2026 Toyota RAV4 GR SPORT PHEV Brings More Horsepower and Performance

The RAV4 has been the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. for the last eight years. Redesigning a popular vehicle requires a deft balance between pleasing current owners so they remain loyal and enticing new buyers. For 2026, the RAV4 retains much of what made the current generation so popular and expands on it by introducing new trims to appeal to a broader range of drivers. In addition to the LE, XLE, SE, XSE, and Limited grades, Toyota has added a rugged Woodland variant, and my favorite, the new RAV4 GR SPORT, which looks especially great in Supersonic Red, with the gloss-black roof shown here.

Building on the plug-in hybrid drivetrain found in the current RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid (fka RAV4 Prime) and the excellent Lexus NX 450h+, the RAV4 GR SPORT’s standard PHEV system offers all-wheel drive and an impressive 320 horsepower. It’s expected to provide a spirited ride with a 0-to-60 time of about 5.4 seconds. Thanks to improvements in efficiency, drivers can expect up to 50 miles of range on pure electric power.

Developed in collaboration with Toyota Gazoo Racing’s engineering team, the 2-row SUV also features a sport-tuned suspension and steering, black 20-inch wheels, a GR matrix grille, black overfenders, front and rear spoilers, red brake caliper covers, and functional active cooling ducts. It’s also the first ever RAV4 to come from the factory with performance summer tires. At a height of 66.4 inches, GR SPORT also rides 0.6 inches lower than other RAV4s, other than the Woodland, which gains an additional 0.8 inches. Ground clearance drops by about half an inch compared to most other trims, resulting in a more planted ride and a sporty appearance.

Inside, you’ll find GR SPORT bucket seats with Ultrasuede surface and GR badging and red trim. There’s also a GR sport steering wheel with paddle shifters, red accent stitching, and aluminum sport pedals. There’s a 12.9-inch center touchscreen running Toyota’s next-gen multimedia system, as well as a new digital gauge cluster. Toyota says they’ve decreased road noise in the cabin of all 2026 RAV4s through improvements in chassis adhesives and enhanced overall chassis stiffness, resulting in better handling.

There’s no word yet on pricing for the 2026 RAV4 GR SPORT, but with the current PHEV starting around $44,000, I’d bet this tricked-out sport model will brush up against $50,000. Given how much I liked the RAV4 Prime, I’m excited to get behind the wheel of the GR SPORT to see how its handling upgrades pair with its powerful drivetrain.