New Toyota RAV4 goes on sale in Australia without an ANCAP safety rating
Toyota's sixth-generation RAV4 is now in Australian dealers from $45,990 before on-road costs, but production delays mean it launches unrated by ANCAP with safety upgrades not expected until late 2026.
Shane Riley
Key takeaways
- 2026 Toyota RAV4 launches without ANCAP safety rating
- Safety upgrades coming second half 2026, not retrofittable
- Hybrid range priced from $45,990 before on-road costs
Australia's best-selling SUV is now in showrooms, but without an independent safety rating. The 2026 Toyota RAV4 has launched across the country unrated by ANCAP, after production delays pushed the car from a planned late-2025 arrival into tougher 2026 crash testing protocols.
Toyota says upgrades to active and passive safety systems will come in the second half of 2026 to secure a five-star rating. Early buyers won't be able to retrofit those changes, meaning thousands of vehicles could be delivered without an ANCAP score.
Why the 2026 Toyota RAV4 has no ANCAP rating
The sixth-generation RAV4 was engineered to meet 2025 ANCAP and Euro NCAP standards. Quality-related production delays meant it missed that window and the car now needs to be assessed under stricter 2026 protocols that place greater emphasis on real-world active safety performance and in-car distraction.
Toyota Australia's sales and marketing boss John Pappas stressed the new RAV4 is "the safest RAV4 ever" and confirmed no structural changes are required. The company has not disclosed exactly which systems need updating, only that "enhancements to active and passive safety systems" are planned.
With Toyota forecasting more than 40,000 RAV4 deliveries in 2026, upwards of 15,000 could reach buyers before the upgraded models arrive. Around 40% of RAV4 sales typically go to fleet and government buyers, many of whom have mandatory five-star policies. Pappas said Toyota is working with those customers on order timing.
What the 2026 Toyota RAV4 offers at launch
Pricing starts at $45,990 before on-road costs for the GX 2WD hybrid, rising to $60,340 for the Cruiser AWD. Plug-in hybrid variants and the 227kW GR Sport flagship arrive mid-year, topping out at $66,340.
Standard kit across the range includes autonomous emergency braking, full-speed adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring with safe exit assist, eight airbags and Toyota's new Arene software platform with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a built-in dashcam.
All grades are covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty with capped-price servicing at $325 per visit.
Rivals like the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage and Mazda CX-5 all carry current five-star ANCAP ratings, which could weigh on buyers who prioritise independently verified crash safety.
Pre-orders topped 10,000 before wholesale deliveries began so the missing stars clearly aren't stopping everyone. Whether fleet buyers feel the same way is another question.
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2026 Toyota RAV4 have an ANCAP safety rating?
No. The 2026 Toyota RAV4 launches unrated by ANCAP. Toyota says safety upgrades arriving in the second half of 2026 will achieve a five-star rating, but early models cannot be retrofitted.
How much does the 2026 Toyota RAV4 cost in Australia?
The 2026 Toyota RAV4 starts from $45,990 before on-road costs for the GX 2WD hybrid. The range-topping GR Sport AWD plug-in hybrid is priced at $66,340.
When does the 2026 Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid go on sale?
The PHEV variants, including the GR Sport, are expected in Australian showrooms around mid-2026 with pricing from $58,840 before on-road costs.
