Re-Heated Rivalry: The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

This review has nothing to do with hockey or anything else that occurs in a wildly popular HBO Max program of the same name.

No, this is about the hottest rivalry in the hottest segment in the automotive world---compact SUVs. And the two heated rivals, who I can promise are not secretly in love with each other, are the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V.

The reason this is "re-heated" is that Toyota and Honda have different product cycles for their offerings. This is the first all-new RAV4 since the 2019 model year, while Honda brought us an all-new CR-V in 2023 and it's been selling like hotcakes.

That means it's catch-up time for Toyota.

As did the CR-V, the RAV4 has adopted more squared-off, beefy styling. The "rugged" look is a big seller these days.

For 2026, all RAV4s are hybrids, making 226 horsepower in front-wheel drive (FWD) models and 236 hp in all-wheel drive (AWD) models. It's mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Toyota claims a more rigid body and a retuned suspension, and I found a noticeable improvement in the RAV4's driving manners compared to the last one I drove (a 2024 RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition).

EPA fuel economy estimates have improved as well, with our RAV4 Hybrid Limited scoring 43 mpg city/37 highway to last year's 38 city/35 highway.

There's not much change in the cargo compartment---37.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats in the previous generation RAV4 is now 37.8. If you fold those seats down, there's 70.4 cubic feet, up from 69.8 previously.

And there is no change at all in rear seat legroom, which remains steady at 37.8 inches.

There are six RAV4 trim levels, starting with the LE FWD at $31,900. Our tester was the top-of-the-line Limited FWD, base price $43,300---$44,750 including destination. That money buys a lengthy list of standard equipment (see the window sticker at the end of this review).

There were several extra-cost options on our tester---$600 for a head-up display, $425 for rear hatch cargo lamps, $339 for carpeted floor mats and a carpeted cargo mat, $320 for low-profile crossbars, $199 for door sill protectors, $160 for mudguards, and $90 for wheel locks. That brings the bottom line on the window sticker to $46,883.

That is a couple grand more than the top-of-the-line Honda CR-V would cost, similarly equipped. Whether that will put the RAV4 at a disadvantage in this latest round of a 30-year contest remains to be seen.

We'll also see if Toyota future-proofed the 2026 RAV4 enough to fight off a midcycle refresh from Honda, which is likely to happen in the next couple of model years.

2026 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited AWD at a glance:

Price: $43,300 base/$46,883 as tested

Engine: 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid

Horsepower: 236

Torque: N/A

Transmission: Continously variable (CVT)

Curb Weight: 3875 lbs.

0-60 Acceleration (Car and Driver): 7.1 seconds

EPA Fuel Economy Estimate: 43 mpg city/37 mpg highway

Fuel tank capacity: 14.5 gallons

EPA Range Estimate: N/A

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