Three Styles, Two Powertrains, One Mission
If you’re not interested in electrification, the 2026 RAV4 is no longer your car. Toyota has scrubbed the gas-only option from the menu. What remains is a smorgasbord of hybrid (HEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) options designed to satisfy suburban errand-runners and muddy-booted weekend warriors alike.

Core models (LE, XLE, Limited) are your vanilla—only if vanilla now includes a 236-hp hybrid system, front- or all-wheel drive, and a tasteful splash of Toyota’s updated “hammerhead” front fascia.

The Rugged grade is where things get gritty. The returning Woodland trim stands taller, rides on all-terrain tires, and now offers a PHEV variant. It looks like it could survive a bear attack—and frankly, I’d give it decent odds.

Then there’s Sport. That’s where things get loud, fast, and slightly silly—in a good way. The GR-Sport, developed with input from Toyota GAZOO Racing, is the first RAV4 that looks like it wants to start fights in Whole Foods parking lots. It’s AWD-only, plug-in hybrid-only, and comes with up to 320 horses underfoot.

What’s new under the skin?
Toyota debuts its fifth-generation hybrid system for HEV trims and sixth-generation plug-in hybrid system for PHEVs. Here’s what that means in practice:

• Hybrid AWD: 236 hp (up from 219); available for the first time in front-wheel drive (226 hp)
• Plug-in Hybrid AWD: Up to 320 hp (previously 302); 50 miles of EV-only range (up from 42)
• DC Fast Charging: Woodland and XSE PHEV trims now charge 10–80% in about 30 minutes
• Tow Ratings: Up to 3,500 lbs on most AWD models, 1,750 lbs on FWD

Toyota also added silicon carbide semiconductors to improve powertrain efficiency—because why not bring a little semiconducting spice to your family SUV?

How does it stack up against rivals?
The RAV4’s not playing the horsepower game with Tesla, but it’s outpacing every hybrid compact SUV in its class. Against the CR-V Hybrid, Ford Escape PHEV, and Hyundai Tucson Hybrid? Toyota’s got more power, more range, and more choices.

The GR-Sport also carves out a niche: a performance-leaning PHEV SUV that doesn’t look like a soulless appliance. That’s rare. And smart. And very Toyota in its execution—conservative in vision, relentless in follow-through.

What’s the long-term significance?
Toyota isn’t building a bridge to EVs—it’s building a high-speed tollway with exit ramps. By electrifying its volume leader without going all-in on battery-only, Toyota continues its two-pronged strategy: sell hybrids en masse while quietly laying EV groundwork (see: solid-state battery plant in North Carolina). This approach won’t win headlines, but it will win garages.

And let’s not overlook software. The 2026 RAV4 is the first Toyota to run on the Arene platform—an in-house OS promising faster updates, richer infotainment, and eventually, a software-defined vehicle ecosystem. Call it the Tesla approach, minus the chaos and crypto memes.

Who is this for—and who should skip it?
If you’re already in a RAV4 and wondering if it’s time to trade up, the answer is yes—especially if you’ve been eyeing plug-in hybrids but don’t want to commit to a full EV. The 50-mile electric range makes most commutes gas-free, but the gas engine’s still there for road trips, Costco runs, or spontaneous escapes from reality.

But if you’re looking for a pure EV with 300 miles of range and a minimalist cabin that looks like an Apple Store—look elsewhere. The RAV4 still has buttons. Lots of them. And proud of it.

Interior & Tech: Familiar, but Evolved
Inside, the RAV4 gets a subtle but meaningful glow-up. New digital gauge clusters (12.3-inch), larger touchscreens (10.5- or 12.9-inch), and wireless everything (Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, phone charging) bring it up to speed. Even HVAC controls are now touchscreen-integrated—though, blessedly, still physical.

The center console layout is more functional, and a new shift-by-wire toggle adds a whiff of futurism. Materials vary by grade—from fabric to SofTex to perforated Ultrasuede with red stitching for the GR crowd. There’s even a “Mineral” colorway in the Woodland, which sounds like something you’d find in a Patagonia catalog.

Final Thoughts
The 2026 RAV4 isn’t revolutionary—but it doesn’t need to be. It’s the sensible revolution. A car for people who want fewer trips to the gas station, more driving modes, and none of the EV anxiety. Toyota’s managed to electrify its most important vehicle without alienating the masses or watering down the formula.

It’s a future-facing SUV that still fits muddy boots, dog crates, and weekend plans that might require a kayak. In other words, very RAV4.

The post 2026 Toyota RAV4 First Look appeared first on ROI TV.

But while it may lack the guttural roar of its V8 ancestors, don’t mistake its silence for softness. The Blazer EV SS is faster than any SS-badged vehicle before it. In fact, it’s quicker than most sports cars you’ve seen idling outside your local steakhouse.

What makes this SUV a true “SS”?

Simple: numbers.
Chevy’s gone all-in with Wide Open Watts mode, which, yes, they’re seriously calling “WOW.” Engage it, and you’re summoning 615 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque, enough to get you from 0 to 60 in 3.4 seconds—assuming your neck can handle it. These aren’t just solid numbers for an electric SUV; they’re downright threatening.

Add a 303-mile EPA-estimated range, and you’ve got an SS that can sprint, cruise, and still leave enough juice to pick up your dry cleaning.

So, what’s it like to drive?

It’s sophisticated aggression.
You feel the instant torque and taut suspension tuning, but without the constant drama of wheelspin or the need for engine theatrics. This SS delivers its punch in stealth mode—no exhaust bark, no turbo whine, just silent velocity and an eerie absence of mechanical protest. In corners, the all-wheel-drive system grips with quiet confidence, and when you ease off, the regenerative braking subtly scrubs speed without turning into a science experiment.

If you’re looking for old-school muscle car drama, this isn’t your ride. But if you want modern performance that doesn’t throw tantrums in traffic, this is where the future’s headed.

What about inside? Is it still Chevy?

In name only.
This isn’t your dad’s Blazer—or even last year’s. The cabin is futuristic, even by premium EV standards. Anchored by a massive 17.7-inch infotainment screen and an 11-inch digital driver display, the interior feels more Silicon Valley than Detroit. Google built-in keeps things seamless. Super Cruise adds optional highway hands-free capability, which is more relaxing than revolutionary—until you use it on I-5 and wonder how you ever lived without it.

It’s clean, it’s cohesive, and—mercifully—Chevy resisted the urge to go full minimalist. Physical buttons still exist. You can still adjust the climate without navigating a NASA interface.

Is it still practical?

Surprisingly, yes.
Despite its fastback silhouette and aggressive stance, it retains decent cargo space and five-passenger usability. And thanks to DC fast charging up to 190 kW, you can regain 78 miles of range in just 10 minutes—about the time it takes to decide which podcast you’re sick of.

It’s also armed with the full suite of Chevy Safety Assist features, from emergency braking to pedestrian detection. Because even an SS has to behave occasionally.

How does it stack up to rivals?

Here’s the twist: it’s not just competitive—it’s strategic.
With a starting price of $61,995, the Blazer EV SS undercuts the Tesla Model Y Performance and goes punch-for-punch with the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT—but with more torque and far more presence. It doesn’t need gimmicks or badges that pretend to be sporty. It is sporty.

Also worth noting: the Blazer EV SS made history as the first electric pace car at the 2025 Daytona 500, because nothing says credibility like leading a field of V8s while emitting absolutely no sound.

Any flaws?

A few—just enough to keep it interesting.
Rear visibility is a bit claustrophobic, thanks to that rakish roofline. The software interface, while beautiful, occasionally hesitates like a rookie valet. And while the seats hug nicely, a few more lumbar settings wouldn’t hurt those of us who’ve made peace with middle age.

But these aren’t dealbreakers—they’re polish points. The engineering, the platform, the performance—all rock solid.

Final verdict: Game-changer or marketing exercise?

A bit of both—but mostly the former.
The Blazer EV SS doesn’t just slap an “SS” badge on an electric crossover and call it a day. It earns that badge through speed, character, and usability. It’s not trying to be a muscle car—it’s reimagining what muscle even means in 2025. And in doing so, it delivers the kind of daily-drivable performance that makes you genuinely excited to run errands.

The future of speed doesn’t rumble. It glides—and if Chevy has anything to say about it, it wears an SS badge.

The post Chevy’s Silent Sledgehammer: The 2025 Blazer EV SS Redefines the Muscle SUV appeared first on ROI TV.