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Before we begin, I would like to extend my thanks to Panasonic and GoPro for providing the equipment used to film this review, and to Toyota for the opportunity to conduct an in-depth test drive of the 2026 Toyota RAV4 GR Sport – not only on public roads, but also in some fairly demanding off-road conditions.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Video test drive of the 2026 Toyota RAV4 GR Sport
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A brief reminder of why the RAV4 matters to the market. It represents a classic model line and is the world’s first crossover, with a production history spanning more than 30 years. However, here is the key point to understand first and foremost.
This all-wheel-drive crossover is, in essence, an intermediate step between an urban front-wheel-drive SUV and a true off-roader. In other words, it feels confident on well-maintained roads, handles broken pavement with ease, performs well on dirt tracks, and is not intimidated by sandy dunes – at least for a while.
That is because we pushed it fairly hard – almost an hour of continuous driving. Not exclusively in the dunes, but we certainly encountered plenty of sand. The RAV4 had its share as well, to the point where the clutch began to emit a noticeable odor. Even so, the vehicle handled this off-road test exceptionally well. So, the all-wheel-drive system is far more than a box-ticking feature.
As for the interior materials in the RAV4, most would probably agree that they look, let us say, somewhat austere. But does that really matter when you are confidently tackling sandy terrain and, thanks to the hybrid powertrain, can easily make the trip to see some real waves – water ones – without excessive fuel consumption? And even stop along the shores of the Kyiv Sea to take a few photos.
In my view, that is not a critical issue. Especially considering that, as automotive folklore would have it, Toyota’s interior materials have long tended to inspire, if not questions, then at least a degree of surprise.
A more significant issue concerns the seats. Our test vehicle was equipped with seat heating but lacked seat ventilation. That becomes a genuine drawback in summer, especially considering that we were testing the RAV4 GR Sport rather than one of the entry-level specifications. If even this trim does not include ventilated seats, it is difficult to say how expensive the version with that option must be.
As for driving the vehicle on paved roads, there were no issues whatsoever. On the highway, the car feels excellent – handling is impressive even on the 20-inch wheels, acceleration during overtaking maneuvers is strong, and the suspension is firm yet highly effective at absorbing uneven surfaces and even sizeable potholes.
A 0–100 km/h time of 5.7 seconds is certainly impressive. For me personally, however, the launch is almost too aggressive. My vestibular system is not particularly fond of such abrupt acceleration. And I do have a point of comparison: the bZ4X is not significantly slower, yet its acceleration is delivered much more smoothly – I never once felt uncomfortable under hard acceleration. The same cannot be said for the 2026 RAV4 GR Sport. But then again, the name says it all: Sport.
That said, once you look past the aggressive initial acceleration, the hybrid RAV4’s driving range is nothing short of remarkable. We tested the standard self-charging hybrid version, without a large-capacity battery, and the system estimated a range of 900 km on a full tank. The fuel tank itself holds 55 liters. For context, the distance from Kyiv to Uzhhorod is approximately 803 km.
What else stands out? The vehicle features a highly computerized control system that provides a wide range of prompts and assistance functions, including monitoring the driver’s condition. The infotainment display is enormous, with support for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There are plenty of USB-C ports in both the front and rear, although only a single wireless charging pad is available. The luggage compartment is spacious, and the overall design is genuinely appealing. In fact, the RAV4 ranks second on my personal list of the most attractive modern crossovers.
Conclusions
So, what is the final verdict? Is the 2026 Toyota RAV4 GR Sport worth its price? For exclusively urban use, the answer depends on the numbers. If you drive every day and want to reduce fuel expenses, then it certainly makes a strong case for itself. The powertrain is exceptionally efficient – both powerful and economical – the suspension is unfazed by virtually any road condition, and there are plenty of other appealing details.
That said, the interior materials and climate-control features deserve closer scrutiny, and there is no guarantee that the desired equipment level will be available. On the other hand, when it comes to poor roads or even light off-road conditions, the 2026 Toyota RAV4 GR Sport performs exceptionally well. Frankly, that is exactly what one would expect from the vehicle that effectively gave rise to the term “crossover.”
And for precisely that reason, this is a vehicle I would recommend.
