The Toyota RAV4 compact crossover SUV starts its sixth-generation for 2026 with new powertrains, design, and tech. I explain the differences across the lineup.
Toyota recently introduced the sixth-generation RAV4 for 2026 and now offers seven different trims to choose from. What distinguishes them? And which one is right for you? I’ll break it all down for you.
First, 2026 proved a big change for the brand’s compact crossover. It gets a new design, modernized interior, and a more advanced driving aid system called Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 (TSS 4.0).
Furthermore, Toyota ditched standard internal combustion engines for the RAV4, you choose between a hybrid or a plug-in hybrid (PHEV). If you go hybrid, you choose between front- or all-wheel-drive. If you go PHEV, they’re AWD only.
HYBRIDS UNDER THE HOOD
Similar to the new-for-2025 Toyota Camry, the 5th generation Toyota Hybrid System (THS) uses a 2.5-liter, inline-four-cylinder engine, which runs on the more efficient Atkinson cycle. It makes 183 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 163 lb.-ft between 3600 – 5200 rpm. From there, it gets help from a 134 HP (100kW), 153 lb.-ft (208 nm) electric motor to make a total system horsepower of 226 when working together. That’s the front-wheel-drive (FWD) version of the hybrid.
If you go for an all-wheel-drive (AWD) RAV4 hybrid, Toyota adds another electric motor to the rear axle, which on its own makes 89 lb.-ft. of torque, but Toyota doesn’t offer a horsepower number. However, we do know that it raises total system horsepower to 236. By the way, if you choose AWD, Toyota charges $1400 and that’s regardless of which trim.
Compared to the outgoing, fifth-generation RAV4, you get 23 more horsepower in the new FWD RAV4. You get 17 more in the new AWD RAV4. And regardless of what drivetrain you choose, you still get Toyota’s electronically controlled CVT.
PLUGGED IN
PHEV models come standard with AWD and a healthy chunk of power. It, again, starts with a 2.5-liter, inline-four cylinder, but with a slightly different tune, making 186 HP at 6000 rpm and 172 lb.-ft. of torque between 4300 – 4900 rpm.
From there, an electric motor up front makes a stout 203 HP and 201 lb.-ft. of torque. And the rear electric motor, provides 91 lb.-ft. of torque and a not shared amount of horsepower. Total system output comes to 324 HP, or 22 HP more than last-gen RAV4 PHEVs. Moreover, the battery pack holds 22.7 kWh worth of energy, which propels the RAV4 on electricity alone for up to 52 miles, depending on the trim.
PICK YOUR STYLE
As I mentioned at the top, Toyota sells seven different trims of RAV4. Toyota put them in one of three different styles: Core, Rugged, and Sport.
Core trims include the LE, XLE Premium, and Limited trims. The one and only Rugged trim is the Woodland. The Sport trims are the SE, XSE, and the new-for-2026 RAV4 GR Sport
That last one is only available as a PHEV. Three other trims that offer the plug-in powertrain are the SE, XSE, and Woodland. No “Core styles” for PHEVs.
With that, let’s dig into the trims.
LE
The LE is the base trim in the line-up, starting at $33,350 for the FWD hybrid model when you include the $1450 destination charge, which all of the prices I mention going forward, will.
It runs on 17-in alloy wheels, with a body-colored grille, a manual liftgate, and can only tow 1750 lbs.
Inside, you get a 12.3-in digital instrument cluster—which is standard across the line-up—and a 10.5-in center display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The LE rocks out with a six-speaker sound system. It also includes dual-zone climate control, cloth seats, and three usb-c charging ports.
Toyota doesn’t offer option packages for the LE, but plenty of accessories, click here to see what I mean.
XLE Premium
The XLE Premium starts at $37,550 for the FWD hybrid model. It runs on 18-in alloy wheels, adds a power liftgate, and puddle lamps to the outside mirrors. Even better, max towing capacity doubles to 3500 lbs.
Inside Toyota swaps in SofTex to upholster the seats, which are now also heated up front. Furthermore, both the steering wheel and shift knob get wrapped in leather. XLE Premiums also include a wireless smartphone charger and two additional usb-c ports, five in total.
From there you can add three optional packages: The Weather Package for $375 adds a heated steering wheel and rain sensing wipers. The XLE Driver Assist package for $650 adds Lane change assist, front cross-traffic alert, traffic jam assist, and a driver monitor. And The Panoramic Moonroof Package for $1850 adds a glass roof with moonroof and a digital rearview mirror.
LIMITED
Topping the Core style and—indeed—the lineup is the Limited trim. It starts at $44,750 for the AWD hybrid model. AWD is standard on the Limited. It still runs on 18-in alloy wheels, but adds satin chrome accents around the grille, a silver lower bumper valance, and piano black covers to the sideview mirrors. Toyota also adds a panoramic glass roof and makes the power liftgate hands-free.
Inside, Toyota increases the center display to 12.9-in and adds a nine-speaker JBL sound system. Front passengers get heated and ventilated seats; the driver gets a heated steering wheel. And the second row gets heated seats, other than the middle passenger.
For options, an extra $1240 gets 20-in wheels to replace the 18s and $600 more dollars will get you a 10-in color Head up Display (HUD).
WOODLAND
The Woodland trim is the one and only Rugged style RAV4, it starts at $41,350 for the AWD hybrid model, or $46,750 for the AWD plug-in hybrid. AWD is also standard on the Woodland.
Woodland RAV4s get all-terrain tires as part of its more off-road friendly nature, as well as 2-in tow hitch receiver. The latter doesn’t allow class-three levels of towing, but you can mount bigger attachments in back, if you need.
Styling wise, those all-terrain tires are mounted on 18-in alloy wheels with black lug nuts. The Woodland comes with a unique satin black hammerhead grille, black fender flares, and piano black sideview mirror covers, similar to the Limited. Unique to the trim are RIGID LED fog lights. You’ll also see Black Woodland and Powertrain badges.
Inside, Toyota goes back to SofTex seat upholstery but adds all-weather floor and cargo mats. You also see red-orange stitching and accents. Just like the XLE Premium, you get heated front seats. But, just like the Limited, you get a heated steering wheel. The Woodland, however, sticks with the smaller, 10.5-in center display and six-speaker stereo.
Finally, you can add a moonroof to the Woodland for an extra $850,
SE
The base of the three Sport style trims, the SE starts $36,150 for the FWD hybrid model or $42,950 for the AWD plug-in hybrid model.
Sport style RAV4s also get a lot of black in the styling, you still get the body color grille, but with dark chrome accents. Then you see black 18-in wheels with black lug nuts as well as black badging throughout. Toyota also adds piano black fender flares, rocker panel, spoiler, lower bumper valance, rear bumper, and sideview mirror covers.
Like the LE, the liftgate opens manually on the SE.
Inside, you get the smaller, 10.5-in center display and six-speaker sound system. But you do get heated front seats, a leather steering wheel and shift knob, and retain the five usb-c charge ports
You can option the SE with the power liftgate in the $330 Convenience package.
And add a heated steering wheel and rain sensing wipers with the $375 Weather package. Finally, the $850 moonroof package is also offered.
XSE
The XSE adds luxuries to the sport style. As a result, base price comes to $42,750 for an AWD hybrid (AWD is standard on the XSE) and $48,650 for the AWD plug-in hybrid model.
You roll on 20-in wheels here, puddle lamps illuminate from the sideview mirrors, and access the cargo area with a hands-free power liftgate. Additionally, Toyota includes a moonroof in the XSE, and gives you the option of a two-tone body, painting the roof black to go with Storm Cloud, Meteor Shower, or Wind Chill Pearl colors (more on color below). All of that is extra. Or just take the standard, all black XSE.
Inside includes the larger, 12.9-in center display, but still with a six-speaker sound system. The front seats are heated and ventilated. They’re also upholstered in SofTex with UltraSuede inserts. A wireless smartphone charger returns as well, to accompany the 5-usb-c ports.
Toyota offers a lot of options too. The weather package for $375 adds a heated steering wheel and rain-sensing wipers. The XSE driver assist package for $420 provides advanced park and a different shifter. The JBL Premium audio package for $620 gets you the Limited’s sound system. And the panoramic moonroof package for $700, which also adda a digital rearview mirror.
GR SPORT
GR Sport RAV4 is the most expensive, starting at $49,950 for your only powertrain choice, an AWD PHEV model. But it’s not the most luxurious. Think of it as an XSE plug-in hybrid with extra splash.
First, you get a functional front lip and rear spoiler, as well as wider fender flares and summer, high-performance tires on your 20-in wheels. Toyota also installed a unique GR matrix grille, piano black fenders flares, red painted brake calipers, and a rear diffuser, too. That goes with stiffer springs, and a different tune of the shocks and power steering, all to feel sportier. Finally, you also get a power liftgate, but not hands-free.
Inside, you get the larger, 12.9-in center display but only heated front seats, no ventilation or heated rear here. But you do get synthetic suede and SofTex sport seats, the GR logo on the headrests, aluminum pedals, and red stitching
Options include, a few two-tone paints—just like the XSE—and the ability to swap out the performance tires for all-seasons at no cost.
WHAT ABOUT FUEL ECONOMY, COLOR, AND PRICE?
If you break it down by engine type, driven wheels, and trim, there are 13 different versions of RAV4, and a variety of fuel economies (see table below). Generally speaking, the lower the trim, the better the fuel economy, front-wheel-drive beats all-wheel-drive, and standard hybrid beats plug-in hybrid.
However, that’s definitely not true, if you start with a fully charged battery (see chart below). You can see the SE and XSE will travel 52 miles on electricity alone, according to the EPA. Here, it’s largely tire that hurts the Woodland and GR Sport EV driving range.
Moving on to color, Toyota offers a total of 13 different color combinations, but some are exclusive to a single trim (see table below). You have more choices in the Core styles (LE, XLE Premium, Limited) with the XLE Premium offering the most choices of seven. And that makes me think that Toyota thinks the XLE Premium will be the most popular RAV4.
Finally, pricing (see table below). This puts all the versions of RAV4 in order of price. You see that mixes up the Core and Sport styles a bit. Also, plug-in hybrids cost more than every hybrid other than the Limited.
Which Is Best?
Toyota really offers a wide variety in the RAV4, the Woodland provides a relatively efficient way to tackle some mild off-roading. The GR Sport, on paper at least, offers legitimate back-road driving shenanigan fun. But, for me, the RAV4 is still built to best handle what the Core style delivers: efficient, comfortable, on-road travel.
To that end, I think Toyota is right to offer most color choices in the XLE Premium, as it offers a nice compromise between luxury and price. But I’d go Limited. Being a Michigan boy, it makes sense to get AWD. And I like ventilated seats, heated seats for the second row, and prefer 18-in wheels over the 20s. And I’d probably add the HUD, too. That means I’m looking at a $45,350 RAV4. Man, I guess I’m fancy.
