2026 Toyota RAV4 Limited Review: Improved New Gen
I was invited by Toyota to see the new RAV4 before it was unveiled, and I knew they had created something great. It was going to need to fill big shoes, as the previous gen is one of the most sold models. For this new model, the RAV4 has multiple personalities with the different trim offerings. With this being the Limited trim, it took on the personality of offering higher luxury.
On the outside, the Storm Cloud color gave a nice gray-blue tone that added more life than you standard gray color. I was surprised at how high the RAV4 sat to give more ground clearance than you’d usually get with other CUV competitors. Although you can opt for the more luxurious looking 20” wheels, this one was equipped with the standard 18” wheels which I honestly preferred for a softer ride quality. I was loving the boxier and angular lines that gave it a more muscular presence. The vertical slats on the taillights design was also one of my favorite exterior design cues on this new generation.
Getting in, the light interior color made things feel light and airy. I was a big fan of the small storage area that was created for the door grab. I’m still on the fence if I liked the positioning of the window switches. The wheel’s infotainment buttons were a nice design to have the volume be a single toggle switch. Although the infotainment’s screen was very large, it didn’t obstruct your view, and kept things simple and clear with the new user interface. One exclusive thing to the Limited trim, is the dual wireless chargers. I wish this was simply an option available to all trims since it worked well and had a small footprint in the interior.
Under the hood, the 2.5L hybrid 4-cylinder, was producing 236 net combined horsepower. This was equipped with the electronic on-demand all-wheel drive. There is a plug-in hybrid drivetrain option for the RAV4 that adds nearly 100 more horsepower. If you have the money, I’d suggest paying the $6,800 premium. You’ll be able to make the difference by charging it and taking advantage of driving an estimated 54 miles in all-electric mode.
Overall, I was impressed by the 2026 Toyota RAV4 Limited. The new model has been an impressive improvement on an already great vehicle. With the added sporty GR model, the RAV4 has broaden its definition of Recreational Activity Vehicle with 4-wheel drive
