2026 Toyota RAV4 goes all-hybrid: New models, more power and bold design
2026 Toyota RAV4 goes all-hybrid: New models, more power and bold design
Show Caption
Hide Caption
President Trump signs executive order to relieve some auto tariffs
President Donald Trump signed an executive order to relax some auto tariffs, though the industry won't see a total exemption.
The dramatic move follows Toyota's change to all-hybrid last year with the Camry, America's No. 1 midsize sedan.
An outdoorsy new Woodland model will be available as a hybrid or PHEV. AWD will be standard.
America's bestselling non-pickup will switch to an all-hybrid lineup when the 2026 Toyota RAV4 compact SUV goes on sale later this year.
The dramatic move follows Toyota's change to all-hybrid last year with the Camry, America's No. 1 midsize sedan.
Toyota is dramatically increasing sales of hybrid and electric vehicles at the same time the company says U.S. tariffs will raise prices and make it harder for people to afford a new vehicle.
'A 25% tariff is not sustainable long term without significant price increases,' Toyota North America Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Mark Templin said at the company's sprawling headquarter complex in Plano, Texas. 'They put a new car out of reach of many consumers.'
New sporty and outdoorsy models
The new RAV4 lineup will include plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and performance GR-Sport models as the automaker looks to expand sales of its franchise vehicle. The PHEVs will produce 320 horsepower, up from 302 for the 2025 RAV4. The sporty GR-Sport will be a PHEV.
More Toyota reviews: I took Toyota's 2025 Land Cruiser out for a second look ― and loved it more
For the first time, hybrids will be available on front- and all-wheel models.
An outdoorsy new Woodland model will be available as a hybrid or PHEV. AWD will be standard.
Toyota will announce electric range, fuel economy and prices closer to when sales begin.
Key features:
DC fast charging port for PHEVs
Nine-speaker JBL audio
Head-up display
Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
New lights, gauges and screens
Toyota's "hammerhead" grille and front lights are new, along with LED taillights.
The interior features a 10.5- or 12.9-inch touch screen, depending on trim level. Digital climate controls are integrated into the bottom of the screen.
A 12.3-inch digital instrument replaces 7-inch mechanical gauges. Upper trim levels will get a toggle-switch gear selector.
The RAV4's dimensions don't change, but the body grew stiffer to reduce noise and improve ride and handling.
Contact Mark Phelan: mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Entrepreneur
33 minutes ago
- Entrepreneur
Doing nothing is still doing something
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur United Kingdom, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Every week, I speak to people who've just sold a business, inherited a lump sum, or hit a major milestone. Suddenly, they're staring at a big question. What should I do with this money? More often than not, their answer is nothing. In a world that feels defined by rolling uncertainty – from elections to interest rates, inflation to geopolitical unrest – many smart, accomplished individuals convince themselves that pressing pause is the prudent move. They tell themselves they'll wait for the next election, the next Bank of England announcement, or until the latest crisis in the Middle East or the US blows over. But here's the uncomfortable truth, doing nothing is still doing something – and very often, it's the wrong thing. We saw this play out at the start of the year when Donald Trump's likely return to the White House and the prospect of fresh tariffs sent ripples through global markets. Investors froze, and while the tariffs have been shelved (for now), the real damage had already been done – not to portfolios, but to behaviour. This is decision paralysis in action. And in my experience, it's most acute among entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals post-exit, many of whom are navigating wealth independently for the first time. It's human nature to crave certainty, especially when it comes to money, but if you're waiting for a time when everything is calm, clear, and safe before investing or making a financial decision, I've got bad news – that day is never going to arrive. Markets move, the political climate is noisy, the global economy is always in flux. If you're frozen by fear, your money isn't standing still – it's slipping backwards. One former client sold down their pension right before the Brexit vote, convinced markets would crash. The market dipped, briefly, then bounced. By the time they tried to get back in, they'd missed the rebound and locked in the loss. Others are still on the sidelines, holding out for the 'right time'. Meanwhile, the market has delivered double-digit returns. High interest rates have only added to the inertia. Plenty of people are sitting on cash, happy to earn 5% in the bank. But if you're a higher-rate taxpayer, you're pocketing closer to 2.5% – less than inflation – and over time, your 'safe' money is shrinking in real terms. Global Equities, by contrast, are up 11% over the past year – despite all the turmoil around tariffs. This hesitation isn't limited to financial investments either, we're seeing the same reluctance around property purchases. Entrepreneurs are delaying buying homes or commercial units in the hope that mortgage rates will fall or prices will soften. However, unless you have a crystal ball, trying to time the market is a game you're unlikely to win. If you've found a property that suits your needs and budget, and you can afford it, the best decision is to buy it. Your home is where you live, not a speculative asset to be perfectly timed. There's immense freedom in simply making a decision. It takes the weight off your mind and gives you back your mental bandwidth – something every founder or investor will recognise as valuable in its own right. Doing nothing might feel like the safe bet, but inaction can be far more damaging than a well-informed choice. And contrary to popular belief, you don't need to have all the answers today. What you do need is a plan. Even a basic plan creates structure, helps you map the road ahead, and protects you from making knee-jerk decisions driven by fear or headlines. Here's how to break free from the grip of decision paralysis: Zoom out: Focus on your long-term objectives, rather than tomorrow's headlines. What do you want your money to do for you over the next 10, 20, 30 years? Separate fact from fear: Emotions often drive poor decisions. If you find yourself saying "I'll just wait until…", ask whether that's a rational strategy or an emotional deflection. Get advice: A good financial planner will help you understand your goals, cut out the noise, and navigate complexity with clarity. Act with intent: Even small, deliberate steps can make a difference. Wealth isn't built from the sidelines. Entrepreneurs are used to taking calculated risks, but when it comes to managing post-exit wealth or personal finances, many find themselves out of their depth. A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing – and half-understanding the tax system, the economy, or the markets can lead to costly mistakes. That's why it's so important to talk to someone. Burying your head in the sand is not a wealth strategy. The economy will always feel volatile, but the people who do best are those who act with confidence and intention – no matter the noise. You don't need to get every decision right, but you do need to make a decision. Inaction is a choice, and often, it's the most expensive one of all.
The Hill
35 minutes ago
- The Hill
China blasts US for its computer chip moves and for threatening student visas
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — China blasted the U.S. on Monday over moves it alleged harmed Chinese interests, including issuing AI chip export control guidelines, stopping the sale of chip design software to China, and planning to revoke Chinese student visas. 'These practices seriously violate the consensus' reached during trade discussions in Geneva last month, the Commerce Ministry said in a statement. That referred to a China-U.S. joint statement in which the United States and China agreed to slash their massive recent tariffs, restarting stalled trade between the world's two biggest economies. But last month's de-escalation in President Donald Trump's trade wars did nothing to resolve underlying differences between Beijing and Washington and Monday's statement showed how easily such agreements can lead to further turbulence. The deal lasts 90 days, creating time for U.S. and Chinese negotiators to reach a more substantive agreement. But the pause also leaves tariffs higher than before Trump started ramping them up last month. And businesses and investors must contend with uncertainty about whether the truce will last. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the U.S. agreed to drop the 145% tax Trump imposed last month to 30%. China agreed to lower its tariff rate on U.S. goods to 10% from 125%. The Commerce Ministry said China held up its end of the deal, canceling or suspending tariffs and non-tariff measures taken against the U.S. 'reciprocal tariffs' following the agreement. 'The United States has unilaterally provoked new economic and trade frictions, exacerbating the uncertainty and instability of bilateral economic and trade relations,' while China has stood by its commitments, the statement said. It also threatened unspecified retaliation, saying China will 'continue to take resolute and forceful measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.' And in response to recent comments by Trump, it said of the U.S.: 'Instead of reflecting on itself, it has turned the tables and unreasonably accused China of violating the consensus, which is seriously contrary to the facts.' Trump stirred further controversy Friday, saying he will no longer be nice with China on trade, declaring in a social media post that the country had broken an agreement with the United States. Hours later, Trump said in the Oval Office that he will speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping and 'hopefully we'll work that out,' while still insisting China had violated the agreement. 'The bad news is that China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US,' Trump posted. 'So much for being Mr. NICE GUY!' The Trump administration also stepped up the clash with China in other ways last week, announcing that it would start revoking visas for Chinese students studying in the U.S. U.S. campuses host more than 275,000 students from China. Both countries are in a race to develop advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, with Washington seeking to curb China's access to the most advanced computer chips. China is also seeking to displace the U.S. as the leading power in the Asia-Pacific, including through gaining control over close U.S. partner and leading tech giant Taiwan.
San Francisco Chronicle
41 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Asian shares slide as Russia-Ukraine conflict, OPEC+ output plan push oil prices higher
HONG KONG (AP) — Asian shares sank on Monday and oil prices jumped as trade tensions and the Russian-Ukraine conflict ratcheted up geopolitical uncertainty. Hong Kong's Hang Seng plunged more than 2% as Beijing and Washington traded harsh words over trade. U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement that he will double tariffs on steel and aluminum to 50% layered on still more worries for investors. A report over the weekend that China's factory activity contracted in May, although the decline slowed from April as the country reached a deal with the U.S. to slash President Donald Trump's sky-high tariffs, further undermined market sentiment. Markets in mainland China were closed for a holiday. Oil prices rallied after OPEC+ decided on a modest increase in output beginning in July. It was the third monthly increase in a row. U.S. benchmark crude oil gained $1.60 to $62.39 per barrel, while Brent crude, the international standard, was up $1.41 at $64.19 per barrel. Moscow pounded Ukraine with missiles and drones just hours before a new round of direct peace talks in Istanbul and a Ukrainian drone attack destroyed more than 40 Russian planes deep in Russia's territory, Ukraine's Security Service said on Sunday. Hong Kong's Hang Seng dropped 2.2% to 22,778.45 as China and the U.S. accused each other of breaching their tariff agreement reached in Geneva last month. Tokyo's Nikkei 225 lost 1.6% to 37,356.97, while the Kospi in Seoul fell 0.4% to 2,686.17. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 retreated 0.2% to 8,416.00. On Friday, Wall Street closed its best month since 2023. The S&P 500 retreated less than 0.1% to end at 5,911.69 and the Dow industrials Jones Industrial Average edged 0.1% higher to 42,270.07. The Nasdaq composite fell 0.3% to 19,113.77. Gap weighed on the market even though the retailer reported stronger profit and revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected. The company behind Banana Republic and Old Navy fell 20.2% after saying tariffs on imports from China and other countries could add up to $300 million to its costs this fiscal year. It has strategies set to mitigate up to half of that before it hits its profits. Hopes had largely been rising that the worst of such worries had passed, which in turn sent stocks rallying, after Trump paused his tariffs on both China and the European Union. A U.S. court then on Wednesday blocked many of Trump's sweeping tariffs. That all sent the S&P 500 in May to its first winning month in four and its best since November. But the tariffs remain in place while the White House appeals the ruling by the U.S. Court of International Trade, and the ultimate outcome is still uncertain. Friday's most influential losses came from several Big Tech stocks. Nvidia fell 2.9% to give back some of its gain from earlier in the week after it topped analysts' expectations for profit in the latest quarter. It was the single heaviest weight by far on the S&P 500. On the winning side of Wall Street was Ulta Beauty, which rose 11.8% after the retailer reported stronger sales and profit than analysts forecast. It also raised the top end of its forecasted range for revenue this fiscal year even though CEO Kecia Steelman called the operating environment 'fluid.' In the bond market, Treasury yields eased after a report showed that the measure of inflation that the Federal Reserve likes to use was slightly lower in April than economists expected. A separate report from the University of Michigan said that sentiment among U.S. consumers was better in May than economists expected. Sentiment improved in the back half of the month after Trump paused many of his tariffs on China. In currency trading early Monday, the U.S. dollar fell to 143.55 Japanese yen from 143.87 yen. The euro inched up to $1.1364 from $1.1351.
