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2026 Toyota RAV4 reviews news are in!

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While the all-new redesigned 2026 Toyota RAV4 was introduced a few weeks ago, most journalists and YouTubers had not driven it yet. That happened a few days ago at an event organized by Toyota.

Then all of a sudden, yesterday, the results of all these test drives appeared online. Since I didn’t get to participate in this event (I am not on Toyota‘s radar yet), I decided to post some of these reviews. From a few people I have been following online, and actually seen in person at the Auto Show press days over the years (But were always too shy to actually talk to…)

Without having driven it, I am not really a fan of the new Toyota RAV4. I just don’t like the design. It is trying very hard to look like the previous one, which is very understandable since it is the best-selling car in the country. But it has that busy look that seems to be the result of too many designers on the project that never talked to each other.

Same thing inside, where it looks like a convoluted mess with just too many shapes. It also seems very cheap for photos. Again, that might change when I finally get to see it in person next month. I have been a couple of times since the current model, and was also surprised at how cheap the interior feels in lower-end trims.

A very different experience from the Nissan Rogue I drove a few weeks ago. Or the very nice interior of a Hyundai Santa Fe I rented last year.

The first video already noticed a “tiny sound” of the door of the 2026 model. Which is really not a good sign. He’s being very nice by giving Toyota the benefit of the doubt by explaining that the test car is a very early pre-production model. He’s just being nice…

The startup time also seems very slow. It does take a while for the main screen to display any information. He also notices “plenty of engine noise”.

The second video praises the much more refined feel when compared to the current generation. The 3rd video has the 2 guys go into detail about the software, which they think is also improved.

The Edmunds video also mentioned Toyota’s low-quality interior. A ride quality that isn’t very comfortable and a noisy cabin. When compared to the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage.

The last video notes “plenty of power” in the basic hybrid setup. Which is fine, but also what every hybrid offers these days. But they complain about the feel of the “beltless” CVT transmission. They also describe it as comfortable and just fine.

It seems the new RAV4 is just what it is supposed to be. A newer version of the same old thing. Improved a bit here and there. But still not a high-quality vehicle as far as materials are concerned. And a numb driving experience. Something 99% of potential RAV4 buyers don’t care about.

Toyota seems to be doing better than ever at making the same thing over and over again.

Conversation 8 comments

  1. How does anyone like the Woodland look? It looks like a 2010 rav 4 from the front. The other trims look modern except that one.

  2. We finally agreed on something! I’m not a fan of this, inside or out. Both look like they are 15 years old. And the infotainment graphics look like they were done by an intern in Microsoft Paint

  4. Looks like an updated Toyota. The happy faces of the reviewers will not reflect the faces of the buyers 6 months after purchase. Toyota RAV owners always look anesthetized out driving.

  6. I think the exterior is fine and looks a bit better than the current one. Can’t blame them for playing it safe with their biggest seller. However, I agree that the interior is very boring and looks rather cheap (I bet it’s even worse on the LE version), especially for a vehicle that will cost over $30K for even the cheapest one (the current hybrid LE starts at over $32K). I just looked at a photo of the current hybrid LE interior and I think it looks nicer. The drivers display is integrated into the dash, whereas both screens in the new one are just rectangles stuck on top of the dash. A current trend in vehicles which I do not like. I think the exterior of the Woodlands and GR look terrible.

  7. The Rav4 has always been and continues to be the ugliest, cheapest looking option in this segment. I really don’t understand why people buy it. Other brands are just as reliable as Toyota these days (except VW). People need to do their research and see there are sooo many better options that don’t look they are from the 90s.

  8. It may be hard plastics but a Rav4 last for decades and the hybrid engines are magnificent. We have Toyota hybrids for decades now in Europe and they are very reliable and fuel efficient….. . A Rav4 was never about high end interior, just rock solid for hundreds of thousands of mls…….

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