2026 Toyota RAV4 GR Sport First Look: Plug-In Power with a Racing Pedigree

Cory Fourniquet   |  

Aug 24, 2026

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Toyota didn’t mess around with the sixth-generation 2026 RAV4.

This is much more than a refresh. Toyota completely reworked its compact SUV, eliminated the traditional gas-only powertrain and split the lineup into three distinct personalities: Core, Rugged, and Sport.

Sitting at the top of the Sport family is the 2026 Toyota RAV4 GR SPORT, a 324-horsepower plug-in hybrid developed with input from Toyota Gazoo Racing.

I had the opportunity to get an early look at the GR SPORT before driving impressions were available, and Toyota appears to have done much more than simply bolt GR badges onto its popular crossover.

Toyota RAV4 Goes Fully Electrified for 2026

Every 2026 Toyota RAV4 now uses an electrified powertrain.

Depending on the trim, buyers can choose between a traditional Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid. Toyota has also grouped the lineup into three design families. If you are cross-shopping the mainstream RAV4, we also put it head-to-head with the Mazda CX-5.

Core includes LE, XLE Premium, and Limited. Woodland represents the Rugged side of the family, while SE, XSE, and GR SPORT make up the Sport lineup.

The GR SPORT sits at the top and is offered exclusively with Toyota’s Plug-in Hybrid powertrain and electronic on-demand all-wheel drive (AWD).

And unlike some sporty trim packages, Toyota actually gave this one hardware to back up the badge.

RAV4 GR SPORT Packs 324 Horsepower

Under the hood is Toyota’s 2.5-liter Dynamic Force four-cylinder engine paired with electric motors and a 22.7-kWh lithium-ion battery.

Total system output is 324 horsepower.

Think about that for a second.

We are talking about more than 300 horsepower in a comfortable five-passenger RAV4 that can also handle a sizable portion of the average daily commute without firing up its gasoline engine.

Toyota estimates the GR SPORT can travel up to 48 miles on electricity alone with a full charge.

Once the battery reaches its normal hybrid operating range, the gas engine and electric motors continue working together like a traditional Toyota hybrid.

The GR SPORT carries manufacturer-estimated ratings of 41 MPG city, 34 MPG highway, and 37 MPG combined, along with an estimated 86 MPGe.

GR SPORT Is More Than an Appearance Package

Toyota didn’t just add black wheels, red stitching, and a handful of badges. The company made legitimate changes to the chassis and suspension.

The GR SPORT gets dedicated suspension tuning, structural reinforcement, and performance-focused hardware designed to separate it from the rest of the RAV4 lineup.

It also sits lower than the other trims, with 7.5 inches of ground clearance.

The 20-inch black alloy wheels feature a black pearl machined finish and increased offset. They are wrapped in 235/50R20 high-performance summer tires, while red-painted brake calipers with GR logos peek through the spokes.

Toyota also incorporates functional aerodynamic pieces, including a front lip, rear wing spoiler, and rear diffuser.

So yes, it looks sporty.

But Toyota appears to have put some actual engineering behind that appearance.

The RAV4 GR SPORT Definitely Looks the Part

Toyota gave the GR SPORT a unique front fascia built around what it calls the GR Functional MATRIX grille.

Active sport ducts are integrated into the front end to help manage aerodynamics and cooling, while wide piano-black overfenders give the RAV4 a noticeably broader stance.

Vertical LED accent lights sit in the front bumper, GR badging appears in the grille, and a GR SPORT badge finishes things off around back.

The unique rear bumper and functional rear spoiler continue the theme.

Toyota also offers the GR SPORT in several two-tone combinations, including Supersonic Red with a black roof.

That one fits the personality of this thing perfectly.

Inside: Red Still Means Fast

Climb inside and Toyota continues the black-and-red theme.

The GR SPORT gets Brin Naub synthetic suede and SofTex-trimmed sport seats with red accents, along with GR logos on the front headrests.

The front seats are both heated and ventilated. The driver gets an 8-way power-adjustable seat with memory and lumbar support, while the passenger seat is manually adjustable six ways.

Red stitching carries through the cabin, including the leather-trimmed shift boot.

I also appreciate that Toyota kept a traditional leather-wrapped shift lever in the GR SPORT rather than going entirely button- or toggle-based.

There is a heated leather-wrapped GR steering wheel with paddle shifters, GR-branded door scuff plates, and aluminum sport pedals.

And yes, the aluminum pedals still make you want to yell, “LET’S GOOOOOO!”

New Tech Comes Standard

Toyota also gave the redesigned RAV4 a substantial technology upgrade.

A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster is standard, while the GR SPORT gets the larger 12.9-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility are included.

The GR SPORT also has five USB-C ports spread throughout the cabin, along with a Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charger.

Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 is standard and includes features such as Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, and more.