Video: The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Is Good to Drive and Gets Great MPG: Review

The Toyota RAV4 is great to drive and the most efficient SUV in our test, but a plasticy interior that's both cheap and bland, leaves it behind when compared to the rest. The RAV4 is the most efficient SUV in our comparison, finishing our gas mileage test at 39 miles per gallon. That's right on its EPA estimated highway gas mileage and almost five miles per gallon better than second place. May not be surprising that a Toyota hybrid is efficient, but it is really good for RAV4 shoppers. In addition to being efficient, the RAV4's powertrain also impressed us with its smoothness and power tying for first in our powertrain scoring with a very different kind of vehicle in the Turbocharged Volkswagen Tiguan. There are things we like about the RAV4's interior. The front seats are comfortable. This dual opening console is pretty cool and we love a physical gear selector, but the rest of it just disappoints. I mean, look at it, it's boring, it's bland, and on top of that, it's incredibly cheap-feeling. There's hard plastic everywhere. Nothing in here feels nice. The redesigned RAV4 is certainly an improvement on the prior generation, it's efficient and fun to drive, but even with the lowest in test price of just over $35,000, this RAV4's cheap interior left it behind. If you're trying to decide which of these compact SUVs is right for you and your family, you can see the full results and how these SUVs performed in the categories that matter most to you at cars.com.