Toyota's New 324-HP RAV4 PHEV Is the Desirable Choice—Especially If You Want an SUV with a Wing

 Toyota has been in the hybrid game long enough to know that impressive mpg figures alone won't sell the public on gas-electric powertrains. The rise of the plug-in-hybrid RAV4 was the best example of this yet. Launched for 2021 as the RAV4 Prime, this PHEV variant offered over 300 horsepower, and its combination of impressive acceleration and useful electric-only driving range earned a good bit of attention. The second-generation 2026 RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid (Toyota ditched the Prime moniker a few years back) doubles down on this success and introduces new trim levels that further broaden the PHEV's appeal.

Horsepower, Front and Center

Aside from the new RAV4's bold exterior styling, a thoroughly upgraded powertrain fills the PHEV's spotlight. Compared with the old RAV4, this setup has even more horsepower and a larger battery pack, now offering 324 horses and a claimed electric range of up to 52 miles on a full charge. It's also estimated to deliver up to 41 mpg combined, 3 mpg thriftier than the old model.

Put your foot in it, and the RAV4 PHEV jumps off the line in a way that the standard hybrid does not. The plug-in's three electric motors provide a nice shove at any speed, and given that the previous model got to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds, we think the new version will be similarly swift, if not quicker. Because the plug-in's more powerful electric motors take some of the strain off the 2.5-liter gasoline engine, we also felt that the PHEV was quieter and less buzzy under hard acceleration compared with the standard hybrid configuration.

New GR Sport and Woodland Models

If there's one version of the RAV4 plug-in meant to grab your eye, it's the GR Sport performance model. With a rear wing, a wider stance, and different front and rear bumpers, it looks lean and mean—for a RAV4, at least. Though it has the same 324-hp powertrain as other RAV4 PHEVs, Toyota put a significant amount of work into the GR Sport's chassis, and it shows. The stiffer, lower suspension setup helps tighten body motions in corners. Turn-in feels sharper, the steering feels more precise, and the extra grip from the wider summer-tire fitment is quite apparent.

There's also a plug-in version of the RAV4's rugged-looking Woodland trim. This forest-friendly setup comes with all-terrain tires, a roof rack, a standard tow hitch, and orange interior accents. Its taller sidewalls and more relaxed suspension tune add a bit of squishiness to the ride, but that powertrain keeps things feeling quick and responsive.

The remaining versions of the PHEV are the SE (the price leader of the lineup) and the better-equipped XSE. They, too, have sporty touches but aren't as extreme as the GR. The Woodland and the XSE both benefit from DC fast-charging capability. This means they get a charging port that supports both J1772 and CCS chargers, the latter being relatively rare among plug-in hybrids. Toyota says the DC connection can juice up the 22.7-kWh battery pack from 10 percent to 80 percent in approximately 35 minutes.

The Rest of the Package

The RAV4 plug-in's chief shortcoming is shared with the standard model: low-quality interior materials. Scratchy, hard plastics dominate the dashboard, door panels, and center console. Even padded surfaces like the armrests aren't as plush as they should be. The GR Sport and Woodland each have unique touches such as contrasting stitching and different upholstery, but they don't dress up the cabin to the level of rivals from Hyundai and Kia.

Functionally, we don't have much to complain about with the RAV4's interior. The new infotainment software, displayed on either a 10.5-inch or a 12.9-inch touchscreen, is intuitive and easy to use, and the rear seat and cargo area are spacious. The plug-in does give up a bit of cargo capacity compared with the standard hybrid, but the difference is marginal unless you're regularly hauling large items.