.

 

[Gecko]

Interested to see how this comes together... I really like the current gen but it needs a new, more refined gas powertrain.

 

[ssun30]

A big reason for the A25's poor NVH is its super long stroke. It's longer than most truck petrol engines and comparable to diesel engines.

Going in the opposite direction of short strokes and small displacement will help a lot.

 

[Gor134]

They'll probably continue the A25 for one or two more years, not sure if those new i4s will be ready yet by the time this launches

 

[ssun30]

They'll probably continue the A25 for one or two more years, not sure if those new i4s will be ready yet by the time this launches

The new I4s already finished development. In fact the 2.0 was ready in 2022 (according to BestCar) but the Celica and MR2 didn't receive the greenlight for development so they had an engine but no cars to put it into.

These new engines are not a generational upgrade like the Dynamic Force family, but more like the evolutionary ESTEC family. I think Toyota is holding off a brand new generation of ICEs until they reach 50% thermal efficiency.

 

[Gor134]

So why did we get the lazy T24 if those engines were ready in 2022

 

[Gecko]

So why did we get the lazy T24 if those engines were ready in 2022

This. 2.4T has not been a particularly noteworthy engine, and it's in almost all of Toyota's mid-level products, from the Land Cruiser, Tacoma, and Crown, to RX, TX and GXh. I am a fan of continuous improvement of course, but it also feels like Toyota realized their first generation of turbo DF engines left a lot to be desired and immediately started working on replacements -- in some cases, before the products with the T24 were even finalized.

Yikes.

 

[ssun30]

So why did we get the lazy T24 if those engines were ready in 2022

The first product to receive the T24 was cancelled (4IS). The F2 platform trucks and SUVs were delayed by 18 months. It was supposed to have a longer life cycle (2020-2028) but now it will be 2021-2027.

The new 2.0T could an evolution of the ChDM exclusive S20A-FTS engine. It is a near square design (85.0mm bore x 88.0mm stroke) and is rated at 182kW/247PS and 380N.m/280lb.ft The naming also makes a lot of sense since they are trying to re-create the 3S-GTE engine.

 

[qtb007]

Being that Camry just got the 5th gen hybrid with A25, I expect that the Rav4 will largely remain A25. Toyota does press releases when they invest in new powertrain products and we've seen nothing about new powertrain investment in NA. There's a chance that some trim comes with the 1.5T similar to how current gen Corolla carried over ZR engine and some versions received the new M20, but I wouldn't bet on it. The A25 is still very competitive when it come to performance and efficiency and is class leading with hybrid and PHEV.

 

[Sulu]

While there will be ICE powertrain options in the rest of the world, will there be for North America or wlll it be only the hybrid powertrain (like the Camry) here?

 

[Motorsnwheels]

I’m very hopeful for this next gen RAV. My hope is they will keep the 2.5 in the Hybrid. Much like the Camry evolution I feel the RAV will be similar. I mean why mess with much when it already is a hot seller. I’m also optimistic it won’t shrink in interior cargo volume. As long as the dimensions are as good as the current gen and they maintain a NA hybrid option they will have my money.

 

[Levi]

I’m very hopeful for this next gen RAV. My hope is they will keep the 2.5 in the Hybrid. Much like the Camry evolution I feel the RAV will be similar. I mean why mess with much when it already is a hot seller. I’m also optimistic it won’t shrink in interior cargo volume. As long as the dimensions are as good as the current gen and they maintain a NA hybrid option they will have my money.

Needs more ground clearance and better off-road mode.

 

[davidlovelexus]

Next-gen Toyota RAV4 hybrid takes shape: Sharpened up hybrid family SUV to take aim at Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan X-Trail, Subaru Forester and more in 2026 - Car News

With spy shots giving us a glimpse of the next-generation Toyota RAV4, we commissioned digital artist Thanos Pappas to bring the new family favourite to life. Expected to be a heavy reskin similar to the latest Toyota Camry update, rather than a clean-sheet design, the new RAV4 will persevere...

www.carsguide.com.au

 

[Sulu]

I’m very hopeful for this next gen RAV. My hope is they will keep the 2.5 in the Hybrid. Much like the Camry evolution I feel the RAV will be similar. I mean why mess with much when it already is a hot seller. I’m also optimistic it won’t shrink in interior cargo volume. As long as the dimensions are as good as the current gen and they maintain a NA hybrid option they will have my money.

The RAV4 needs a better quality, more upscale interior, especially the dashboard and centre screen placement (just like most modern Toyotas).

Needs more ground clearance and better off-road mode.

Why? How many people take their RAV4s off road? These are designed and built as road cars, with AWD available for all-weather capability, not all-terrain capability.

 

[ssun30]

Off road is not just rock climbing and sand duning. I have traversed the Tibetan Plateau in a 2.0L gen 4 without problems. I trust it more than my Wrangler because of ease of repair. We broke the oil pan, a side window and the tail pipe and repaired it for the equivalent of about $100 at a roadside shop.