The fourth generation RAV4 was a complete redesign; it was revealed at the November 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show.
Unlike the previous generations, it featured a rear liftgate rather than a side-opening rear door and no longer had the spare tire mounted on the rear door.

The RAV4 no longer used the V6 from the previous generation—all engine choices were inline four-cylinder engines.
Also, unlike the dual wheelbase strategy employed by the previous XA30 model, the XA40 was only sold in a single wheelbase (corresponding to the long wheelbase XA30).

The full hybrid system combined a 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle gasoline engine with a powerful electric motor, a high voltage generator, a 204 cell nickel–metal hydride battery located under the rear seats, a power control unit, and a power split device.
RAV4 Hybrids were available in both front and all-wheel drive variants.
The all-wheel edition came equipped with a second, 50 kW high-voltage, rear mounted electric motor that offers increased traction and a 1,750-pound (790 kg) towing capacity.
The rear's electric motor operates independently from the hybrid system front's electric motor, driving the rear wheels alone.

US sales began in early January 2013.

For the Japanese market, the previous generation in short-wheelbase length remained on sale in Japan until 2016 instead of the newer, export only, XA40.
The Harrier replaced the long-wheelbase model in Japan, previously badged as the Vanguard.

In the UK and Australia, the fourth generation RAV4 went on sale in February 2013.
Engine choices included a 2.0- and 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline, and 2.0- and 2.2-liter turbodiesels.
Transmissions included a six-speed manual, Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), and six-speed automatic.

The UK model went on sale in 2013.
Early European models included a choice of a 2.0-liter gasoline or one of three 2.0-liter diesel engines.

The RAV4 manufactured in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada had about 50 percent of its parts coming from Japan.

Taiwanese models included a 2.0-liter Dual VVT-i inline four-cylinder engine with 7-speed Continuously Variable Transmission (Sequential Manual) or 2.5-liter Dual VVT-i inline-four engine with six-speed automatic.

Production in China commenced in August 2013 and was sold alongside the XA30 model for a short time.
The XA40 RAV4 in China came standard with the 2 litre 6ZR-FE and 2.5 litre 5AR-FE gasoline engine.
6 speed manual, automatic and CVT gearboxes are standard.
Seven trim levels were available with prices ranging from 183,800 to 272,800 yuan (25,680 to 38,120 USD).

The RAV4 was also displayed at the 22nd Indonesia International Motor Show (IIMS) in Jakarta in September 2014.
It included a 2.0-liter Dual VVT-i engine with CVT transmission (with seven-speed manual mode).
The facelift version was available at local import car dealers in Indonesia in 2017.

Production in Russia started in August 2016.
The fourth generation RAV4 was a complete redesign; it was revealed at the November 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show. Unlike the previous generations, it featured a rear liftgate rather than a side-opening rear door and no longer had the spare tire mounted on the rear door.
The RAV4 no longer used the V6 from the previous generation—all engine choices were inline four-cylinder engines. Also, unlike the dual wheelbase strategy employed by the previous XA30 model, the XA40 was only sold in a single wheelbase (corresponding to the long wheelbase XA30).
The full hybrid system combined a 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle gasoline engine with a powerful electric motor, a high voltage generator, a 204 cell nickel–metal hydride battery located under the rear seats, a power control unit, and a power split device. RAV4 Hybrids were available in both front and all-wheel drive variants. The all-wheel edition came equipped with a second, 50 kW high-voltage, rear mounted electric motor that offers increased traction and a 1,750-pound (790 kg) towing capacity. The rear's electric motor operates independently from the hybrid system front's electric motor, driving the rear wheels alone.
US sales began in early January 2013.
For the Japanese market, the previous generation in short-wheelbase length remained on sale in Japan until 2016 instead of the newer, export only, XA40. The Harrier replaced the long-wheelbase model in Japan, previously badged as the Vanguard.
In the UK and Australia, the fourth generation RAV4 went on sale in February 2013. Engine choices included a 2.0- and 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline, and 2.0- and 2.2-liter turbodiesels. Transmissions included a six-speed manual, Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), and six-speed automatic.
The UK model went on sale in 2013. Early European models included a choice of a 2.0-liter gasoline or one of three 2.0-liter diesel engines.
The RAV4 manufactured in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada had about 50 percent of its parts coming from Japan.
Taiwanese models included a 2.0-liter Dual VVT-i inline four-cylinder engine with 7-speed Continuously Variable Transmission (Sequential Manual) or 2.5-liter Dual VVT-i inline-four engine with six-speed automatic.
Production in China commenced in August 2013 and was sold alongside the XA30 model for a short time. The XA40 RAV4 in China came standard with the 2 litre 6ZR-FE and 2.5 litre 5AR-FE gasoline engine. 6 speed manual, automatic and CVT gearboxes are standard. Seven trim levels were available with prices ranging from 183,800 to 272,800 yuan (25,680 to 38,120 USD).
The RAV4 was also displayed at the 22nd Indonesia International Motor Show (IIMS) in Jakarta in September 2014. It included a 2.0-liter Dual VVT-i engine with CVT transmission (with seven-speed manual mode). The facelift version was available at local import car dealers in Indonesia in 2017.
Production in Russia started in August 2016.
Toyota RAV4