Toyota’s new all-hybrid RAV4 has software you might actually want to use

If I had a dollar every time an automaker released a new in-car software experience designed to achieve the same levels of user experience as a regular tablet or smartphone, I’d probably have enough money to eat a decent lunch at an average restaurant. It’s a common refrain, but after years of hearing the same story over and over again, I still find myself using Android Auto or Apple CarPlay as soon as I get into every new car I evaluate.

At the launch of the 2026 Toyota RAV4, I heard that story again, about how they rewrote their in-car software to deliver an experience like that found in modern mobile devices. And I have to say, for once, they might have actually delivered. Toyota’s latest SUV has voice and touch capabilities that are not only fast and responsive, but really fun to use. Fortunately, the rest of the SUV has been upgraded to match.

The RAV4 has been in production for more than 30 years. This sixth generation follows its predecessor, which became the world’s best-selling vehicle in 2024. More than 1.1 million vehicles were sold last year, which goes a long way toward explaining why you can’t kick a pebble in a grocery store parking lot without crashing into a RAV4.

The 2026 RAV4’s sweeping changes aren’t radical, but they’re appreciated. For starters, each of these SUV models is a hybrid, with base models powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine driving the front wheels with 226 horsepower. Those who want all-wheel drive can add another electric motor at the rear, which adds more power (10 hp) and a bit more motor in low-grip situations.

From there, buyers can move up to a revised hybrid model, which now produces 324 hp, 22 hp more than before. Fuel economy is also up to 48 mpg depending on which model you choose, and you can now get up to 52 miles from the 22.7 kWh battery pack in the plug-in.

This is a usable range. I took the RAV4 Even at highway speeds, the RAV4 was slow but perfectly controllable. With such a large range and even reasonably fast DC charging (50 kW max), it’s easy to see this as an introduction to electric vehicles for many.

For better or worse, DC charging is handled via the CCS port, not via the newer NACS ports that most manufacturers (even Toyota) use in their EVs. The lack of any sort of vehicle loading functionality is also an issue, especially on the rugged Wilderness version, which looks like it would be an ideal machine for running a campsite.

No matter which model you choose, you’ll get a new software system that runs on either a 10.5-inch touchscreen on lower-end models or a 12.9-inch display on high-end ones. The overall experience is the same, looking bright and crisp in both cases, just with more finger-friendly controls on the larger pad.

Toyota’s software layout is familiar, with a vertical column of icons on the left for toggling between major sections like media or navigation, and then a row of controls along the bottom to control the car’s heating, ventilation and cooling system. The rest of the screen is taken up by a series of customizable panels. As you scroll from left to right, you navigate through different pages, which you can move and rearrange as you like. None of this is particularly revolutionary, but it’s pleasantly responsive. Scrolling from page to page was quick and easy, without any annoying delays waiting for content to load.

This responsiveness continues through to the voice assistant, which is the quickest I’ve ever used it in a car. Just say “Hello Toyota” and order what you want. When you order a pizza, the voice assistant lists nearby restaurants, even quotes their star rating and displays navigation, all without the annoying back-and-forth processing lag that’s common in these systems. Some of that speed may be thanks to the addition of 5G connectivity (provided by AT&T), but there are definitely some faster devices lurking under the skin running Linux-based software.

The car’s integrated navigation system was easy to use, quick to navigate and redirect, and had all the points of interest you could want. There’s also a built-in dashcam feature that will record any incidents on the road, or anything else you’d like to highlight, while storing footage from the SUV’s other cameras.

Despite the qualitative experience through the touch screen, Toyota did not take advantage of this opportunity to delete all of the car’s buttons. You’ll still find physical controls for all the key features, including (thankfully) a volume knob. It was all good enough to make me not feel like I had to reach for my phone, but of course I did it for the test. Both Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay are supported, not only in the main touchscreen but also able to feed navigation details into the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. This too is customizable, with a series of dashboards that hover over your phone’s map view.

So, even if you still prefer your phone, you’re protected and powered, too. The RAV4 has a pair of Qi wireless chargers, conveniently located in the center stack below the HVAC controls. You’ll also find two 45W USB-C ports up front, as well as a pair of 15W ports in the back for rear-seat passengers.

The new RAV4 has a spacious, comfortable cabin with some fun touches, like a neoprene-like insert in the dashboard that’s easy to touch. The overall interior won’t win any awards for dramatic design or eye-catching flair, but it’s comfortable and looks like the kind of thing that will stand up to anything you or your kids throw at it.

In terms of driving dynamics, the extra power the RAV4 offers doesn’t turn it into a rocket ship, but the PHEV design in particular feels more than quick enough. There’s also a new GR Sport version for those who aspire to something a little more attractive, but despite the more aggressive front grille and the large spoiler hanging out the back, it still feels like a RAV4 behind the wheel. Which means: it’s not the most exciting thing on the road.

But people don’t buy RAV4s to impress, they buy them because they’re practical, comfortable, and affordable. Price, unfortunately, is one thing we don’t know about the new model, with Toyota only saying it will start somewhere in the low $30,000 range. But all the other advantages of the SUV continue until 2026 with upgrades. Add to that a significantly improved software experience, and you have an SUV that doesn’t disappoint.