Toyota RAV4 only available in Japan with all-wheel drive and some minor tweaks

Ahead of Toyota launching next-gen RAV4, Japanese buyers can get slightly updated version of current model

The current-generation Toyota RAV4 has entered its twilight years since it was launched in 2018. While we await the arrival of the next-generation model, the Japan-spec RAV4 will likely receive a final update for the 2025 model year.

The most significant change for 2025 is the removal of front-wheel-drive models from the Japanese lineup, making the RAV4 an all-wheel-drive only model in its home market. Specifically, the gasoline version will now come standard with 4WD, while the self-charging hybrid will exclusively feature Toyota’s E-Four AWD system, which is already standard on plug-in hybrid models.

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According to Japanese media Creative Trend, the 2025 RAV4 will not receive any major exterior, interior or mechanical overhauls. Aside from the elimination of front-wheel-drive trim, the most obvious update is that the hybrid model switches from a blue Toyota badge to a standard badge, paired with a new HEV badge (with a blue dot) on the tailgate.

Toyota has also expanded the list of standard features on all Japanese models for 2025. These features now include blind-spot monitoring, parking assist braking, a connected navigation system, and puddle lights integrated into the rearview mirror. The plug-in hybrid model, meanwhile, swaps its aluminum spare wheel for a more cost-conscious steel one.

The updated 2025 RAV4 will be officially unveiled in Japan on November 28, and pricing will also be announced at that time. Production of gasoline and hybrid models will begin in December 2024, and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) production will begin in January 2025.

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In the United States, the 2025 Toyota RAV4 was launched in late September and retains a combination of front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. Electric models, including the plug-in hybrid, also ditch the blue Toyota badge in favor of a new blue dot hybrid badge on the tailgate. Notably, the US-spec plug-in hybrid also ditches the “Prime” moniker, simplifying its branding.

Looking ahead, Toyota has yet to confirm the debut of the next-generation RAV4, which is expected to be revealed sometime in 2025. Earlier this year, Toyota officials hinted that new models would take an incremental approach, focusing on strategic improvements rather than sweeping changes to maintain its successful formula. In addition, the RAV-X concept recently unveiled at the SEMA show suggests that rugged interiors may also be available in the future.