Toyota RAV4 (2026) Review

The Toyota RAV4 is a global heavy hitter that helped pioneer the compact SUV revolution back in 1994. In its 6th-gen, the popular family vehicle arrives with fresh styling, improved interior refinement and enhanced chassis dynamics. We spent time with the GR-Sport derivative.

We like: Smooth and seamless hybrid powertrain; substantial cabin upgrade; impressive luggage space; relaxed and refined ride quality despite RAV4 GR-Sport tweaked suspension.

We don’t like: GR-Sport’s uncomfortably close to R1 million; absence of wireless smartphone mirror functionality; shorter vehicle warranty than most.

FAST FACTS

• Model: Toyota RAV4 2.5 HEV GR-Sport
• Price: R941 800
• Engine: 2.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol + electric
• Transmission: e-CVT
• Power/Torque: 176 kW/221 Nm (Nm for petrol engine only)
• 0-100 kph: 7.71 seconds (tested)
• Fuel consumption: 4.7 L/100 km (claimed)
• Range: 1 170 (claimed)
• Luggage capacity: 732 litres

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Where does the Toyota RAV4 fit in?

Sitting firmly in the midsize family-SUV category, the RAV4 contends with some of the fiercest competition in the local market. Traditional segment stalwarts like the Volkswagen Tiguan, Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 remain key rivals, while value-packed alternatives from Chinese brands such as the Haval H6, Chery Tiggo 8 Pro and Jetour T2 continue to exert pressure on pricing.

The RAV4 range opens at R770 500 for the entry-level hybrid, while a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre petrol model in VX trim sits just below R800 000. Further up the hierarchy, the 2.5 HEV GR-Sport derivative tested here retails close to R950 000, with a flagship plug-in hybrid model topping the local range.

Read more: Toyota RAV4 clocks best SA sales month since early 2021

How the Toyota RAV4 2.5 HEV GR-Sport fares in terms of…

Design & Packaging

The sixth-generation Toyota RAV4 moves away from subtle styling in favour of a bold, extroverted exterior presence, particularly in flashy GR-Sport trim.

Underneath the modern bodywork lies an updated iteration of Toyota’s modular TNGA platform, enhanced to deliver improved structural rigidity, lower noise levels, and enhanced ride composure.

Read more: Toyota RAV4 (2026) Launch Review

Inside, the cabin represents a complete departure from previous iterations that were often criticised for plain aesthetics. Soft touchpoints combine with strong, squared-off visual design and functional ergonomics reminiscent of what we’ve seen in the Prado, new Hilux and Land Cruiser FJ.

A crisp, central touchscreen infotainment system handles primary media duties, supported by physical climate controls (rejoice!) and a customisable digital instrument cluster.

In terms of passenger packaging, the interior offers generous legroom and headroom in both rows, accompanied by a substantial 732-litre luggage bay featuring a flush-mounted audio subwoofer and a space-saver spare wheel under the boot board. As always, the RAV4 makes an excellent family car.

Performance & Efficiency

The self-charging hybrid setup pairs a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with electric power to generate a combined peak output of 176 kW. Power is directed to all four wheels via an electronic continuous variable transmission (e-CVT). The integration between petrol and electric propulsion is particularly seamless, switching between power sources without intrusion to the cabin.

While a drone-prone CVT often draws scrutiny from enthusiastic drivers, Toyota’s transmission logic fits the crossover’s relaxed character well, keeping the engine in its optimal efficiency band during urban commutes and open-road cruising.

Fuel economy remains a strong suit: while Toyota claims an unrealistic 4.5 L/100 km, real-world mixed usage hovers around the frugal 6.5 to 7.0 L/100 km mark. In dense city traffic, this should come down slightly because driving patterns favour an HEV like this.

Ride, Handling & Comfort

Despite sitting slightly lower on sport-tuned suspension and wearing Gazoo Racing branding, the GR-Sport derivative does not sacrifice everyday usability. Ride quality remains compliant and supple over coarse tarmac, isolating road imperfections with minimal harshness. The suspension tuning is truly well sorted.

The recalibrated steering offers slightly more weight, giving the driver a precise sense of control without attempting to transform the family vehicle into a mountain pass-focused machine.

Refinement is further aided by minimal wind noise and effective cabin insulation.

Off-road modes like Trail and Snow complement more than 200 mm of ground clearance, allowing for confident progress on unpaved gravel routes. Driver assistance features included in the Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 suite (adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping aid, autonomous braking, and a high-resolution 360-degree camera system) operate smoothly in the background without intrusive or overly aggressive alerts. All-in-all, it’s a genuinely impressive showing.

Price & After-sales support

All RAV4 models are backed by Toyota’s 3-year/100 000 km vehicle warranty, 8-year/160 000 km battery warranty and 6-service/90 000 km service plan. It’s worth noting many rivals offers longer vehicle warranties.

Verdict

The latest Toyota RAV4 builds comprehensively on its market heritage, pairing a much-needed interior upgrade with smooth hybrid efficiency and composed road manners.

While upper-tier variants demand a significant financial investment, especially when compared to rival from Jetour, Haval and Chery, the RAV4’s core strengths of space, refinement and low running costs continue to make it a formidable contender in the competitive compact SUV market.