Toyota will launch an all-new model of its best-selling RAV4 SUV for mannequin yr 2026, obtainable as a hybrid or a plug-in hybrid (PHEV).
The automaker as we speak revealed a totally redesigned RAV4, the sixth technology to put on the identify. It wears a rugged look and provides sporty and off-road trims for the primary time. However the huge information is what’s lacking.
The purely gas-powered RAV4 is gone, persevering with a pattern Toyota began with its Camry midsize sedan and Sowing minivan.
Toyota has not but mentioned pricing. The 2025 RAV4 in showrooms now begins at $30,645.
America’s Finest-Promoting SUV
A brand new RAV4 is huge information. Toyota’s compact SUV is now America’s third-best-selling car, having achieved the practically unimaginable final yr by knocking a pickup truck (the Ram 1500) out of the highest three.
Extra Selections Than Ever
Toyota advertises the brand new RAV4 as providing two obtainable powertrains, three distinct kinds, and 7 trim ranges. Entrance-wheel-drive (FWD) or all-wheel-drive (AWD) setups give consumers loads of decisions, and sellers loads of fashions to attempt to maintain in inventory.
Rugged, Boxier Look
Boxy is on this yr, as most SUV designers have opted to design their newest fashions with a ruler and ban the curve. The brand new RAV4 is essentially the most rugged-looking RAV4 ever. You might nearly consider it was a future Subaru Forester.
Raised ridges to the perimeters of the hood look borrowed from the Ford Bronco Sport. It wears the identical skinny, bracket-shaped daytime working lights because the Camry and Priushowever in any other case represents a brand new design course for Toyota.
Three Faces
Toyota calls its three designs Core, Rugged, and Sport.
The Core mannequin will get a paint-matched grille, black fender cladding, and “an ascending belt line with chiseled physique panels.” Will probably be provided on the market on the LE, XLE, and Restricted trims.
The Rugged fashion comes solely on the brand new Woodland trim. It includes a barely raised entrance finish with a black cut up higher and decrease grille. It sits half an inch greater for added floor clearance and will get commonplace roof rails with crossbars.
The Sport design scheme comes on the SE, XSE, and the brand new GR Sport version. It has a matrix grille and entrance and rear spoilers.
Two Powertrains
With no purely gas-powered mannequin, even the least-powerful 2026 RAV4 boasts some spectacular specs. The hybrid version will get 226 horsepower on front-wheel-drive (FWD) fashions and 236 hp on all-wheel-drive (AWD) variations. These use a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine mated to an electrical motor.
Plug-in hybrid variations use the identical engine paired with two electrical motors, good for 320 hp. Toyota estimates they’ll journey as much as 50 miles on electrical energy alone earlier than utilizing any gasoline.
Toyota plans to ultimately supply PHEV fashions with the Tesla-style North American Charging System (NACS) port. However the 2026 RAV4 will launch with out it. The Woodland and XSE grades will get a CCS-style plug that provides them entry to DC quick charging stations.
SE and GR-Sport editions get solely the J1772 port, letting house owners cost them from Degree 2 stations however not quick chargers.
It’s a bit a lot to maintain straight. We’ll put it in desk kind in case that helps:
| Trim Degree | Physique Fashion | Hybrid Accessible? | PHEV Accessible? | Drive Wheels |
| The | Core | Sure | No | FWD or AWD |
| XLE | Core | Sure | No | FWD or AWD |
| With | Sport | Sure | Sure | FWD or AWD |
| X | Sport | Sure | Sure | AWD |
| Restricted | Core | Sure | No | AWD |
| Woodland | Rugged | Sure | Sure | AWD |
| GR Sport | Sport | No | Sure | AWD |
Woodland, GR Sport Fashions
Toyota will supply two specialist trims of the brand new RAV4, together with an all-new variant.
The Woodland version is a lightweight off-roader and returns for this new technology of RAV4. It sits half an inch greater and comes with commonplace all-terrain tires. A roof rack and 1 1/4-inch exercise mount improve its carrying capability, whereas all-weather ground mats ought to enable you maintain its carpets clear.
The all-new GR Sport version, Toyota says, was “designed with enter from the Toyota Gazoo Racing engineering division.” Adjustments embody a GR-tuned suspension, tighter steering, and enhanced physique rigidity. It ships with wide-tread summer season tires. Distinctive blue stitching helps set its cabin aside. It marks the primary GR RAV4.
Minimalist Cabin
Inside, the brand new look is simplified. A central touchscreen — 10.5 inches or 12.9, relying on trim degree and choices — handles most infotainment features.
Some producers now construct local weather controls into the touchscreen, whereas others offer you old style buttons. Toyota has cut up the distinction by working digital HVAC controls alongside the underside of the touchscreen, supplemented by just a few buttons for temperature and defrost features.
The driving force sees a 12.3-inch digital display no matter trim degree.
The software program powering the screens was created with Arene, Toyota’s new software program growth platform. This could allow over-the-air updates. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are commonplace, and the system can preserve connections to 2 Bluetooth units concurrently.
“Seating surfaces will vary from cloth to SofTex,” Toyota’s personal model of faux-leather, “with obtainable seating colours like black, gentle grey, or the brand new Mineral shade on the Woodland.”
One thing for Everybody
The RAV4 grew to become America’s best-selling SUV with far fewer decisions. So many choices ought to entice much more consumers to contemplate Toyota’s best-selling mannequin.
Nevertheless it enters essentially the most hotly contested phase of the automotive market, as compact SUVs have change into America’s household automobiles of alternative.
Toyota sellers as we speak have the tightest stock within the auto business. The model’s hybrids have grown so fashionable that some consumers in some elements of the world have needed to wait months to obtain automobiles they’ve ordered. Toyota wouldn’t launch a hybrid-only RAV4 and not using a plan to deal with that drawback. However we wouldn’t be stunned if it’s laborious to come up with some combos of powertrain, fashion, and choices for the primary few months.
The 2026 RAV4 reaches sellers “later this yr,” the corporate says.
