AutoTrader Canada

2026 Toyota RAV4 PHEV First Drive: Even More Impressive Than Ever

Now more than ever, much gets made about Toyota’s most popular model being assembled right here in Canada — but then an unprovoked trade war with your closest neighbour and ally has a way of bringing that sort of stuff into focus. Against that backdrop, the timing of the redesigned sixth-generation RAV4 couldn’t be better, arriving as something of a beacon of Canadian prosperity when people are looking for them. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the RAV4 remains really good at what it does, offering the efficiency of a now-standard hybrid powertrain alongside a sterling reputation for reliability. But there’s another chapter in the story — one that starts on the other side of the Pacific Ocean, where the 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) enters the mix with the same enhancements as the Canadian-made version, albeit with the benefit of nearly 90 km of all-electric driving range to go with them. It may not evoke the same sense of national identity and pride as its conventional hybrid counterpart, but as far as personal choices are concerned, it’s hard to go wrong with this one. 00:00 Intro 00:50 Powertrain 02:13 Driving feel 03:01 Comfort 03:39 RAV4 GR Sport 04:18 Fuel economy 06:09 Usability 06:54 Design 07:17 Value 08:41 The Verdict Read the full review here: Thanks so much for watching, let us know your thoughts in the comments down below! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to see more car reviews and expert auto advice! SUBSCRIBE here: https://t.ly/iUCxa If you have any questions for our experts Jodi and Dan, send us an email at [email protected] and they’d be happy to respond in the next episode of Own the Road with AutoTrader. Check out our PODCAST here: https://www.youtube.com/@autotrader_ca/podcasts About Us: Welcome to AutoTrader CA, the official channel for Canada’s largest and most trusted marketplace for buying and selling new and used cars. AutoTrader.ca has the largest inventory of vehicles, with cars of all types, RVs, bikes, ATVs, and much more. We provide Canadians with the resources they need to make better vehicle buying decisions with our guides and tools. Check us out at AutoTrader.ca On our channel, we’ve got straightforward car reviews and test drives, from EVs to trucks, Mustangs to Mitsubishis, and tips for car owners, car shoppers and car sellers alike. Our automotive experts Jodi and Dan (also best friends) have a combined 25 years of expertise in the automotive journalism industry and get together to host our podcast, Own the Road with AutoTrader. Jodi Lai is an award-winning automotive journalist with a Bachelor of Journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University (Ryerson), is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), and a jury member for the North American Car/Truck/Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY). Jodi is the Editor-in-Chief of AutoTrader and the recipient of the prestigious 2022 AJAC Journalist of the Year Award. Dan Ilika is AutoTrader’s Road Test Editor and has been working in the automotive industry for the better part of the last decade. Dan graduated from Toronto’s Humber College with an advanced diploma in journalism, and his work spans from newspaper to television and the web, reviewing cars in writing and in front of the camera. They’ve got the scoop on everything car-related for the everyday driver or the auto enthusiast, helping to make car stuff simple for Canadians. Want to see more of our content? Check out our socials: • Instagram: instagram.com/autotrader_ca • Facebook: facebook.com/AutoTrader.ca • TikTok: tiktok.com/@autotraderca • X (formerly Twitter): x.com/ca_autotrader