Toyota RAV4 faces price hikes ahead of 2026 launch: today’s drive news, hot hatches sign off, and EVs jockey for position

I poured a double espresso because today’s feed swerves from school-run sensible to track-day spicy in a few clicks. The headline? The Toyota RAV4 is getting dearer ahead of its 2026 reboot. Around that: Volvo sets a clock for the EX60, early takes split on the 2026 Model Y Performance, Volkswagen sneaks a dual-cab ID. Buzz patent, and the Ford Focus ST takes its final bow. Sprinkle in a hopeful whisper about a new Camaro, a Honda race car passing the baton, and a used Alfa Stelvio that still dances like it’s closing time in Turin.

Toyota RAV4 price reality: why the best-selling family SUV is heading upmarket

CarExpert is calling notable price increases for the next-generation 2026 Toyota RAV4 in Australia, and honestly, I’m not surprised. The market’s been creeping that way—more safety tech, costlier hybrid systems, pricier materials. When I last spent a week in a RAV4 Hybrid, I ran it over the sort of patched-up suburban tarmac that usually rattles crossovers into submission. Not this one. It felt composed, almost quiet-lux. If Toyota layers in another round of refinement and driver-assist upgrades (very likely), the sticker will follow.

• What’s changing: A fresh generation in 2026 with more tech and expanded electrification.
• Why prices rise: Safety kit, hybrid complexity, and global supply pressures aren’t getting cheaper.
• Real-world note: On rough roads, the current RAV4 Hybrid already feels a class more settled than you expect—so a lift in materials and NVH wouldn’t shock me.

EV chessboard: Volvo EX60 targets the Y, Model Y Performance splits opinions, Alfa Junior sharpens its pencil, BYD cools at home

Volvo EX60: a calm, clean counterpunch to Tesla

Volvo’s 2026 EX60 now has its window, says CarExpert, and the Tesla Model Y is clearly in the crosshairs. Expect a tidy Scandinavian cabin, safety-first execution, and the sort of easygoing driver aids Volvo’s been quietly nailing. In recent Volvos, the lane-centering felt like a helpful co-driver rather than a backseat parent—if that DNA carries over, the EX60 could be the premium EV for people who like their commutes stress-free, not gamified.

2026 Tesla Model Y Performance: fast is easy, finesse is hard

Carscoops notes early reviews are divided. That tracks with my time in previous Ys: they’re ballistic in a straight line and great at efficiency; ride quality and steering feel can swing with tire choice and road surface. If Tesla’s chassis updates haven’t fully tamed the secondary ride or added more nuance through the wheel, you’ll get that love/hmm split. The fast-family-EV bar is high now—speed plus serenity is the new brief.

Alfa Romeo Junior EV: the emotional EV sharpened by a sharper price

CarExpert hints at price moves for the Alfa Romeo Junior EV, a playbook borrowed from Jeep Avenger. Good call. The Junior’s allure is all feel—light on its feet, eager steering, the sort of city car that makes roundabouts fun again. Trim the sticker and it stops being a guilty pleasure and starts being the smart pick for those who still drive for the joy of it.

BYD sales soften in China

CarExpert reports a cooling at home for BYD as rivals sharpen their pencils. For shoppers elsewhere, that could translate into more aggressive spec sheets and keener deals as everyone jostles for the same garage spot.

Enthusiast heartbeat: race grids, quad pipes, and a hot hatch curtain call

Honda Prelude steps into Japan’s top series

Per CarExpert, the Prelude will take over from the Civic Type R in Japan’s premier touring series. Smart baton pass. If the race car keeps the Civic’s ferocious change-of-direction and layers on a slicker aero profile, expect a front end you can lean on till your palms sweat. I’ve watched those cars pivot at trackside—blink and you miss the apex bite.

BMW M3 prototype: four tips, full song

Carscoops spotted the next-gen M3 prototype wearing four open tailpipes. Translation: even as BMW’s Neue Klasse marches on, the internal-combustion M3 still has a verse left. Get the damping right and the mid-corner adjustability that made the badge famous remains very much alive. I’m not ready to give up that soundtrack either.

Final Ford Focus ST leaves the line

The last Focus ST has rolled off, says CarExpert. I took an ST down a damp B-road not long ago—warm shoulders on the tires, little wriggles on throttle—and it reminded me how good the breed got: keen front end, sturdy brakes, a 2.3 that punches up. Hot hatches taught a generation to love corners. Here’s to the mischief they made.

Camaro whispers: hope for a successor

Fresh optimism around a Chevrolet Camaro successor is bubbling, per CarExpert. EV, hybrid, or something clever in between? TBD. Fix the bunker-esque visibility, keep the chassis honesty, and I’m first in line at the rental counter on a Vegas work trip—purely for research, of course.

Ute, but make it electric: Volkswagen ID. Buzz dual-cab patent

CarExpert unearthed a VW patent for a dual-cab ute spun from the ID. Buzz. Picture the postcard-cute van with a tray: surfboards, bikes, tailgate coffee at dawn. Patents aren’t production promises, but in ute-mad markets like Australia, it feels commercially irresistible.

Used buy of the day: Alfa Romeo Stelvio (2017–2025)

Autocar’s used guide lines up with what I’ve heard from owners and felt behind the wheel:

• Early vs late: First cars were already sharp; later updates calmed the infotainment and smartened the trim.
• Spec sweet spot: Mid-trim with adaptive dampers = everyday hero. Quadrifoglio is the bucket-list riot.
• What to check: Alignment and tire condition (they’re setup-sensitive), plus the usual Italian electrics (sensors, screens).
• Why it’s worth it: Steering feel that embarrasses most crossovers and a chassis that begs for a dawn raid.

Big-tech cars, small-tech patience

Autocar posed the right question: are buyers ready for all the tech modern cars throw at them? My answer after coaching a few friends through their new-car menus: label things clearly, behave predictably, and give us a big, obvious “off” switch. Save the deep-dive features for when we have time. On a Tuesday school run, nobody wants to spelunk through submenus.

Should you wait or buy now? A Toyota RAV4 reality check

If you’re budgeting, the 2026 Toyota RAV4’s likely price climb nudges you to decide sooner. The current car is already refined, frugal (Hybrid models can top 40 mpg combined in the real world if you’re gentle), and quiet enough to hear your kids arguing in the back—unfortunately. The next-gen will probably be nicer still, but you’ll pay for the privilege. Either way, put your route on rough roads during a test drive; that’s where the differences show.

Quick hits

• Toyota RAV4 (2026): price increases coming; shop late-run deals if you value today’s money over tomorrow’s toys.
• Volvo EX60: timing set; likely the serene choice for the school run and the Sunday recharge.
• Tesla Model Y Performance: blistering quick; ride and steering feel still the deciders—test on your worst local tarmac.
• Alfa Junior EV: pricing tweaks could turn it into the enthusiast’s small EV sweet spot.
• BYD: softer China sales may lead to sharper global specs and promos.
• Focus ST: farewell to a hot hatch that punched above its weight for years.
• BMW M3: quad pipes spotted; the ICE anthem isn’t over.
• Honda Prelude racer: the Civic Type R’s successor steps onto center stage.
• Camaro: nameplate hope lives on—watch this space.
• VW ID. Buzz ute: patent filed; beach-town lifestyle incoming (we hope).

Conclusion

The Toyota RAV4 edging up in price is the bellwether for family SUVs: more tech, more polish, more money. Meanwhile, EVs are learning to be fast and friendly, icons are evolving (or bowing out with grace), and the best stuff still happens where engineering meets empathy. Take the long way home, try the nasty roads on your test drives, and buy the car that makes you smile every Monday morning.

FAQ

Will the 2026 Toyota RAV4 be significantly more expensive?

CarExpert reports notable increases with the new generation. Added safety gear, hybrid tech, and materials costs are the main drivers.

Is the current Toyota RAV4 still good value before the new one?

Yes. If you like the way it drives now—refined, efficient, easy to live with—run-out deals on the current Toyota RAV4 could make strong financial sense.

When is the Volvo EX60 arriving?

Volvo has set the timing for 2026, positioning the EX60 squarely against the Tesla Model Y and other midsize premium EVs.

Is the 2026 Tesla Model Y Performance worth it over rivals?

Depends on your roads and tolerance for firmness. It’s very quick, but ride and steering feel vary by surface and tires—test extensively.

Is a new Chevrolet Camaro really coming?

There’s renewed hope for a successor, according to CarExpert, but the format and timing remain unconfirmed.