News / 21 May 2025 / Albert du Toit

New Toyota RAV4 revealed for South Africa – Details

Toyota has officially taken the wraps off the sixth-generation RAV4.

The popular SUV has been wholly reimagined from the ground up, sporting updated looks akin to the Crown, the newest tech that Toyota has at its disposal, and a variety of electrified powertrains.

The Japanese marque confirmed that the new RAV4 is on its way to South Africa, but did not disclose when it will arrive.

“Toyota will be rolling out the new RAV4 in more than 180 countries – including South Africa,” the company said.

“However, details relating to local specification will be communicated closer to launch timing.”

It’s scheduled to hit American dealers before the end of 2025, so local showrooms should likely follow in the new year.

What’s new

The new design of the RAV4 was based on three pillars: “Big Foot”, “Life-up”, and “Utility”.

This means it had to be fitted with big wheels, provide good off-road performance, and offer plenty of cargo space.

In pursuit of this vision, the SUV will be offered in three styling options comprising Core, Adventure, and GR-Sport.

Core is the city-focused model which wears “hammerhead-inspired front-end styling with a modern twist,” said Toyota.

Meanwhile, the Adventure brings a rugged, off-road-ready look with a bolder grille design, wider stance, and reinforced wheel arch mouldings.

At the top of the pack is the GR-Sport, the most athletic of the bunch.

It boasts specially tuned suspension, sporty bumpers and wheels, and a wider track for better handling on twisty roads.

Moving inside, functionality and comfort were key considerations.

One of the most noteworthy cabin features is the “island architecture” layout.

This concept groups controls like the gearshift, display screens, and air vents together for less eye movement and better ergonomics while driving.

Additionally, the dashboard has been lowered by about 40mm in comparison to the fifth-gen RAV4 for enhanced forward visibility.

It now features more innovative storage options, too, including a reversible centre console that works as both an armrest and a tray.

Boot space has been increased by 16 litres to 749 litres, and folding the rear seats flat now gives you even more room for long items.

The sixth-gen RAV4 is a big step up from its predecessor in terms of software and intelligence.

Toyota introduces its new Arene software platform for the first time on the SUV, which was developed by Toyota’s Woven division which is spearheading the automaker’s efforts to build a Smart City.

The RAV4’s new 12.9-inch multimedia system offers a customisable home screen and much faster voice recognition, making everyday interactions smoother and more personal.

Additionally, navigation is now integrated into the driver’s 12.3-inch combimeter which reduces potential distractions and makes directions easier to follow courtesy of three-dimensional lane assistance.

The RAV4 also comes with the latest Toyota Safety Sense package, featuring key upgrades like the Emergency Driving Stop System which safely pulls the car over if the driver becomes unresponsive.

Enhanced acceleration control now also prevents sudden unintended movements.

Moreover, the pre-collision system has been upgraded by expanding head-on collision detection and improving recognition of obstacles, bicycles, and motorbikes.

There’s a new remote-controlled Advanced Park function, too, which brings more convenience by allowing the driver to control parking from a smartphone while standing outside the car.

Other highlights comprise front cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, and advanced lane-change assist.

“Looking ahead, Toyota plans to continually update safety features and user experiences over-the-air, ensuring the new RAV4 stays ahead of the curve for years to come,” said the company.

The new Toyota will be exclusively equipped hybrid (HEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) drivelines.

The HEVs have been upgraded with a better transaxle and power control unit, equating to quicker take-offs and more agile response times than before.

The front-wheel-drive HEVs now produce up to 135kW while the all-wheel-drive versions do 140kW.

Looking at the PHEV entries, these are equipped with a petrol engine and 150kW e-motor for a combined total output of 224kW.

This enables the all-wheel-drive PHEV to eclipse 100km/h in a brisk 5.8 seconds.

Toyota will also introduce a front-wheel-drive PHEV for the first time, which is rated for a maximum of 197kW.

Both PHEV variants are fitted with a 22.7kWh battery pack which now allows for up to 150km of fully electric driving, compared to 95km in the previous RAV4 PHEV.

The battery supports 50kW DC fast charging which sees a 10-80% charge completed in 30 minutes.

Filling up at home is also quicker owing to a new 11 kW AC charger which is twice as fast as the previous version, replenishing the battery in roughly three hours.

What’s more, the RAV4 PHEV includes vehicle-to-home capability, meaning it can serve as a backup power source during outages or outdoor trips.

Toyota has also focused on improving the off-road performance of the PHEV variant.

With 12% more motor output, you can expect a more exhilarating drive that doesn’t compromise on efficiency.