The fifth-generation Toyota RAV4 is finally being retired. Having debuted in 2019, it was getting a little long in the tooth, and now a sixth-generation 2026 Toyota RAV4 has debuted. Prepare to see these everywhere, as the RAV4 will likely continue to be America’s best-selling crossover. It will compete for hearts and dollars against the Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain.
2026 Toyota RAV4 Limited
2026 Toyota RAV4 Limited
The Toyota RAV4 is the latest Toyota model to go hybrid-only, following several others, such as the Camry, Sienna, Land Cruiser, and Sequoia. A conventional hybrid (HEV) powertrain is standard, and a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) setup is optional. No longer marketed as separate models, the two powertrain choices are now integrated into one cohesive RAV4 lineup.
2026 Toyota RAV4 Woodland
2026 Toyota RAV4 Woodland
“At Toyota, customer choice is paramount,” Toyota vice president and general manager David Christ said. “With three distinct styles, two highly efficient electrified powertrains, and available Front- or All-Wheel Drive, the all-new RAV4 offers something for everyone and is ready to take on all of life’s adventures.”
2026 Toyota RAV4 GR Sport
2026 Toyota RAV4 GR Sport
The new Toyota RAV4 lineup is divided into three “Design” categories: Core Design, Rugged Design, and Sport Design. The Core Design trims are familiar; LE, XLE, and Limited, all of which come with the HEV powertrain. The Rugged Design category consists only of the Woodland trim with standard AWD and a choice of the HEV or PHEV powertrain. It’s safe to assume a TRD model is on the way at some point to expand the Rugged Design lineup. Sport Design consists of SE, XSE, and a new GR Sport model. GR Sport comes exclusively with the PHEV setup, and either powertrain is available in the other two.
2026 Toyota RAV4 Woodland interior
Both hybrid powertrains use a 2.5L I4 gas engine. The HEV makes 226 hp with FWD and 236 hp with AWD. Meanwhile, the PHEV, which has standard AWD, produces up to 320 hp and gets an estimated 50-mile all-electric range. Other updates that come with the all-new 2026 Toyota RAV4 include the Arene software platform, which powers the Toyota Audio Multimedia system, and the new Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 (TSS 4.0) system. Details are light on TSS 4.0, but it doesn’t sound like it will be a hands-free system like Super Cruise.
2026 Toyota RAV4 GR Sport interior
Naturally, a big advantage the 2026 Toyota RAV4 has over its GM rivals is its two hybrid powertrains. Plug-in hybrid GM models are on their way to North America for 2027, but we’re still waiting for official details on specific models. The Chevy Equinox EV is an excellent value in all-electric crossovers, but GM has nothing on the U.S. market to satisfy the growing consumer interest in hybrids unless you count sports cars with six-digit price tags.
Comments
226 horsepower and 40+ mpg vs GM’s worst in class 170 horsepower 1.5 Turbo with a junky CVT in the equinox and terrain.
General Mediocrity won’t be touching the RAV4 in sales ever.
My current company car is a 2024 RAV 4 hybrid and my wife has a 2021 Equinox. Fuel economy is the only thing better on the RAV 4 and not by nearly as much as EPA numbers would suggest. The interior, AWD system, and infotainment system are all better on the Equinox. In most real world situations, the equinox feels as quick as the RAV 4. With 6000 miles on my company RAV 4 it is very obviously a mediocre vehicle and Toyota is living purely on their quality reputation.
Actually Toyota’s AWD system is much better as it’s instantly able to vary torque at each wheel with the E-Axle in the rear & front.
But your !gnorance is noted.
Toyota’s are no longer anything to brag about. There is no justification for the obnoxious pricing. Oh, they just released another massive recall notice that proves they have the same issues as other manufacturers have. Customer satisfaction is at an all time low. My 2019 G.M. product has never given me any issues.
Why is it you Toyota people are so reluctant to face reality. Their quality is a sinking ship and has been for several years now. Hey but keep up the name calling for it is the only way small minds can express themselves.
The majority of corporate fleet vehicles are base models. Any base model vehicle will feel “mediocre” regardless of the brand.
Well said Jeff.
He said company car, not fleet vehicles. Everyone I know that has a company car is usually mid level or higher. They are essentially ordering it how they want many times or since they spend a ton of time in it tend to have some creature comforts.
What I found interesting from one of their presentation is that they combined their DC/DC converter, Power Control Unit (PCU), Inverter and AC charger into the transaxle which already includes the planetary power-split-gearset as well as the traction motor and motor-generator. This kind of consolidation and miniaturization is something the Chinese BYD have done in their EVs (so-called 8-in-1 or whatever which makes them cost-effective and cheaper-to-produce) but not on their PHEV DM-i. Toyota flipped the script and they incoprated that design philosophy on their hybrid system. This means either Toyota can now make more PHEV and HEV cheaper or higher profit margin.
Despite what BYD propagandists would have you believe, Toyota has the superior hybrid system architecture. BYD’s hybrid is more similar to Honda’s architecture
Toyota’s measured pace toward EVs while continuing their slow and steady refinement of hybrid powertrains was the proper formula. They were blasted for not moving fast enough, but Ford and gm have effectively taken battery and EV capacity offline due to lack of demand. The Rav4 will continue to dominate. Toyota has decades of credibility in hybrid powertrains. gm will continue to follow with mediocre me-too products for the American-only crowd.
I agree 100% to all of your points. Yours and Dennis’s are very objective and to the point. Thank you to the both of you.
Whoever wrote this is mentally disabled