As with that sedan, Toyota jettisoned the conventional four-cylinder engine from the RAV4. For 2026, most RAV4s will come with a hybrid powertrain that produces 23 hp more than the previous base engine, for a combined 226 hp. For the first time, the hybrid RAV4 is available in a front-drive configuration. The all-wheel-drive version has even more oomph, with 236 hp.
The powertrain for the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) version of the RAV4 gained 22 hp for 2026, raising its combined output to 324 hp. Previously, the PHEV (formerly known as Prime) was available in two grades. This year, there are four versions: the outdoorsy Woodland and street-scoundrel GR Sport join the SE and XSE. Each PHEV is AWD. (Buyer beware that the GR Sport comes with summer tires.)
The new RAV4 PHEV’s electric-only range (before the gasoline engine must come on) has increased from an EPA-estimated 42 miles for the 2025 model to 48 and even 52 miles for the 2026 model, depending on the configuration. That’s one of the longest electric-only ranges of any current PHEV.
The RAV4 is the brand’s first vehicle with Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, the latest version of its suite of active safety and driver assistance technology. Most importantly, blind spot warning (BSW) and rear cross traffic warning (RCTW) are now standard across the board.
Like other models, the RAV4 comes with ToyotaCare, a plan that covers factory-recommended services for two years or 25,000 miles.
As before, the PHEV represents the height of the RAV4 line. For early access to the newest version, Toyota lent Consumer Reports a PHEV XSE. When the new RAV4 arrives in dealerships, we will anonymously purchase one to test.
If you’re a Consumer Reports member, our initial expert assessment of the Toyota RAV4 PHEV is available to you below. Once we purchase our own model and complete 2,000 break-in miles, we’ll put a Toyota RAV4 PHEV through more than 50 tests at the CR Auto Test Center, including empirical measurements of acceleration, braking, handling, child car seat fit, and usability. CR members will have access to the full road-test results as soon as they’re available.
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What we borrowed: 2026 Toyota RAV4 PHEV XSE
Powertrain: 324-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder plug-in hybrid engine; electronic continuously variable transmission; all-wheel drive
MSRP: $46,000 PHEV (estimated)
Options: Power tilt/slide panoramic moonroof and digital rearview mirror; JBL 9-speaker premium audio system; Driver Assist package; Weather package
Destination fee: $1,450
Total cost: $50,000 (estimated)
Final assembly point: Japan
