2026 Toyota RAV4 Goes Hybrid-Solely, Provides PHEV GR Sport Model With 320 HP

Properly, nicely, nicely, it is lastly right here. Meet the 2026 Toyota RAV4. For lots of fanatics, that is going to be an enormous ole yawn, but it surely does not get far more vital than a brand new RAV4. In spite of everything, Toyota bought about 475,000 of them final 12 months, and relying on the way you depend truck gross sales, the RAV4 was the best-selling car within the U.S., as nicely. Sorry, Ford F-150.

And similar to the newest Camry, the largest information is that the brand new RAV4 is now solely obtainable as a hybrid. You continue to get the choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and you may select an everyday hybrid or a extra highly effective plug-in hybrid, however in the event you particularly desire a non-hybrid crossover, you are going to need to go throughout the road and purchase one thing else. This sixth-generation RAV4 additionally introduces a GR Sport trim degree that brings boy racer design to a Toyota crossover for the primary time, together with tuned dealing with.

For 2026, you get C-shaped headlights and a color-matched grille that give the entrance finish a brand new look, even in the event you’ll nonetheless instantly acknowledge it as a Toyota. Behind the A-pillar, although, the form is much more acquainted, with flared fenders and boxy wheel arches that assist promote the entire “rugged” factor. Fortunately, Toyota additionally did not go fairly so far as Subaru in attempting to make consumers really feel like they may completely deal with Moab in the event that they ever obtained on the market, even when there is a Woodland trim that provides extra floor clearance and all-terrain tires, together with a distinct 4Runner-esque entrance finish therapy.

Like numerous Toyotas, it is not probably the most lovely crossover on the highway, but it surely’s nonetheless usually fairly handsome and doubtless will not alienate anybody who was really thinking about shopping for a brand new RAV4. And yeah, you’ll be able to see among the present RAV4’s affect within the design, but it surely nonetheless appears like Toyota did greater than “simply” give it a refresh. Count on it to drive just about such as you’d count on from a RAV4, even when it is now stiffer with fewer vibrations.

As beforehand talked about, the powertrain might be the largest story right here and never simply because they’re all hybrids. That information is about as surprising because the RAV4’s design route. RAV4 LE, XLE and Restricted trims have a 2.5-liter inline-4 hybrid powertrain that makes 236 horsepower and an undisclosed quantity of torque. Go for the front-wheel-drive model of the LE or XLE, although, and also you solely get 226 hp. Unhappy.

Different trim ranges such because the SE, XSE, and Woodland provide the identical energy output in the event you go along with the common hybrid powertrain, however they will also be ordered as all-wheel-drive plug-in hybrids that make 320 hp, up 18 hp over the outgoing technology. The vary on the PHEV can also be as much as a Toyota-estimated 50 miles, which ought to greater than cowl each day errands for most individuals. The brand new GR Sport model of the PHEV does not get any extra energy however affords a sportier look and must also deal with higher than the opposite RAV4s because of tuning allegedly developed with the Gazoo Racing workforce. 

Plus, the GR Sport has that rear wing, and you are not legally allowed to promote a automobile with a wing that is not legitimately enjoyable to drive. Absolutely, Toyota would not danger arrest for promoting a automobile with a wing that writes checks its sportiness cannot money, proper?

Inside you get larger heart screens, due to course you do. Presently, the flowery RAV4s provide 10.5-inch screens, whereas the extra fundamental ones are 8.0 inches. The brand new RAV4 comes with a ten.5-inch touchscreen normal, with consumers of the Restricted, XSE and GR Sport trims getting 12.9-inchers. The gauge show can also be bigger, rising from 7.0 inches with analogue gauges to a 12.3-inch all-digital show. As with the middle touchscreen, Restricted, XSE and GR Sport consumers get a bigger, 12.9-inch driver show. Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is normal, too.

These larger heart touchscreens additionally home Toyota’s newest infotainment system, which homeowners will most likely respect. That mentioned, contemplating the scale of the most important display possibility, something on the suitable aspect of the display will most likely really feel like fairly a attain. You do get a quantity knob and buttons for local weather management, in addition to bodily buttons on the steering wheel, although, in order that’s good. We like knobs and buttons.

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The remainder of the inside is not particularly thrilling. It appears comfy and sensible, with loads of storage, however the design is not precisely something to write down house about. Did you actually count on it to be, although? It is a RAV4. The largest design danger might be the shifter, which is a small little lever, as a result of shifting is now performed electronically, though it looks as if the Woodlands mannequin will as an alternative get a distinct, old school shift lever.

The best trim ranges will even provide a head-up show. Oh, and also you additionally get the newest model of Toyota’s normal suite of security options, often called Toyota Security Sense 4.0.

How enjoyable the RAV4 GR Sport will really be to drive nonetheless stays to be seen, and you may count on it to value a fairly penny, however 320 hp and GR dealing with ought to nonetheless make for a fairly pleasing each day driver, epecially whenever you add within the 50 miles of electrical vary. And the promise of sportier steering, a sportier suspension, a stiffer chassis and summer season tires suggests it could really be fairly enjoyable, all issues thought of.

Those that plan to tow with their new RAV4 will most likely need to skip the front-wheel-drive fashions and the all-wheel-drive LE, as a result of they’re going to be restricted to only one,750 kilos. Different AWD trims will be capable of tow 3,500 kilos, which will not be sufficient to haul a practice up a mountain however must be loads for the belongings you would possibly use a two-row crossover for.

There are nonetheless loads of inquiries to be answered, from how a lot torque every model makes to what they’re going to value, however there you go. That is the 2026 Toyota RAV4. Whether or not it tickles your fancy or not, get able to see these items in every single place, as a result of I assure Toyota’s going to promote eighty bajillion of them over the following couple of years after they first attain sellers later this 12 months.