2026 Toyota RAV4 GR Sport is a powerful PHEV with assertive styling

 

The Toyota RAV4 Prime, which was renamed the RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid for 2025, was surprisingly fast for a tiny SUV. With a 302-hp hybrid powertrain, the RAV4 PHEV accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds, outperforming the four-cylinder Supra 2.0 sports car. As the RAV4 reaches its sixth generation, Toyota's 2026 RAV4 GR Sport features a powerful plug-in hybrid engine and more aggressive external appearance.

Track-ready styling
The GR Sport is one of three trim levels available with the RAV4's Sport design package. The LE, XLE, and Limited versions will have a more conventional appearance, while the Woodland variant will have daring styling. The Sport design will also be available on the XSE and SE trims, which may be equipped with either the regular hybrid powertrain or the plug-in hybrid configuration; the SE hybrid also has front-wheel drive.

Toyota claims the GR Sport's distinctive style was created with assistance from the company's Gazoo Racing engineering department, and it has a distinct front bumper with a big grille flanked by hefty side vents. A chin spoiler runs down the front fascia's bottom line, and the wheel arches are finished in gloss black. The distinctive black 20-inch wheels spin in front of red brake calipers, and a large rear wing protrudes from the top. The GR Sport is also the only RAV4 that will allow customers to combine Supersonic Red paint with a black roof.

Inside, the GR Sport has faux-suede seat upholstery with red stitching and GR emblems on the front headrests and steering wheel. The GR Sport also gets paddle shifters and racy aluminum pedals. The GR Sport comes equipped with a 12.9-inch touchscreen, as opposed to the SE and other grades' 10.5-inch units.

Enhanced Power and Efficiency
While other RAV4 models will be available with the conventional hybrid powertrain, which combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric motors to provide up to 236 horsepower, the GR Sport will be supplied only with all-wheel drive and a plug-in hybrid system. The PHEV powertrain also has a 2.5-liter inline-four, two electric motors, and a larger battery. Toyota claims that this newest plug-in hybrid system incorporates silicon-carbide semiconductors on the front axle, lowering the size of the front drive unit while increasing efficiency.

The PHEV now has 320 horsepower, an 18-hp improvement over the previous model, which should help reduce the 5.4-second zero-to-60-mph time. Toyota estimates that the PHEV can now drive 50 miles on pure electric power, up from the EPA's 42-mile range for the existing model. The PHEV powertrain in the XSE and Woodland grades has DC fast-charging, although the SE and GR Sport do not. All fast-charge-capable PHEV cars will have a CCS charging connector, as opposed to the NACS-style port seen on the majority of new electric vehicles.

The GR Sport isn't any more powerful than other plug-in hybrid RAV4s, but Toyota claims it benefits from GR-tuned suspension and steering to make it feel more nimble and enjoyable to drive. Toyota also claims that the GR Sport's body is more robust, and the 20-inch wheels are wrapped in "wide-tread" summer tires.

The 2026 RAV4, featuring the GR Sport, will arrive at showrooms later this year. Pricing will not be released until closer to the RAV4's on-sale date, but the previous SE PHEV started at $45,660 and the XSE PHEV started at $49,530, so we anticipate the new GR Sport variant starting around $51,000.