- Comfort and road noise were significant drawbacks in the 2026 Toyota RAV4 hybrid during a recent road trip review, with the reviewer noting that the front seat was comfortable but the area around it felt confining.
- The reviewer, who is 6 feet 1 inch tall, experienced discomfort due to leg positioning that led to his knee hitting the center console after several hours of driving.
- While the engine noise was manageable, there was more road and wind noise than expected, with the RAV4 Hybrid measuring 66.7 dB compared to competitors like the Tucson and CR-V at 64 dB.
- Toyota hybrids are increasingly attracting Tesla defectors, with the brand becoming the top beneficiary of Tesla trade-ins, rising from 6.9% in Q2 2021 to 17.3% in Q2 2026.
- In the second quarter of 2026, the share of Tesla defectors purchasing another EV dropped to 22%, while hybrid purchases among ex-Tesla owners reached a record 20.5%, with Toyota leading.
- Demand for the 2026 RAV4 is so high that Toyota's three plants have struggled to keep up, with some dealerships reporting waitlists of over 800 customers.
- The RAV4 sold 479,288 units in the U.S. in 2025, outperforming the Tesla Model Y, which sold around 357,000 units.
- Starting with the 2026 model, Toyota has eliminated the pure gasoline option, making the RAV4 lineup exclusively hybrid and plug-in hybrid EV.
The 2026 Toyota RAV4 hybrid has garnered attention for its fuel efficiency, achieving 38 mpg on highway drives, aligning with EPA estimates. However, the vehicle's comfort has been criticized, particularly regarding road and wind noise, which measures 66.7 dB—louder than competitors like the Tucson and CR-V at 64 dB.1
The front seats provide good lumbar support, but some drivers, including those around 6 feet, 1 inch tall, report discomfort due to tight legroom and hard plastic components.
In a broader market context, Toyota has emerged as the top beneficiary of Tesla trade-ins, with hybrids becoming increasingly popular among former Tesla owners. In Q2 2026, 17.3% of Tesla defectors opted for Toyota, a significant increase from 6.9% in Q2 2021. The share of defectors purchasing another EV has dropped to 22%, down from 40.2% a year prior, while hybrid purchases reached a record 20.5%.45
Toyota's RAV4 has seen overwhelming demand, with some dealerships reporting waitlists of over 800 customers. The RAV4 sold 479,288 units in the U.S. in 2025, surpassing the Model Y's 357,000 units, according to Cox Automotive estimates. The RAV4 lineup is now exclusively hybrid and plug-in hybrid, following the elimination of gasoline options.7
Toyota's EV sales have also surged, with a 225% increase in the second quarter of 2025, reaching 11,826 units sold, while the bZ electric model saw a 106.8% growth in sales.
“The reviewer recorded 38 mpg on the highway, matching EPA estimates, but complained about constant knee contact with the hard center console on longer drives. Meanwhile, hybrid purchases among Tesla defectors hit a record 20.5% in Q2 2026, with Toyota as the top beneficiary, according to Edmunds.”
Forbes
