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The 2027 Toyota RAV4 is my first time reviewing the new RAV4, and Toyota took a big risk with it. For 2026, they took one of their most popular cars, flipped it upside down, completely redesigned the interior and the exterior, and brought it back only as a hybrid. I drove the Woodland trim, and I went straight to what families care about most: the back seat. Spoiler alert, I fit three across.
I'm a mom of four and a certified child passenger safety technician, so car seats are always my lens. Shopping two-row SUVs? Start with my list of the best SUVs for families, or see how this one stacks up in my RAV4 vs. CR-V comparison.
Overall, I'm happy with the updates Toyota made. The new RAV4 has a fresher exterior, an updated interior, and a little more hip room, and I'm never mad at more hip room. It might not be the car seat machine some people want it to be, but it's a really great car for smaller families, families with older kids, and teen drivers.
- Three passengers finally fit safely in the back seat: the redesign fixed the second-row seat belt overlap, so you can use all three seats at the same time.
- Three across is possible: I fit three convertible car seats, and I also fit two Graco SlimFit3 LX seats forward facing with a Baby Trend Koa booster.
- About 2 more inches of hip room: the RAV4 didn't get any bigger, but the extra width helps some three-across combinations.
- Two sets of lower anchors and three top tethers: lower anchors in the two outboard seats and a top tether for all three second-row seats. The lower anchors are easy to get to, and the tethers are clearly marked.
- Hybrid only, two ways: the regular hybrid gets about 40 mpg, and the plug-in hybrid (formerly the Prime) gives you about 50 miles of electric range before it runs as a regular hybrid.
- Vents and two USB-C ports in back: both are on the back of the center console.
- A huge trunk with a full-size spare: plus a privacy cover, and on the Woodland, a power tailgate and a tow hitch.
- Infotainment that finally feels competitive: Toyota's new system is user friendly and a real step up for the brand.
The Exterior
The New RAV4 Trades Rounded Lines for Sharper Angles
The exterior has a lot more angles than the last RAV4. It looks more rigid, more modern, and a little sportier. I understand the direction Toyota is going, and I think it was a smart move, because that's where this whole space is heading. For once, Toyota is a little ahead of the curve on design.
It's going to be a bit of a shock for previous RAV4 owners, especially the super loyalists. All in all, I'm happy with the updates.
The RAV4 Didn't Get Any Bigger
With this redesign, the RAV4 stayed the same size. It's still the same compact two-row SUV, so if you loved how easy it is to park and drive around town, that hasn't changed.
Woodland Is the Off-Road Outlier of the RAV4 Lineup
The Woodland is the off-roading version of the new RAV4, and it's the outlier trim. The other trims all look pretty similar; you just get more features the higher you go. Personally, this isn't the cutest trim of the new RAV4, and I don't think most families need to take a hybrid RAV4 off-roading.
According to Toyota, the 2027 Woodland adds:
- New suspension with 9.1 inches of ground clearance (other grades have 8.1 inches)
- 18-inch matte gray wheels with all-terrain tires
- Raised roof rails with cross bars
- A tow hitch receiver
First Row
The most exciting thing up front is Toyota's new infotainment system and technology. Toyota has always been a little behind the eight ball on tech and infotainment design, and this one feels more competitive. It's user friendly. Toyota is never going to win for the most integrated, high-tech cabin, and people don't buy the car for that. They buy it for a hybrid with good reliability, good functionality, and good safety.
The 2027 RAV4 Cabin Feels More Modern and Less Cozy
The rest of the dash has a lot going on. The old RAV4 felt a little homier and more comfortable. This one is a little more rigid, more modern, and sportier, which matches the new exterior.
A 12.3-Inch Digital Gauge Cluster Is Standard on Every RAV4
- 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, standard
- 10.5-inch touchscreen standard, with a 12.9-inch screen standard on Limited and available on XSE
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
No Gas-Only RAV4: Choose a Hybrid or a Plug-In Hybrid
When Toyota redesigned the RAV4 for 2026, they dropped gas-only and went hybrid, which I have been saying for years. Thank you for not just bringing it back as an EV, and for still giving families options.
- Hybrid: no plug, you just drive, and you get about 40 mpg. Toyota rates the 2027 hybrid at 38 to 43 mpg combined depending on trim (38 for Woodland).
- Plug-in hybrid: formerly the RAV4 Prime, with about 50 miles of electric range before it turns into a regular hybrid. Toyota rates it at 45 to 52 miles of EV range (46 for Woodland). It does come at a higher price point.
Second Row
The back seat is the part of the new RAV4 I was most excited about, and it's where the redesign matters most for families.
The RAV4's Second-Row Hip Room Grew About 2 Inches
The RAV4 didn't get bigger overall. The only dimension I think is worth noting is hip room, which grew by about 2 inches. Toyota lists 49.6 inches of rear hip room for the 2026 RAV4, and that extra width will help some three-across setups.
The Redesign Fixed the RAV4's Second-Row Seat Belt Overlap
One of the biggest changes for families is one you might not notice right away. In the last RAV4, the center seat belt was positioned inside the passenger-side seat, so you couldn't safely use both of those seats at the same time. That's fixed in the new RAV4, which is what makes carrying three passengers, or three car seats, in the second row possible.
Three Across Fits in the RAV4, But It's Not a Three-Across Machine
I want to be so clear: I'd call the RAV4 three-across friendly, not a three-across car. Some combinations will work. I fit three convertible car seats, and the setup I want to show you is two convertibles and a booster: two Graco SlimFit3 LX seats installed forward facing plus a Baby Trend Koa booster.
The Koa is a new booster I've really been enjoying. It's slim and affordable, and while I don't have amazing access to the buckle, it works well enough for an older child. I wouldn't buy this car planning to do three across for a long time, though. The rigid, recessed buckles make boosters hard, and I break down why in Car Seat Setup.
About 37 Inches of Legroom for Rear-Facing Car Seats
You get about 37 inches of second-row legroom, identical to the outgoing model (Toyota lists 37.8 inches). That's okay, but this isn't a big car. I installed a Chicco KeyFit Max, a more compact infant seat, with the front seat set for me at about six feet tall, and I wasn't braced against the seat.
If you're a taller driver with a bigger, bulkier seat, like a large rotating seat, a Doona, or an Evenflo Shyft DualRide, try it in the car before you buy. Shorter drivers will have more options.
The RAV4's Rear Doors Don't Open Wide Enough
These doors could open a lot more, and Toyota is notorious for this. It's not impossible, but getting an infant seat with a 25-pound baby in and out is harder, especially if you're 5'2". Toyota, if you're listening, give us 90-degree doors. The Nissan Rogue can do it, so I know you're capable.
Rear Vents and Two USB-C Ports Behind the Center Console
- Air vents on the back of the center console
- Two USB-C ports
- With the front seat set for me, really good legroom and good headroom
Third Row
Trunk
How Much Cargo Space Is in the 2027 RAV4?
The RAV4 has a huge trunk for its size. Toyota lists 37.8 cubic feet behind the second row and 70.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. You'll have plenty of room for a stroller, a wagon, a Costco haul, whatever you need, and you can lay the second-row seats flat for more cargo space.
RAV4 Trunk Space vs. Other Compact SUVs
The RAV4 lands in the middle of the compact SUV pack: a little less trunk than the Tucson, Sportage, and CR-V, and more than the Rogue and CX-50. Cargo space behind the second row:
- Hyundai Tucson: 41.2 cu ft
- Kia Sportage: 39.6 cu ft
- Honda CR-V: 39.3 cu ft
- Toyota RAV4: 37.8 cu ft
- Nissan Rogue: 36.5 cu ft
- Mazda CX-50: 31.4 cu ft
Woodland Adds a Power Tailgate, Tow Hitch, and Rugged Cargo Mat
- Power tailgate: on this Woodland trim, which is nice.
- Woodland cargo mat: it kind of looks like cheetah print, but I think it's supposed to be rocks. I'm liking it.
- Privacy cover: nice for hiding valuables in an SUV like this, and very easy to adjust.
- Full-size spare: under the floor of the trunk, so that's good.
- Tow hitch: also on the Woodland. Toyota adds a 120V outlet in the Woodland cargo area too.
Safety
The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Did Not Earn an IIHS Top Safety Pick
The 2026 Toyota RAV4 did not earn a 2026 TOP SAFETY PICK or TOP SAFETY PICK+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). IIHS has not published separate ratings for the 2027 RAV4 yet. The 2026 RAV4's IIHS ratings (source):
- Small overlap front, driver side: Good
- Small overlap front, passenger side: Good
- Moderate overlap front (updated test): Acceptable
- Side (updated test): Good
- Headlights: Good on all trims (2026 to 2027 models)
- Pedestrian front crash prevention: Good
- Seat belt reminders: Good
- LATCH ease of use: Good+
The Acceptable moderate overlap rating is an improvement over the 2025 RAV4's Marginal rating, and the updated side test rating improved from Acceptable to Good (2025 IIHS ratings). IIHS's 2026 ratings apply to the RAV4 Hybrid.
Seat Belt Pretensioners Are in the Front and Rear Outboard Seats
The RAV4 includes seat belt pretensioners in the front seats and the rear outboard seats. Pretensioners help tighten the seat belt during certain crashes to better position occupants in their seats, including kids riding in booster seats.
Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 Is Standard on Every 2027 RAV4
The 2027 RAV4 includes Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 as standard, including:
- Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
- Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
- Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
- Lane Tracing Assist
- Road Sign Assist
- Automatic High Beams
- Proactive Driving Assist
Also standard: Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Safe Exit Alert, and a built-in Drive Recorder. XSE, Limited, and Woodland add Lane Change Assist and Panoramic View Monitor.
Two Sets of Lower Anchors and Three Top Tethers in the RAV4 Second Row
The RAV4 has two sets of lower anchors, in the two outboard seats, and three top tether anchors, one behind each second-row seat. The tether anchors are clearly marked on the seat backs, and the lower anchors are fairly exposed, which makes installs easier, especially with a baseless infant seat that uses rigid LATCH. With the lower anchors, each set is spaced about 11 inches apart, so your car seat's position is locked in.
The RAV4 allows borrowing lower anchors from the outboard seats to install a car seat in the center, but only if your car seat's manual allows it too. Learn more about how LATCH works.
Use a Seat Belt Install for Three Across in the RAV4
When you're doing three across in a car this size, use a seat belt installation. That's where the extra hip room comes into play. With a seat belt install, you can shift the car seat over toward the door:
- The installation still has to be tight.
- The car seat does not have to be centered in the seating position.
- Make sure the car seat doesn't overhang the vehicle seat.
More tips in my guide on how to fit three car seats across.
What Fit Three Across: Two Graco SlimFit3 LX Seats and a Baby Trend Koa
- Two Graco SlimFit3 LX seats installed forward facing
- One Baby Trend Koa booster, which is slim and affordable, with buckle access that's not amazing but works for an older child
- I also fit three convertible car seats across
For more combinations, see my three-across car seat list.
Rigid, Recessed Buckles Make Boosters the Hardest Stage in the RAV4
The RAV4's rear buckles are rigid and recessed, and that's where it's going to be very hard to do boosters. The more I learn about these buckles, the more I see that they're a little safer for adults, but they make it so much harder for booster-age kids to buckle. It's not a dealbreaker, just something to think about.
Rigid, recessed buckles can make some car seat installs harder too. For a forward-facing install, a car seat with a tensioner or lock-off usually helps.
The easiest three-across combination is three convertible car seats, because no one needs access to the buckle. Once a child needs that buckle, things get harder. That's the opposite of what most parents think: a booster seems smaller, so it should be easier, but it's not. If you're buying the RAV4 for three across, plan for how it'll work as your kids move to forward facing, to a booster, and out of the booster. Slim options are in my most narrow booster seats list.
Low Rear Shoulder Belts Can Be Tricky with Some Highback Boosters
The rear shoulder belts sit low, which may be a problem for some highback boosters. Some boosters have more forgiving shoulder belt guides than others, and boosters with smaller belt guides may have trouble with the seat belt retracting.
Removable Outboard Head Restraints Help Forward-Facing Car Seats Fit
The outboard head restraints are removable, which makes for excellent forward-facing car seat compatibility. If you install a forward-facing car seat in the center seat, remove the center head restraint or raise it to the highest position.
Tall Drivers: Test Rear-Facing Seats Before You Buy
With about 37 inches of second-row legroom, you'll want a more compact rear-facing seat. A compact infant seat like the Chicco KeyFit Max fit behind my front seat set for me at about six feet tall. A bulkier rotating seat, a Doona, or an Evenflo Shyft DualRide may be tight behind a tall driver, so try it first. Shorter drivers will have more options.
Narrow Rear Door Openings Make Infant Seats Harder to Load
The rear doors don't open wide, which makes getting an infant seat in and out a little more difficult, especially for a shorter parent carrying a heavier baby. This could be a daily nuisance, so give it a good test run. An infant seat with a smaller carrier can make a big difference here.
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