America’s best-selling SUV is hitting the reset button in style. The 2026 Toyota RAV4 is rolling out with fresh looks, electrified power, and a cabin packed with new tech. Following the electrifying—or, at least, electrified—footsteps of the new Camry sedan, the RAV4 is waving goodbye to its plain gas-fed engine and embracing hybrid power across the lineup. Its redesigned exterior flexes a boxier, more chiseled silhouette, giving it the kind of rugged swagger that looks ready for both the trail but more likely will just look cool in the Trader Joe’s parking lot.
With three distinct personalities—Core, Rugged, and Sport—the 2026 RAV4 shows off unique styling touches inside and out, tailored to match whatever vibe you’re going for. Want to dive deep into what sets each trim apart, plus all the juicy details on its tech and powertrains? Be sure to check out our full First Look story, where we’ve covered every detail of Toyota’s revamped bestseller. But if you’re here for the most notable features this new compact SUV has to offer, keep reading.
1. Three Flavors of RAV4
As we mentioned, the 2026 RAV4 is rolling out with three distinct personalities—and each one brings its own flair. Core models keep it clean and classy with a body-color grille seamlessly blended into the front fascia, echoing design cues from the latest Camry and Crown Signia. Sport models turn up the drama with glossy black body cladding and an oversized rear spoiler that practically screams “catch me if you can.” Meanwhile, Rugged models—meaning the new Woodland trim level, which takes over for the last-gen RAV4’s TRD Off-Road model—are built for the trail, getting chunky all-terrain tires, a roof rack with crossbars, and a built-in tow hitch that’s ready for adventure.
With this multi-pronged strategy, Toyota’s aiming to carve out an even bigger slice of the SUV market, tailoring the RAV4 lineup to suit three distinct lifestyles. The Core crew—made up of the LE, XLE, and Limited trims—sticks to the tried-and-true hybrid powertrain. Again, the lone wolf in the Rugged family is the Woodland, which caters to the adventure crowd and offers the flexibility of either a hybrid or plug-in hybrid setup. Then there’s the Sport squad: SE and XSE trims give you the choice between hybrid or PHEV, while the GR Sport goes all-in on performance, exclusively rocking the plug-in hybrid.
2. Two-Tiered Center Console
We’re big fans of spacious center consoles—because let’s face it, road trips come with baggage, literally. When you’ve got two people up front, each with a drink in both hands (well, not literally—we hope) and a phone to stash, things can get crowded fast. Thankfully, Toyota thought this one through in the 2026 RAV4. Its clever two-tier center console layout is fantastic: the upper level features a wireless charging pad and has room for two smartphones to chill side by side, while the lower level is perfect for tossing in your wallet, keys, or that snack stash you don’t want to share.
Even better, this smart setup doesn’t sacrifice cupholder real estate. Toyota managed to keep both the gear shifter and two cupholders right where you need them, shifting the former to the left side of the console and the latter to a longitudinal layout that makes better use of console space than the old RAV4’s did. And for the cherry on top, front passengers get an extra built-in dash tray for even more personal storage.
3. Dual Hinged Center Arm Rest
Front-seat passengers also get a center armrest that moonlights as a storage compartment, but with a clever twist. While armrest storage isn’t exactly groundbreaking, Toyota added a nifty double-hinged lid that opens from either side, making it easy for both the driver and passenger to reach inside. This isn’t a new concept, but it typically has been found only on higher-end cars and SUVs.
The compartment isn’t cavernous, but it’s just the right size to tuck away wallets, phones, or any small essentials you’d rather keep out of sight. It’s a small touch, but one that adds a surprising bit of convenience to the everyday drive and is an unexpected find at something at this price point.
4. Digital Instrument Cluster for All
Every 2026 Toyota RAV4 now comes standard with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster—a serious glow-up from the old model’s 7.0-inch screen flanked by analog dials. It’s a welcome move that brings the RAV4 into the modern age, especially since tech was one of the areas where the outgoing model was starting to feel behind the curve.
Toyota says the new display will show navigation graphics directly in the cluster, helping drivers keep their eyes on the road and not on the center screen. And while full details are still under wraps, we expect customizable layouts—especially for the Sport and Woodland trims—that bring unique speedometer graphics to match each model’s personality.
5. New, Larger Infotainment Displays
Toyota’s latest infotainment system has been making its way through the lineup for a while now, and at long last, the RAV4 is getting in on the action—and then some. The 2026 model finally ditches the old RAV4’s outdated interface in favor of a modern setup with cleaner menus, sharper graphics, and an all-around more intuitive user experience. It looks and feels current—something the outgoing model’s system definitely couldn’t claim. As a bonus, it seems Toyota is finally adding a “home” menu to the setup, which while intuitive to use in other contemporary Toyota models, feels a little skeletal. The new home menu appears to show multiple pieces of info on tile-like panels that can share screen space; on other Toyotas’ displays, you can only show music, navigation, phone, and settings menus individually.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard across the board, a long-overdue upgrade considering the previous RAV4 didn’t offer this wireless connectivity at all. Screen sizes vary by trim: LE, XLE, SE, and Woodland get a 10.5-inch touchscreen, while Limited, XSE, and GR Sport step things up with a larger 12.9-inch display. This is the kind of tech update buyers have been waiting for—and we think they’ll be more than happy it finally arrived.
6. Versatile Cup Holders
There’s nothing more annoying than a cupholder that won’t hold your cup—especially when your oversized water bottle has nowhere to go. Thankfully, Toyota thought ahead with the 2026 RAV4. The center console features a clever removable divider in the cupholders, allowing you to make room for those bigger bottles without a struggle. It’s a simple touch, but one that makes a big difference for drivers who like to stay hydrated on the go. Sometimes, it’s the little things that really hit the mark.
7. A GR Sport What Now?
We’ve never really pegged the RAV4 as a sporty type—well, unless you remember the sweet V-6-powered third-generation model sold from 2006 to 2012—but the 2026 RAV4 GR Sport might just change the game. For the first time ever, U.S. buyers get a bona-fide performance variant packing a punchy 320-hp plug-in hybrid powertrain that promises to add some serious zip. With its massive rear spoiler, aggressive 20-inch sport wheels, lowered and firmed up suspension, and sticky Dunlop summer tires, this SUV looks ready to carve corners and turn heads.
Toyota says the GR Sport was crafted hand-in-hand with Gazoo Racing, featuring GR-tuned suspension and handling tweaks that should sharpen its driving chops. We’ll reserve final judgment until we’re behind the wheel, but one thing’s clear—the RAV4 lineup just got a whole lot spicier.