If I had a greenback for each time a car producer launched a brand new in-car software program expertise designed to realize the identical ranges of consumer expertise as your common pill or smartphone, I would in all probability have about sufficient money for an honest 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 automobile 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 trendy cell units. And I’ve to say, for as soon as, they could 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 sizzling on the heels of its predecessor turning into the world’s best-selling automobile in 2024. Over 1.1 million had been bought final yr, which works a great distance in direction of explaining why you’ll be able to’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 little 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 rise 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 lined practically 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 fairly fast DC charging (50 kW most), it is easy 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 type 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 together 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, trying brilliant and crisp both means, 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 automobile’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 via completely different pages, which you’ll transfer round and rearrange as you want. None of that is notably revolutionary, however is pleasantly responsive. Swiping from web page to web page was fast and simple, with none annoying lag ready for content material to load.
That responsiveness continued via to the voice assistant, which is the quickest I’ve ever utilized in a automobile. 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 score and supplied navigation, all with out the annoying round-trip processing lag that is widespread in these methods. A few of that velocity is perhaps due to 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 automobile’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 would ever need. There’s even an built-in dashcam function that can file 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 via the touchscreen, Toyota did not take this as a possibility to delete all of the automobile’s buttons. You will nonetheless discover bodily controls for all the most important options, together with (reward be) a quantity knob. It was all adequate to make me not really feel compelled to succeed in for my cellphone, however after all, I did within the curiosity of testing. Each wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are supported, not solely in the principle 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 in case you nonetheless want your cellphone, you are lined, and powered, too. The RAV4 has a pair of Qi wi-fi chargers, conveniently located within the middle stack slightly below the HVAC controls. You will 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, snug 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, nevertheless it’s snug and looks as if the type 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 supplied by the RAV4 would 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 a giant 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. Worth, 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.
