Critical SUV lands in NZ: New Toyota RAV4 arrives in dealerships

The first examples of Toyota’s sixth-generation RAV4 have arrived in New Zealand, with units arriving at dealerships around the country. 

The RAV4 is a critical model for Toyota. The nameplate finally toppled the Ford Ranger to be New Zealand’s best-selling new vehicle of 2025. 

Following a flat January and February for the model (Toyota likely sweeping up the last of the outgoing generation), the RAV4 faces an uphill climb to retain its title. As of the end of February, the model is more than 400 registrations behind the Ranger. 

The RAV4 is the second new model Toyota to arrive in New Zealand this year, following the arrival of the Hilux. The two nameplates represent Toyota’s best-selling models locally.

As previously reported, the RAV4 will be offered in New Zealand with either a conventional 2.5-litre hybrid powertrain making 143kW of power and, for the first time officially, a 2.5-litre plug-in hybrid making either 201kW (FWD) or 227kW (AWD).

The PHEV powertrain adds dual electric motors and a 22.7kWh battery. Toyota has not released a formal range figure for the model, but overseas reports suggest a competitive 100km is possible.

The standard hybrid will be offered in two FWD trims only, the $49,990 GX and $52,990 GXL. In AWD form, the hybrid GX and GXL are priced at $52,990 and $55,990, respectively. 

The RAV4 Hybrid range is led by the AWD Adventure and Limited, with the pair priced from $60,990 and $63,990 including on-road costs. These two variants will only be offered in traditional hybrid trim.

The entry-level FWD GXL PHEV is priced at $57,990, a $5000 premium over the equivalent FWD GXL Hybrid. The PHEV line-up is then led by two exclusive trims; the $61,990 XSE and the priciest model in the RAV4 line-up — the $66,990 GR Sport. 

Stay tuned to CarExpert NZ for our full coverage from the launch of the sixth-generation Toyota RAV4, which will be held in April.