As a recent new dad, am I the only one excited about this? A reliable performance crossover is intriguing. It's a PHEV with ~320 HP, 5.6 second 0-60 and apparently they've made the chassis stiffer than the normal version thats coming out.
As a recent new dad, am I the only one excited about this? A reliable performance crossover is intriguing. It's a PHEV with ~320 HP, 5.6 second 0-60 and apparently they've made the chassis stiffer than the normal version thats coming out.
Given the popularity of utes, I think it's great that someone recognizes the appeal of one that offers at least a whiff of performance. I'll likely never be in the market for a vehicle as small as a RAV, but I see it as a positive development.
1988RedT2 said:Given the popularity of utes, I think it's great that someone recognizes the appeal of one that offers at least a whiff of performance. I'll likely never be in the market for a vehicle as small as a RAV, but I see it as a positive development.
Well the other performance crossovers I've looked at are the Macan and X3 and I sort of like the fuel efficiency/reliability aspect that this RAV4 might offer.
The crazier part is all Rav4 Plug in Hybrid now have a 320hp standard and run in the low 5 second 0-60.
In reply to bmw88rider :
I know, right? I remember when the current-gen plug-in RAV4 debuted, Toyota advertised it as one of the most powerful models in its lineup.
bmw88rider said:The crazier part is all Rav4 Plug in Hybrid now have a 320hp standard and run in the low 5 second 0-60.
Only PHEV Models get 320hp, the others are in the low 200s.
2026 Toyota RAV4: What We Know So Far
I think the Prime trim of the current model is also similarly quick IIRC. I'll say, I've driven the latest gen non-Prime RAV4 hybrid and it would need a lot more than 320hp to be interesting to me. It's a super numb driving experience. I can't stand it.
CyberEric said:I think the Prime trim of the current model is also similarly quick IIRC. I'll say, I've driven the latest gen non-Prime RAV4 hybrid and it would need a lot more than 320hp to be interesting to me. It's a super numb driving experience. I can't stand it.
Well, the whole thing about the GR Sport Trim is that they've stiffened the chassis/dampers and apparently changed the steering tuning as well.
Isn't Prime what they call the PHEV which is also called the plug-in hybrid? I'm either *still* undercaffeinated or we just had three different references to it being THIS one, all pointing to the same underlying spec.
GR sport does seem to provide some *other* upsides, but I think the Prime/PHEV/plug-in-hybrid monikers specify the same thing, or did until the GR sport became another PHEV/plug-in alongside the Prime?
I recall as soon as the plug-in came out it became the second-quickest Toyota behind the Supra, since displaced I think by the GR hatches, or something like that...
We'd probably be going back to a Rav4 PHEV if it weren't for the combo of being sick of dealing with modern driver "aids" and wanting something lower for our aging pup to jump into.
I don't know, it seems difficult to get excited over a Toyota GRAVy.
This seems more in line with just a normal 'sport' trim and not a GR model. Maybe it'll make the rav 4 tolerable to drive at least? I'm dubious that its worth more. The woodland edition also gets a different suspension. The XSE has the special seats. Sounds more like badge engineering than anything
I kinda want to do this to a RAV4 
We had a RAV4 rental recently. It was that, a Bronco Sport, or a Nissan of equivalent size. Figured the Toyota was the correct choice.
Found the car unremarkable in most every way. Was definitely not the PHEV. And certainly wasn't quick. What was remarkable: easily the most common car I saw, by like 3:1. It was absolutely comical how many nearly identical silver RAV4's we passed while piloting our silver RAV4. So, they obviously hold appeal to a whole lot of people in Vanilla trim. I'm sure a sportier version only adds to the flock for Toyota.
(This was Maine, to further into Maine, to south of Boston, in RI, in case the RAV4 phenomenon is regionally specific.)
That is one ugly vehicle.
Wasn't there a V6 RAV4 not too long ago that was decently quick as well?
My fiance has already shut me down on lowering the CX-5, wider wheels, and slapping a supercharger on it.
Spearfishin said:We had a RAV4 rental recently. It was that, a Bronco Sport, or a Nissan of equivalent size. Figured the Toyota was the correct choice.
Found the car unremarkable in most every way. Was definitely not the PHEV. And certainly wasn't quick. What was remarkable: easily the most common car I saw, by like 3:1. It was absolutely comical how many nearly identical silver RAV4's we passed while piloting our silver RAV4. So, they obviously hold appeal to a whole lot of people in Vanilla trim. I'm sure a sportier version only adds to the flock for Toyota.
(This was Maine, to further into Maine, to south of Boston, in RI, in case the RAV4 phenomenon is regionally specific.)
Well my wife owns the current generation RAV4 and I completely agree. Its vanilla and boring but its reliable and practical, which is usually what most buyers want in a car. Based on the general things with manufacturers and the tech they put in the car, the RAV4 looks like it will be old reliable for a long time.
In reply to RyanGreener (Forum Supporter) :
Yeah, I don't mean that in any negative way. They're popular for a reason. Making it sportier is certainly not a bad thing.
"Unremarkable" is probably a positive when you're talking cars for most folks.
z31maniac said:Wasn't there a V6 RAV4 not too long ago that was decently quick as well?
My fiance has already shut me down on lowering the CX-5, wider wheels, and slapping a supercharger on it.
My parents had a 2008 with the 268 hp 3.5 V6 and it was pretty quick. It also was a bit boring to drive, other than the power, but not as sterile as the 2021 hybrid they now have. It seemed a little more Alice than the new one
The latest RAV is classic utility transportation and does what it does well, so I get why so many were sold, but there's no joy in it. If Mazda had made a hybrid at the time my dad would have bought it. Now they do, (with the RAV4 drivetrain no less) so I see no reason to buy a RAV4. Maybe the GR sport trim will change that. Maybe.
The hybrid drivetrain is punchy. With proper tuning I could see it being quite a "sporty" thing on the street. Especially if it were lowered like 4" and given some more tire to work with.
z31maniac said:Wasn't there a V6 RAV4 not too long ago that was decently quick as well?
My fiance has already shut me down on lowering the CX-5, wider wheels, and slapping a supercharger on it.
If by "not too long ago" you mean nearly 20 years ago, yes. Toyota killed off the MR2 spyder in 2005 and for a few years after, the v6 Rav4 was the fastest car in Toyota's entire lineup
TravisTheHuman said:The hybrid drivetrain is punchy. With proper tuning I could see it being quite a "sporty" thing on the street. Especially if it were lowered like 4" and given some more tire to work with.
Yes. The whole point of the GR Sport Trim seems to be pretty much having better tires, brakes, suspension and chassis tuning. I didn't really care for the fast 0-60 although it is noteworthy since these things are generally pretty slow.
calteg said:z31maniac said:Wasn't there a V6 RAV4 not too long ago that was decently quick as well?
My fiance has already shut me down on lowering the CX-5, wider wheels, and slapping a supercharger on it.
If by "not too long ago" you mean nearly 20 years ago, yes. Toyota killed off the MR2 spyder in 2005 and for a few years after, the v6 Rav4 was the fastest car in Toyota's entire lineup
V6 was available through 2018.
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