Autopia: Venerable Toyota RAV4 is now a hybrid-only model

Toyota Motor Corporation has made the RAV4 hybrid-only starting with the 2026 model year, ending gas-only options for the best-selling SUV in history after nearly 480,000 U.S. sales in 2025. The sixth-generation RAV4 offers 226 to 320 horsepower across trims, with fuel economy up to 48 mpg city for the hybrid and up to 107 mpg-e for the plug-in hybrid, plus a 52-mile electric range. Toyota cites demand for fuel efficiency and hybrid wait times as reasons for the change, while competitors like the Honda CR-V, Chevrolet Equinox, Hyundai Tucson, and Ford Explorer retain gas-only options.

Getting your Trinity Audio //trinityaudio.ai player ready... By James Raia Thirty years after its debut, the Toyota RAV4 has transitioned. Beginning with 2026 models, the best-selling sport utility vehicle in history is no longer available with gas-only engines. Still, the vehicle’s debuting sixth generation is available in several trims. Powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, the standard front-wheel drive offering has 226 horsepower. The all-wheel drive option includes a third electric motor, increasing the horsepower to 236. Opting for the RAV4 PHEV increases horsepower to 320, and it’s sold standard with all-wheel drive. There’s also the GR Sport trim of course, the sportiest , with specialized suspension tuning and power steering systems and summer tires. Toyota sold nearly 480,000 RAV4s in the United States in 2025, the best yearly tally in the car’s history. So why would the carmaker mess with success? According to Toyota, demand for more fuel efficiency and long wait times for customers seeking hybrids precipitated the change. The RAV4’s challengers also continue to update their offerings. The 2025 RAV4 LE model with front-wheel drive has estimated gas mileage averages of 27 miles per gallon in city driving, 35 mpg on the highway and 30 mpg combined, the best among last year’s models. For 2026, the hybrid equivalent FWD trim averages an estimated 48 mpg in city driving, 42 mpg on the highway. The larger year-to-year differences carry throughout the respective years’ lineups. The 2026 RAV4 PHEV’s fuel economy varies from an estimated 98 mpg-e combined with the GR Sport to 107 mpg-e combined with the SE and XSE models. Toyota estimates up to 52 miles of all-electric driving range capability, a 10-mile increase from previous years. Like its top competitors, the RAV4 built its top-selling reputation on versatility and safety and now, of course, to a higher degree, its efficiency. Beyond its engine types, all 2026 RAV4s feature new exterior and interior designs. The 2026 and 2025 RAV4s share the same dimensions, but this year’s models have a new “hammerhead” front end. The more modern look also includes chiseled door panels, larger fenders and new LED tail lamps. Interior improvements include a new configurable and customizable 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster standard. Its matte finish is designed to absorb light and minimize reflections and glare. The upgraded safety and comfort equipment also includes 5G connectivity, a first for Toyota. Also new: a configurable front center console storage area/cupholders with a removable divider; a reversible center front armrest/storage bin with two-way closure; a new shift-by-wire shifter toggle on select trims. Sport utility vehicles aren’t often defined as plush. The RAV4 interior is retro with a straight-line design and a refreshing absence of gimmicks. It has well-boostered seating and offers superior leg room and headroom. Toyota also modernized exterior color choices, adding Everest, Meteor Shower and Storm Cloud throughout the lineup and Urban Rock, only on the Woodland trim. With 15 trim configurations, the 2026 Toyota RAV4 has a vast MSRP scale, ranging from $33,495 to $50,095. The reviewed Limited AWD trim had a $43,330 MSRP, pushed to $46,883 with extras and the destination fee. Toyota is hopeful the non-gas-only future of the RAV4 allows its compact SUV to retain its top-selling perch. The Honda CR-V, Chevrolet Equinox, Hyundai Tucson and Ford Explorer, the second through fifth best-selling competitors in 2025, all have all gas-only options in 2026. All were among the country’s top 15 sales leaders as the SUV market share vaulted to nearly 48 percent of all new vehicle sales in 2025. For 2026, SUV sales could push past 50 percent of the market share. Expect the new RAV4 to retain its throne. Its acceleration is only adequate. Some competitors offer a quieter ride. But Toyota’s enduring SUV success story does everything else at the top of its class. James Raia is a syndicated automotive columnist in Sacramento. He also contributes business, lifestyle, sports and travel articles to several print and online publications. Email: james@jamesraia.com.