If I had a greenback for each time a automobile producer launched a brand new in-car software program expertise designed to realize the identical ranges of person expertise as your common pill or smartphone, I might most likely have about sufficient money for a good lunch at a middling restaurant. It is a widespread chorus, and but after years of listening to that very same story again and again, I nonetheless discover myself firing up Android Auto or Apple CarPlay as quickly as I get into nearly each new automotive I consider.
On the launch of the 2026 Toyota RAV4, I heard that story but once more, about how they’d rewritten their in-car software program to ship an expertise like that present in fashionable cellular gadgets. And I’ve to say, for as soon as, they may have really delivered. Toyota’s newest SUV has voice and contact capabilities that aren’t solely fast and responsive however genuinely nice to make use of. And fortunately, the remainder of the SUV has been upgraded to match.
The RAV4 has been in manufacturing for over 30 years now. This, the sixth era, comes scorching on the heels of its predecessor changing into the world’s best-selling automotive in 2024. Over 1.1 million have been bought final 12 months, which matches a good distance in the direction of explaining why you possibly can’t kick a pebble in a grocery retailer parking zone with out hitting a RAV4.
The general adjustments for the 2026 RAV4 aren’t radical, however they’re appreciated. For starters, each trim of this SUV is a hybrid, with base fashions powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that drives the entrance wheels, providing 226 horsepower. These wanting all-wheel drive can add one other electrical motor on the again, including a bit extra energy (10 hp) and an excellent bit extra drive for low-grip conditions.
For 2026, each trim of the RAV4 is a hybrid.
(Tim Stevens for Engadget)
From there, consumers can step as much as a revised plug-in hybrid mannequin, which now makes 324 horsepower, up 22 from earlier than. Gasoline economic system is up too, as much as 48 mpg relying on what trim you select, and now you can stand up to 52 miles of vary from a 22.7 kWh battery pack within the plug-in.
And that is usable vary. I took a RAV4 XSE plug-in version out for a morning drive and coated almost 20 miles with out spinning up the engine. Even at freeway speeds the RAV4 was sluggish however completely manageable. With that a lot vary and even moderately fast DC charging (50 kW most), it is simple to see this because the introduction to EVs for a lot of.
For higher or worse, that DC charging is dealt with on a CCS port, not the newer NACS ports that the majority producers (even Toyota) are utilizing on their EVs. The shortage of any sort of vehicle-to-load performance is a bummer, too, particularly on the rugged-ish Wilderness version, which might seemingly be an ideal machine for powering a campsite.
No matter which trim you go along with, you may get that new software program system working on both a ten.5-inch touchscreen on the decrease trims or a 12.9-inch show on higher-end machines. The general expertise is identical, wanting vibrant and crisp both method, simply with extra finger-friendly controls on the larger panel.
Toyota’s revamped software program is fast and responsive, particularly the voice assistant.
(Tim Stevens for Engadget)
Toyota’s software program format is acquainted, with a vertical column of icons on the left for toggling between main sections like media or navigation, after which a row of controls alongside the underside for controlling the automotive’s heating, air flow and cooling system. The remainder of the show is taken up by a customizable collection of panels. As you swipe from left to proper, you swing by means of completely different pages, which you’ll transfer round and rearrange as you want. None of that is significantly revolutionary, however is pleasantly responsive. Swiping from web page to web page was fast and straightforward, with none annoying lag ready for content material to load.
That responsiveness continued by means of to the voice assistant, which is the quickest I’ve ever utilized in a automotive. Simply say “Hey, Toyota” and ask for no matter you need. When requested for pizza, the voice assistant listed close by joints, even quoted their star ranking and provided navigation, all with out the annoying round-trip processing lag that is widespread in these techniques. A few of that velocity could be because of the addition of 5G connectivity (supplied by AT&T), however there’s certainly some faster {hardware} working beneath the pores and skin powering the Linux-based software program.
The automotive’s built-in navigation was additionally simple to make use of, fast to route and re-route and options all of the factors of curiosity you possibly can ever need. There’s even an built-in dashcam characteristic that may report any incidents on the highway, or no matter else you are feeling like highlighting, whereas additionally storing the footage from the SUV’s different cameras.
Regardless of the standard expertise by means of the touchscreen, Toyota did not take this as a possibility to delete all of the automotive’s buttons. You may nonetheless discover bodily controls for all the foremost options, together with (reward be) a quantity knob. It was all ok to make me not really feel compelled to achieve for my cellphone, however in fact, I did within the curiosity of testing. Each wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are supported, not solely in the primary touchscreen but additionally in a position to feed navigation particulars into the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. That, too, is customizable, with a collection of panels of knowledge that hover over your cellphone’s map view.
The meaner, sportier GR Sport version.
(Tim Stevens for Engadget)
So, even for those who nonetheless want your cellphone, you are coated, and powered, too. The RAV4 has a pair of Qi wi-fi chargers, conveniently located within the middle stack just under the HVAC controls. You may additionally discover two 45-watt USB-C ports up entrance, plus a pair of 15-watt ports within the again for rear-seat passengers.
The brand new RAV4 has a roomy, comfy cabin with some enjoyable touches, like a neoprene-like insert within the sprint that is nice to the touch. The general inside design will not win any awards for dramatic styling or eye-catching aptitude, but it surely’s comfy and looks as if the sort of factor that’ll stand as much as no matter you or your children throw at it.
When it comes to driving dynamics, the additional energy provided by the RAV4 does not flip it right into a rocket ship, however the PHEV trim specifically feels greater than fast sufficient. There’s additionally a brand new GR Sport version for individuals who aspire to one thing much more participating, however regardless of a extra aggressive grille up entrance and an enormous wing hanging off the again, it nonetheless appears like a RAV4 from behind the wheel. That’s to say: It’s not probably the most thrilling factor on the highway.
However individuals do not buy RAV4s to be wowed, they purchase them as a result of they’re sensible and cozy and priced proper. Value, sadly, is one factor we do not know in regards to the new mannequin, with Toyota solely saying that it will begin someplace within the low $30,000 vary. However all of the SUV’s different virtues carry ahead into 2026 with upgrades. Add to {that a} massively improved software program expertise, and you’ve got an SUV that does not disappoint.
