2026 Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid comparison: How will the game-changing new car shape up against well-established rivals in the 2025 BYD Sealion 6, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and GWM Haval H6GT Ultra PHEV?

Toyota's first plug-in hybrid model for Australia is on track to arrive locally by the first half of 2026 following the sixth-generation RAV4's reveal.

As Australia's second bestselling car last year and the bestselling for 2025 so far, irrespective of the new RAV4 PHEV's spec sheet, it's bound to demand huge interest from prospective buyers based on brand cachet alone.

But if the emergence of value-oriented Chinese competitors on the Australian car market over the past few years has taught us anything, it's that buyers now expect more for less. Brand name only goes so far these days if you can't back it up with real-world performance and a competitive price tag.

So, with the limited specs we have so far, how is the RAV4 PHEV shaping up against segment heavy-hitters in the BYD Sealion 6, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and GWM Haval H6GT PHEV?

Let's find out.

Powertrain

	2026 Toyota RAV4 PHEV	2025 BYD Sealion 6 Premium	2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV GSR ZM	2025 GWM Haval G6GT Ultra PHEV
Engine	2.5-litre petrol four-cylinder	1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder	2.4-litre petrol four-cylinder	1.5-litre turbo-petrol in-line four-cylinder
Power	227kW	238kW	185kW	321kW
Torque	N/A	550Nm	450Nm	762Nm
Fuel Consumption	N/A	1.4 litres/100km	1.5 litres/100km	0.8 litres/100km
Fuel Tank (L)	N/A	60 litres	56 litres	55 litres
Drive type	AWD	AWD	AWD	AWD
Battery Capacity	22.7kWh	18.3kWh	20.0kWh	35.4kWh
Number of Electric Motors	Two	Two	Two	Two
Claimed Electric Range	100km (WLTP target)	81km	84km (NEDC)	180km
Claimed Total Driving Range	N/A	961km	Upwards of 800km	1000km+
AC Charging Capacity	11kW	7kW	3.7kW	6.6kW
Claimed Charging Time (AC)	3 hours (0 to 100%)	2 hours and 37 minutes (0-100%)	Approximately 6 hours (0-100%)	Approximately 6 hours (0-100%)
DC Charging Capacity	50kW	18kW	50kW	48kW
Claimed Charging Time (DC)	30 minutes (10% to 80%)	60 minutes (8-80%)	38 minutes (0-80%)	60 miutes (5 to 100%)
0-100km/h	5.8 seconds	5.9 seconds	N/A	4.9 seconds

There remains several unknowns with the new RAV4 PHEV. We don't know what its comprehensive driving range will be, with Toyota stopping short of offering a prospective figure. Its larger battery pack compared to its previous generation (which was not sold in Australia) does offer some clues, and suggests that it could exceed the 979km range figure claimed in Canada.

If it pushes the 1000km figure, that will put it in strong contention with its two Chinese rivals who loosely claim similar figures based on internal testing. BYD claims a 1126km comprehensive range and a 125km electric range on its long-range Sealion 6 sold in the UK, which utilises a larger 26.6kWh battery. It's almost certain for Australia after homologation filings were revealed with Australia's new vehicle regulator.

None of its rivals can claim the staggering 180km of electric range that is claimed by the Haval H6GT Ultra PHEV. Even if those figures are only 75 per cent accurate in the real world, that's still 135km of range. It's a figure you might expect given its biggest-in-class 35.4kWh battery pack.

Mitsubishi is the outlier on range, pitching itself closer to the 800km mark. Its updated version, however, which is due in Australian showrooms by September, will have a larger 22.7kWh battery with a "tentative range" of closer to 844km and an electric range of 84km. It's worth noting that the latter figure is WLTP-rated, which is the benchmark EV certification that none of its rivals can yet attest to.

Fuel economy is another unknown for the new RAV4 PHEV. While it's certainly guaranteed to be an improvement over the current RAV4 Hybrid's 4.7 litres/100km, whether it will match the GWM at just 0.8 litres/100km is another question. Mitsubishi is promising to do so with the updated Outlander, while the long-range Sealion 6's figures remain unclear.

In terms of power, it's clear the RAV4 PHEV will have more than enough, trumping its Japanese rival in the Outlander (even so with the 40kW power boost it will gain with the updated version later this year). The BYD remains slightly out of reach, and the ludicrous GWM even more so, given it has Porsche levels of power. Torque remains another unknown, but we'd expect it to be sufficient enough.

The RAV4 is already shaping up with strong charging credentials, especially in the AC department, where it will exceed all of its rivals at 11kW. That makes it a more appealing option for those with home charging abilities than the BYD, GWM and – especially – the Mitsubishi.

On DC, it matches the Outlander with 50kW, which is an equally strong capability. GWM just misses the mark at 48kW, while BYD is well off the pace at 18kW.

Warranty

	2026 Toyota RAV4 PHEV	2025 BYD Sealion 6	2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV	2025 GWM Haval H6GT PHEV
Vehicle warranty	Five-years/unlimited km	Six-years/160,000km	10-years/200,000km	Seven-year/unlimited km
Battery warranty	Eight years/160,000km	Eight-years/160,000km	Eight-year/160,000km warranty	Eight year/160,000km warranty

Toyota is yet to officially confirm a battery warranty for the new RAV4 PHEV, but based on the one it issued for its electric bZ4X, it's safe to expect eight-years/160,000km. That figure is uniform across its rivals, granting Mitsubishi the best overall vehicle warranty of the four models.

Starting price

2026 Toyota RAV4 PHEV	2025 BYD Sealion 6 Essential	2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV ES ZM	2025 GWM Haval H6GT Ultra PHEV
N/A	$42,990 (before on-road costs)	$57,290 (before on-road costs)	$55,990 (drive-away)

The brand that brought us Australia's first EV under $30,000 before on-road costs in the BYD Dolphin Essential is difficult to compete with on price and the Sealion 6 is no exception. At $42,990 before on-roads, it is roughly $10,000 cheaper than its nearest rival in the GWM once drive-away pricing is calculated. 

The Toyota RAV4 PHEV is likely to fall closer to the base-model Outlander PHEV, which will likely cop a price increase nearer to the $60,000 mark when the updated model arrives later this year. The current entry-grade RAV4 Hybrid GX Hybrid starts at $42,260 before on-road costs.