A brand-new Toyota RAV4 has arrived. The sixth generation of Toyota’s current bestselling vehicle will be offered exclusively with hybrid or plug-in hybrid power for the first time. The 2026 Toyota RAV4 will also be the first Toyota with the brand’s new software suite, a new infotainment system, and a brand-new version of the Toyota Safety Sense driver assistance package.
Hammerhead Design in Three Flavors
For 2026, the Toyota RAV4 gets the brand’s new Hammerhead design. The look, which has evolved from the thin lights of the latest Prius to a more SUV-aggressive design over successive models, will be offered in three variants.
Toyota calls the first the Core design. It has a body-color grille and wide black cladding fender flares, and it includes LE, XLE, and Limited models.
Rugged is exclusive to the Woodland model, which has split upper and lower grille designs in black with integrated Rigid Industries LED lights. The Woodland trim will also get an extra half-inch of clearance thanks to its all-terrain tires, has raised roof rails with crossbars, and a “1.25-inch rear activity mount.” That’s code for a tiny hitch not made for towing, but is perfect for a bike rack.
GR Sport Joins 2026 Toyota RAV4 Line
Brand-new this year is the Sport design, including a new RAV4 GR Sport model. Toyota’s Gazoo Racing team has modified the look of this one with a new grille and front and rear spoilers. The GR model won’t get turbocharged power like the GR Corolla, but it will have a GR-tuned suspension, summer tires, and will only come as a PHEV.
More Power
The basic hybrid model gets a 2.5L four and Toyota’s fifth-gen hybrid system. The engine plus two drive motors make 236 horsepower on AWD models, up from 219 before. You can also get a front-drive hybrid for the first time on a RAV4, and that makes 226 horsepower.
Pick the plug-in hybrid and you get 320 horsepower, 18 more than last year. You also get a longer electric range, with Toyota claiming 50 miles instead of 42 miles before, thanks to increased efficiency. The PHEV system will be offered on four trims this year instead of two, and XSE and Woodland plug-in models (it’s not the Prime anymore) can use DC fast charging.
Larger Screens, New Software
A new 10.5-inch screen comes standard, with a 12.9-inch unit optional. Toyota has switched to virtual buttons for the HVAC system, but they will at least always live on the bottom of the center screen. The dash is a 12.3-inch screen, and there will be an available head-up display.
Toyota’s new software suite debuts on the 2026 Toyota RAV4. The system, called Arene, powers a new multimedia system that has a new user experience and improved voice control.
Arene also powers Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, which is new for the 2026 RAV4. Toyota didn’t give any details about the new (and standard) active safety suite, but it did say that it will have “updates to its hardware and detection capabilities.”
2026 Toyota RAV4 Is Better, Not Bigger
Dimensionally, the 2026 Toyota RAV4 is all but identical to the old model. That confirms what we had expected from the looks, that this is (like the last Camry) more of a comprehensive refresh than a clean-sheet design.
The new RAV4 is 180.9 inches long, with Rugged and GR Sport slightly longer due to their new bumpers. It is 73 inches wide and has a wheelbase of 105.9 inches. AWD Hybrid and PHEV models (except LE) can tow up to 3,500 pounds, the rest up to 1,750.
Toyota has yet to announce pricing for the 2026 RAV4. Expect it later this year, along with more details on trim levels, fuel economy, and Toyota Safety Sense 4.0.
Read the full article here