Last year, the best-selling SUV in America was, of course, Toyota's iconic RAV4 with almost 435k units – it was followed by the Tesla Model Y rising star with around 400k and from a distance by the eternal competitor, Honda's CR-V (over 361k).
Even better, when Toyota tallied the sales figures for the first three months of 2024, it turned out that their RAV4 was America's third best-selling nameplate after the eternal Ford F-Series and Chevrolet Silverado, with an astonishing jump of more than 47% to almost 125k vehicles. That's pretty surprising for a model in its fifth generation when considering the iteration first appeared back in 2018, right?
Still, although the facelift came in 2021, the Toyota RAV4 is doing better than ever, it seems and shows no signs of late-model fatigue – the 2024 model year starts from $28,675 and is also offered in Hybrid ($31,725) or RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid form starting at $43,690. However, the rumor mill believes that the time has come for the Japanese automaker to say goodbye to the current model.
So, after diligently taking care of some of its most important mid-size nameplates, like the 2024 N400 Tacoma, the returning 2024 Land Cruiser, and recently also the 2025 4Runner, Toyota will allegedly focus on the career potential of the 2025 RAV4 and come up with a vastly different interpretation. Well, that's at least according to the imaginative realm of digital car content creators, which is eagerly supporting the rumor mill in envisioning the all-new sixth-generation compact crossover SUV.
More precisely, the virtual automotive artist behind the Evren Ozgun Spy Sketch channel on YouTube has a 'slightly' different interpretation of the 2025 Toyota RAV4 that's not necessarily based on anything in the real world except for capturing some of the current models' DNA. So, the pixel master has dreamed of a design project featuring the CUV with a front fascia inspired by the popular Prius hybrid.
It also features stylish cues like hidden door handles, big air intakes at the front, and ritzy-looking body-colored wheels, a raked rear window with a hidden C-pillar design, and a stylish treatment of the LED taillights. This unofficial interpretation is definitely different from the recent Toyota SUVs, which feature an increasingly rugged styling. It also feels a little inspired by the European C-HR, which is no longer coming to the United States with its second generation.
So, what do you think? Is Toyota ready to bring out an all-new sixth-generation RAV4 to America when the current one – although it's around seven years old – is increasingly more successful each month and year? Plus, if they change it, which direction will they adopt for styling: elegant or rugged?
Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution. Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News