2026 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.
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These recent illustrations of the 2026 Toyota RAV4 seem pretty realistic. They also seem to match all the spy shots we have already seen of the upcoming SUV.
The design follows the current model and will feel familiar to the almost half a million Americans who buy one of these every year. The rear hatch design is much more upright, which could also result in a roomier cargo area.
The new RAV4 is also rumored to be a new hybrid-only model in North America, with an updated PHEV model with a longer EV range as an option. That EV range is rumored to reach 75 miles in the Japanese test cycle. Which would still be above 55 miles EPA. And quite an upgrade from the current 42 miles.
Toyota has mentioned that all-new 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter engines would replace the current 2.5-liter engine in their future hybrid powertrains. It seems that a 75-mile EV range could only be the result of something more efficient than what the currently used. Maybe one of these new engines will be ready for the 2026 RAV4.
It seems the next-generation RAV4 could be the best choice for those who really do not want an EV at any cost. Although with the EV market growing every single year by at least 7 to 8%, that pool is slowly shrinking.
Why would a longer EV range “only be the result” of using the new GAS engines?
I’m now pretty sure that the RAV4 is going to be longer, and oddly so is the coming Mazda CX-5 (which Toyota partly owns) based on its spyshots, as did the Subaru Forester intro’d this year (also partly owned by Toyota). Since neither Mazda nor Subaru were capable of making a hybrid, its obvious that sharing the Toyota platform and Toyota hybrid tech (which they both have already confirmed) means getting 3 cars built off of 1 design. At least if you find this RAV4 ugly as hell, you have two other choices.