The RAV4’s popularity cannot be understated. Toyota sold 475,193 units in 2024, retaining its title as the best-selling SUV in the United States for the eighth consecutive year. Doing the math, and considering 2024 was a leap year, nearly 1,300 RAV4s were sold on average daily, just in the U.S. That’s an impressive feat for a model that’s no spring chicken, having debuted at the 2018 New York Auto Show.
Despite getting up there in years, demand jumped by 9.3 percent last year compared to 2023, with electrified versions doing most of the heavy lifting. The hybrid climbed by 29.3 percent, while the plug-in hybrid rose 19.3 percent. But Toyota isn’t resting on its laurels, as competition in this segment is fierce, and the company is eager to maintain the RAV4’s strong sales momentum. Later today, the next-generation model will break cover.
The sixth iteration of Toyota’s hugely successful compact crossover is ready for prime time. A series of teasers have already hinted at evolutionary styling, consistent with the brand’s recent design direction. That’s not a surprise, as overhauling the exterior would risk alienating buyers who prefer the RAV4’s familiar, conservative look. This is not the vehicle Toyota wants to take design risks with.
The teasers suggest various trim levels, including an outdoorsy version with chunky plastic cladding and a sportier variant with a two-tone body. The latter’s red-and-black theme recalls the outgoing RAV4 GR Sport, launched in Europe in late 2022 but never offered in the U.S. Even if the next-gen model gets the Gazoo Racing treatment stateside, don’t expect any added performance. GR Sport is mostly a cosmetic package with minor mechanical tweaks like a suspension tune-up.
Toyota has also teased the interior, showing a redesigned dashboard with large screens and a head-up display, with the latter likely reserved for higher trim levels. Based on Toyota’s typical approach, expect a reasonable number of physical buttons on the center console rather than relying entirely on touchscreen controls.
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Source: Toyota
We’ll have to wait for the official debut tonight to confirm or deny reports that the RAV4 will drop its gas-only powertrain. With hybrid models gaining popularity, the base gas variant may be discontinued. If so, that would mean a price jump, as the hybrid currently costs about $3,000 more. For 2025, the RAV4 Hybrid kicks off at $33,695, including destination and handling fees. Math for the outgoing plug-in hybrid starts at a much higher $45,615.
The new RAV4 is expected to arrive in the U.S. as a 2026MY vehicle, with sales likely to begin later this year.