Toyota RAV4 2026

• The petrol engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 170 hp and 203 Nm of torque, paired with a CVT automatic, available in 2WD or 4WD. 
• The hybrid uses a 2.5-liter engine, producing 230 hp combined on the FWD and 239 hp on the AWD E-Four system. The extra power on this engine is noticeable; overtaking on the highway feels relaxed, and city driving is quieter and smoother thanks to the electric motor filling in at low speeds.
• The AWD hybrid variants include a Trail Mode, which adjusts torque distribution for loose or sandy surfaces. It handles unpaved roads outside cities comfortably, though it is not a serious desert off-roader.
• The CVT transmission is smooth in normal driving. You get remote engine start, which is available on XSE and LTD trims, genuinely useful in Saudi summers to cool the car before you get in.

Some Realities

• Claimed fuel economy is 15-17 km/L for the petrol 2WD and up to 23-25 km/L for the FWD hybrid. In real Saudi conditions, air conditioning is always on, and with Riyadh or Jeddah traffic and highway speeds, you should expect between 12 and 14 km/L from the petrol and 17-18 and 18-22 km/L from the hybrid. The hybrid savings are real and certain and make a lot of difference over time if you wish to drive the SUV for more than 5 years.
• On a moderate level, you can expect the CVT to feel hesitant under hard acceleration. The engine revs rise before the power actually arrives, which some drivers find underwhelming and frustrating. The hybrid's electric motor reduces the noise noticeably.
• Front-wheel drive on petrol variants means some torque steer under hard acceleration, and AWD variants handle this better.

• On Saudi highways, the RAV4 feels composed and quiet. The wind and road noise are well managed at cruising speeds up to 130–140 kph. The suspension absorbs speed bumps and rough patches smoothly. The long drives between cities are genuinely comfortable.
• The steering is light, making city parking easy. The 360-degree camera on XSE and LTD trims helps in tight parking spaces. 
• The hybrid variants are, as expected, a lot quieter in stop-and-go traffic, where the electric motor takes over at low speeds.

Things That Matter More

• Body roll in corners is noticeable; the suspension is tuned for comfort, not handling precision. This suits most Saudi buyers, but it is worth knowing before you buy.
• Broken or potholed roads transmit some impact into the cabin, especially at the rear. Passengers in the back seat will feel it on rough surfaces.
• The CVT can feel hesitant when overtaking at speed. The delay between pressing the accelerator and feeling the response is real, though the hybrid version is much better in this regard.

• Most variants come with a 10.5-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The XSE and LTD trims upgrade to a 12.9-inch screen. 
• Apple CarPlay is standard across all trims, and dual-zone automatic climate control and rear air vents are included throughout the range. Four USB-C charging ports come standard.
• The base LE comes with fabric seats and standard cruise control. The XLE upgrades to a powered driver seat, moonroof, wireless charging pad, and a power tailgate. 
• The XSE and LTD add synthetic leather or full leather seats, ventilated and heated front seats, heated rear seats (LTD), a panoramic roof, a memory driver seat, and a head-up display on the LTD.
• Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, radar adaptive cruise, lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and road sign recognition are available from the XLE HEV trim upward. Boot space is generous for family use. Rear-seat legroom is comfortable for two adults.

What's Missing

• Apple CarPlay is wired on all variants, including the top trims. At this price point in 2026, wireless should not be an upgrade; Toyota really needs to think of it in modern times as buyers expect it. 
• The interior plastics on the lower trims feel ordinary, especially around the center console. For a car priced above SAR 100,000, the materials do not always match the price tag.
• Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 is absent on the LE petrol and LE HEV base trims. These get basic cruise control only, no adaptive radar. For families doing long highway trips, this gap matters when choosing a variant.
• The touchscreen is functional but not class-leading in graphics or responsiveness compared to some Korean competitors at similar prices.

• All variants come with driver, passenger, driver knee, front side, and curtain airbags. 
• ABS, vehicle stability control, traction control, hill-start assist, downhill assist (4WD and AWD), electric parking brake, brake hold, and tire pressure monitoring are standard throughout. 
• Front and rear parking sensors are included on all trims.
• From the XLE HEV upward, Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 adds pre-collision braking, dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, adaptive high beams, and road sign assist. 
• The XSE and LTD add blind-spot monitoring, a panoramic view monitor, and intelligent auto parking. 
• ISOFIX child seat anchors are standard across the range.

Things to Consider

• The LE petrol and LE HEV base trims do not include Toyota Safety Sense 4.0. For families who drive long highway distances with children, this is a real consideration when deciding which variant to buy.
• Toyota's service network through Abdul Latif Jameel covers major cities across the Kingdom—Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina, Tabuk, Al Khobar, Taif, Buraydah, and Mecca. 
• As a brand, Toyota parts availability is reliable, and service wait times are predictable. This is a genuine and significant advantage over most competitors in Saudi Arabia, including European and newer Chinese brands.
• An equally vital aspect for most buyers is the resale, and in this department, the RAV4 is just more phenomenal than any of its rivals. Everyone trusts Toyota for obvious reasons, and the brand simply has no match. That means resale value is among the strongest in the compact SUV segment in KSA.
•  A two- to three-year-old RAV4 HEV in good condition holds its value far better than most alternatives. This is not a small aspect, as for most buyers it affects the real cost of ownership considerably.