Toyota RAV4 GR Sport pairs style with substance

The GR line-up is fast expanding in Toyota’s model portfolio and the latest to adorn the black and red badge is the RAV4 medium SUV.

Launched this week as the sixth-generation model of the long-running and much-trusted nameplate, the 2026 Toyota RAV4 is offered for the first time in GR Sport guise. It joins the likes of GR Sport flavoured models of the Yaris, Corolla, C-HR, HiLux and LandCruiser.

Unlike full-blown GR models such as the GR Supra, GR Corolla and GR86, the RAV4 GR Sport isn’t a thrill-setting sports car but it does come packing with some serious goodies and potent performance.

Available exclusively in all-wheel drive and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) format, the latter the first for a RAV4, the GR Sport is underpinned by a new 2.5-litre petrol engine combined with an electric motor that is energised by a 22.7kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Total system output is rated at 227kW which allows the RAV4 to hit 100km/h from standstill in a hot-hatch beating 5.8 seconds – the quickest acceleration ever seen in a RAV4.

It’s not just about straight line performance, as the flagship model also features a 20mm wider wheel track all around, upgraded high-performance suspension dampers, a stiffer rear suspension brace and retuned suspension and power steering calibration to deliver sharper handling.

Setting it apart from the rest of the RAV4 line-up, the GR Sport model brings unique visual flair including black roof and wheel guards, lightweight 20-inch twin-spoke black alloy wheels, sportier from and rear bumpers with GR specific front grille design, and aerodynamically enhanced front lip spoiler and rear roof-mounted spoiler.

The interior is splattered with GR Sport logos and red accents, giving a discreet yet sporty vibe, which is further elevated with a pair of sports seats for the front row, combined synthetic leather and suede upholstery, and aluminium pedals.

The PHEV drivetrain provides a targeted electric only driving range of up to 100km from a full charge, which is one the best in the segment. It supports DC fast charging with a 50kW onboard charger, which can replenish the battery from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in 30 minutes, while an 11kW AC charger provides recharging in three hours.

As for the rest of the RAV4 range, available models include PHEV all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive variants, as well as conventional series-parallel hybrid variants in AWD and 2WD configurations.

The RAV4 GR Sport continues the momentum of sporting models from Toyota. It’s a sign of good things to come from the once conservative brand, and it’s only logical to expect the Camry, one of Toyota’s best-selling models, to also get the GR Sport treatment in the not too distant future. Here’s a glimpse of it to wet our appetite.