Toyota RAV4 (2026 onwards) | Expert Rating
Summary
The Toyota RAV4 is a mid-sized SUV/crossover. This is the upcoming sixth-generation, which becomes available to order in May 2026 and is only available in the UK as a plug-in hybrid.
Set to challenge the sales of the Hyundai Tucson and Volkswagen Tiguan, the new RAV4 has been given a positive initial reviewer reception, with British journalists in general agreement that the Toyota excels in the areas that made the original RAV4 a popular choice in the first place – interior space and off-roading ability.
“It’s far from the most exciting thing to drive”, says Top Gear’s Greg Potts, “but the soft setup makes for a comfortable ride, and the all-wheel drive variant is surprisingly sprightly.” Car’s Chris Chilton also praises the plug-in hybrid for its “excellent” electric-only driving range, while the Honest John team reminds buyers of Toyota’s great reliability record.
That said, Carwow’s Tom Wiltshire ultimately concludes that “it’s expensive next to cheaper and just as capable alternatives.” The Parkers team adds that, although the RAV4 “majors on efficiency and performance”, the SUV’s “interior quality falls short of the best rivals.”
The Toyota RAV4 currently holds a New Car Expert Rating of C, with a score of 60%. Beyond the car’s fairly average collection of review scores from the British motoring media, the SUV’s rating is impacted by its potentially expensive running costs and its basic warranty package. Euro NCAP is yet to publish safety assessments on this model, which when released could boost the Toyota’s overall score in the coming months.
RAV4 highlights
- Long electric-only PHEV range
- Capable off-roader
- Comfortable and spacious interior
RAV4 lowlights
- Only available as a plug-in hybrid
- Comes with a price premium over close rivals
- Alternatives offer higher interior quality
Key specifications
Body style: Medium SUV
Engines: petrol plug-in hybrid
Price: from £43,845
Launched: Summer 2026
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
No safety rating
As of October 2026, the Toyota RAV4 has not been assessed by Euro NCAP.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of October 2026, the Toyota RAV4 has not been assessed by Green NCAP.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
| Fuel consumption | Average | Score |
| Plug-in hybrid models | 177 mpg | A |
| CO₂ output | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| Plug-in hybrid models | 36 g/km | A |
| Battery range | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| Plug-in hybrid models | 77 miles | C |
| Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| All models | 41 | D |
The Toyota RAV4’s running cost estimations are a rather mixed bag, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Only offered as a petrol plug-in hybrid, the SUV’s electric-only battery range is certainly competitive, offering a few more miles per charge on average than the likes of the MG HS, Volkswagen Tiguan and Audi Q3 PHEVs, and a similar range (77 miles average, between 71 miles and 85 miles depending on the model) to the Geely Starray.
The car’s average fuel consumption of 177mpg is also impressive (combined hybrid efficiency using both petrol and electric power) and particularly stands out against rivals like the Ford Kuga and Volvo XC40 when it comes to flat battery fuel efficiency (petrol power alone).
That said, the Toyota’s insurance premiums are on the high end, with rivals like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson PHEVs typically much cheaper to insure.
Warranty rating
New car warranty information for the Toyota RAV4
| New car warranty duration | 3 years |
| New car warranty mileage | 60,000 miles |
| Battery warranty duration | 8 years |
| Battery warranty mileage | 100,000 miles |
Toyota’s new car warranty is pretty basic, and worse than several rival brands in a similar price bracket as the RAV4.
The duration is three years, with a limit of 60,000 miles. In addition to the standard new car warranty, the plug-in hybrid has an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery components.
Warranty on a used Toyota RAV4
- If you are buying an ‘Approved Used’ Toyota RAV4 from an official Toyota dealership, you will get a minimum one-year warranty included.
- If you are buying a used Toyota RAV4 from an independent dealership, any warranty offered will vary and will probably be managed by a third-party warranty company.
- If you are buying a used Toyota RAV4 from a private seller, there are no warranty protections beyond any remaining portion of the original new car warranty.
If you’re looking to buy any used car that is approaching the end of its warranty period, a used car warranty is usually a worthwhile investment. Check out The Car Expert’s guide to the best used car warranty providers, which will probably be cheaper than a warranty sold by a dealer.
Recalls
Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Toyota RAV4
As of October 2026, we are not aware of any DVSA vehicle safety recalls affecting the Toyota RAV4. However, recall information is updated regularly, so this may have changed.
You can check to see if your car has any outstanding recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Toyota dealer.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at a new or used Toyota RAV4, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Citroën C5 Aircross | Hyundai Santa Fe | Kia Sorento | Nissan X-Trail | Peugeot 5008 | SEAT Tarraco | Skoda Kodiaq | KGM Rexton | Suzuki Across | Volkswagen Tayron
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Toyota RAV4 at The Car Expert
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