All 2026 Toyota RAV4s are electrified. So why is this a big deal?

[bbhaag]

Looks like the number three best selling vehicle in America is going electric one way or the other. For those who do not know the RAV4 only trails behind the Ford F series and the Chevy Silverado in sales.

Why The New Toyota RAV4 Is Bigger News Than You Think
The hybrid-only RAV4 is a very big deal.

By: Tim Levin
May 21, at 6:52pm ET

Heading into 2025, I would’ve guessed that Tesla’s overhauled Model Ycrossover would have been this year’s biggest car launch—at least as far as this EV website is concerned. But Tesla’s momentum is fading, and it’s Toyota that just dropped the biggest bomb of the year so far.
The sixth-generation RAV4 SUV is here. Most importantly, every version of it has at least one electric motor. Just like before, Toyota will sell you a hybrid RAV4 and a plug-in hybrid one. But starting with the 2026 model year, the purely gas-powered RAV4 is no more.
This is a very big deal. The RAV4 consistently ranks as America’s most popular non-truck vehicle. Last year, Toyota sold some 475,000 RAV4s in this country, landing behind only the Chevrolet Silverado and Ford F-Series trucks. With the flip of a switch, Toyota is about to get far more Americans to choose far cleaner vehicles. And most of them won’t even think twice about it.

It pulled the same trick with the Camry (America’s eighth-best-selling vehicle) last year. Switching that car to hybrid-only gave a massive boost to Toyota’s electrified car sales, which accounted for nearly half of its overall U.S. businesslast year. The RAV4 is a far bigger seller. And as a crossover, it’s the exact vehicle type that U.S. buyers want.

Toyota hasn’t shared fuel economy figures for the new models, so we’ll have to use last year’s stats to put this all into context. The 2025 non-hybrid RAV4 got 30 miles to the gallon. The hybrid got 39 mpg, so it uses about 25% less gas, all else being equal. If the nearly quarter-million annual non-hybrid RAV4 sales become hybrids, we’re talking about a whole lot less gasoline consumption over time.
And that’s not even accounting for the new RAV4 PHEV, which has a longer electric range than before (50 miles) and now comes with DC fast-charging capability. Those upgrades should make it more appealing, for one, and push owners to drive more miles on electricity alone.

This brings us to the elephant in the room: The RAV4 Hybrid still burns gas. No matter how popular or efficient hybrids get, they’re an insufficient long-term solution for our worsening climate crisis. Studies show that EVs are far cleaner to operate, and a no-gas future should be the ultimate goal.
But the transition to electric cars won’t happen overnight. Between the Republican trifecta’s gutting of pro-EV policies and general trepidation among mainstream car buyers, EV sales growth in America is looking rockier than ever. And if people are going to keep buying combustion vehicles no matter what for some time, those cars might as well sip gas instead of gulping it.

Contact the author: Tim.Levin@InsideEVs.com

https://insideevs.com/news/760355/new-toyota-rav4-hybrid-only/

 

[Dr. Detroit]

It pulled the same trick with the Camry (America’s eighth-best-selling vehicle) last year. Switching that car to hybrid-only gave a massive boost to Toyota’s electrified car sales, which accounted for nearly half of its overall U.S. businesslast year. The RAV4 is a far bigger seller. And as a crossover, it’s the exact vehicle type that U.S. buyers want.

Not sure why this is big news as Toyota has been focused on putting Hybrids in all their vehicles and focusing on simplifying its models. Sensational titles get the clicks tho!

Consumers seem to prefer the hybrids over pure EVs and Japanese manufacturers, Honda & Toyota, are embracing hybrid technology and shying away from EVs.

Toyota went hybrid only for the Camry for '25, Sienna in '21, Venza '21, Lexus ES '26.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Not sure why this is big news as Toyota has been focused on putting Hybrids in all their vehicles and focusing on simplifying its models. Sensational titles get the clicks tho!

Consumers seem to prefer the hybrids over pure EVs and Japanese manufacturers, Honda & Toyota, are embracing hybrid technology and shying away from EVs.

Toyota went hybrid only for the Camry for '25, Sienna in '21, Venza '21, Lexus ES '26.

toyota has been slacking on the EV side of things though. you'd think with their success on the hybrid side of things, a full on EV would have been a natural progression. honda has the prologue EV now which looks interesting, but that's their first foray into a full EV as well.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

honda has the prologue EV now which looks interesting, but that's their first foray into a full EV as well.

The Prologue is nothing more than a reskinned Chevy Blazer/Cadillac Lyriq EV as it utilizes GM's Ultium BEV3 platform.

 

[Kaido]

Looks like the number three best selling vehicle in America is going electric one way or the other. For those who do not know the RAV4 only trails behind the Ford F series and the Chevy Silverado in sales.

Why The New Toyota RAV4 Is Bigger News Than You Think
The hybrid-only RAV4 is a very big deal.

By: Tim Levin
May 21, at 6:52pm ET

Heading into 2025, I would’ve guessed that Tesla’s overhauled Model Ycrossover would have been this year’s biggest car launch—at least as far as this EV website is concerned. But Tesla’s momentum is fading, and it’s Toyota that just dropped the biggest bomb of the year so far.
The sixth-generation RAV4 SUV is here. Most importantly, every version of it has at least one electric motor

The Juniper SHOULD have been the biggest EV drop this year, as it's a fantastic upgrade, but the political stuff distracted from that. The RAV4 is a great design:

* AWD available om ALL models
* Hybrid makes more sense than full EV for most people
* The 50-mile battery-only range covers the average 42 miles driven per day total by Americans

 

[BonzaiDuck]

People can heave a sigh over my own much-belabored ongoing experience with the 30-year-old orphaned SUV. I just returned to Riverside from a visit with my bro and sis-in-law just south of Reno. It has been so well-maintained and restored that it might run well for another five years or more. But we cannot avoid metal fatigue as an old ride continues to age.

I've been looking at the RAV4 models. Brand new -- that's about a fourth of my investment nest-egg. Going forward with the new car and smaller portfolio earnings, I can do that -- I suppose. I'm just not eager for it. And at least COSTCO Premium 91-octane was $4.17/gallon today.

Otherwise, $206 for the 826-mile round trip. No oil consumption. Everything tip-top. Going forward to rebuild the steering gearbox. The annual outlays are still considerably less than a year's worth of new car payments. 23 years and $140 nominal dollars per month. Some mechanics may tout the idea of a "free ride", but there's no such thing as a free ride, just as there's no such thing as a free lunch.

I'm annoyed at people who think I'm "poor" for driving an old car, and determined not to take actions or make choices to alleviate their misconceptions. But -- still window-shopping RAV4 vehicles at CARMAX.

 

[Greenman]

Does the Trooper require 91octane?

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Does the Trooper require 91octane?

Actually -- No. I suppose it runs fine on Regular. But Premium burns cleaner. All my successive mechanics told me "it would be best". Here -- wait-a-minute . . . Yeah -- COSTCO wants $3.75 for Regular, so I would save $0.40/gallon at today's posted prices. That would be $4.00 for a half-tank fill-up -- 10 gallons.

What do you say? Should I fill up next time with Regular, and then reset the ECM? Easy enough -- disconnect the battery, put key in ignition, twist and hold it for 30 seconds, then reconnect the battery.

 

[Greenman]

Actually -- No. I suppose it runs fine on Regular. But Premium burns cleaner. All my successive mechanics told me "it would be best". Here -- wait-a-minute . . . Yeah -- COSTCO wants $3.75 for Regular, so I would save $0.40/gallon at today's posted prices. That would be $4.00 for a half-tank fill-up -- 10 gallons.

What do you say? Should I fill up next time with Regular, and then reset the ECM? Easy enough -- disconnect the battery, put key in ignition, twist and hold it for 30 seconds, then reconnect the battery.

If the engine is tuned for 87 octane, 91 octane does nothing. If your engine is tuned for 91 octane and you run 87 octane you'll get preignition.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

If the engine is tuned for 87 octane, 91 octane does nothing. If your engine is tuned for 91 octane and you run 87 octane you'll get preignition.

"Does nothing" -- perhaps -- but burns cleaner? This Trooper was a 1995 entry considerably ahead of its time. The ECM "tunes" the car. Intuitively, I surmise that one need only reset the ECM to purge the data it carries derived from driving it previously under a different Octane.

So, by today's prices, I think the estimate is on spot -- $4 savings for 10 gallons at fill-up. Although I'm feeling flush these days, I should consider saving between $8 and $16 monthly, which could cover some Mexican carryout instead.

But despite the annual repair and maintenance outlays, the new-car purchase prospects aren't so attractive. I can buy that RAV4 whenever I really need to. I might want to wait for some EV equivalent of the IH Scout -- can't say. But since the Trooper continues to be a dream ride, I like keeping the money for a while.

 

[Greenman]

"Does nothing" -- perhaps -- but burns cleaner? This Trooper was a 1995 entry considerably ahead of its time. The ECM "tunes" the car. Intuitively, I surmise that one need only reset the ECM to purge the data it carries derived from driving it previously under a different Octane.

So, by today's prices, I think the estimate is on spot -- $4 savings for 10 gallons at fill-up. Although I'm feeling flush these days, I should consider saving between $8 and $16 monthly, which could cover some Mexican carryout instead.

But despite the annual repair and maintenance outlays, the new-car purchase prospects aren't so attractive. I can buy that RAV4 whenever I really need to. I might want to wait for some EV equivalent of the IH Scout -- can't say. But since the Trooper continues to be a dream ride, I like keeping the money for a while.

The ECM can retard ignition timing if it detects knock, but it doesn't tune on the fly.
I have no idea if higher octane fuel burns cleaner, I've never herd that stated anywhere, and a brief google search indicates there is no evidence that it does so. But it's your choice, if you want to burn 91 octane fuel it won't hurt anything.

 

[manly]

People can heave a sigh over my own much-belabored ongoing experience with the 30-year-old orphaned SUV. I just returned to Riverside from a visit with my bro and sis-in-law just south of Reno. It has been so well-maintained and restored that it might run well for another five years or more. But we cannot avoid metal fatigue as an old ride continues to age.

I've been looking at the RAV4 models. Brand new -- that's about a fourth of my investment nest-egg. Going forward with the new car and smaller portfolio earnings, I can do that -- I suppose. I'm just not eager for it. And at least COSTCO Premium 91-octane was $4.17/gallon today.

Otherwise, $206 for the 826-mile round trip. No oil consumption. Everything tip-top. Going forward to rebuild the steering gearbox. The annual outlays are still considerably less than a year's worth of new car payments. 23 years and $140 nominal dollars per month. Some mechanics may tout the idea of a "free ride", but there's no such thing as a free ride, just as there's no such thing as a free lunch.

I'm annoyed at people who think I'm "poor" for driving an old car, and determined not to take actions or make choices to alleviate their misconceptions. But -- still window-shopping RAV4 vehicles at CARMAX.

The RAV4 is all-new for MY2026, so buying a brand new one today seems like a questionable idea in general. On a fixed income? As much as you humble brag about your Trooper, I don't see the point except to temper your annoyance at strangers you don't even care about?

As popular as the RAV4 is, there should be plenty of supply of lightly used ones for sale. Since you're on no deadline, expand your search beyond CarMax (AutoTempest is a meta search engine for used cars). Arguably, the sweet spot for value is around 5 years old, but you could go as new as ~ 3 years. The important thing is to dodge the heaviest depreciation in years 1 and 2. The pandemic changed the math a bit when production was constrained, but lightly used is still the way to go. The second most important thing is a pre-purchase inspection.

As for fuel, I would be pumping regular unleaded but it's up to you (the benefits are very small).

https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a28565486/honda-cr-v-vs-bmw-m5-ford-f-150-dodge-charger/

 

[BonzaiDuck]

The RAV4 is all-new for MY2026, so buying a brand new one today seems like a questionable idea in general. On a fixed income? As much as you humble brag about your Trooper, I don't see the point except to temper your annoyance at strangers you don't even care about?

As popular as the RAV4 is, there should be plenty of supply of lightly used ones for sale. Since you're on no deadline, expand your search beyond CarMax (AutoTempest is a meta search engine for used cars). Arguably, the sweet spot for value is around 5 years old, but you could go as new as ~ 3 years. The important thing is to dodge the heaviest depreciation in years 1 and 2. The pandemic changed the math a bit when production was constrained, but lightly used is still the way to go. The second most important thing is a pre-purchase inspection.

As for fuel, I would be pumping regular unleaded but it's up to you (the benefits are very small).

https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a28565486/honda-cr-v-vs-bmw-m5-ford-f-150-dodge-charger/

MANLY: Nothing you say there gives me any opportunity to argue -- it is Great Wisdom, thus driving my indecision on this matter already.

As I've said several times in past threads, I anticipated this great flux in the technology leading to either "electrification" or hydrogen fuel cells -- beginning 20 years ago. But it is the volatility in the tech innovations that sort of leaves me reticent about the entire prospect.

You are also spot-on about the pre-owned low-miles offerings, but that's another reason to wait, as the later models age a bit and their offer-price drops.

I'll probably attempt to prepare myself without planning immediate action. I have a CD maturing beginning July, when I will also talk to my Merrill-Lynch advisor. I think she can give me advice about becoming "pre-qualified" through my bank. But as we've both observed -- I'm not in a big hurry.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

The ECM can retard ignition timing if it detects knock, but it doesn't tune on the fly.
I have no idea if higher octane fuel burns cleaner, I've never herd that stated anywhere, and a brief google search indicates there is no evidence that it does so. But it's your choice, if you want to burn 91 octane fuel it won't hurt anything.

Well, as much as I've learned about this car, with the full 2,000-page shop manual digitized in my archives, it has never needed any "tune-up". As long as the warm-idle speed is spot on, nothing needs be done. However, resetting the ECM is sometimes necessary or preferred. But not often -- not now -- not since I replaced all the on-engine sensors and the HO2 sensor plugged into the catalytic converter.

I KNOW I've written about this one item -- too much. The engine gave a lifter-tick even after it had warmed up since maybe 2009 (Yeah!) Treated it with Marvel Mystery Oil every oil change, and it gradually attenuated even if it didn't completely disappear. Replacing a 40-weight oil mix with straight 10W-30 -- it is freaking gone, gone gone! Lifter-tick is apparently a common experience with these 3.2 l SOHC engines, as I glean from the Planet Isuzu owner web-site.