Toyota is giving the RAV4 a big shift for 2026, and it comes with both a catch and a perk. The catch is simple: prices are up. The perk is a lot more interesting. Every 2026 RAV4 now comes as a hybrid by default, with no traditional gas-only model in the lineup. That means even the most basic version leaves the lot with an electrified powertrain, and that changes how shoppers should look at this hugely popular compact SUV.

The headline number is the new starting price. The 2026 Toyota RAV4 kicks off at $33,350 for the LE Hybrid with front wheel drive. On paper that is $2,100 higher than last year’s base model, which may sting if you just glance at the sticker. The trick is that the old entry level RAV4 did not include a hybrid system. Now, the “base” SUV gives you 226 horsepower from its hybrid setup, along with the fuel savings and extra low end punch that come with it. Above the LE, the SE trim starts at $36,150 and the XLE Premium at $37,550, giving shoppers a staircase of equipment and style without having to give up the same core powertrain.

All three of those trims let you decide whether you want to stick with front wheel drive or step up to all wheel drive. Choose AWD and Toyota not only sends power to the rear but also bumps output to 236 horsepower. The upcharge is a flat $1,400 on those trims, which makes the decision fairly easy to understand. If you live in snow country or just like the added confidence of extra traction, you pay a fixed premium and get more power to go with it. For many buyers, that combination will hit a sweet spot between daily drivability and weekend adventure.

The more outdoorsy side of the lineup is still represented by the Woodland model, and it keeps its all wheel drive only configuration. It now starts at $41,350, which is a noticeable $3,830 climb over last year’s Woodland, even though both are hybrid only. Toyota clearly wants this trim to feel like the rugged choice, so you are paying for the look, the stance, and the extra hardware baked into that image. Above it sit the sportier XSE at $42,750 and the fully loaded Limited at $44,750, both with standard AWD and price tags that have crept up a few thousand compared with their predecessors.

What makes the 2026 model year interesting is that Toyota has finally lined up the RAV4’s volume seller with where the market is heading. A hybrid used to be a step up that you had to justify. Now it is simply what a RAV4 is. For the LE buyer, that actually works out in their favor when you compare apples to apples with the old hybrid. Thanks to the new front wheel drive hybrid configuration, the 2026 RAV4 Hybrid starts lower than the previous hybrid’s entry point, even if it sits higher than the cheapest gas model from last year. It is a subtle shift, but it means getting into a hybrid RAV4 is a bit more attainable than before.

Toyota is not stopping at the regular hybrid either. A more powerful RAV4 Plug In Hybrid is coming, and pricing for that model will be announced later. It is expected to sit well above the standard hybrid lineup, but in return it will deliver more power and the ability to drive on electric power alone for a useful distance. For commuters with short daily drives or access to home charging, that plug in version will likely become the aspirational choice in the RAV4 family, sitting on top of an already electrified lineup.

Timing is straightforward. The standard 2026 RAV4 Hybrid is scheduled to go on sale in December, just in time to show up on a lot of winter shopping lists. The plug in hybrid is set to arrive in showrooms in spring 2026, giving Toyota a staggered rollout that keeps attention on the nameplate for a longer stretch. If you are eager for better fuel economy and do not need plug in capability, the regular hybrid will be the one to watch first. If you can wait and want maximum performance and efficiency, the plug in may be worth holding out for.

All in, the 2026 Toyota RAV4 story is pretty simple. The price of entry is higher, but you are getting more tech, more power, and a hybrid powertrain no matter which trim you choose. For longtime RAV4 shoppers who were happy with a basic gas model, that will take a little mental adjustment. For buyers who have been eyeing hybrids anyway, it feels like Toyota just moved the RAV4 into the lane it was destined to occupy.