Tokyo, Japan, May 21, 2025―Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) held the World Premiere of the All-New RAV4. The video of the World Premiere can be available below.
Live stream details
Date / Time
Wednesday, May 21, 10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. JST
The ending time is subject to change depending on the circumstances.
Language
English (Japanese interpretation provided)
Speaker
Simon Humphries, Member of the Board of Directors, Operating Officer, Chief Branding Officer, Senior General Manager of Design, Head of Design
Simon Humphries, Member of the Board of Directors, Operating Officer, Chief Branding Officer, Senior General Manager of Design, Head of Design
Hello everyone, both here in Tokyo and around the world.
For over 100 years, the automobile has tapped into the fundamental human desire to explore.
It gave us freedom of mobility and we shaped our lives around it.
From bubble cars to muscle cars…for the first 80 years of the 20th Century, there were all kinds of wonderful car designs.
But during that time, the everyday car remained remarkably consistent.
If you asked a child to draw a car in the 1980’s, just as in the 1950’s, it would probably look something like this.
But in 1989, at the Tokyo Motor Show…something happened.
The concept car that was to become the RAV4 was revealed.
It was quirky.
It was a bit of fun.
No-one at the time would have thought, that it was about to change the automotive world.
But that’s exactly what this little monocoque SUV did.
Because from that day onwards…the crossover RAV4 gave the everyday car buyer…a new choice.
And with new choice, came new opportunity.
The opportunity to go to new places…
The opportunity to take all your stuff…
And the opportunity to express your own personality in the process.
Now, many of the best inventions are things that you never imagined you needed until suddenly they became an indispensable part of life.
In pioneering the crossover segment, RAV4 shifted the epicenter of the automotive industry…bringing aspiration and fun to the “daily driver”.
The 1st generation was streetwise but ready for the outdoors.
It was small…but spacious and versatile.
It had a strong character…but was friendly and approachable.
It started off as a niche product…but by the time the second and third generations came along, people all over the world had embraced the RAV4.
From Australia to Africa, from Bulgaria to Bolivia…
Over the last 30 years, it’s taken on a life of its own.
From the very beginning of life…
To the start of a life together…
To new chapters in your professional life…
Or cherishing the 92nd year of life.
What it all comes down to is that “Life is an adventure.”
And it’s our job to make that adventure ever more fruitful and enjoyable for as many people as possible.
Now at this point I would like to tell you that it was all plain sailing but, of course, it wasn’t.
As RAV4 grew in popularity, we faced a dilemma.
We started out with a car with a strong outdoor personality.
But as the segment matured around it, RAV4 risked becoming…middle of the road.
Like a rebel rockstar, it had created a new genre of music…only to find itself in the mainstream.
Now we talk a lot about Akio Toyoda’s mantra of making “ever-better cars.”
Now I believe the key to achieving this is that every product should have a clear and honest story.
From the trust that Land Cruiser represents to people all over the world…
To the personalization that Hilux Champ offers people in Southeast Asia…
From the ultimate excitement of the Tacoma and 4Runner in the US…
All the way to the sophistication of the bZ3X in China…
Each is an honest, yet different interpretation of a recreational vehicle and each has a distinct place in the hearts of our customers around the world.
So when it came to developing the 5th generation, we made a conscious decision to play to its strengths.
Everyday Adventure.
The new TNGA platform enabled this move and allowed us to make it more rugged, while at the same time maintaining its accessibility.
And it’s safe to say, it’s been more successful than ever.
The RAV4 is now sold in 180 countries and regions.
In 30 years that’s 15 million units…driven 60 million times around the globe…
Our customers embraced an idea, and they made it their own.
So with the all-new 6th generation RAV4, we wanted to extend the opportunities even further.
A RAV4 that was even more confident in its abilities…
A RAV4 that was even more versatile…
More efficient…
More dynamic…
And more connected…
Ladies and gentlemen, the adventure that is life, continues…
The all-new RAV4!
So which do you prefer?
Now when I said it was about “confidence in its abilities”, The design is there primarily to express the bold, strong…yet fun personality of the RAV4.
And it’s also about confidence in the fundamentals.
From steering…to turning to braking…from torque and power delivery…to body rigidity…all have been improved for more precise dynamics.
And critically, the new RAV4 will have increased capability on rough roads…
Torque where it’s needed, when its needed…
Yet at the same time the suspension is smoother and the interior is quieter on-road.
And the dynamics don’t end there…
Since 1996, RAV4 has been a pioneer in electrification.
And its mission remains to bring electrification to the majority.
In addition to the highly-efficient hybrid powertrain, the popular plug-in hybrid has been taken up a level.
With new high-capacity batteries, this is the world’s most efficient PHEV system.
It’s got 50% longer EV range…
Up to 150 kilometers on electricity alone…
As well as new DC fast charging…
So whether you charge at home or on the move…the majority of journeys for the majority of people can be zero emission…
And when you need even longer range…a fully charged, fully fueled PHEV can give you over 1,350 km of total range…Wow!
Now, the further you go away from home, the more you want to carry with you.
There’s more luggage space…
And it’s more versatile…
With a wealth of storage accessories…
You can carry 7 golf bags, 15 surf boards, or perhaps even a couple of sumo wrestlers…Whatever takes your fancy!
And if you can’t fit everything inside…electrified models now offer 3,500 lbs of towing capacity.
Now being able to take even more stuff with you is great.
However, it’s not always great for us as designers!
But thanks to the tapered cabin architecture, together with a more vertical back window.
We’ve increased versatility while still making the car more dynamic!
And looking at the athletic rear stance, I’d say we achieved that goal.
Going one step further, each grade now has its own distinct character.
The front design is clearly differentiated.
And the ADVENTURE grade will have bigger wheels, overfenders, a multi-terrain monitor and much more.
Now just finishing there would be more than enough, but you may have noticed there’s an extra space on the stage.
Because we know there are certain people who interpret recreation in another way…
Ladies and gentlemen, the all-new RAV4 GR SPORT!
The GR development team has a mission to take technology from track to street.
And the GR SPORT is extensively re-engineered.
In total, 70,000 hours have gone into the development, putting the car though its paces at our new Shimoyama testing facility.
It’s wider, it’s lower, it looks like a whole new car.
It’s got performance dampers, lightweight wheels, and higher rigidity.
And when paired with the new PHEV system, you’ve got 320 horsepower behind you!
So with the new GR grade, we believe the RAV4 will continue to lead in choice and opportunity.
And it doesn’t end here…
These cars are not only a new adventure for our customers, but also a new adventure for us as a company.
As we all know, the next paradigm shift for the automotive industry is not just physical…but also digital.
And RAV4 marks the start of our journey in building software-defined vehicles.
Now I think for many people here, the first thing you think of when I say “software-defined vehicle” is entertainment.
And make no mistake…that’s a big part of it.
But when Akio Toyoda was recently asked what the definition of an SDV was, his answer was crystal clear…it’s first and foremost a path to zero traffic accidents.
Now this journey began in 2018…when the threads of Woven by Toyota were established.
One of the team’s tasks was to build a completely new software platform for mobility.
And the fruits of their labor is Arene.
The new RAV4 is the first step in Arene’s deployment paving the way for a vehicle that grows together with our customers.
Benefiting from advanced learning and updating capabilities…the next generation Toyota Safety Sense can now learn from big data to make you even safer.
And every step we take towards increased safety will allow us to develop new opportunities in infotainment too.
The new multimedia system, with an intuitive AI voice agent, is a canvas for future digital customization.
Safety and entertainment…hand in hand.
Ladies and gentlemen, life truly is an adventure.
And we believe this new RAV4 family will be an essential part of enhancing that.
Because whatever life throws at you, or whatever you throw at life, RAV4 will be there by your side.
Here’s to a million more everyday adventures!
Thank you very much.