- Toyota is going hybrid-only with the 2026 RAV4.
- The best-selling compact crossover will be available with or without plug, too.
- Some PHEV versions will feature a CCS port for DC fast charging.
Toyota has been saying for years that the best way to reduce carbon emissions from vehicles is to stuff small batteries in them. Some disagree, but the Japanese auto giant is now putting its money where its mouth is by making the all-new, sixth-generation RAV4 crossover hybrid-only.
That’s a big deal because the RAV4 has been the best-selling SUV in America for eight straight years, with nearly half a million units going to new owners last year. Eliminating the gas-only version is the biggest move yet in Toyota’s hybrid strategy, and everyone will reap the benefits.
Toyota’s hybrid system is known for its efficiency, so all owners should see their fuel bills go down. Less burnt fuel means fewer emissions. Stuffing hundreds of thousands of cars with batteries is sure to bring down the cost of batteries for everybody.
While the benefits of an all-electric car are undeniable, the reality is that plenty of people don’t have access to convenient charging (apartment dwellers, for instance), so going down the hybrid route is a great way to get accustomed to how an electrified car works, so that the next vehicle purchase has a higher chance of being an EV.
To make that happen, the 2026 Toyota RAV4 will be available as a conventional hybrid and a plug-in hybrid. The PHEV is the first Toyota plug-in to come with a CCS1 charging port for DC fast chargers. Those are the fast chargers that can quickly refill your battery, which most current PHEVs do not support.
Toyota didn’t say how big the high-voltage batteries are, but it did mention that the PHEV can cover up to 50 miles on battery power, up from the previous generation’s 42 miles.
Compared to the outgoing model, the new electrified crossover also offers more power and more electric-only range on the PHEV versions. All models come with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine under the hood, coupled with a front-wheel-drive setup or an all-wheel-drive setup.
The FWD variants are only available as regular hybrids with a maximum output of 226 horsepower and a towing capacity of 1,750 pounds. Meanwhile, AWD is available on the regular hybrid with an output of 236 hp, as well as on the plug-in hybrid, which can deliver up to 320 hp.
For the RAV4 AWD, maximum towing capacity is 3,500 lbs.
Based on Toyota’s New Generation Architecture-K (TNGA-K), the electrified crossover’s body has more structural rigidity than its predecessor and features a high-damping adhesive that’s designed to reduce micro-vibrations and road noise. In other words, the cabin should be more refined and quieter than before.
Speaking of the interior, the 2026 Toyota RAV4 comes standard with a 10.5-inch touchscreen (12.9-inch optional) that acts as an interface for the automaker’s latest software development platform, Arene.
This brings standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and dual Bluetooth phone connectivity. There’s also a built-in voice assistant and the first implementation of Toyota’s Safety Sense (TSS) 4.0 system, as well as a standard 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a six-speaker audio system.
Three design lines will be available, each with several trim levels. The Core line includes the LE, XLE, and Limited trims that come with a hybrid powertrain and either FWD or AWD. The Rugged line is represented by just one trim called Woodland, which comes with AWD and either hybrid or plug-in hybrid power. It gets all-terrain tires and an adventure-ready look. Then, there’s the Sport line with SE, XSE, and GR-Sport trims.
We’ll know more about the 2026 Toyota RAV4, including pricing, when it goes on sale in the United States later this year.
Gallery: 2026 Toyota RAV4
