First Drive: 2026 Toyota RAV4 PHEV GR Sport
- Jul 9
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 10
I never thought I'd the day where I’d be excited to drive a Toyota Rav4.
It’s not an insult, because the reality is Toyota’s venerable mid-sized SUV has been a hit amongst everyone from fleet operators to soccer mums since its launch way back in 1994. Characterised by effortless motoring, it offers immense utility with a liberal splash of that renowned Toyota reliability.
But the Toyota RAV4 GR Sport parked before me was different. The bright metallic Feverish Red is surely the halo colour for this new Gazoo Racing fettled variant. It does a splendid job of accentuating the very un-RAV4-like bulges, and contrasts perfectly with various blackouts across the body.
Up front, you get a whack of aggression in the form of an enlarged G-Mesh grille. It goes hand in hand with the angry looking air intakes across the deeper front bumper, which extends right down to a splitter. A 3-quarter view gives this car a sinister and almost “ready-to-pounce” type of vibe.
The 20-inch black-and-machine-finished wheels are wrapped in a square set of 235/50 Bridgestone Alenza rubber and struggle to hide red GR-emblazoned calipers. They grab 328mm discs up front, an upgrade compared to non-PHEV models in the RAV4 range.
In true Toyota fashion, form rarely comes without function. That’s because those wheels are slightly more negative in offset over the XSE grade, resulting in a 20mm increase in track front and rear. This does a great job of filling out the guards for a flusher look whilst aiding stability.
The rear end also comes in for a wave of the GR wand, with a cute roof top spoiler and extra treatments in the rear bumper.
One thing is certain, it looks unlike any RAV4 I’ve ever seen before – purposeful, aggressive and perhaps even, handsome.
The interior doesn’t miss out on the fun either, with heated GR embossed seats covered in suede and leather with red stitching highlights that pop when the large sunroof is open overhead. They provide a good blend of support and comfort. Offering 8-way adjustability and chunky bolsters, they feel appropriately low in the cabin too.
Up ahead the driver grabs a leather-wrapped GR steering wheel with a good range of sensible controls for the basics. A screen sits behind it for vitals, while a digital rear view mirror and Head Up Display mean you can keep your eyes on the road.
Taking pride of place atop the centre stack is a 12.3-inch infotainment screen running a familiar Toyota operating system. It all works well and is connected to a premium JBL sound system via wired and wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, the earlier facilitated by a couple of USBC ports up front.
Storage abounds throughout, as you’d expect of the nameplate. The doors have deep storage pockets, and the console has hidey holes to supplement the large centre bin.
Being an SUV means luggage space, the RAV4 obliges with 655 litres when the rear row is up. Given the PHEV drivetrain, you also score a handy 1500w AC outlet back there too.
The suede kneepads for the front row were a neat touch and along with the alloy pedals, round out an equally comfortable and sporty interior.
But it was the power output numbers that peaked my interest. To think that a humble RAV4 could produce outputs of 227Kw was a bit of a mind bend. It had me recalling the 215i badge you’d find on a mid-90’s HSV.
It creates that power very differently to the old Aussie icon though; mating a 2.5L 4-cylinder to a pair of electric motors on each axle. The front axle carries the larger motor with an output of 151Kw, while a 40Kw unit brings up the rear.
They’re powered by a 22.7kw battery pack located under the rear floorpan. Toyota claims it can provide 144km of EV-only driving range, but I’m not sure why one would care when you get the combination to propel you along.
Suspension work on a RAV4 is something I’d not seen since a friend entered a first-gen Rav4 into Autosalon many, many years ago. Those in the know will remember the huge Momo Status wheels and “OIMLOW” number plates. But that was about looks, certainly not performance.
In this instance, the Gazoo Racing magic presents in the form of re-valved dampers and stiffer springs to provide a more performance-biased tuned. Supplementing the changes at each corner is a combination of a front performance damper and rear suspension brace for added rigidity.
Hitting the starter button provides no satisfaction, for a couple of seconds anyway, until the 2.5L 4-cylinder fires up. It’s a pedestrian note, but I wasn’t expecting a lot anyway.
The drive loop started with a mundane run out from the heart of Brisbane city, providing an opportunity to get a feel for the sporty Rav in the conditions it’s most likely to see use.
Despite the sportier suspension tune, it’s complaint enough over inner-city undulations which was both a surprise but also a question mark; would it live up to the expectation through twisties?
The steering also gets a re-map for more sporting pretension and is esultingly firm but feel-some. It's lively and carries a defined connection between driver input and those front wheels.
In these conditions the drivetrain was pure Toyota hybrid – quietly switching between the electric and petrol powertrain for propulsion, whilst studiously reclaiming energy when off throttle or braking.
Before long an open stretch presented, providing the opportunity to unleash the circa 300hp combined power plant. The instant torque of the electric motors pops you into the back of your seat, then the big-banger cylinder comes into its powerband for a combined wave of power that is strangely intoxicating.
It feels wrong, but so so right; akin to taking a sip of dad’s beer when he’s not looking – and you’re 10 years old. The only blight is the fact that it’s all backed by a CVT; my most hated of gearbox configurations.
Sure, it’s efficient in doing its job and keeping everything on song. However, seeing the gauge at its full extension to the right and the incessant screaming of the engine without a gear shift was a real downer.
But you forget that once you find a twisty road, because the RAV4 GR Sport can steer!
Through long sweeping corners it’s a real delight. It sits uncannily flat and is willing to carry speed, just in time to punch the throttle to the next corner.
I would’ve liked to see more tight bends at speed to get a sense of balance and adjustability at the limit, along with braking performance, but it wasn’t possible during this outing.
The RAV4 GR Sport is a cool thing. Don’t expect it to be raw like a GR model, but it provides some added pep and driver enjoyment to a vehicle that would otherwise be a conveyance.
It’s prudent blend of form and function and might just be the family car of choice for GR enthusiasts out there.
Something tells me there’s far more to the tale though. So, It’s on you Toyota, let me take it to the track and really suss it out!
Like: Looks great, punchy driveline, it steers!
Dislike: That CVT is a real let down
Car Guy Rating - 8
Toyota have done something special here. Deploying their GR team onto this otherwise vanilla staple is a good move in my eyes. The RAV4 GR Sport provides all the amenity and utility that’s made this nameplate a resounding success. But for the driver or car-person, it provides just enough excitement to make the drive to the school pickup run a little more smile inducing. Would Buy!
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