Give This Compact Crossover a Look: Great Fuel Economy Comes Standard
Hybrid Power Across the Lineup
Toyota removed the conventional gas-only powertrain when it redesigned the RAV4 for 2026. The standard hybrid pairs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric motors for 226 horsepower; all-wheel-drive versions add a motor and produce 236 horsepower.
The plug-in hybrid delivers 324 horsepower and comes with all-wheel drive. Toyota estimates up to 52 miles of electric driving per charge, while a highway test recorded 38 miles in the Woodland trim.
Fuel Use and Road Tests
The most efficient front-wheel-drive hybrid is rated at 47 mpg city, 40 mpg highway and 43 mpg combined. All-wheel-drive versions reach ratings of 46 mpg city, 39 highway and 42 combined; the Woodland is rated at 41, 35 and 38 mpg, respectively.
In testing, a Limited AWD reached 60 mph in 7.1 seconds, matching the tested Honda CR-V Hybrid. The Woodland PHEV did it in 5.2 seconds. Highway fuel-economy tests recorded 36 mpg for the Limited AWD and 35 mpg for the Woodland PHEV.
Room, Equipment and Safety
The RAV4 offers adults room to spread out in the second row, along with a range of trims. A 10.5-inch touchscreen is standard, and some models offer a 12.9-inch display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported, and the system can connect with two smartphones at once.
Standard safety equipment includes automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control. Toyota also provides complimentary scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles, while the warranty is described as comparable to Honda and Nissan’s.
Trade-Offs and Practical Details
The review lists a plasticky interior, ordinary handling and some uncouth engine noises among the drawbacks. Towing capacity is 1,750 pounds for front-wheel-drive models and the all-wheel-drive LE; other versions can tow up to 3,500 pounds.
For PHEV models, Toyota says charging from 10 to 80 percent can take as little as 30 minutes with a DC fast charger. All plug-in hybrids include DC fast-charging through a NACS port on the driver’s side. Buyers considering a lightly used vehicle may find a one-to-three-year-old RAV4 costs less and may still have warranty coverage.
Key points
- The 2026 RAV4 lineup uses hybrid or plug-in hybrid power exclusively.
- The most efficient front-wheel-drive hybrid is rated at 43 mpg combined.
- Plug-in hybrid models produce 324 horsepower and offer up to 52 miles of electric range.
- Most trims can tow up to 3,500 pounds; the front-wheel-drive models and AWD LE are limited to 1,750.