Toyota RAV4 PHEV price shock: $70K on-the-road for Toyota’s first Aussie plug-in – Ev Authority

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The pricing of the plug-in hybrid version of the new-generation Toyota RAV4 will top out beyond $70,000 once on-road costs are added.

At the other end of the scale, the price of the cheapest RAV4 petrol-electric hybrid has risen nearly nine per cent to $45,990 plus on-road costs for the GX front-wheel drive.

At the top of the hybrid range, the price rises threaten 11 per cent.

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The new RAV4 hybrid goes on-sale in the first half of 2026, with the PHEV following in the third quarter.

All this means buyers will be paying more for the RAV4 compared to other medium SUVs. Rivals such as the Mazda CX-5 and Hyundai Tucson have starting prices below $40,000.

2026 Toyota RAV4.
2026 Toyota RAV4.

This is the first time Toyota has offered PHEV technology in its Australian line-up and it’s been positioned at the very top of the range.

There are three models: the $58,840 XS 2WD, the $63,340 XS all-wheel drive and the range flagship, the $66,340 PHEV-exclusive GR Sport. All price plus on-road costs.

That pricing means the RAV4 is giving at least a $20,000 head start to Chinese PHEVs such as the Chery Tiggo 7 CSH and Geely Starray EM-i.

2026 Toyota RAV4.
2026 Toyota RAV4.

The 2.5-litre petrol-electric RAV4 PHEV pumps out 200kW as a front-wheel drive and 227kW as an all-wheel drive. It comes with a 22.7kWh battery for an expected EV range around 100km as a FWD and 80km as an AWD.

It supports both 50kW DC charging and 11kW three-phase AC charging.

The 2.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid powertrain actually drops in power from as much as 163 to 143kW.

Despite the price rises (detailed below), Toyota is absolutely confident the RAV4 can become Australia’s top selling vehicle outright as soon as 2026.

Its own HiLux and the Ford Ranger ute have led the sales charts in recent years, but Toyota is convinced sales have peaked and sales will be diluted across an increasing number of ute rivals.

The RAV4 surpassed the HiLux to be Toyota’s biggest seller in 2024 and medium SUV is a bigger category overall.

“We have already seen a shift in consumer preferences with the RAV4 taking out the title of our best-selling vehicle last year and I believe that strength of sales has and will continue,” said Toyota marketing and sales chief Sean Hanley.

“With our all-new RAV4 arriving in the first half of next year we expect that shift to accelerate.”

2026 Toyota RAV4.
2026 Toyota RAV4.

Among the chief justifications for the RAV4’s price rises is Toyota’s new Arene software the RAV4 debuts in Australia.

Supporting the infotainment system, Toyota says everything upgrades including the dual digital screens, the services that are provided and the speed at which they are delivered. For the first time RAV4 also gets a head up display.

If you want a deep dive into the equipment levels of each RAV4 check out our earlier article, or examine the list attached below.

Underneath the RAV4’s only partially revised skin and interior, the platform essentially carries over.

2026 Toyota RAV4 pricing:

GX 2WD $45,990 (+$3730)

GX AWD $49,340 (+$4080)

GXL 2WD $48,990 (+$3180)

GXL AWD $52,340 (+$3530)

Edge AWD $55,340 (-$3010)

XSE AWD $58,340 (+$5755)

Cruiser 2WD $56,990 (+$5580)

Cruiser AWD $60,340 (+$5930)

XSE 2WD PHEV $58,840 (new model)

XSE AWD PHEV $63,340 (new model)

GR Sport AWD PHEV $66,340 (new model)

2026 Toyota RAV4 equipment walk

GX 2WD:

17-inch dark grey metallic alloy wheels

LED headlamps

Roof rails

Rear spoiler

Arene multimedia system including:
10.5-inch multimedia touchscreen display
Customisable widgets
Embedded voice assistant functions
Connected streaming
Satellite navigation
Embedded Drive Recorder|
Wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto.

Toyota Connected Services including:
Vehicle insights
Connected navigation

Dual-zone climate control
12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster
Fabric upholstery
Six-way manual driver and front passenger seat adjustment
Reversing camera
Six-speaker audio system
Five USB-C charging ports.

Toyota Safety Sense driver assistance technologies including:
Autonomous emergency braking
Emergency steering assist
Full-speed active cruise control
Front and rear cross traffic alert
Lane trace assist
Proactive driving assist
Automatic high beam
Parking support brake
Blind spot monitor with safe exit assist

Eight SRS airbags.

RAV4 GX AWD adds:

Electric motor on the rear axle
Downhill assist control
Trail and Snow drive modes.

Option for both GX: full-size 17-inch alloy spare wheel for an additional $300

GXL FWD and AWD adds:

18-inch alloy wheels

Privacy rear and rear side glass

Silver painted front and rear skid plates

Premium trim for the doors and instrument panel

Leather-accented trim for the shift knob and steering wheel

Eight-way powered driver’s seat with lumbar support

Rain sensing wipers

Wireless smartphone charger

Edge AWD adds:

Dark matte grey metallic alloy wheels

Unique front and rear bumpers

Wider black wheel arches.

12.9-inch multimedia touchscreen

Premium trim upholstery

Heated front seats

Illuminated entry

Metallic ornamentation

Cargo area side pocket with netting

Powered tailgate.

XSE AWD adds:

20-inch black alloy wheels

Black front and rear bumpers with integrated skid plates

Enhanced LED headlamps

Panoramic view monitor

Black wheel arches, rocker and door moulding

Two-tone paint scheme.

Combination premium trim and suede upholstery with contrast blue stitching

Climate concierge

Three-stage front-seat heating and ventilation

Eight-way powered front passenger seat

Driver’s seat memory

Tilt and slide moonroof

Storage tray illumination.

XSE 2WD and AWD PHEV adds:

Larger disc brakes

Water repellent front side glass

1500W inverter in the cargo area, replacing an existing 12V outlet on HEV

Cruiser 2WD and FWD adds:

20-inch machined black alloy wheels

High-grade LED headlamps

Tilt and slide panoramic moonroof

Genuine leather-accented seat trim

Driver memory seat

Shift-by-wire shift lever with integrated parking brake

Head-up display

Digital rear view mirror

Heated outboard rear seats

Powered tailgate with kick sensor

Two wireless smartphone chargers

Premium nine-speaker JBL®9 sound system.

GR Sport PHEV adds:

20mm wider tread

Front performance damper

Rear brace and unique coil and spring rates

Exclusive electric power steering tune

Wide black wheel arches

20-inch black alloy wheels

Red brake calipers

Unique front and rear bumpers

Wing-type rear spoiler

GR badging

Aluminium pedals

GR Sport heated steering wheel with paddle shifters

Red trim stitching and GR logos

Suede upholstery

GR Sport suede knee pads.

Added above XSE PHEV:

Digital rear view mirror

45W USB-C charging ports

Head-up display

Powered tailgate with kick sensor

Shift-by-wire shift lever with integrated parking brake

Driver seat with anti-static material

Two wireless smartphone chargers

Nine-speaker JBL premium audio system.

The new RAV4 range will be offered with a total of 10 single-tone and four two-tone paint options depending on grade, while Cruiser variants will have the option of a Neutral Beige interior colour scheme alongside the black offered on the rest of the range.

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