We take an early look at the 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE, which promises more power and a longer electric-only range than the previous versions called the RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid and RAV4 Prime. We discuss its EV capability, acceleration, interior feel, everyday usability, and where it is worth the $46,000 asking price. We also answer audience questions about how EVs balance horsepower and range, and whether smaller wheels are an effective way to deal with potholes.
00:17 – Toyota RAV4 PHEV first impressions
33:00 – how do EVs balance horsepower and range?
37:22 – how much does wheel size play in role in pothole damage?
2026 Toyota RAV4 PHEV First Impressions:
Low-Profile Tires vs. Potholes:
Can’t wait! I thoroughly enjoy the perspectives from the various speakers.
I haven’t found any data proving a large percentage of people don’t plug in the PHEV that they paid a lot extra for over a regular hybrid and in many cases sat on a wait list to get. There is some data showing people aren’t getting the fuel economy they would be getting if they plugged in. But I haven’t see a poll where people have answered that they are not plugging in. Obviously I think too much is made of this and this issue will take care of itself due to the cost of the car and how much nicer it is to drive in EV mode.
Apparently that’s a European phenomenon. People buy phevs there for tax breaks but can’t easily plug them in.
There have been plenty of studies showing this. In Europe in particular, most of the PHEV bought for corporate fleets were never plugged in. In CA, PHEVs were given carpool access stickers, so many people spent the extra for PHEV to basically buy access to the carpool lane and they never bothered to plug in the car. I have a neighbor a few houses down who has a Prius Prime and I asked why I never see his car being charged (car is parked outside) despite it being cheaper than gas and he said he couldn’t be bothered to plug it in. Complacency.
@Tokamak3.1415 Didn’t know about the HOV for PHEVS, but the perk for PHEVs in California is over and Europe doesn’t count as that’s a whole other issue that isn’t relevant here. I’ve heard the anecdotal evidence of “my neighbor” a lot. Maybe that means a lot of people don’t plug in, but I can tell you I plug in and so do the neighbors around me with PHEVS, which I’ve noticed 3, 4 with me included. There’s a 5th one, but he parks in his garage so I don’t know if he plugs in. In this show it’s just the normal assumption that people don’t plug in or are too dumb to understand how their car works, fine, maybe it’s true, maybe not. What really irritates me is when it’s use as an argument against PHEVS. “They don’t reduce gas use because nobody plugs them in.”
More on the 2026 RAV4 here: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/2026-toyota-rav4-phev-review-a1016340226/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
I currently own two plug in hybrids and unlike popular thinking that many owners forget to plug in, I am too obsessed to plug in even if I use only a few miles while running grocery shopping in my neighborhood. I may be suffering from OCD lol Joking aside PHEV is really the best of both worlds in my opinion so it’s hard for me to go back to regular hybrids or go cold turkey to pure EV…..
Love the range, power, and efficiency. Hate the 20 inch wheels.
If you look at old Ford Model T’s and other early 20th century cars, they too had big wagon wheels and skinny rubber. Auto makers seem to be retrogressing so could tail fins also be making a comeback? LOL
Most studies showing that people don’t plug in PHEVs were conducted in Europe, where most cars are owned by employers. They will reimburse their employees for gas but not electricity, so of course they don’t plug them in.
I don’t know of any studies conducted in the US that have those results.
Would never again have 20″ wheels. Rough ride!
ALWAYS go with the smallest rims you can fit. Always.
Quincy, Alex, and Monti are so awesome! We love your reviews and fully support Consumer Reports (CR)!
I think Toyota’s strategy is genius. They’re not charging much more than competitors but you’re getting the full hybrid powertrain and all the benefits. I mean look at Camry and Accord. For the same money as an Accord base gas motor, Camry gives you a full hybrid powertrain, 50 MPG, and Honda forces you to get a higher trim and spend $5k more for the hybrid. That could be a major reason Accord sales have fallen off. This new Rav4 price Mike read is about the same price as a CRV base gas model, but with the hybrid. Honda treats the hybrid like an uplevel engine (like what the V6 and 2.0T used to be) and makes it harder for people to access the hybrid and while Hyundai Kia are better at making it available, they don’t offer it at the most basic trim while they don’t have the reliability rep Toyota and Honda do.
yeh its bad thats why here in middle east we have both hybrid and gas only ( same with camry 2026)
Considering how bad the base four cylinder engine was, this is a good move by Toyota. Too bad they took the loud, noisy 4 cylinder and put it into the hybrid powertrain like they did before with some modernizations. 20-inch wheels won’t help the ride at all. I am sure it will be reliable as it is taking the last year powertrain with a few mods and calling it new with a new body and new interior. It is what Toyota does well. Slight modifications to the powertrain so it stays reliable and redoing the body and interior to make it new. Base hybrid with no options starts at $32,000 MSRP so not outrageously expensive, but don’t get too many options or you will quickly go above $50,000 for a new one.
Is the power without a charge almost same as with a charge? (Since the engine supplies the battery with just enough for it to work in conjunction)
Prev version was tested to 60 similar either way
Also. Can u mirror the full map from carplay/android auto? Or does that ONLY work with built in Nav (no one will use)
I had a 1996 rav4 as my first car for 10 years. Great car. I drove it all the way to 299,998 miles before I hit a pole and completely totaled it.
Very informative, so if i am understanding correctly if you regularly drive more than 100 miles do not buy the plug in version? Because once the battery portion is discharged it gets worse mileage than the non plug in version?
I don’t understand why people always say that they change the climate settings often. I just put in on auto and 68-70 degrees F/20-21 Ca and leave it like that. I haven’t touched the settings in three years, apart from hitting the defrost when needed. If you need to change the temperature, the software for the auto mode sucks.
We have two RAV4 PHEVs, 2022 and 2025. Both have great physical climate controls that you can use without looking. Sorry to see this feature go away in the 26.
42:17 a good point and why the bike tire analogy might confuse some people.
Absolutely the right decision!
A combustion car that’s not at least a hybrid should not exist. Fuel injection has replaced carburetors. Hybrid is a normal evolution of the internal combustion car – it’s a more efficient car wirhout having to plug in the car and with longer lasting brakes.
Obviously, only pay extra for a PHEV if you regularly plug it in.