2026 Toyota RAV4: mileage, fuel cost, safety and recalls
The 2026 Toyota RAV4 gets 38 to 43 miles per gallon combined, depending on the version. The best is the 2026 RAV4 at 43 mpg.
How the RAV4 ranks in its class
In the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD class for 2026, the RAV4 ranks 1st (tied with 1 other) of 66 for combined mileage (42 mpg), 1st (tied with 1 other) of 66 for yearly fuel cost ($1,500 for its cheapest version, cheapest first) and 6th of 66 for tailpipe CO2 (209 grams per mile for its lowest version, lowest first). The middle model of the class gets 27 mpg, costs $2,500 a year and puts out 329 grams per mile.
Across all 235 2026 models in the file that burn fuel, the middle best-version figure is 24 mpg and the highest is 57 mpg (Toyota Prius). Of the 234 other models, 10 get more miles per gallon than the 2026 RAV4's best version, 1 other model gets the same and 223 get less. The 2026 RAV4's cheapest version costs $1,450 a year to fuel by the agency's figure; of the 225 other models with a cost figure, 9 cost less, 1 the same and 215 more.
Nearest models in the class (places 1 to 5 of 66)
Open the best-mileage list of this class for 2026. Cost and CO2 in the table are each model's lowest figure over its versions; plug-in hybrid and fuel-cell versions have no fuel cost and are left out of the cost column.
Pick a 2026 version, then set your miles and fuel price. Fuel price as of 2026-11-14, U.S. Department of Energy / EPA. The price box starts at the dated price of the fuel the picked version burns (regular, midgrade or premium gasoline, diesel, E85 or electricity) and sets the price of that fuel. Miles are limited to 1,000 to 60,000 a year and the price to $0.01 to $20.00; a value outside that is worked out at the nearest limit.
$1,395 a year
2026 RAV4, 4-cyl 2.5 L: 47 mpg city, 40 highway, 43 combined. The agency's own estimate for the 2026 RAV4 version is $1,450 a year (15,000 miles, the agency's fuel prices).
43miles per gallon, combined
$0.09fuel cost per mile
349gallons a year
$6,977fuel cost over 5 years
Compare with a rival
The 3 nearest rivals in the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD class for 2026, picked by closest combined mileage; only versions with a fuel-cost figure are listed. Same miles as on the left. The price box on the left is the price of the fuel of the version you picked: a rival that burns the same fuel uses that price, a rival that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. The 5-year line is 5 times the yearly gap.
2026 Toyota RAV4
43
mpg combined
$1,395
fuel a year
2026 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid AWD
42
mpg combined
$1,429
fuel a year
The RAV4 costs $33 less to fuel each year.
Over 5 years the RAV4 costs $165 less to fuel than the Corolla Cross (5 times the yearly difference, at these miles and these prices).
Enter the price difference you were quoted for the 2026 RAV4; this page has no prices. Miles come from the calculator. The fuel price box there sets the price of the fuel of the version picked there; a version here that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. Versions with no fuel-cost figure are not listed.
Type the price difference you were quoted to see the payback.
Emissions
Tailpipe CO2: the 2026 RAV4 puts out 205 grams per mile; across the 6 tested versions the figure runs from 205 to 231.
EPA scores (1 to 10, 10 best) for the 2026 RAV4: fuel economy score 7, greenhouse gas score 7.
Mileage by model year
Best combined figure of the RAV4 gas version and hybrid each model year since 2016, set against the 2026 model.
2026 RAV4 Hybrid AWD Woodland Edition, 4-cyl 2.5 L
38 mpg
37 mpg
+1 mpg
5 2025 versions have no match in 2026.
Safety record
Crash-test ratings, 2026
The U.S. safety agency's model list has the 2026 Toyota RAV4 (as RAV4 HYBRID, RAV4 PLUG-IN HYBRID). The U.S. safety agency's ratings list returned no star ratings for the 2026 Toyota RAV4 on 2026-11-14. Not every model is crash tested, so this means "not rated by NHTSA", not a good or a bad result.
Includes agency records filed under: RAV4 HYBRID, RAV4 PLUG-IN HYBRID.
Owner complaints, 2026
52 complaints for the 2026 Toyota RAV4 are on file (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints are reports that owners sent to the safety agency. They are not proven defects, and the counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.
Part named in the reports
Reports
Unknown Or Other
18
Forward Collision Avoidance
13
Electrical System
11
Power Train
8
Structure
6
4 of the 52 reports say the car was in a crash, 0 mention a fire and 5 mention an injury. One report can name more than one part.
Includes agency records filed under: RAV4 HYBRID, RAV4 PLUG-IN HYBRID.
Safety recalls
2 recalls are on file for the 2026 Toyota RAV4 at the U.S. safety agency (checked 2026-11-14). A dealer does recall repairs free of charge.
Includes agency records filed under: RAV4 HYBRID, RAV4 PLUG-IN HYBRID.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Engine Control Module (ecu/Ecm):Software
Reported 7 Oct 2026, campaign 26V659000
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2026 RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. The motor generator ECU may encounter an error, causing the plug-in-hybrid system to reduce power or shutdown when driven at higher speeds.
Fix: Dealers will update the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed starting November 22, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported 2 Sep 2026, campaign 26V571000
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid, 2025 Tundra Hybrid, Tundra, 2026 RAV4 Hybrid, 4Runner i-Force Max Hybrid, and 4Runner vehicles.
Fix: Dealers will replace the load carrying capacity modification label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2026.
More Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD for 2026
Other 2026 models of the same agency class, each with its best combined figure. The RAV4 itself is at 42 mpg.
The 2026 RAV4 with 43 mpg combined (47 city, 40 highway).
How much does a 2026 Toyota RAV4 cost to fuel for a year?
The 2026 Toyota RAV4 costs between $1,450 and $1,650 to fuel by the agency's estimate, which assumes 15,000 miles a year. The cheapest is the 2026 RAV4 at $1,450; the dearest is the 2026 RAV4 Hybrid AWD Woodland Edition at $1,650. Use the calculator above for your own miles and fuel price.
How does the 2026 Toyota RAV4 rank among 2026 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD models?
The 2026 Toyota RAV4 is 1st of 66 for combined mileage. The top of the class is the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross at 42 mpg, and the middle figure for the class is 27 mpg. In the list, the next one ahead is the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross at 42 mpg and the next one behind is the 2026 Ford Escape at 39 mpg.
Did the RAV4 change from 2025 to 2026?
The 2025 model had 7 tested versions and the 2026 model has 6. The best figure went from 39 to 43 mpg (up 4).
How did the 2026 Toyota RAV4 do in crash tests?
No star ratings were returned for the 2026 Toyota RAV4 on 2026-11-14. Not every model is crash tested.
Do owners complain about the 2026 Toyota RAV4?
52 complaints for the 2026 Toyota RAV4 are on file at the safety agency (checked 2026-11-14); the part named most often is Unknown Or Other (18 reports). Complaints are reports owners sent in, not proven defects.
Does the 2026 Toyota RAV4 have recalls?
The agency's database lists 2 recalls for the 2026 Toyota RAV4 (checked 2026-11-14). They are listed above with the repair the maker offers.
How fresh these numbers are
For the 2026 Toyota RAV4: EPA file 2026-11-04; fuel price 2026-11-14; crash tests 2026-11-14 (no stars returned); complaints 2026-11-14; recalls 2026-11-14. Not covered: purchase price, towing, reliability, repair and insurance costs.
Mileage and fuel cost for the 2026 Toyota RAV4: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, fueleconomy.gov vehicle file (file dated 2026-11-04). Recalls for the 2026 Toyota RAV4: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (checked 2026-11-14). Crash-test ratings for the 2026 Toyota RAV4: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints for the 2026 Toyota RAV4: NHTSA (checked 2026-11-14). Fuel prices: U.S. Department of Energy / EPA (2026-11-14). Your own mileage depends on how and where you drive. Where our numbers come from.