Is This the Best RAV4 Yet? Toyota's 2026 Redesign Revealed

Yahoo

23-05-2025

To say that the Toyota RAV4 is one of the most popular cars on the road is an understatement. Save for pickup trucks like the Ford F-Series and the Chevrolet Silverado, Toyota's humble crossover was the bestselling car in the United States last year, as 475,193 units made their way onto driveways across America.
In lieu of this, the last time the RAV got some major updates in the looks department was back in 2021, while the platform it rides on dates back to 2018. However, for 2026, Toyota is rolling out a new, redesigned RAV4 with futuristic and bold new looks, new technology, and new, electrified hybrid powertrains under the hood for maximum efficiency and performance.
The most significant change from the 2025 to 2026 model year RAV4 is under the hood, where Toyota followed the same steps as the midsize Camry sedan and ditched the gas-only 2.5-liter inline-four cylinder engines that powered previous models for a selection of new hybrid powertrains.
The conventional RAV4 hybrids have a 2.5-liter four-cylinder equipped with Toyota's fifth-generation hybrid system, which makes 226 horsepower in its new front-wheel-drive configuration and 236 horsepower with all-wheel-drive. This translates to 23 more horsepower from the outgoing gas-only front-wheel drive model, 33 more from the outgoing gas-only all-wheel-drive model, and 17 more horses from the outgoing all-wheel-drive hybrid.
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However, plug-in hybrid versions get Toyota's sixth-generation plug-in hybrid system, which consists of two electric motors and a bigger battery pack with new silicon-carbide semiconductors for improved efficiency, power delivery, and available fast charging capabilities. Exclusively offered in AWD, the new RAV4 PHEV cranks out 18 more horsepower than the outgoing one, for a total of 320 combined horsepower and 50 estimated miles of all-electric range, 8 more than the 2025 model.
Though the new RAV4s are hybrids, they are still capable of towing. All-wheel-drive RAV4s have a maximum 3,500-pound towing capacity, while front-drive RAV4s have a towing capacity bump from 1,500 pounds to 1,750 pounds.
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Apart from its new electrified heart under the hood, the 2026 RAV4's most significant change is its styling. While the overall shape of the 2026 RAV4 has not changed from the familiar short-tail, high-hood silhouette of the 2025 model, the new model features some design elements that keep the car up-to-date with contemporary styling trends.
The new face of the RAV4 features sharp, C-shaped LED taillights similar to those on the Prius and Camry, as well as an expressive, oversized grille, and bigger intake holes on the sides for a tougher, more aggressive look in other drivers' rear-view mirrors. The side profile remains virtually unchanged and still features trapezoidal wheel arches, while the back gets a bold, new treatment with new Lexus-style LED taillights and a prominent tailgate spoiler.
Toyota offers the 2026 RAV4 in three different varieties beyond its usual trim levels: Core Design, Rugged Design, and Sport Design, which offer different styling elements and personalities for various buyers. The familiar LE, XLE, and Limited trims are contained within the Core Design category and all come with the standard hybrid powertrain. The LE and XLE are offered in either FWD or AWD, while the Limited exclusively gets AWD.
The Rugged Design category offers what the name suggests: it turns the RAV4 into a tough, rugged-looking all-wheel-drive hybrid on this side of a TRD Pro or Subaru Wilderness badge. The appropriately named Woodland trim gets a smattering of rugged goodies, including a revised split grille, front bumper-mounted LED light strips, roof rails, and a half-inch lift from the standard all-terrain tires.
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The Sport Design category, however, offers the sport-inspired SE, XSE, and GR Sport trims, which inject a bit of boy-racer attitude into the otherwise pedestrian family hauler. The SE trim comes in hybrid or plug-in powertrains in front-wheel or all-wheel-drive configurations, while the XSE exclusively gets AWD on either powertrain.
The highlight of the Sport Design category is the GR Sport (think BMW M-Sport, or Kia's GT-line), a performance-oriented model that features a stiffer chassis, unique suspension and steering tuning, and a whole host of Gazoo Racing-branded goodies including a GR Corolla-style grille, special 20-inch wheels, a bigger rear roof spoiler, and a GR-branded red and black interior with suede and faux leather accents.
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Like most modern car interiors, the RAV4's interior is defined by its technology. Screens are king in the 2026 RAV4 dashboard, and up front, drivers get a standard 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a giant infotainment screen smack dab in the middle of the dashboard that ranges from 10.5 to 12.9 inches, depending on trim level. Higher trim levels can also get an optional heads-up display.
Toyota says that the new infotainment screens can be used with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which are powered by its new in-house software called Arene. The new software not only houses its updated Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 driver-assist system and a new version of the Toyota Audio Multimedia System, but also collects data and uses AI to personalize vehicles to their owners. However, one potential drawback of the big screen is that physical climate controls have been replaced with digital versions permanently displayed at the bottom of the display.
New RAV4 drivers also get more practical interior features, including a new center console with bigger cupholders, extra storage cubbyholes, and increased trunk storage for extra shopping. In addition, optional interior extras on specific models add unique touches to the RAV4's interior; for instance, Woodland models get a special Mineral color and all-weather floor mats, while some trims can be equipped with a nine-speaker JBL premium sound system.
Toyota says that the 2026 Toyota RAV4 will arrive at U.S. dealerships in late 2025, with the new, updated model being available to customers in 180 countries and territories globally. Pricing will be revealed closer to the official launch.
Though this is a major redesign rather than a whole new model, the hybrid-only powertrains, new styling, and updated tech signal that Toyota is keeping its thumb on the pulse of the buying public. Although significant questions remain to be answered, such as EPA fuel economy numbers and pricing, one thing is sure: as one of the bestselling cars in the world, it will be everywhere, doing everything from hauling families to New York City taxi duty.
Is This the Best RAV4 Yet? Toyota's 2026 Redesign Revealed first appeared on Autoblog on May 22, 2025