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 lovers, that is going to be a giant ole yawn, however it does not get way more vital than a brand new RAV4. In any case, Toyota offered about 475,000 of them final 12 months, and relying on the way you rely truck gross salesthe RAV4 was the best-selling automobile within the U.S., as nicely. Sorry, Ford F-150.

And similar to the newest Camrythe most important 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 a daily hybrid or a extra highly effective plug-in hybrid, however for those who particularly need 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 stage 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 for those who’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 making an attempt to make consumers really feel like they might completely deal with Moab in the event that they ever obtained on the market, even when there is a Woodland trim that gives extra floor clearance and all-terrain tires, together with a unique 4Runner-esque entrance finish remedy.

Like quite a lot of Toyotas, it is not probably the most lovely crossover on the street, however it’s nonetheless typically fairly handsome and possibly will not alienate anybody who was truly concerned about shopping for a brand new RAV4. And yeah, you’ll be able to see a number of the present RAV4’s affect within the design, however it nonetheless appears like Toyota did greater than “simply” give it a refresh. Anticipate it to drive just about such as you’d anticipate from a RAV4, even when it is now stiffer with fewer vibrations.

As beforehand talked about, the powertrain might be the most important 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 supply the identical energy output for those who go together with the common hybrid powertrain, however they may also be ordered as all-wheel-drive plug-in hybrids that make 320 hp, up 18 hp over the outgoing era. The vary on the PHEV can be as much as a Toyota-estimated 50 miles, which ought to greater than cowl every day errands for most individuals. The brand new GR Sport model of the PHEV does not get any extra energy however presents a sportier look and also needs to deal with higher than the opposite RAV4s because of tuning allegedly developed with the Gazoo Racing crew.

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. Certainly, Toyota would not danger arrest for promoting a automobile with a wing that writes checks its sportiness cannot money, proper?

Inside you get larger middle screens, due to course you do. At present, the flowery RAV4s supply 10.5-inch screens, whereas the extra primary ones are 8.0 inches. The brand new RAV4 comes with a ten.5-inch touchscreen customary, with consumers of the Restricted, XSE and GR Sport trims getting 12.9-inchers. The gauge show can 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 customary, too.

These larger middle touchscreens additionally home Toyota’s newest infotainment system, which homeowners will in all probability respect. That stated, contemplating the scale of the most important display screen choice, something on the appropriate facet of the display screen will in all probability 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 seems to be snug and sensible, with loads of storage, however the design is not precisely something to put in writing residence about. Did you actually anticipate 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 achieved electronically, though it looks like the Woodlands mannequin will as a substitute get a unique, old school shift lever.

The very best trim ranges may even supply a head-up show. Oh, and also you additionally get the newest model of Toyota’s customary suite of security options, referred to as Toyota Security Sense 4.0.

How enjoyable the RAV4 GR Sport will truly be to drive nonetheless stays to be seen, and you may anticipate it to price a fairly penny, however 320 hp and GR dealing with ought to nonetheless make for a fairly pleasing every day driver, epecially if you add within the 50 miles of electrical vary. And the promise of sportier steering, a sportier suspension, a stiffer chassis and summer time tires suggests it might truly be fairly enjoyable, all issues thought-about.

Those that plan to tow with their new RAV4 will in all probability wish 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 have the ability to tow 3,500 kilos, which will not be sufficient to haul a prepare up a mountain however ought to be a lot for the stuff 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 price, however there you go. That is the 2026 Toyota RAV4. Whether or not it tickles your fancy or not, get able to see this stuff 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.