2026 Toyota RAV4 Secures 10,000 Pre-orders in Australia

While the Toyota RAV4 has been considered a relatively premium and less accessible choice in Malaysia due to its CBU status, it remains a perennial favorite in Australia. According to latest reports from CarExpert, the sixth-generation (2026) model has already secured over 10,000 pre-orders — testament to its popularity even before reaching local showrooms.

Why the RAV4 Dominates Australia

In the 2025 Australian sales charts, the Toyota RAV4 claimed the crown as the country's best-selling SUV with 51,947 deliveries, finishing second overall — behind only the Ford Ranger.

A standout statistic: 99.9% of all RAV4s sold last year were hybrid (HEV) models. This shows that, for Australian buyers, the RAV4 has become almost synonymous with hybrid technology.

Despite rising prices and fiercer competition, Toyota remains confident, forecasting more than 40,000 units in sales for 2026.

Facing the "Siege" from Chinese Brands

In recent years, Chinese brands such as BYD, GWM, and MG have disrupted global markets with highly competitive electrified models, and Australia is no exception. All three brands secured positions in the country's Top 10 best-selling marques last year.

When addressing the intense price war sparked by Chinese competitors, John Pappas, Vice President of Sales at Toyota Australia, responded with a calm, focused approach, "We cannot control what the competitors do. So, we are not here to comment on how many cars they are going to sell or what they are going to do. All we can comment on is what we are doing with the RAV4." 

This composed "focus-on-self" strategy is clearly backed by the RAV4's massive order backlog.

Highlights of the 2026 RAV4

The sixth-generation RAV4 is built on Toyota's TNGA-K platform and marks the complete end of pure internal combustion engine (ICE) variants. The entire lineup is now hybrid-only.

5th Gen THS Hybrid: Features a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated engine paired with electric motors, producing a combined output of approximately 200 PS. It delivers better performance and fuel efficiency than its predecessor.

PHEV Variant: Receives a substantial power increase to 329 PS, enabling a 0–100 km/h sprint in roughly 5.4 seconds. It is equipped with a 22.7 kWh battery that provides up to 80 km of WLTP electric-only range and supports DC fast charging on selected trims.

Interior Upgrades: The sixth-generation RAV4 features a modern cabin with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an available 12.9-inch infotainment display. Both support wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Toyota Safety Sense 4.0.

What About Malaysia?

The RAV4 occupies an awkward middle ground in the Malaysian market. Previously sold as a CBU model, it found itself sandwiched between the mass-market Corolla Cross and the premium Harrier.

However, with neighboring Thailand and Australia gaining momentum with the sixth-generation model, it remains to be seen if UMW Toyota will recalibrate their strategy, possibly by introducing the powerful PHEV variant to tap into local green energy incentives. It begs the question: is a 329 PS output enough to justify a CBU price tag?