2026 Toyota RAV4 GR Sport PHEV

[Blueprint]

Always thought the GR Sport angle on the RAV was a marketing gimmick...until I drove this thing. It's the RAV4 that zigs. Steering is sharp, cornering is the flattest I've seen in a non-premium SUV and the ride isn't even punishing, though not as smooth as a regular RAV's. 0-60 is barely more than 5 seconds, and I test that with every vehicle I review on my commute where I access the highway from a traffic light. The thing pulled to 148 before I noticed...

This new gen feels noticeably smaller than the previous one. Height is down, even more so on the GR Sport. The EV side of things delivers a reliable 80 km of range on the GR Sport (base SE is credited with 90 km). I only ran the ICE for the accelleration test, probably won't hear it for the rest of the week with this range. If we swapped the CX-90 with this, we'd probably fill-up only once per year, except for occasional road trips.

[Tortoise]

All the reviews for the GR Rav are super positive. 0-60 in just over 5 seconds is crazy fast for a (mostly) mainstream CUV.

I was reading on Reddit that the wait times for the XLE Rav4 is about 12 months, I wonder if the GR is the same or worse.

[GreatBigAbyss]

The regular Rav4 PHEV has the exact drivetrain and (I'm assuming here) accelerative performance. 

I think for the money the XSE (non tech) is the way to go.  It's $1000 cheaper than the GR, and comes with a whole bunch more features, including the 9-speaker JBL sound system, memory driver's seat, power passenger seat, ventilated front seats, digital key, etc. 

[Blueprint]

The regular Rav4 PHEV has the exact drivetrain and (I'm assuming here) accelerative performance. 

I think for the money the XSE (non tech) is the way to go.  It's $1000 cheaper than the GR, and comes with a whole bunch more features, including the 9-speaker JBL sound system, memory driver's seat, power passenger seat, ventilated front seats, digital key, etc. 

The SE is a significant 8-9k$ cheaper and is hard to ignore when budget matters - and it benefits from the federal $2.5k incentive.

One major dislike is the lack of HVAC buttons - you get front and rear defrost, and up/down temps for the two zones - and that's it. Fan speeds, modes, heated seats / steering are all through the screen - already a dealbreaker for the Mrs, and frankly I hate that too.

[Fobroader]

About 5 seconds to 100km/h is nuts, this is like the good old days when Toyota put the V6 in the Rav4 and created one of the only CUVs that was actually interesting. For as boring as all the regular Ravs look, this one, especially in red, me likey!!

[Johnnymac]

Good to hear that there is at least a somewhat affordable "fun" SUV that is equal parts frugal and sporty.  I'm sure this is an expensive beast to buy if you can find one.

[RRocket]

. Fan speeds, modes, heated seats / steering are all through the screen - already a dealbreaker for the Mrs, and frankly I hate that too.

I don't really understand this.

In the unit I tested, those buttons were prominently displayed at the bottom of the infotainment screen...it's not like you had to navigate IN the screen to get to them. They were prominent.

Also, those worked with gloves when I tested.

Beyond that, I find the climate concierge works perfectly for my tastes. Set it at 20 summer or winter and it controls the heating/coming of the wheel and seats perfectly.

Or is this just another old person thing..if it isn't a truly physical button, it's crap?

[Bridgecity]

Hold on Ron, aren't you old also ? Hahaha.  I know I am.

[Blueprint]

. Fan speeds, modes, heated seats / steering are all through the screen - already a dealbreaker for the Mrs, and frankly I hate that too.

I don't really understand this.

In the unit I tested, those buttons were prominently displayed at the bottom of the infotainment screen...it's not like you had to navigate IN the screen to get to them. They were prominent.

Also, those worked with gloves when I tested.

Beyond that, I find the climate concierge works perfectly for my tastes. Set it at 20 summer or winter and it controls the heating/coming of the wheel and seats perfectly.

Or is this just another old person thing..if it isn't a truly physical button, it's crap?

Montreal pavement changes your perspective on screens  Try to heat your bum, change radio stations 

[GreatBigAbyss]

I'm not a big fan of the controls being on the screen in the Prius.  I would prefer physical controls.  Is it a deal breaker?  No.  More just an annoyance.

[RRocket]

. Fan speeds, modes, heated seats / steering are all through the screen - already a dealbreaker for the Mrs, and frankly I hate that too.

I don't really understand this.

In the unit I tested, those buttons were prominently displayed at the bottom of the infotainment screen...it's not like you had to navigate IN the screen to get to them. They were prominent.

Also, those worked with gloves when I tested.

Beyond that, I find the climate concierge works perfectly for my tastes. Set it at 20 summer or winter and it controls the heating/coming of the wheel and seats perfectly.

Or is this just another old person thing..if it isn't a truly physical button, it's crap?

Montreal pavement changes your perspective on screens  Try to heat your bum, change radio stations 

Easily done with voice if you're too lazy to touch station buttons! LOL 😆

[RRocket]

Hold on Ron, aren't you old also ? Hahaha.  I know I am.

For sure I am old!!

But complaining about digital buttons that WORK is silly. So no...I'm not THAT old yet!! LOL 😆

[Johnnymac]

Hold on Ron, aren't you old also ? Hahaha.  I know I am.

For sure I am old!!

But complaining about digital buttons that WORK is silly. So no...I'm not THAT old yet!! LOL 😆

There's still time Ron, one day you too can grow old and grumpy enough that minor inconveniences or changes to your routine annoy you.

For the record, I'm 45 and feel like I too identify as someone who complains about such things.  Maybe not the climate control buttons on a touch screen but believe me there is a whole heck of this world that I find annoying to no end that I didn't when I was younger.

[Blueprint]

To be fair, the HVAC screen controls are much better here than in the new CX-5 (brief GX service loaner drive).

Due to "internal fleet management", wife had to go to work with the RAV4 yesterday and came back with comments for once: "This drives really well - too bad it's ugly"  I think the Woodland trim would more be her vibe, but Canada is not getting yet in PHEV form.

My plan was to have this and the Trailseeker back to back in September as potential CX-90 replacements (no move scheduled yet, but you never know). But the fleet manager swapped weeks so he could fit the 911 in my schedule - I obliged.

[Blizzard]

If I had to recommend a car to someone while knowing absolutely nothing about them, it would probably be this without the GR Sport package. I'd argue that the RAV4 PHEV is THE car that suits the automotive needs of the most people, out of all the cars out there.

Family friends went to test drive this as a possible replacement for their 2016 RAV4 Hybrid with 240,000 km on it. They said it felt like a rocket ship, and got way better fuel economy in hybrid mode compared to their current one (whose battery they suspect is starting to wear out).