Essai Toyota RAV4 2026 : quoi de neuf pour le SUV familial vedette ?

Welcome to automoto.com for the presentation of the new, 6th generation Toyota RAV4, an essential model from the Japanese manufacturer, ranking as the second best-selling model after the Toyota Corolla. The RAV4, whose origins date back to 1994, was arguably one of the first crossovers in history. It was a small, three-door vehicle, only 3.69 meters long, also available in a convertible version. This charming, dynamic, and fun vehicle, whose name stood for Recreational Active Vehicle and 4 for four-wheel drive, was incredibly popular and remains highly sought after today, even becoming a collector's item. Over the generations, the RAV4 has evolved, growing in size and sophistication to become a major player in the highly competitive segment of family SUVs, specifically the D-segment. It now measures 4.60 meters, the same as the previous generation. This new generation can be considered more of a significant evolution or a major restyling of the 5th generation, which debuted in 2018, rather than an entirely new model. The primary evolution logically concerns the design. This new RAV4 adopts Toyota's new visual identity, characterized by noticeably slimmer headlights with a two-tier C-shaped light signature, similar to the Prius and C-HR+. The grille is now rectangular, a change from its previous trapezoidal shape. Notably, the pseudo-sporty GR Sport trim has its own distinct grille, which is preferred. A key characteristic of the RAV4, the extremely pronounced rectangular wheel arches, are retained and have been adopted by many competitors. These wheel arches are finished in glossy black, matching the contrasting roof and side skirts. For those meticulous about cleaning, it's worth noting they are prone to showing dirt. They are paired with superb new 20-inch wheels, which will be discussed further in the dynamics chapter. The profile remains very angular, reinforced by a now very vertical rear fascia, a departure from the previous, more sloped design. This stylistic choice, whether one likes it or not, is currently very trendy. Inside, the RAV4 offers a very comfortable rear seating experience with extremely generous legroom and ample headroom. A small detail allows for two levels of recline for the seatback. Forward visibility is quite good, a rarity in modern vehicles. A generous central armrest enhances comfort, emphasizing the RAV4's consistently excellent family-friendly interior space. The central seat is acceptable, though the armrest can be felt between the shoulder blades, but headroom remains very generous. A small service tunnel is present in the center, acknowledging that this RAV4 is also available in four-wheel drive. Overall, the rear passenger space is very positive. The motorized tailgate opens to reveal a luggage compartment with a capacity of 514 liters in the two-wheel-drive hybrid version. The volume remains unchanged as the car's size has not increased. Beneath the floor, there's space for a tire repair kit and additional storage for various items. The modularity is standard, with 40/60 split-folding rear seats. The new dashboard is significantly streamlined compared to the previous generation, adopting a very rectilinear design in line with current trends, which is visually calming. Its low position benefits visibility. A new 12.9-inch screen takes center stage, now much more responsive thanks to new software. It integrates essential functions like Google and Spotify and comes with Toyota Connect, offered as standard for 10 years, providing access to all of Toyota's connected services. Users can also start their car with their smartphone. The driver's instrument cluster is beautifully designed, slightly lowered for better visibility, customizable, and highly legible, complemented by a head-up display. Overall, this setup is more than satisfactory. Regarding materials and finish, significant progress isn't evident. Some new materials, such as a dark gray padded strip on the dashboard and door panels, are pleasant to the touch and eye. However, the overall aesthetic remains very austere and predominantly black. The lack of color is a point of criticism, especially when recalling the fun and colorful interior of the original 1994 RAV4. The plastics are mostly hard, though the quality of the adjustments is not criticized. Many black plastics appear susceptible to scratches. Despite these points, the interior offers excellent visibility and well-designed ergonomics. The driving position is very good, and the seats are comfortable. Rearview visibility is unproblematic. A slightly padded armrest with the new console, featuring a lid, is present. The gear selector is now a small, convenient lever, freeing up space for storage, cup holders, and an induction charger. In terms of powertrain and transmission, the RAV4 remains one of the few family SUVs on the market offering a choice between hybrid and plug-in hybrid, as well as front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. This provides a wide range of options for customers based on their needs. The tested version is the standard hybrid, front-wheel drive model. It is powered by the familiar Toyota 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder engine, identical to the previous model. This block is slightly less powerful than before, now developing 185 horsepower, or 194 horsepower in the 4-wheel drive version. It is still paired with Toyota's continuously variable transmission (CVT). This transmission is extremely pleasant for daily urban and suburban driving and gentle driving. However, during more spirited driving, it tends to rev the engine excessively, to the detriment of sound insulation, which is otherwise very good. This is a minor drawback, occurring only during strong acceleration phases, despite claims of improved sound insulation and vibration damping in this new generation. Vibrations are indeed better controlled, but mechanical sound insulation less so. The RAV4 features a "B" mode (engine braking mode) that significantly increases engine braking and regeneration, reducing the need for the friction brakes. Various driving modes are available: Normal, Eco, Sport, and Individual, adjustable to personal preferences. These modes primarily affect engine response and steering, which stiffens slightly in Sport mode. The engine becomes noticeably more reactive when needed, for example, on winding mountain roads for quicker accelerations. Fuel consumption is highly dependent on driving style. It can drop below 5 liters, even below 4 liters, with very gentle driving. However, more spirited driving can see consumption rise to between 7 and 9 liters. Driving pleasure is excellent, with very smooth controls. The steering isn't overly communicative, but for this type of vehicle, it's not a major criticism. The handling is very sound and balanced in this two-wheel-drive version. In contrast, a brief test drive of the 309-horsepower plug-in hybrid all-wheel-drive version revealed it to be less balanced, likely heavier, and less well-damped, leading to somewhat unpredictable and floating behavior. The Toyo tires, also present on the tested model, offered excellent comfort despite the 20-inch wheels but lacked grip, particularly on the often slippery Spanish roads around Malaga. Nevertheless, the highly effective ESC stability control intervenes appropriately. The car initially exhibits slight understeer, partly due to the tires' lack of grip, but then smoothly takes corners if pushed a bit on winding roads, thanks to the excellent ESC management. A welcome feature, similar to many French models, is a direct access button to disable certain driving aids (ADAS), some of which, like overspeed alerts, can be annoying. During strong acceleration, the 2.5-liter engine's revving is noticeable but acceptable, not monstrous. Dynamically, despite sharing the same platform as the previous generation, the new RAV4 boasts a 10% increase in body rigidity, which is perceptible in its handling. Concluding this initial test drive of the new Toyota RAV4, it's considered more of a significant evolution or major restyling than a truly new generation. This isn't a criticism, as the RAV4 was already a very good vehicle, but it won't revolutionize the family SUV segment. Customers primarily choose it for its reliability, robustness, design, spaciousness, and overall versatility. As proof, over half of the first 750 orders recorded by Toyota France were from existing RAV4 owners, indicating strong customer loyalty. On the positive side, beyond the spaciousness and comfort already mentioned, there's good driving pleasure and relatively moderate fuel consumption, though it varies significantly with driving style. Toyota's mastery of the hybrid powertrain is evident. Among the few drawbacks, the CVT still tends to over-rev the engine during strong acceleration, such as overtaking. Additionally, the interior finish and presentation could benefit from being more cheerful and qualitative, especially compared to many competitors who offer more in this regard. These are our initial impressions of the all-new Toyota RAV4. We invite you to visit automoto.com soon for another review.