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.”

While there are now several published reviews of the new RAV4 now live online, we are waiting for the arrival of UK-based review scores and running cost estimations for the model before giving the new Toyota an Expert Rating score. That’s sure to follow in the coming weeks – check back soon!

Key specifications

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 April 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 April 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

No data yet

As of April 2026, we don’t have independently verified data available for the Toyota RAV4. Check back again soon.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of April 2026, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Toyota RAV4 to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops. 

As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the RAV4, we’ll publish the results here.

Recalls

Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Toyota RAV4

As of April 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

Buy a Toyota RAV4

If you’re looking to buy a new or used Toyota RAV4, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car.

Lease a Toyota RAV4

If you’re looking to lease a new Toyota RAV4, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find a competitive deal.

Personal contract hire deals from Select Car Leasing. Find out more

Subscribe to a Toyota RAV4

If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help. (PS: What’s a car subscription?)