Toyota’s SUVs are dominating the market today, with its pickup trucks, like the Tacoma and Tundra, trailing not so far behind the market leaders. There’s a reason for that: Toyota SUVs and pickup trucks are among the most sensible choices in the market. These SUVs and trucks rank high in reliability, while offering enough power and tech features to keep modern owners entertained and comfortable. And Toyotas aren’t as expensive to maintain as their rivals, either.
But among all Toyota SUVs and pickups, one SUV that absolutely leaves everything in the dust is the RAV4. It’s been one of the best-selling and favorite SUVs in the U.S. for a while now, and in 2025, it has managed to sell more units than the already-popular 4Runner, Tundra, and Tacoma combined. So, exactly how many RAV4s did Toyota sell last year, and what’s the reason for this success? That’s what we’re diving into today, while taking a look at the new and improved 2026 Toyota RAV4, which promises to be better than ever.
The RAV4 Was The Highest-Selling Toyota Of 2025
Total Examples Sold: 680,993
Compact SUVs have become the go-to choice for Americans today, and in that segment, the RAV4 stands at the top. For a while now, it has been the best-selling SUV in the US, second only to the likes of the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado pickup trucks. And 2025 was its best year, with Toyota moving over 500,000 RAV4 models, including its HEV and PHEV variants. That’s a staggeringly high number for an SUV that isn’t really “the best” at anything, but it manages to wear many hats well enough to appeal to the masses.
Outsold Other Best-Selling Toyotas Combined
So, how many RAV4 models did Toyota sell in 2025? According to its recent sales report, the Japanese giant sold 479,288 gas-powered RAV4s alone. Meanwhile,181,433 copies of the RAV4 Hybrid were also sold, making it one of the best-selling hybrid cars in 2025. Finally, 20,272 examples of the plug-in hybrid variant were moved. Combined, Toyota sold a whopping 680,993 RAV4s in 2025. That’s more than the 4Runner (98,805+21,456 hybrids), Tacoma (274,638+30,493 hybrids), and Tundra (147,610+30,549 hybrids), plus their hybrid variants, combined.
The Refreshed 2026 Toyota RAV4 Is Set To Take It Up A Notch
The 2025 Toyota RAV4 sold in such huge numbers despite being a little long in the tooth. Fortunately, that’s no longer going to be the case anymore, as it gets a complete toe-to-tail overhaul, inside and out, for the 2026 model year. The new 2026 Toyota RAV4 gets a fresh design that brings it on par with other newer Toyota and Lexus SUVs, and the interior gets a fresh treatment with more features than ever.
Toyota has ditched the gas-only engine and will only offer the RAV4 in hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants. We’ll have to see if this switch makes any dent in the RAV4’s sales numbers, given that the gas-only model dominated the sales charts. Still, starting at $31,900 for the base hybrid and $44,815 for the plug-in hybrid, the new RAV4 promises to be everything that the older RAV4 was, but with a bit more panache, style, features, and performance baked in.
Hot Take: Last Year, The Toyota RAV4 Did The Unthinkable, And It’s Easy To See Why
It may not be the best at everything, but this SUV is much more than the sum of its parts.
So Practical, It Fits Every Lifestyle In The U.S.
Toyota owes such massive sales numbers of the RAV4 to one thing (among others): its practicality. The RAV4 is one of the most practical SUVs offered in the US, offering buyers a well-rounded package that ticks all the right boxes. It has enough space for five, as well as their luggage, comfort-oriented features, and is easy to live with. It’s an ideal family car, and it can double up as a grocery-getter, commuter, weekend adventure, and when the time comes, even a light off-roader.
All The Essentials Baked In Already
The 2025 Toyota RAV4’s interior prioritized comfort and convenience, featuring all the essentials you’d expect from a modern SUV. Depending on the trim, the RAV4 came with faux leather upholstery, plenty of cubby storage, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and an eight-inch touchscreen with an available 10.5-inch unit on offer. It also offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a JBL premium audio system, navigation, and wireless charging. Rounding off the tech package was the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 driver assistance system that was standard on all models.
The 2026 RAV4 Only Builds On This Formula
The new RAV4’s interior gets a blocky design theme, giving it a slightly rugged and straightforward look, while packing more features compared to the outgoing model. While most trims get cloth or faux leather upholstery, the XSE and GR Sport get faux suede seats. Infotainment duties are handled by a larger 10.5-inch touchscreen with a 12.3-inch unit optional on some models; there’s also a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster standard on all models. Finally, the new RAV4 brings an available heads-up display and standard Toyota Safety Sense 4.0.
2026 Toyota RAV4 Gets A Major Makeover And Massive Upgrades
More power, a special GR edition, and an off-roader, as well as solely hybrid power, are all coming to America’s best seller.
One Of The Most Dependable Options In The Segment
The next thing that makes the RAV4 so appealing to American buyers is just how dependable this versatile SUV is. Toyota has a vast service network in the country, and its products generally have solid build quality and low maintenance costs, which make the RAV4 a very pocket-friendly compact SUV. In fact, it’s one of the most reliable SUVs you can buy today, with J.D. Power giving the 2025 RAV4 77 out of 100 in reliability and quality.
iSeeCars gives a better picture of the RAV4’s reliability, rating it at 8.2 out of 10 in reliability. It estimates an average lifespan of 13.8 years and 169,817 miles, with a 29.1 percent chance of reaching 200,000 miles. Those are excellent numbers, which have earned the RAV4 the top spot in iSeeCars’ ‘Most Reliable Crossover SUV’ and ‘Most Reliable Small SUV’ today. Even maintenance is cheap, with CarEdge estimating it at just $6,005 during its first ten years on the road. This beats the industry average for SUVs by $2,161.
- Reliability And Quality Rating: 77/100 (J.D. Power)
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $429 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $6,005 (CarEdge)
- Recalls: 2 (in 2025, for rearview camera and instrument panel failure)
The RAV4 Holds Value Well, Too
The RAV4 is not just in demand at dealerships but also in the used market, so it tends to hold its value quite well over the years. According to iSeeCars, a RAV4 only loses 30.3 percent of its original value after five years on the road. Meanwhile, an average compact SUV loses around 44 percent, and an average SUV loses almost 50 percent in the same period. Similarly, the RAV4’s ten-year depreciation is 57.2 percent. So, even after owning the RAV4 for many years, you can still recover good money when selling it.
Find 2025 Toyota RAV4 and more cars for sale on our Marketplace
Here’s The Resale Value Of The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid After 5 Years
The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid holds its value well after half a decade.
Multiple Powertrain Options On Offer
The outgoing Toyota RAV4 also offered multiple powertrain options to suit various needs. The base RAV4 featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 203 horsepower with optional AWD. Those looking for a bit more power and efficiency could upgrade to a 219-horsepower, all-wheel drive hybrid powertrain option. The most powerful variant, however, was the 302-horsepower plug-in hybrid model that offered the best range and efficiency, along with a 42-mile all-electric range.
This SUV’s drivetrain is also electrified since, you know, it’s a hybrid. This version of the RAV4 sips fuel like an economy car and yet still delivers surprisingly good performance, but that’s not all. The steering is pleasantly quick for an agile feel, and the ride quality is excellent.
– Craig Cole for TopSpeed
The New RAV4 Offers More Hybrid Performance
The new 2026 RAV4 does away with the least powerful gas-only engine and is only available with hybrid and PHEV powertrains. So, the new base RAV4 is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, producing 226 horsepower combined. The same powertrain with AWD offers 236 horsepower, whereas the plug-in hybrid delivers 320 horsepower. While most RAV4 models are tuned for comfort, the GR Sport trim offers a slightly sporty personality, with Gazoo Racing-tuned suspension, summer tires, and a reworked power steering system.
Fuel Efficiency Of Up To 44 MPG
The older RAV4 model offered excellent fuel economy, too, with the standard gas-only AWD model returning 28 miles per gallon combined. On the other hand, the PHEV AWD was the most efficient, offering 38 miles per gallon combined with an all-electric range of 42 miles, making it ideal for urban roundabouts. Depending on the powertrain you picked, the outgoing RAV4 would’ve cost you as little as $900 per year in fuel expenses (considering 15,000 miles of mileage).
The EPA has not put up fuel efficiency ratings for the newer 2026 model yet, but Toyota estimates up to 43 to 47 miles per gallon on most trims, while the Woodland trim is estimated to return just 41 miles per gallon. The plug-in hybrid variants are estimated to return up to 41 to 44 miles per gallon, with an all-electric range of 52 miles on the SE and XSE models, whereas the Woodland and GR Sport offer 49 and 48 miles, respectively. Thanks to this improved fuel economy, along with all the other upgrades on the newer model, the RAV4 is poised to continue dominating the US car industry for one more year.
Source: Toyota, J.D. Power, iSeeCars, FuelEconomy.gov, NHTSA, IIHS, CarEdge, RepairPal