Toyota RAV4 GR Sport PHEV Tested: 324 HP, Lowered Suspension, 5.4-Second 0-60

Toyota's 2026 RAV4 GR Sport is a 324-hp plug-in hybrid SUV that hits 60 mph in 5.4 seconds — faster than a Ferrari Testarossa.

A family SUV that outsprints a Ferrari Testarossa sounds like a punchline, but the 2026 Toyota RAV4 GR Sport plug-in hybrid makes it a measurable fact. Car and Driver tested the performance-tuned variant and found a compact crossover that has been substantially reworked from the standard RAV4, featuring 324 horsepower, a lowered suspension, and a prominent rear wing — hardware you would not expect on a school-run staple. The RAV4 GR Sport's plug-in hybrid powertrain delivers a 0-to-60 mph time of 5.4 seconds, a figure that beats the Toyota GR86 sports car, the classic Ferrari Testarossa, the Aston Martin DB7, and the C4-generation Chevrolet Corvette, according to SlashGear's reporting. That acceleration puts the SUV in territory that would have been unthinkable for its class a decade ago. The GR Sport sits at the top of the RAV4 lineup as its most expensive variant. The interior has also received the sporty treatment, as shown in Car and Driver's photo coverage, with the cabin redesigned to match the aggressive exterior. The large rear wing and lowered ride height are among the most visually distinctive elements separating it from the standard RAV4 PHEV. Car and Driver noted the model 'bravely goes where no other compact SUV dares,' positioning it as something of an outlier in the segment — a plug-in hybrid crossover engineered to deliver a driving experience traditionally reserved for dedicated performance cars.

Why it matters

The RAV4 GR Sport pushes plug-in hybrid SUV performance into genuine sports-car territory, signaling that electrified powertrains are now capable of transforming even mass-market family vehicles into high-performance machines. As one of the best-selling SUV nameplates globally, the RAV4 line's direction carries significant influence on what buyers expect from the segment.

What's next

Full pricing and on-sale timing for the 2026 RAV4 GR Sport have not been detailed in the available reporting.

Key facts

• The 2026 Toyota RAV4 GR Sport produces 324 horsepower from its plug-in hybrid powertrain
• It accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds
• That 0-60 time beats the Toyota GR86, Ferrari Testarossa, Aston Martin DB7, and C4 Chevrolet Corvette
• The GR Sport features a lowered suspension and a large rear wing distinguishing it from standard RAV4 models
• It is the most expensive variant in the RAV4 lineup
• Car and Driver described it as going 'where no other compact SUV dares'

Bias & framing notes

Car and Driver's coverage is based on a firsthand test drive and interior photo shoot, making it the most direct and reliable source. SlashGear's sports-car comparison piece is framed for maximum surprise value — comparing a modern PHEV to decades-old sports cars like the Testarossa and C4 Corvette — which is accurate but selectively chosen for dramatic effect. The fourth source is largely opinion and recommendation content rather than new reporting on this specific vehicle. All sources agree on the core specs.

NewsClear — neutral news & congressional tracking · Bill of the Week