2026 Toyota RAV4 hybrid wait times revealed to be three to six months depending on variant, as new Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson rival lands in dealerships

Toyota Australia’s reputation for reliability has, in the last few years, had to work hard against its reputation for long wait times.

Especially after supply chains were ravaged in the lockdowns of the early 2020s, Toyota’s most popular models became the subject of months-long waits.

So, with the arrival of a new generation Toyota RAV4, we asked Toyota Australia Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations John Pappas if customers can expect times to diminish.

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“So on average, across our range for RAV4, on average, the lead times will be within three to six months,” Pappas told CarsGuide.

“And we obviously, together with our dealers, communicate that when we're taking any of the orders for our customers.”

When asked whether a six-month waiting period was still acceptable to the brand, he said it was usually only customers who had more specific preferences that would wait longer.

“I think for us a lead time is always going to differ a little bit whether it's going to be a one month versus a three month depending on, you know, the grade, the colour, the spec.

2026 Toyota RAV4

“And let's not forget that the RAV actually has, when you look at the RAV breadth, when it comes to spec, two-wheel drive, all-wheel drive… It's quite broad.”

Pappas added, now that the line-up for the RAV4 is more diverse thanks to a new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) drivetrain on the way and a series of trims with either two- or all-wheel drive, he expects those looking for more ‘standard’ versions of the RAV4 won’t have to wait as long.

He says it also means anyone looking for a bit more out of the RAV4 will have an option thanks to the introduction of the more powerful GR Sport model that will sit atop the range.

“And the reason why we've done that is because, on the strength of RAV now becoming an icon in Australia since 1994, six generations, and it's so popular that we've taken all that sort of customer feedback, and that's why now… when you look at the range, we've got the plug-in coming now with a new halo vehicle, GR Sport, because we want something more sporty, more aggressive at that top end, with more power.

“And then you can look at where the Edge sits now versus where it used to sit. So we’ve strategically done that based on meeting customer requirements.”