Toyota starts teasing new SUV rumoured to be the all-new RAV4
Despite being seven-year old, the RAV4 unseated the Ford F-150 to become the best-selling new vehicle in the United States in 2024.
Although not named outright, the official teaser image by Toyota has already been hinted as being that of the all-new RAV4. Image: Toyota
Toyota has released first teaser images of a new SUV it will debut on 21 May, without going into detail or indeed providing an actual exterior shot neither blacked-out or blurred.
Released by both its North American and European divisions, the overhead shots provide no hints apart from what looks like to be fitting of a glass sunroof.
Global top three best-seller
According to several online publications though, the images preview that of the all-new generation RAV4 that officially became the third best-selling nameplate in the world last year with an offset of 1.02-million units.
ALSO READ: Report claims current Toyota RAV4 continuing until 2025
Of this, 475 193 were sold in North America, which saw it dethrone the Ford F-150 for the title of best-selling new vehicle.
First sighted undergoing testing in January this year, the sixth generation RAV4 will replace the current XA50 that debuted back in 2018 and subsequently as the rebadged Wildlander in China the following year, and in Europe in 2020 as the restyled Suzuki Across.
Inside and out
Spotted by motor1.com in the initial spy shots, the RAV4 retains its boxy looks, but appears more upright and more reminiscent of the current Nissan X-Trail.
Here's our first look at the next-generation Toyota RAV4.
Even through the camo, we can see that the next-generation SUV will have a more upright look while incorporating design elements from the Toyota Crown Signia. pic.twitter.com/lfm2dHoJM7 — Motor1 (@Motor1com) January 28, 2025
According to the publication, it will, however, be styled to closely resemble the Crown Signia that replaced the slow-selling Venza, known in South Africa as the Lexus RX, in the United States last year.
More intricately though, the Toyota Europe media site provided slightly details with the reveal of the newcomer's interior.
Interior represents a huge departure from that of the old RAV4. Image: Toyota Europe
Seemingly modelled on the all-electric bZ4X, the cabin boasts the same steering wheel, a box design for the digital instrument cluster binnacle, a deep recess on top of the latter for the Head-Up Display, and a freestanding touchscreen infotainment system.
PHEV and hybrid expected
Still utilising physical buttons on the steering wheel, the rest of the interior appears equally derived from the Tacoma bakkie, though as before, the RAV4 will continue to ride on a unibody platform seemingly set to be a revised version of the current TNGA-K.
Current fifth generation RAV4 has been on-sale globally since 2018. Image: Toyota
On the power front, the current hybrid and plug-in hybrid options will prevail, with the verdict still being out as to whether conventional petrol engines will be included.
More soon
With just over a week left before its reveal, expect Toyota to possibly provide a few more hints over the next few days.
NOW READ: Toyota RAV4: Hybrid version of world's best seller shows why
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