Toyota RAV4 (2026)

Where reviewers disagree

• ±Refinement · 3 positive, 3 negative, 1 mixed
  Which sources said this

  • InsideEVs — positive: Says the RAV4 does not punish you with a coarse, strained engine note the way the Crown Signia and Corolla Cross Hybrid do, and that the cabin is far better insulated: certainly more refined than before.
  • Autocar — positive: On the motorway it could detect only a small amount of wind noise, and road roar was kept well at bay.
  • Auto Express — mixed: Calls it a refined and competent cruiser at motorway speeds that suppresses road and outside noise, but says it is not what we would call quiet, groaning under heavy throttle, and that cabin quality isn't great.
  • AutoTrader.ca — negative: Lists loud under heavy acceleration among the Woodland's negatives.
  • MotorTrend — negative: Lists interior materials that are just OK and tyre noise on the highway among its faults.
  • Consumer Reports — negative: Says the interior is underwhelming, with tons of hard plastics, limited soft-touch surfaces and a general ambience of sad malaise, and that revs jump up with a coarse engine note.
  • GreenCars — positive: Says the engine still grumbles a little but is noticeably more pleasant than in other Toyotas, and that the drivetrain is smoother than creamy peanut butter.

• ±Space and practicality · 1 positive, 1 negative, 3 mixed
  Which sources said this

  • Autocar — negative: Says the 446-litre boot lags behind the Tiguan PHEV's, which has a capacity of up to 490 litres.
  • Auto Express — mixed: Says you would be hard pressed to find a bigger load area in this class, but the plug-in hybrid loses 68 litres of boot space to 446 litres and the back seat stays a bit smaller than some rivals.
  • AutoTrader.ca — positive: Scored daily usability 9.0 out of 10 in the Woodland Hybrid AWD it tested.
  • MotorTrend — mixed: Says the new RAV4 seems almost smaller inside than the previous one, with a tight and dark feeling and a claustrophobic rear bench, but singles out the Woodland's outlet, crossbars and hitch.
  • Consumer Reports — mixed: Fit four large suitcases, one overnight duffel bag and five backpacks behind the rear seat, but notes a hard plastic console edge that rubs directly against the driver's right knee.

• ±Technology and software · 2 positive, 1 negative, 1 mixed
  Which sources said this

  • InsideEVs — mixed: Calls the digital experience one that has finally come of age and says the Drive Recorder makes aftermarket dash cams unnecessary, but notes it kept flagging driving incidents that felt routine.
  • What Car? — positive: Says the 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen runs on newer software than those found on many current Toyotas, and that it is a big improvement.
  • MotorTrend — negative: Criticises the awkwardly placed, tacked-on-tablet feel of the two screens and says it wishes the climate controls had remained hard buttons.
  • GreenCars — positive: Says the new infotainment system already ranks among the author's favourites, and that it is that good.

• ±Ride and comfort · 3 positive, 1 negative, 1 mixed
  Which sources said this

  • InsideEVs — mixed: Found the ride marginally more comfortable than the outgoing model and absorbed New York potholes with real poise, but it dives under braking, squats on acceleration and has a wallowy quality.
  • Autocar — positive: Counts the ride and comfort package among the car's strengths.
  • Auto Express — positive: Records a comfortable ride and says the car does a great job of suppressing imperfections in the road and outside noise.
  • MotorTrend — negative: Says the GR Sport leans and dives a lot during enthusiastic driving.
  • Consumer Reports — positive: Says the suspension adroitly absorbs bumps, delivering a mostly calm ride with minimal side-to-side jostling.

• ±Safety and driver assistance · 3 positive, 2 negative
  Which sources said this

  • InsideEVs — negative: Notes that you don't get anything fancy like automatic lane changes or hands-free highway driving.
  • Autocar — negative: Calls the driver attention monitor particularly infuriating and made more annoying by its inability to be turned off while driving.
  • Auto Express — positive: Found the lane keep assist system was not as intrusive as the one in the Volkswagen Tiguan, so you are not tempted to turn it off every time you step inside.
  • Consumer Reports — positive: Says blind spot warning and rear cross traffic warning are now standard across the board, and calls Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 a significant step forward over the 2.5 in the previous model.
  • GreenCars — positive: Records Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 and the built-in Drive Recorder as standard equipment.

• ±Value · 3 positive, 3 negative, 1 mixed
  Which sources said this

  • InsideEVs — mixed: Calls the comprehensively upgraded hybrid a remarkable value, then says to steer clear of the bloated Limited: at $47,000 with destination and $3,500 of options the math isn't the best, and LE, SE and XSE are the sweet spots.
  • Autocar — negative: The Excel it tested crept just over the GBP 50,000 mark, making it roughly GBP 8,000 more than the equivalent Volkswagen Tiguan.
  • Auto Express — negative: Lists its low points as plug-in hybrid only, cabin quality that isn't great and a car that is not exciting to drive, from GBP 43,845 in the UK.
  • AutoTrader.ca — positive: Scored value for money 9.0 out of 10 alongside an overall Trader score of 8.5 out of 10.
  • MotorTrend — negative: Calls value a sticky subject for the GR Sport, says it is likely to be pricier than rivals, and names the Kia Sportage PHEV and Hyundai Ioniq 5 as alternatives.
  • Consumer Reports — positive: Calls it an exceptionally practical SUV that prioritises solid utility and superb fuel savings over premium comfort.
  • GreenCars — positive: Calls the RAV4 a strong value and one of the few new hybrid crossovers that starts below $35,000.