Toyota RAV4 XSE 2026 review: snapshot

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 XSE is an all-wheel-drive, mid-size SUV priced from $58,340 before on-road costs.

It features high-end inclusions like synthetic leather and suede sports front seats with contrast stitching and three-stage front seat heating and ventilation, plus a sunroof and 20-inch alloy wheels.

Powering all four wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is a 143kW/221Nm series-parallel hybrid 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine.

Toyota claims it uses 4.6L of petrol (now 95RON instead of 91RON minimum) per 100km of driving.

Toyota anticipates the new RAV4 will score five stars thanks to extensive safety kit, but it is as yet unrated, that comes later in 2026.

Eight airbags, auto emergency braking (AEB) pre-collision, emergency steering assist, full-speed active cruise control, front and rear cross-traffic alert, lane trace, automatic high beam, parking support brake and blind spot monitor are all standard across the range.

A five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty covers the RAV4 and can be extended to seven years if you maintain your logbook servicing with Toyota. Capped-price servicing comes every 12 months or 15,000km and costs just $325 per service - this lasts five years or 75,000km.