Toyota’s RAV4 is the carmaker’s top selling SUV and the top seller in its segment. And the 2026 model has been made even better and more attractive with significant upgrades. In AWD configuration, RAV4 is offered in LE, SE, Limited and Woodland trim models.
For starters, RAV4 has been redesigned as its front end takes on a chiseled, almost Lexus look with LED projector headlights. More significantly, the 2026 is now only offered as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid. We tested the hybrid.
But that’s now all. RAV4’s interior is ultra-classy with a new 12.9-inch infotainment display, a 12.3-inch gauge cluster and heated/ventilated Softex trimmed front seats along with heated rear seats.
Then there’s the RAV4 Woodland trim that offers added ground clearance and beefy all-terrain tires for serious off-road jaunts.
Aside from its good looks, RAV4’s interior is more what you’d find in a luxury sedan. Front seats are heavily padded with good lateral support and are ventilated for hot days. The large 12.9-inch infotainment screen serves a host of apps, functions and features such as drive mode selections, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto wireless connectivity, XM satellite radio, HVAC controls, Rear, front and 36-degree cameras, and lots more.
The console houses a toggle type gear selector for the CVT automatic transmission. It’s surrounded by a phone charging pad on the lower stack and its nestled between two pods of sort. On the left is the Econ/EV mode switch which allows full electric motoring for short trips, and on the right, are switches for Trail, Snow and Normal drive modes. It’s an all-encompassing design. The only feature I’d like to see is an AWD Lock mode when the going gets extra tough and nasty.
Over on the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, it not only emits traditional information, but also serves to display drive modes, functions, alerts and more.
Step-in into the back seat is a mere 19-inches with easy ingress/egress thanks to wide opening doors. And because of an almost flat transaxle hump, there’s decent leg room for a third or middle passenger. And the seats are nicely padded with excellent headroom.
RAV4’s cargo area is quite spacious with a 27.5-inch lift-over onto the cargo floor. With the second-row seats upright, there’s 37.8 cubic feet of cargo space that measures 38 inches deep, 43 wide and 31 high. Flip the second-row seats and space expands to 70.4 cubic feet for 72 inches of loading depth. There’s some small item storage beneath the cargo floor where items can be stowed within the space-saver spare tire, and in spaces on either side of it.
Under the hood is a 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder that generates a combined (with three AC motors) 236-hp and 163 lb./ft of torque for EPA mileage estimates of an impressive 43 city, 37-highway mpg. So powered, RAV4 AWD comes with a 3,500-pound tow rating. In EV mode, RAV4 performs like a full electric car in that acceleration is quick, quiet and head snapping.
Ride wise, RAV4 is a bit on the taut side but with good handling traits. The 2.5-liter moves this 3,920-pound SUV with ease.
And with an appreciable 8.1 inches of ground clearance, RAV can handle mild off-roads and modest snow depths.
For a base price of $43,300, this comes with a host of safety features like panoramic view monitor, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, front/rear parking assist with auto braking (a much-needed accident preventer), front cross traffic alert, lane change assist and advanced park (auto parking), rain sensing wipers, plus several more items already mentioned.
With the only options being a head-up display ($600), carpeted floor/cargo mats ($339), door sill protectors ($99), wheel locks ($90), rear cargo hatch lamps ($425), mud guards ($160), low profile cross bars ($320) and delivery ($1,450), they took the bottom line to $46,883.
RAV4 is covered by a limited warranty of 3 years/36K miles; powertrain warranty of 5 years, 60K miles; Hybrid components covered for 10 years or 150,000 miles; and complimentary scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles.
With all this, RAV4 is not only a capable, proven SUV, but it offers the best of both worlds of a hybrid powertrain coupled to an EV all-electric system for a quiet, economical ride. It’s a compelling buy.
