The 2026 Toyota RAV4 PHEV Woodland Turned a Rally Course Into a Family Fun Run
At the Texas Auto Writers Association’s Texas Truck Rodeo, Holli, Tucker, and I spent the day speed dating: a quick drive in one new vehicle, then on to the next. After the 2027 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro, 2027 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, 2027 Toyota Sequoia Trailhunter, and 2027 Toyota Tundra Trailhunter, we climbed into a much smaller Toyota with a very different mission: the 2026 Toyota RAV4 PHEV Woodland.
It packs 324 net combined horsepower from a plug-in hybrid powertrain, wears all-terrain tires, and is headed to our driveway for a full review very soon. First, though, we wanted to see what it could do on the rally course.
A Plug-In Hybrid Built for the Campsite
The 2026 Toyota RAV4 kicks off the sixth generation of America’s best-selling compact SUV, and the plug-in hybrid version pairs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (ECVT) and electronic on-demand all-wheel drive (AWD). Toyota estimates up to 52 miles of all-electric range, and the RAV4 PHEV Woodland is rated at 94 MPGe and 37 MPG combined.
Our tester also wore a roof basket, which is an accessory, not standard equipment. Holli asked, and I had to break the news. Still, picture it loaded down with your tent and sleeping bags, getting you to the campsite on electric power without drinking much fuel. That is the whole idea here.
Rugged Looks With a Little Attitude
The new RAV4 comes in three design styles. Core covers the LE, XLE Premium, and Limited; Sport includes the SE, XSE, and GR SPORT, and the Woodland is the lone Rugged model, with a different grille and a lot more plastic up front. Of those, only the SE, XSE, Woodland, and GR SPORT are offered as plug-in hybrids. On the Woodland, Rigid Industries LED fog lights, raised black roof rails with crossbars, and a tow hitch receiver round out the outdoorsy vibe.
So, what did Holli think? “It’s like a bobcat,” she said. “Not a full tiger.” Call it SUV light, with a little bit of attitude. I think that is about right.
Trail Mode on the Rally Course
First things first, I put it in Trail Mode, since we were about to hit a trail. Holli gave me the look, which meant we could go on the trail if I behaved. I was granted “medium fast.”
To be clear, this is a car-based unibody SUV, so we weren’t doing any serious off-roading. But the Woodland gets off-road driving modes that you won’t find on a GR SPORT, including Trail Mode, and I am sure it added a little extra composure as the dirt shifted under us. The surface was anything but smooth, yet the RAV4 never beat us up. The Panoramic View Monitor with Multi-Terrain Monitor gives you camera views for tighter trails, though I lost them once we picked up speed.
Plenty of Power, No Drama
With 324 horsepower out on the rally course, the RAV4 PHEV Woodland pulled us out of every corner with no drama. The all-terrain tires held on very nicely, traction was never a problem, and because it is a unibody, we weren’t being rattled to death inside.
Holli has been saying for a while that our next vehicle will probably be a hybrid, and we really like plug-in hybrids. I really like this one, especially in these conditions. I will go ahead and say it: this little Woodland is a lot of fun.
Tucker’s Take From the Back Seat
Tucker absolutely liked it, even though he was “hanging on for dear life.” His one complaint was the unique door handle design. The only place he could grab was the handle in the door, and it is very slippery. Holli wasn’t in love with it either.
That part of the door doubles as a storage pocket. When we had a RAV4 on our home turf before, Tucker stuffed all his stuffed animals in there as their little hiding place. On a rally course, his opinion changed just a little.
What the 2026 Toyota RAV4 PHEV Woodland Costs
The RAV4 PHEV Woodland starts at $45,300, and our tester came to $49,130 as equipped. Options included a power tilt and slide moonroof for $850 and a NACS to CCS1 adapter for $200. Standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tires, an 11-kW onboard charger with DC fast charging capability, a 10.5-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, heated front seats and steering wheel, Woodland all-weather floor and cargo liners, and a 1,500-watt power outlet in the cargo area.
If you are cross-shopping, Chevy’s off-road-flavored compact SUV, the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox ACTIV, is a lot more affordable but can’t match the RAV4’s power.
Final Thoughts
Are most people who buy this going to drive it as we did? Probably not. Having a true rally course and the freedom to drive it quickly on dirt is a luxury we get with the Texas Auto Writers Association.
This was just a speed date, so the full verdict will have to wait. The RAV4 PHEV Woodland is coming to our driveway soon, and we will weigh in on whether the trade-offs of those all-terrain tires and any lost on-road comfort are worth it. To catch the drive and our future RAV4 coverage, subscribe to GT: Garage Talk® on YouTube, and sign up for our weekly newsletter at GTGarageTalk.com.
