Toyota RAV4 PHEV review: There’s plenty to rave about over the new RAV4

In fact, the new 2026 RAV4 is available only as a PHEV in the UK. And that should come as no surprise given that 80 per cent of the previous fifth-generation RAV4 sales were plug-in hybrids. That said, other countries get the option of a traditional hybrid, so perhaps it’s something of a shame that UK buyers don’t get the choice between the two powerplants. The new RAV4 enters a highly competitive sector. It’s almost as if every man, or woman, and their dog wants a plug-in hybrid mid-size SUV, Not only is there the latest wave of options from China, including the BYD Seal U, Jaecoo 8 and Chery Tiggo 8, but there’s also fierce competition from the longer established manufacturers in the shape of the Ford Kuga and Volkswagen Tiguan.

Prices The range starts at £43,845 for the entry-level Icon trim, rising to £45,745 for what is expected to be the big seller, the Design model. There’s also the £50,054 Excel. All three are front-wheel drive. If you prefer all-wheel drive, then you’re looking at £50,045 for the Excel AWD model, with the range topping out at £52,045 for the GR Sport AWD.

Engine, electric range and performance As I mentioned, the new generation is available only as a plug-in hybrid. That means mating the atmospheric 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor on the front axle, and another one within the CVT. Opt for the all-wheel-drive model and you’ll gain another motor on the rear axle. Both versions get their power from a sizeable 22.7kWh (20kWh usable capacity) battery. According to Toyota, this is good for an all-electric range of 85-miles for the FWD Design models, dipping slightly to 83-miles for the AWD. Significantly, that’s an increase of 28-miles on the previous model. And it’s no slouch. While FWD models generate 268bhp, the AWD version jumps to 305bhp. Officially the 0-62mph sprint is covered in less than 7.5secs. It’s definitely nippy from standstill. Both versions get a CVT-style gearbox with no fixed ratios, resulting in a smooth getaway and seamless transition through the ‘gears’. There’s an abundance of electric torque, and then when the petrol engine eases itself in the gearbox manages it with next to no fuss. It’s a clever system. And with its ‘steps’ in the transmission, Toyota boffins have clearly designed the system to feel like a conventional automatic

Charging Out has gone the painfully slow charging rate of 6.6kWh, to be replaced by a 50kWh charge rate in the latest model. That means it can be replenished from 10-80 per cent in 30-minutes. In addition there’s a new 11kWh AC charger. Twice as fast as the previous generation, it means the battery can be topped up close to full in close in around three hours.

What’s it like to drive? Super-smooth, to be honest. The suspension set-up is excellent and feels comfortable and relaxed. Some might feel it’s a tad too bouncy, but for everyday driving on normal UK roads it will glide its way from A to B with a relaxed air. Push hard into a corner and you’ll experience a bit of body roll, but really it’s a not a car for chucking round bends. It’s well-sorted dynamically, and there’s no question it focuses heavily on the side of safety, which is always to be acknowledged. In town driving the light steering ensures it’s easy to navigate traffic, further aided by the high driving position. The new cabin design sees the dashboard lowered by 40mm, which further aids front visibility. It does though contribute to emphasising the fact the RAV4 has a long, flat bonnet. You could almost sit six people round it for dinner. Parking is now also simpler, and safer, thanks to significant improvements in the resolution of the parking camera. Given the fact the SUV is 4.6m long, any help is to be greatly accepted, especially with rear visibility being somewhat restricted by the SUV’s large C-pillars. Head out into the country and you’ll benefit from the fact the new model’s platform has seen rigidity increased by 9.7 per cent. Toyota has also stiffened the mounting points by up to 31 per cent, which further improves the car’s cornering performance. As for motorway driving? It’ll simply gobble up the miles. Not only is it a relaxed, competent cruiser, but the cabin remains a quiet place to be thanks to improved sound insulation which minimises noises from both the outside and road.

It looks pretty chunky It certainly does, The designers have moved the styling of the latest RAV4 on quite a bit from its predecessor. Though the two generations have almost identical dimensions, the ’26 model now benefits from a new honeycomb-shaped grille, flanked by C-shaped LED headlights similar to those found on the facelifted bZ4X and new Prius. You can’t have missed the rugged offroad look, enhanced by the plastic wheelarch extensions, plus at the rear Toyota’s new ‘RAV4’ logo sits proudly between the rear lights. Cleverly, the lights themselves are now embedded in a black piece of trim on the bootlid.

And what’s it like inside? Pretty impressive actually. It’s clear the new cabin takes many of its design cues from the latest Land Cruiser, with squarer pieces of trim and chunky buttons immediately noticeable. The cabin is dominated by a new 12.9in central touchscreen which gives the driver all the key information in one view. Thankfully there are also customisable shortcuts. Sitting in front of the driver is a 12.3in screen, which can also display the car’s satnav. The new RAV4 also comes with a voice assistant, which means you can control the likes of climate, media, satnav and general vehicle controls just by talking to the car. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, plus there are a number of physical buttons on the steering wheel allowing the driver to customise the main display. There’s also a wireless phone charger. As you might suspect, given its size – it’s 4601mm long, 1854mm wide and 1694mm tall – there’s plenty of internal space. Whether you’re sitting in the front or the rear, you won’t lack for space. Seats front and rear are comfortable, plus there’s plenty of headroom, even with the panoramic sunroof fitted.

Is the standard kit good? It is, and it’s right across the range. The entry-level Icon gets heated front seats and steering wheel, power tailgate, a blind spot monitor and 18in alloys. The Design trim though will be the core seller in the range. It gains power-adjustable, heated and ventilated front seats – with a memory setting for the driver’s seat – a wireless smartphone charger, a bi-tone exterior paint finish and 20in black alloys. Next up is the Excel which, according to Toyota, offers a ‘premium’ specification. It does get leather upholstery, a head-up display, an additional wireless smartphone charger, a JBL audio system and 20in machined black alloys. That said, the panoramic sunroof is on the option list. And as you would expect the GR Sport adds a number of motorsport-influenced styling and equipment details, including a tuned chassis and suspension, plus GR-dedicated elements including front grille, steering wheel and front seats. Oh, and there’s also lightweight 20in alloys. That panoramic sunroof is still just an option.

Bootspace? The RAV4 PHEV can swallow 446-litres of detritus with the rear seats in place. The non-hybrid model, which isn’t coming to the UK, can accommodate another 66-litres. Loading is simple and straightforward thanks to the wide powered tailgate, plus there’s no irritating lip to negotiate. The rear seats also have a 40:60 split for folding.

Is it any good for towing? It’s not bad; in fact it’s pretty good, especially if you opt for the all-wheel drive model compared to its predecessor. This new model has been rated at 2000kg, which is a significant 500kg better than the outgoing model. The front-wheel drive PHEV version can tow 800kg.

Safety There’s a comprehensive suite of safety tech, which includes the latest ‘Toyota T-Mate’. This not only comes with a wider detection capability for the exterior radar, but also front cross traffic alert, an upgraded blind spot monitor with rear vehicle approach monitoring, an updated pre-collision system to detect more objects, an improved panoramic monitor with 3D imagery and lane change assist with steering support. And if that’s not good enough, Toyota promises that frequent over-the-air updates will keep the RAV4’s safety tech as comprehensive as it can be.

Warranty and servicing The latest RAV4 comes with Toyota’s 3-years/60,000-mile warranty. This can be extended annually with a service-activated warranty for 12-months/10,000-miles each time the vehicle has a qualifying service at an authorised Toyota workshop, up to a limit of 10-years and 100,000-miles. Servicing is every 10,000-miles or annually, whichever comes first.

Verdict Toyota would appear to have nailed the latest RAV4 with its combination of styling, interior space, tech, chunky looks and a smooth combination of petrol and hybrid powerplants. It really is the sweetspot of automotive technology for more and more new car buyers. Not only is it delight to drive, but its electric-only range of around 80 miles is, for the vast majority of people, more than their average daily drive. That means, plug it in when you get home, charge the battery, and you have very cheap transport. Perhaps the elephant in the room of the fact the RAV4 is not a cheap option, especially when matched against the near never-ending flood of hybrid SUVs coming in from China. But the Toyota, if you like, flies the flag for the ‘establishment’. It’s brilliantly sensible and thought out, plus is properly well sorted. To the majority of families, it would be the perfect daily driver.

The facts

​Toyota RAV4 PHEV Design

Price: £45,745 (Range from £43,845)

Powertrain: 2.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol, 151kW electric motor

Battery: 20kWh

Power/torque: 268bhp / n/a

Transmission: CVT automatic, front-wheel drive

Top speed / 0-62mph: 112mph / 7.5sec

Fuel consumption: 157-217mpg

CO2: 117-129g/km

Charging: Up to 50kWh (10-80% in 30mins)

Dimensions (l /w /h mm): 4601/1854 /1694