2026 Toyota RAV4 Debuts With Hybrid-Only Power and a New Sporty Trim
The Toyota RAV4 is one of the brand's most successful vehicles. Last year alone, Toyota sold 475,193 units of the RAV4 in the US, third only to the Chevrolet Silverado and Ford F Series. But last year's RAV was already six years old and riding an outdated platform, so it was only a matter of time before we got a new one. And it's finally here.
The
2026 Toyota RAV4
aims to keep the sales train rolling with major improvements in the design, technology, and powertrain departments. Most notably, Toyota ditches its pure-gas engine for a now-standard hybrid powertrain with an even more powerful, even more efficient plug-in-hybrid option that extends to more trims than ever before.
All-Hybrid, All The Time
Photo by: Toyota
The standard naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine is dead; long live the 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid. The 2026 RAV4 packs a hybrid powertrain with Toyota's fifth-generation hybrid system equipped, which sees major improvements to the power control unit and battery for improved output and efficiency.
The new RAV4 hybrid makes 226 horsepower when paired with standard front-wheel drive—the first for the model—or 236 horsepower with all-wheel drive. The FWD RAV has 23 more hp than the outgoing front-drive gas model, while the AWD version sees a 17-hp increase over the previous AWD hybrid. Toyota hasn't released fuel economy figures yet.
The 2026 RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid replaces the outgoing RAV4 Prime and adopts Toyota's sixth-generation plug-in-hybrid unit, which features two electric motors and a larger high-capacity traction battery with new silicon-carbide semiconductors to improve efficiency and power delivery. All told, the new RAV PHEV makes 320 hp and gets up to 50 miles of electric range on a single charge—up from 42 miles in the Prime.
Photo by: Toyota
Photo by: Toyota
Model
Output
Drive Type
EV Range
RAV4 Hybrid
226 / 236 Horsepower
FWD / AWD
--
RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid
320 Horsepower
AWD
50 Miles
That bigger battery also means that the RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid is DC fast-charging capable on certain trims, although the company has yet to disclose charging rates. The XSE and Woodland trims with a CCS charging port are capable of fast charging, but the SE and new GR Sport trims (more on this in a bit) use a non-fast-charging-capable J1772 port. An 11-kilowatt onboard charger is also available on all trims.
Even with hybrid power, the RAV4 maintains its maximum 3,500-pound towing capacity with AWD models. Front-drive RAV4 models see their towing capacity improve from 1,500 pounds to 1,750 pounds.
More To Choose From
Photo by: Toyota
Toyota breaks the 2026 RAV4 down into three different categories: Core Design, Rugged Design, and Sport Design. The Core Design category consists of the LE, XLE, and Limited trims, all with the standard hybrid powertrain. The LE and XLE offer either FWD or AWD, while the Limited gets AWD exclusively.
Move up to the Rugged Design category, and Toyota offers just one trim (for now): The Woodland. The RAV4 Woodland has off-road-focused cues like all-terrain tires, additional LED lights in the front bumper, and a standard roof rack. Buyers can choose from the hybrid or plug-in-hybrid powertrain here, with AWD only on either powertrain.
At the top of the lineup are the Sport Design models, which consist of the SE, XSE, and the new GR Sport. The SE comes with your choice of the hybrid or plug-in powertrain with either FWD or AWD, while the XSE has the choice of both powertrains but AWD exclusively.
Trims
Powertrain
Drive Type
Core Design
LE / XLE / Limited
Hybrid
FWD / AWD
Rugged Design
Woodland
Hybrid / Plug-In Hybrid
AWD
Sport Design
SE / XSE / GR Sport
Hybrid (SE, XSE) / Plug-In Hybrid (GR Sport)
FWD (SE) / AWD (SE, XSE, GR Sport)
Toyota RAV4 Woodland
Photo by: Toyota
2026 Toyota RAV4 Limited
Photo by: Toyota
The GR Sport is Toyota's first true performance-oriented RAV—although, it's still not a full GR model. It's powered by the PHEV powertrain and with AWD, making a properly powerful 320 horsepower, which means it should be even quicker to 60 miles per hour than the outgoing RAV4 Prime, which got there in 5.5 seconds.
Visual cues like the larger front grille with the GR badge set the RAV4 GR Sport apart from the rest of the lineup (and it looks suspiciously similar to the GR Corolla's updated grille), as do the special 20-inch wheels, rear roof spoiler, and interior, which is lined with suede and faux leather accents.
Big On Tech, Big On Safety
Photo by: Toyota
The 2026 RAV4 goes heavy on screens with a standard 10.5-inch central touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Buyers can opt for a larger 12.9-inch touchscreen on certain models. Every version of the RAV runs a new generation of Toyota's Audio Multimedia system that promises to be quicker and even more responsive, complete with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual Bluetooth compatibility, and for the first time, a static home button.
The 2026 RAV is also the first Toyota with the brand's Safety Sense 4.0 safety suite, which has all the same technology as the previous system—adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, etc—but with enhanced hardware and detection capabilities.
27
Source: Toyota
RAV4 Pricing
One thing we still don't know is what Toyota will ask for the latest RAV4. The 2025 model costs just under $30,000, but we don't expect this new version to be that much pricier.
More on the Toyota RAV4
The 2026 Toyota RAV4's Hybrid System Is Brilliant. Here's Why
The 2026 Toyota RAV4 GR sport Has Real Sports Car Cred
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Gallery: 2026 Toyota RAV4
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Source: Toyota
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