SPY PICS: Toyota RAV4 exposed

After a long run of almost five years in its current form, Toyota's RAV4 is about to move into its fifth generation, and these spy photos snapped in California indicate it will morph into something a bit tougher, and possibly even bigger.

A clue was given at the 2017 Los Angeles motor show last November, when Toyota revealed its FT-AC concept SUV, which, if you look closely, appears to be heavily reflected in these spy photos. Cues include the Jeep-style squared-off wheel-arches, the bonnet shut lines, the tail-light lenses and the general angularity of the test mule.

Word is that the next-gen RAV4 will continue with currently-employed engines, including four-cylinder petrol and diesel. A hybrid also appears to be a certainty, given the current model is available with a petrol-electric powertrain in the US and Toyota Australia has promised to deliver three new hybrids by 2020.

Where it will change, however, appears to be in the adoption of the company's latest Toyota Global Architecture (TNGA) platform that is shared with the new Camry and C-HR, among other models including the next-generation Corolla.

The usual advantages, such as overall weight reductions, improved suspension characteristics and a base that provides more room for cabin growth, should stem from this.

A close look at this heavily-wrapped test mule doesn't reveal much about the RAV4, but the general shape indicates Toyota will be going for a tougher, more squared-off look, more vertically-oriented at the front with a bluff grille area that contrasts with the current model's slitted, multi-layer approach.

The rear-end is harder to figure, but the proportions, including tail-light placement, look very familiar and suggest some degree of styling similarity.

There's also word that Toyota will be funding an update of the RAV's infotainment systems, likely to include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as adopting active safety technology across the board, from entry to premium models.

No doubt Toyota will continue to offer the RAV in front-drive and AWD form, although there are rumours the on-demand AWD system may be upgraded to perform better off the bitumen.

Varying speculation exists on when the new RAV4 will be launched globally: Some sources are suggesting it could be unveiled in the USA as soon as March this year, while others are proposing it won't be revealed until later in 2018. Whatever transpires, there seems every chance we'll see the new RAV before the end of the year.

The new RAV4 will be welcomed by Toyota in Australia, where the RAV4 has found almost 285,000 homes since 1994, making it the first vehicle of its type to notch up 250,000 sales here.

Although still a top-three mid-size SUV contender in terms of sales, the Mk4 RAV4 -- launched here in February 2013 -- has been well behind the segment leading Mazda CX-5 for some time and currently sits in third place behind the Hyundai Tucson.