2023 Toyota RAV4 price and specs: Australia's most popular SUV is now more expensive to buy, but is it still good value against Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage?

Toyota Australia has increased pricing of its hot-selling RAV4 SUV range, but added more features to model year 2023 range to justify the extra spend.

Prices are up across the board between $2150 and $2820, with the entry-level GX 2WD petrol now priced at $36,550 (+$2150) before on-road costs.

In fact, all GX grades are up $2150 for 2023, with the Hybrid 2WD and Hybrid AWD now $39,050 and $42,050 respectively.

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Likewise, all GXL variants are also up $2150 to $40,100, $42,500 and $45,600 for the petrol 2WD, Hybrid 2WD and Hybrid AWD respectively.

The XSE grade however, available in Hybrid 2WD and Hybrid AWD form, cops a $2450 price increase to $45,700 and $48,700, as does the Cruiser – now $45,700 for the petrol 2WD, $48,200 for the Hybrid 2WD and $51,200 for the Hybrid AWD.

The top-spec Edge meanwhile, has the highest price jump of $2820 in petrol AWD form (now $53,020), while the Hybrid AWD version has increased $2450 to $55,150.

Headlining the equipment changes to the new RAV4 however, is a new multimedia system that was first seen on the Corolla Cross that includes wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, and in-built satellite navigation.

The outgoing RAV4 was not launched with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality in May 2019, but did receive an update that enabled the feature in November 2019 at a $199 cost.

The base GX and GXL grades’ multimedia touchscreen still measures 8.0 inches however, while the driver displays grow from 4.2 inches to 7.0 inches.

Stepping up the XSE, Cruiser and Edge variants however, will net buyers a larger 10.5-inch multimedia display, as well as a customisable digital instrument cluster measuring 12.3 inches.

In line with the multimedia tech upgrades, all USB-A ports are now changed over to USB-C, switches and displays now have a white backlight, and upgrade microphones installed for clear voice recognition.

All 2023 versions of the RAV4 also gain Toyota Connected Services, which “offers remote vehicle monitoring, assistance in the event of an emergency and the ability to update vehicle software over-the-air”, according to the brand.

This is all add more granular data in the myToyota Connect smartphone app, such as the position of doors, fuel levels, vehicle location and more.

Safety equipment has also been boosted with an updated pre-collision system with intersection turn assistance, emergency steering assist and upgraded reversing camera.

Cruiser and Edge grade’s surround-view monitor has also been improved with the ability to also show terrain underneath the car.

Other equipment changes include petrol Edge grades scoring LED headlights (hence the larger price jump) and a faster powered tailgate operation (down to 1.7 seconds from 2.8s).

Despite the changes to the equipment list, all 2023 RAV4s retain the same engine options as before.

This means the petrol 2WD grades feature a 127kW/203Nm 2.0-litre engine and the petrol AWD Edge has a 152kW/243Nm 2.5-litre unit.

The Hybrid 2WD variants pair a 2.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor for a 160kW output, while Hybrid AWD grades feature an additional electric motor for a 163kW output.

The new RAV4 will land in local showrooms in December with nine exterior colour options, but expect Australia's most-popular SUV to incur lengthy wait times.

2023 Toyota RAV4 pricing before on-road costs