2026 Toyota RAV4 Road Test and Review

2026 Toyota RAV4 GR Sport ・ Photo by Ron Sessions

For the 2026 model year, Toyota electrifies all versions of its top-selling RAV4 in the U.S., with a choice of conventional hybrid or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains. While the overall dimensions – inside and out – are mostly unchanged from recent years, design details are quite different. There are now seven available trims: LE, XLE Premium, SE, XSE, Limited, off-road-oriented Woodland (which takes over from last year’s Woodland Edition), and a new performance-oriented GR Sport. GR is short for Gazoo Racing, the same performance sub brand encompassing the GR 86, GR Corolla, and GR Supra. The RAV4 GR Sport is the first high-performance iteration of Toyota’s compact crossover in its three-decade-long history.

The all-new sixth-generation RAV4 arrives with a choice of three distinct front-end designs: Core, Rugged, and Sport. The Core design, used in LE, XLE Premium (shown nearby), Limited, SE, and XSE grades, features a checkerboard in-fascia body-color grille that’s a little too facemask-like for me but looked modern. I much prefer the more traditional horizontally split blackout grille of the Woodland model and the still larger and deeper-set black mesh grille on the GR Sport.

Non-plug-in Hybrid versions of the 2026 RAV4 will arrive at U.S. dealers in November 2025, with the PHEV models due here in the first quarter of 2026. As this is written, Toyota has not announced pricing other than saying the standard Hybrid will begin in the low $30,000 range. Tricky to predict in these times of ever-shifting tariffs, the trend is to higher prices with the top-rung Woodland and GR Sport likely starting in the low $50,000s.

Major competitors include the Honda CR-V Hybrid, Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, Kia Sportage Hybrid, and Subaru Forester Hybrid. Both the Tucson and Sportage also offer plug-in hybrid variations.

The Surprising RAV4 GR Sport

Previously sold as the RAV4 Prime, the plug-in hybrid version of Toyota’s compact crossover SUV has been known for its surprising performance, with acceleration coming close to the brand’s iconic GR Supra sports car. With the all-new GR Sport, Toyota creates a version of the PHEV RAV4 with motorsport-inspired handling and sporty appearance cues that complement its power.

The all-new GR Sport distinguishes itself from more mainstream RAV4 models with a rear wing and front lip spoiler, front bumper active cooling ducts, lower rear valance with rear air diffuser, 15mm reduced ride height, standard 20-inch Dunlop Sportmaxx summer performance tires (all-season treads are a no-cost option) on increased-offset black alloy wheels, red painted brake calipers, wide gloss black wheel opening moldings, and available two-tone paint with black roof.

2026 Toyota RAV4 GR Sport ・ Photo by Ron Sessions

Hybrid Power Exclusively

All 2026 RAV4 models are equipped with a hybrid gas-electric powertrain. No versions of the new RAV4 come with a conventional gasoline-only setup. Power and fuel economy are improved across both conventional Hybrid and PHEV powertrains. Last year, just two RAV4 trims were available with the PHEV powertrain. PHEV availability expands to four trims for 2026: SE AWD, XSE AWD, Woodland, and the new GR Sport. All PHEV models come equipped with standard all-wheel drive.

Front-wheel-drive RAV4 Hybrids now offer 226 net combined horsepower, up from 203 hp in last year’s model, while all-wheel-drive 2026 RAV4 Hybrids roll with 236 combined horsepower, an increase from 219 in 2025. For plug-in powertrains, net combined output jumps 7 percent from last year’s 302 hp to 324 in 2026.

Fuel economy gets a boost this year as well in some RAV4 models. The PHEV SE and XSE models get a boost of 3 mpg in the combined EPA rating to 41 mpg.

2026 Toyota RAV4 GR Sport ・ Photo by Ron Sessions

Plug in, Charge, and Go

Among the key changes for the 2026 RAV4 is a larger battery that helps deliver increased all-electric driving range of models with the PHEV powertrain, up to a segment-leading 52 miles on SE and XSE models, 49 on the Woodland, and 48 miles with the GR Sport.

When it's time to recharge the PHEV’s 22.7 kWh lithium-ion traction battery, procedures vary depending on which RAV4 model is getting juiced.

Pictured nearby is the J1772 charge port on the right front fender of SE and GR Sport trims for 120- and 240-volt AC charging. Using this plug, the RAV4 PHEV traction battery can be completely charged on 240-volt AC in about 2.5 hours (with the 11 kW charge cable) or 3.5 hours (using the 7 kW charge cable).

Not shown is the CCS1 charge port used with Woodland and XSE PHEV models that’s capable of handling DC fast charging, a rare feature among plug-ins. Using DC fast charging, the RAV4 PHEV traction battery can go from a 10 percent charge to an 80 percent charge in about 35 minutes. These RAV4 PHEV models can also be charged at Tesla Supercharger stations, but a NACS adapter must be used.

2026 Toyota RAV4 GR Sport ・ Photo by Ron Sessions

Upgraded Cabin and Infotainment

Front and center, the 2026 RAV4 gets a new digital reconfigurable 12.3-inch driver display that can show cloud-based navigation maps and directions directly in the driver’s line of sight with an active Drive Connect subscription. An in-vehicle dashcam recording video clips from the RAV4’s external cameras is standard.

Measuring 12.9 inches, the GR Sport gets the larger of two available RAV4 infotainment touchscreens at the center of the dash. The screen is bright and colorful, encompassing dual-zone climate control settings and seat heating and cooling controls. A new split-screen feature allows the user to customize the home screen, dragging and dropping widgets for audio, weather, phone, navigation, drive modes and such for quicker access and less menu diving. There’s also a new Quick Control menu for accessing advanced driver assistance, screen settings, and such. Also, an improved native voice assistant that can quickly access the system’s 5G connectivity and answer “Hey Toyota” road trip requests for things like upcoming weather, music and food choices, as well as assistance with adjusting the cabin temperature, audio volume, or wiper blade speed. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. There are five USB-C charge ports for keeping mobile devices topped off: three up front and a pair for rear-seaters. Luddites rejoice: Toyota kept the analog audio volume knob for quick, distraction-free, on-the-fly adjustments.

The GR Sport’s interior features several thoughtful details such as a wide mid-dash shelf with a single wireless charging pad on one side and a storage area alongside it. Replacing the shallow dual cup holders in the previous RAV4 is a new, more accessible dual front cup holder design that makes it easier to lift out short hot beverage cups without spilling the contents. A removable section between the two cup holders makes for a larger, open bin for when drink holders are not required. Also adding flexibility is a console center bin lid that can be opened from either the driver or front passenger side. It can also be flipped over, providing a padded center armrest on one side or a convenient writing or eating hard surface on the other.

A six-speaker stereo is standard with a nine-speaker (with subwoofer) JBL premium system available. A 90-day trial of SiriusXM 360L is included with both systems. With SiriusXM 360L, you can experience genre-specific channels, plus stream on-demand podcasts, music performances, and sports content.

GR Sport further trims out the cabin with steering-wheel paddle shifters, a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather-wrapped armrests, and soft-touch dash coverings.

2026 Toyota RAV4 GR Sport ・ Photo by Ron Sessions

New Front Seats

The GR Sport’s heated and ventilated front seats are bolstered just right for everyday comfort and long-trip support. The driver’s seat is eight-way adjustable with memory settings and lumbar support, although the front passenger’s six-way adjustable perch is manually adjustable only. Both are covered in good-looking faux-leather Softex material with butt-gripping Brin Naub synthetic suede inserts. Also dressing up the GR Sport’s cabin are aluminum sport pedals and a leather-trimmed shifter boot. Red accent stitching and GR logos are in abundance throughout the interior.

2026 Toyota RAV4 GR Sport ・ Photo by Ron Sessions

Ample Cargo and Rear Seat Room

Despite its sporty execution, the 2026 RAV4 GR Sport remains a practical and flexible vehicle that’s an excellent choice for everyday transportation. The back seat offers decent space for three adults, and a fold-down center armrest with dual cup holders, rear USB-C charge ports, and rear-seat climate-control vents help make it a livable space. With its fold-flat 60/40 split seatbacks, cargo versatility is excellent. The cargo floor features an adjustable height design. Access is via a power-operated liftback door.

2026 Toyota RAV4 GR Sport ・ Photo by Ron Sessions

Updated Safety and Driver Assistance

Updating from Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 used in previous years, the 2026 RAV4 gets standard Toyota Safety Sense 4.0. The new system consists of forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and auto emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, lane departure alert, trailer lane tracing assist, auto high beams, road sign assist, front cross traffic alert, and driver alertness monitor. Also standard is a blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert, safe exit alert, and a backup camera with dynamic guidelines. The GR Sport adds front and rear parking assist with auto braking and upgrades from a basic backup camera to a 3D panoramic view monitor.

2026 Toyota RAV4 GR Sport ・ Photo by Ron Sessions

Dynamically Speaking

The GR Sport is the first iteration of the RAV4 to be shod with summer performance tires. Snow country denizens need not worry though, as all-season tires of the same 235/50R20 size are a no-cost option. The GR Sport tires have shorter sidewalls than the 235/60R18 rubber in garden-variety RAV4s which increases steering responsiveness due to reduced sidewall flex.

All 2026 RAV4s benefit from reinforcements at suspension mounting points and more rigid body structure connecting to the roof pillars, front cowl, and rear wheelhouses, helping driver inputs translate into predictable vehicle responses. Another improvement for all RAV4s this year is an electronically controlled booster for the brake system master cylinder which results in more linear and smoother pedal response.

Together with the GR Sport’s added rear suspension member reinforcement and front suspension cross damping rod, as well as its specific sport-tuned coil springs and dampers, the new performance-tuned version of the RAV4 raises the bar on handling and road feel to match the spirited thrust of the PHEV powertrain. This was the big takeaway during a two-hour drive of the GR Sport on the mountainous highways and twisty rural side roads between Phoenix and Payson, Arizona.

2026 Toyota RAV4 GR Sport ・ Photo by Ron Sessions

Continuous Improvement 101

Thirty years after it first appeared in the U.S., the RAV4 outsells all other Toyota SUVs and crossovers combined. It is also the best-selling compact crossover SUV in the states. For 2026, Toyota covers more of the waterfront than its competitors, offering seven trims, two gas-electric hybrid powertrains, and the brand’s first-ever motorsports-enhanced crossover SUV. The all-new GR Sport model takes the elevated performance of its plug-in hybrid powertrain to new levels of dynamic driving pleasure while improving efficiency, range, and fuel efficiency.

2026 Toyota RAV4 GR Sport ・ Photo by Ron Sessions