Toyota RAV4

Before the fashion of the SUV the Japanese of Toyota They already had one on the market. The first Toyota RAV4 we met It was launched on the market in 1994, almost a decade before the explosion of the SUV market. That first generation, which accompanied us until the year 2000, had two possible bodies, one with three and the other with five doors.

We have tested this car:

Test Toyota RAV4 Plugin Hybrid 306 CV (with video)Test Toyota RAV4 Adventure 4 × 4 of 222 CV (with video)

Commercial success was achieved with the second of the generations, from 2000 to 2005. At that time, SUVs began to emerge and the RAV4 was one of the most successful since there were not many models for sale. Year after year and generation after generation the Toyota RAV4 was gaining popularity and sales. In parallel, the Japanese company focused more and more on a single type of mobility, the hybrid.

To day of Today we witness the sixth generation of the RAV4 hitting the road. It was launched in early 2026.It brings with it significant new features, such as its exclusive availability in hybrid formats: conventional and plug-in hybrid. With this new version, Toyota debuts a new design philosophy and enhanced technology that will be incorporated into the rest of the family over time.

Technical characteristics of the Toyota RAV4

Being one of the flagship products of the brand, the new Toyota RAV4 rests on the global structure TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture). This platform has been developed from the beginning to accommodate different hybrid system solutions and different drive schemes. We can see it in other models of the house, such as the Toyota Corolla or the smallest Toyota Yaris.

After the disappearance of Toyota Highlander And with the Land Cruiser's permission, the RAV4 remains the largest SUV in the Japanese family. It comfortably occupies a place in the C and D segments of the European market. Externally, it reaches... 4,6 meters long, 1,85 meters wide and 1,68 meters high. To these measures must be added a wheelbase of 2,69 meters. A size that allows you to have an outstanding interior space with capacity for up to five passengers.

Its cargo volume is somewhat reduced compared to its competitors due to the low position of its retractable tray. In the worst-case scenario The RAV4 has a minimum cargo volume of 446 liters, increasing to 514 liters for the plug-in hybrid model.In both cases, the maximum available space can be increased by folding down the second row of seats in a traditional 60:40 split. Unlike other SUVs of similar size, the RAV4 does not offer longitudinal adjustment of the second row of seats.

Mechanical range and gearboxes of the Toyota RAV4

Just like the fifth generation, the 2026 Toyota RAV4 will do away with any purely combustion-engine variants. There are only two options available: a conventional hybrid and a plug-in hybrid. This leaves us with a limited range where we will have different powers and a single gearbox. A continuous variator-type e-CVT transmission is responsible for managing the delivery of the engine, which can divert power to the front wheels or to all four wheels through AWD-i all-wheel drive.

All versions use the same gasoline engine. It's a four-cylinder engine with a displacement of 2.487 cubic centimeters. On its own, it develops 183 horsepower in its non-plug-in hybrid variant with the DGT's ECO labelThis unit always sends power to the front axle without the possibility of incorporating an all-wheel drive system.

El RAV4 PHEV It combines the 2.5-liter engine with one or two electric motors, offering a power output of 268 and 304 horsepower, depending on the version. In any case, it is paired with a Lithium battery with a capacity of 22,7 kWh (30% larger) that allows it to achieve a range of over 100 kilometers in electric mode.

Equipment of the Toyota RAV4

Toyota offers its RAV4 with a total of Four trim levels: Advance, Spirit, Limited, and GR SportThe RAV4 comes with a wide range of impressive standard equipment. The main differences between the trim levels lie in the standard features, although there are also some aesthetic differences, such as those found in the GR Sport.

Like any other Toyota, the new RAV4 offers a very well-presented interior. As befits the largest SUV in the range, the RAV4 enjoys the best finishes and quality from Toyota.The cabin conveys a good sense of perceived quality thanks to a generous amount of soft-touch surfaces. As always, the reliability of the Japanese brand is noteworthy.

In terms of equipment, Toyota aims to offer a lot at a reasonable price. The new RAV4 is capable of integrating the most advanced systems from the manufacturer. Among the highlights are: LED headlights, a sunroof, digital instrumentation, a 12,9-inch central screen, dual-zone climate control, wireless connectivity for mobile phones, 360-degree parking cameras, a Head-Up Display, and a long collection of driver assistance and aid systems (ADAS).

The Toyota RAV4 in video

Toyota RAV4 Km 0 and Second Hand

The Toyota RAV4 has a long journey behind it. Looking at the second-hand market we see how there are still units of the first generations for sale at a price of around 1.500 euros. But those are not the only units that exist. With five generations on the streets it is logical to see that there is multitude of models and versions for sale. Some of them include large numbers on the odometer, thus living up to Toyota's reputation for durability.

The Km 0 channel is somewhat more limited since Toyota is not a brand that is used to accumulating stock of new unregistered units. The few existing units refer to those of the current generation. Taking into account that all units for sale are hybrids with the same engine and with the same change, the only distinguishing features are the level of finish, the color of the paint and the traction system. These units are around 2.000 euros difference with respect to factory prices.

Rivals of the Toyota RAV4

As new hybrid SUVs have emerged, the Toyota RAV4 has been gaining rivals. We are talking about models belonging to the C-SUV segment, Tales como el Volkswagen Tiguan, KIA Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, Nissan Qashqai or SEAT Ateca. However, due to its hybrid concept, its most direct rivals are in the Lexus NX, first cousin of the brand, and above all in the Honda CR-V Hybrid. All of them are comparable both for size and price

Highlight

low consumption
Standard equipment
electrical autonomy

To improve

Change e-CVT
The trunk is a bit small.
Without longitudinal adjustment of the second row

Toyota RAV4 Prices

As a good generalist brand, Toyota offers the RAV4 at a contained and adjusted price. The starting price of a Toyota RAV4 stands at 43.500 euros This price includes offers and promotions. It corresponds to the entry-level RAV4 hybrid with the Advance trim and front-wheel drive. On the other end of the spectrum is the RAV4 PHEV with all-wheel drive and the GR Sport trim, which has a starting price of €53.500, not including discounts or promotions.