I have not seen any official concepts for a new gen rav4. They may continue this current model for another year or two then let the Crown signa and Corolla cross cover the segment

 

There are good rumors that the new mini Land Rover will come to the US in 2026 (already pretty sure it will be in Europe in 2025). https://www.rav4world.com/threads/mini-land-cruiser.336940/post-3110666

 

Somehow I doubt that most people buy a Rav4 hybrid for its off road capability. Occasional snow yes. Rain and ground clearance yes. Height in a world of raised trucks and their headlights and aux lights. Sure.

Do I take mine off pavement ...sure. But rock climbing ... hardly. And no one I know who has one does.

 

Yes, the RAV4 is not designed for rock climbing, but it ought to be able to go places that sedans, minivans, and regular crossover SUVs would have trouble doing. In that sense, an AWD version (hybrid), with a more powerful rear axle motor, would best represent the spirit of the original RAV4's design concept ('Recreational Active Vehicle with 4 Wheel Drive').

 

RAV4World seems like a perfect forum where Toyota could gauge what customers are looking for in the next generation RAV4 design. I've had a lengthy experience with RAV4s, having owned a first-generation 1996 5-door RAV4 (4WD), then a 2014 RAV4 XLE (FWD), and most recently the current-generation 2019 RAV4 LE Hybrid (AWD).

I believe the original name for RAV4 was derived from "Recreational Active Vehicle with 4WD", and that hint at off-road utility and capability was what initially drew my interest in the vehicle.

Having driven my 2019 RAV4 for numerous years now, and after a great many road trips, I would say Toyota should continue to prioritize top fuel-efficiency and best-in-segment (ie, economy crossovers) off-road capabilities for the 2026 RAV4.

That means to continue to lead the segment in MPGs, as well as continue to develop improvements in AWD and off-roading abilities, while maintaining a 'rugged' and 'utilitarian' look for the vehicle overall. I think the success of the current-generation RAV4 over its competitors (such as the Honda CR-V) can be attributed to these few design elements that give it a wider appeal to a larger number of customers across all age groups.

In tough economic times, people will seek value, utility and practicality over luxury.

I think we already know the powertrain of the next Gen Rav by looking at the 2025 Camry. Its basically a 10HP bump from more efficient electric motors on the same 2.5 engine with perhaps a slight gain in MPG.

The big jump will come when Toyota introduces their next gen 1.5 and 2.0 engines that are designed specifically for hybrids where the gas engine is a short stroke engine. Then we may see a noticeable jump in MPG. These engines are in the design phase and are scheduled for use in 2027-28, so probably wont make it into a Rav until Gen 7.

https://www.motor1.com/news/722314/toyota-claims-game-changing-engines/

The next gen Rav will have a nicer interior with real leather on higher trims, probably all hybrid, probably a TRD hybrid at some point. Just a incremental update

Unfortunate, I do not see Toyota increasing any off road capabilities for the Rav outside of a TRD hybrid. It will be interesting if they do with the Stout UniBody truck of if the mini land cruiser comes to fruition in the US. Unfortunately, Toyota has separated their trucks from unibody SUVs in just about every way. I was hoping for a 2.5 hybrid platform availability in the new Tacoma, that would approach the high 20s in MPG. I think this truck would have sold well to the tradesmen that did not need heavy hauling. The torque and HP of the 2.5 hybrid are about equal to the outgoing 4 cylinder gas of the Tacoma base engine. I suppose Toyota knows better but many that I speak with would love a high 20s MPG, body on frame small pick up like they offered 30 or 40 years ago.

The big question for me is if Toyota will increase the towing capacity on the TRD in Hybrid (if next gen is all hybrid) form and similar if they go all hybrid now that the adventure is gone

Hopefully they fix the coolant sensor and reroute the rear motor cable

 

Beefier rear motor to ensure it doesn't feel like a FWD when launching. My front tires always chirp if I launch hard in EV or HV (feels like a FWD). I used to enjoy AWD launches until I got this car.

My tuned BMW diesel AWD with 460 lb/ft all wheel torque, chirps for a split second but doesn't feel like a FWD burnout.

 

Better headrest. I had to find something to support my neck because, at it's lowest, the headrest pushes against the top of my head. Yes, I'm just too tall.

 

I've already written Toyota's Brand Engagement Center to ask them for fully electric folding mirrors on the RAV4 Prime. I have a tight parking spot in my condominium's underground garage with a concrete pillar on one side as I enter the spot. I've started backing into the spot so that the pillar is on the driver's side and I can roll down the window to pull the mirror in when I'm too close. But this isn't always convenient. That feature alone would be enough incentive for me to upgrade to an XSE. (And yes, I received a boiler plate response from them acknowledging my request.)

 

i would agree that a better tow capacity would be nice as well as from the factory a full tow package on the better models.

+1 on better fuel eco modes.
maybe a 6 choice of drive modes selector switch.
as well as an auto eco mode for interstate driving in the hills that is integrated with the nav system.

and be able to lock the rav in awd mode for winter at highway speeds.
thinking black ice.

i stuck with the 4.1 but i wish it had a true front and rear dash manual selective locker differentials for low speed.
i was stuck on ice a bit last winter.
and glad i had sand on board as well as a shovel.
in general the 4.1 gets around ok.

but a new ev only mode with super long 200miles + range and 60+ mpg when in hybrid mode would be nice.

 

Breaking news! A prototype testing version of what appears to be the next generation RAV4 has been spied and photographed. It will likely be a 2026 model. It looks like Toyota has made it slightly longer to compete with some of the newer crossover SUV entries.

 

Breaking news! A prototype testing version of what appears to be the next generation RAV4 has been spied and photographed. It will likely be a 2026 model. It looks like Toyota has made it slightly longer to compete with some of the newer crossover SUV entries.

Someone else beat you to it: https://www.rav4world.com/threads/new-2026-rav4-revealed.337684/?post_id=3117621#post-3117621

 

I have owned and driven many AWD and 4WD vehicles in all sorts of low traction conditions such as snow, ice, slush, ice, mud, wet grass, etc. The RAV4 hybrid exhibits much better control and confidence than all the other AWD vehicles and a close second to a 2009 Subaru Forester I owned. The rear traction motor seamlessly provides ample power when needed so not sure what a more powerful one will accomplish. I'm hoping for a pickup version like the Ford Maverick. It would click all the boxes for me.

 

In some roller tests that have been presented online (eg, YouTube), the current generation RAV4 Hybrid had difficulties getting 'unstuck' when both front wheels and one of the rear wheels had zero traction. Presumably, this was due to the modest power of the rear axle motor, so that a more powerful one would give the RAV4 even more off-road/trail capabilities. It would also improve acceleration performance on loose surfaces (while in AWD mode), and maybe even garner adequate 'torque-vectoring' capabilities for improved performance when making turns.