byEmma Bass/26 May 2025/inToyota News

All-new Toyota RAV4 Coming to NZ: GR Sport and PHEV Confirmed

The all-new Toyota RAV4 is coming to New Zealand. Currently Aotearoa’s top-selling vehicle and four-time AA People’s Choice Award winner, a sixth generation of the Kiwi favourite is set to land on our shores in 2026 with a full exterior and interior redesign, GR variant, and PHEV options. Keep reading for more.

What you need to know about the arrival of the new Toyota RAV4 in New Zealand

The new Toyota RAV4 is set to arrive in New Zealand in the first half of 2026
Significant upgrades are to be expected with a full exterior and interior redesign
Both Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) and Hybrid options will be available, with the choice of AWD or 2WD
The first-ever GR Sport RAV4 will be available, as well as the popular Adventure grade
Learn more or express your interest with ILAM Toyota or Miles Toyota in Christchurch, or Pacific Toyota in the Bay of Plenty. You can also live chat with us in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen. Further information, pricing, specifications, and grade line-up will be released closer to the New Zealand launch.

Read the full press release from Toyota New Zealand below for more details. Please note that international imagery is used and New Zealand specifications may differ.

The RAV4 in NZ – a winner for Kiwi families, farmers, and fleets

Currently New Zealand’s top selling vehicle – the RAV4 – is set to be released in a sixth generation that will make the versatile vehicle even more enthralling for new car buyers.

Since its launch in 2019, the fifth generation RAV4 has earned plaudits and well-deserved popularity from local and global mid-size SUV buyers. In New Zealand, the hybrid-only RAV4 has become ubiquitous on our city, town and rural roads. Known for its handling, striking looks and fuel-sipping hybrid powertrain, the RAV4 has proven to be a winner for Kiwi families, farmers and fleets.

And it is about to get even better. Toyota Motor Corporation has made significant upgrades to the sixth generation RAV4, particularly with its full exterior and interior redesign, latest generation hybrid electric-petrol powertrain, styling, safety technology and multimedia.

The sixth generation RAV4 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain supports the Toyota multi-pathway powertrain strategy. By offering a variety of powertrains, customers can choose what suits their lifestyle best. Being able to offer the new-generation RAV4 in both hybrid and plug-in hybrid allows customers the choice but also allows them to dip deeper into the EV powertrain.

The new-generation RAV4 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain offers the choice of powerful two-wheel drive or all-wheel drive (AWD), targets an increased EV range, and has a lower CO₂ impact than its hybrid counterparts.

The RAV4 GR Sport is coming

Toyota New Zealand will also offer its first-ever GR Sport version of the RAV4, for those people looking for something different from an SUV, with the powerful and efficient PHEV AWD powertrain providing a more dynamic expression of the RAV4’s handling characteristics and design cues. It brings motorsport-inspired driving character and unique visual flair, setting it apart from the rest of the lineup. Along with the GR Sport, the lineup will once again offer the Adventure grade for those who desire the off-road, rugged expeditions.

All-new RAV4 ADVENTURE Prototype

All-new RAV4 GR Sport Prototype

Tatsuya Ishikawa, Chief Executive Officer of Toyota NZ, says the new sixth-generation Toyota RAV4 is another major step forward for Toyota in its vision to make ever better cars and to offer many options across multiple powertrains so customers have more choice than ever before.

“From its inception in 1994, the RAV4 has been an outstanding expression of a crossover SUV, bred for both city and country use. Since then, through five generations, the RAV4 has evolved into an important model loved in 180 countries and regions, responding to various lifestyles that have changed with the times.

“With the RAV4 we aim to offer a companion that fits all lifestyles, whether in urban living or outdoor adventures,” Ishikawa says.

The latest technoloy with 2WD or AWD options

The sixth generation RAV4 hybrid systems use Toyota’s latest technology with enhanced efficiency for the transaxle, power control unit, battery and electric motors.

Along with PHEV options, the RAV4 will again be available with Toyota’s popular and efficient series-parallel hybrid system in AWD and 2WD configurations, both of which provide excellent fuel economy and reduced emissions.

Globally, the new-generation RAV4 gains additional safety features such as front cross-traffic alert which is designed to minimise the risk of a collision with crossing traffic at intersections, while the blind spot monitor now includes the rear vehicle approach indicator feature.

More information on the new-generation RAV4, including confirming local specification and grade line-up, will be made available closer to its arrival in the first half of 2026.

Read the full press release.

Next steps?

Learn more or express your interest with ILAM Toyota or Miles Toyota in Christchurch, or Pacific Toyota in the Bay of Plenty. You can also live chat with us in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen.

Read the full press release

Who is the Miles Group?

With dealerships dating back to as early as 1918, the Miles Group is one of New Zealand’s leading independent motor vehicle groups, officially representing a diverse range of respected vehicle brands online and at 18 physical locations throughout New Zealand.

Our group exists today thanks to our founding director’s focus on excellence in customer service throughout all aspects of our business, combining the strength of our nationwide group with a local-centric approach to each dealership’s own community.

Along with servicing all aspects of New Zealanders’ vehicle needs – from sales and finance to service, parts, and accessories – the group’s dealerships all play an active part in supporting their local communities through various charitable and sporting initiatives, investing in a better tomorrow.