It’s been an extraordinary year in global autodom, with world events and resultant resource shortages playing a big role in re-shaping Australian car buying preferences in 2026. In June, the RAV4 finished third in the medium SUV under $65,000 segment, behind the Tesla Model Y and BYD Sealion 7. In fact, BYD is breathing down Toyota’s neck with only 243 deliveries between them last month.
With Australian customers sending clear signals that they want PHEVs, Toyota’s launch of a plug-in variant of the RAV4 could not come soon enough. Toyota has made a PHEV version of the RAV4 since the previous generation but it was only available overseas. Called the RAV4 Prime, some grey imports made their way here.
Supplementing the popular, non-plug hybrid versions, the PHEV adds a 22.7kWh battery with a charging flap behind the left-hand front wheel. Opening it reveals a Type 2/CCS2 plug that can facilitate up to 11kW of AC or 50kW of DC fast charging – the latter, says Toyota, can replenish 80 per cent in as little as 28 minutes. A full charge electric range on the AWD is 144km on the NEDC cycle.
2026 Toyota RAV4 GR Sport: Specifications
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder plug-in hybrid
Electrical: 22.7kWh battery, 144km range
Output: 227kW
Gearbox: CVT auto
Drive type: All-wheel drive
Wheels: F & R: 20×7.5, 225/50Tare weight: 1990kg
Power-to-weight: 8.76:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 0.7L/100km
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 55L/95 RON
0-100km/h: 6.77 seconds*
Starting price: $66,340
*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different
2026 Toyota RAV4 GR Sport: How much does it cost?
The three-pronged range begins with the $58,840 XSE 2WD and $63,340 XSE AWD. To make things more interesting, a new ($66,340) GR Sport AWD variant sits at the top of the range with some visual, equipment and handling upgrades to give it a serious lift over the base XSE.
Like all RAV4 models, the PHEV variants are covered by Toyota’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, with annual servicing capped at a very reasonable $325 per year for the first five years as part of the Toyota Service Guarantee.
2026 Toyota RAV4 GR Sport: Interior & packaging
Upgrades for the GR include 20mm wider front track, retuned spring and dampers including performance rear dampers and a unique steering calibration. Visually, 20-inch wheels shod with 235/50 Bridgestone Alenza tyres, red GR brake calipers, a bodykit and a surprisingly overt rear wing make the GR Sport a genuine head turner.
Interior upgrades include suede seats with GR Sport logos and red highlights, a nine-speaker JBL sound system and two wireless phone chargers. That’s not to say the entry-level XSE is deficient when it comes to kit. Far from it. All RAV4 PHEVs come with upgraded 328mm front/ 317mm rear brake rotors, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, power front seats with 8-way adjustment as well as heating and ventilation.
It’s not the biggest car in its class by any means, but the 4645mm length, 1880mm width and 1685mm height of the GR Sport fits perfectly within its segment. Rear seat accommodation in particular is impressive, although the presence of a (admittedly tiny) central hump means middle occupants don’t get treated to a flat floor.
Controls are intuitive and well laid out, with satisfying toggles and paddles on the steering wheel and impressive graphic animations when the driving mode is changed. There is a caveat, although the 12.3-inch screen is visually impressive, the previous RAV4 had rotary controls and buttons for fan and direction. In their stead we only have temp controls, but at least they haven’t done away with the volume knob for audio like Mazda has with the most recent CX-5. This trend of eschewing tactility for minimalism is not one we’re particularly fond of.
Mercifully, the 655-litre boot features a spare wheel – an absolute rarity for a plug-in hybrid. Even though it’s only a space saver, it’s so refreshing to see and proves there is no excuse for such a glaring omission on Australia’s dismal roads.
2026 Toyota RAV4 GR Sport: Powertrain & handling
Underpinning the PHEV is the trusty, 2.5-litre A25A-FXS four-cylinder petrol engine plus either one or two electric motors, depending on variant. The XSE 2WD comprises a 151.4kW front e-motor for a nominal output of 201kW, while the AWD models supplement that with a 40.7kW rear unit. The net result is a 0-100km/h time of 7.5 seconds for the XSE 2WD, and an impressive 5.8 seconds for the AWD model, according to Toyota.
Impressively, were able to achieve 6.86 seconds and 6.77 seconds with the lowest state-of-charge possible on the battery, which embarrasses many Chinese rivals which drop off substantially in performance when their smaller engines are left to fend for themselves. Having a 2.5-litre engine seems to be the key here, vindicating the age-old ‘no replacement for displacement’ aphorism.
Navigating the tight inner-city streets of the Brisbane CBD, the RAV4 PHEV defaults to a serene, whisper-quiet EV mode. With a generous 22.7kWh battery under the floor, it effortlessly mimics a pure EV, offering punchy step-off acceleration every single time.
Switching through the driving modes, Eco softens responses for maximum efficiency, but flicking it into Sport mode sharpens up the powertrain significantly. Despite its beefier proportions, a tight 11.36-metre turning circle (11.38m for the GR Sport) means it remains easy enough to pivot through roundabouts and tight U-turns
Breaking out onto the highway and heading toward twisty country roads, the extra chassis hardware of the GR Sport variant immediately makes its presence felt. Where standard RAV4s can lean and protest when pushed, the GR Sport stays remarkably flat. The retuned dampers, wider track, and revised steering mapping give it a noticeable uptick in agility and front-end bite previously foreign to the nameplate, transferring weight through tight corners with neutrality.
We wouldn’t call it the most dynamic in its class, and would stop short of calling it exciting, but it is ruthlessly competent and trustworthy in all situations in a way few rivals could ever hope to be. The rest of the time, it is relaxing, quiet and comfortable to drive.
Even during a brief, unsealed off-road test, the AWD system sorted out traction instantly in Trail mode without compromising the firmer, sportier ride, but the larger battery may be more prone to bottoming out so choose your route wisely. Ground clearance is stamped at 194mm for the GR, which is pretty good for this class.
Glancing at the instruments revealed 3.4L/100km during our varied launch time with the vehicle, starting off with a full battery. However, once the battery is depleted on long freeway stints, a realistic 6.0L/100km is achievable without plugging it in – a bit more than the regular, non-plug-in hybrid RAV4.
A curious omission is the lack of selectable re-gen, let alone one pedal driving. This might put off a few would-be buyers but the rest of the package remains compelling, and it is enjoyable and capable in the driving department.
2026 Toyota RAV4 GR Sport: First impressions
Toyota may be arriving late to the Australian PHEV party, but the RAV4 PHEV proves it was worth the wait. By pairing an exceptionally efficient, large-capacity petrol engine with genuine electric-only usability, it bridges the gap between ICE and EV without the usual compromises.
While the XSE’s inclusions cover the value equation well, it’s the dynamically enhanced GR Sport that steals the show for the driving enthusiast, turning a sensible family-hauler into something with serious sporting appeal. The flip side is the lack of recuperation settings may make it feel off-the-pace to a select few, with pricing stretching into the 70s for the GR Sport when you factor in on-road costs.
Still, the fact Australians can now choose a plug-in hybrid with all Toyota quality and dependability will be worth its weight in gold to many and then some.
2026 Toyota RAV4 GR Sport: Video
