Toyota RAV4 PHEV Gains 52 Miles of Electric Range

Families eyeing 2027 Grand Highlander models will find a new hybrid-only Woodland Edition, while RAV4 plug-in buyers get a longer electric commute.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Car Types

Photorealistic view of an unbadged SUV with dark matte wheels parked beside a plain EV charging post, with a pine treeline behind an empty lot. — Toyota has added a Woodland Edition to the 2027 Grand Highlander lineup and raised the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid's all-electric range to 52 miles. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Would you consider buying a hybrid or plug-in SUV in the next few years?

Toyota has added a Woodland Edition trim to the 2027 Grand Highlander lineup, while dropping the Grand Highlander Hybrid Nightshade Edition and Hybrid Max Limited trims for the model year. The 2027 RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid also arrives with 52 miles of all-electric range, up from 42 miles on the prior-generation RAV4 Prime.

Why it matters

For families shopping the three-row Grand Highlander, the new Woodland Edition adds an off-road-styled option with all-wheel drive and a half-inch lift, while the dropped trims narrow the hybrid choices. For plug-in hybrid buyers, the RAV4's roughly 10-mile jump in electric range means more daily driving can run on electricity before the gasoline engine comes on.

The RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid pairs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with two electric motors for up to 320 hp, and its 52-mile electric range compares with 42 miles for the prior RAV4 Prime. Toyota's combined efficiency ratings are 98 mpg-e on the GR Sport trim and 107 mpg-e on SE and XSE trims.

The players

Toyota

Japanese automaker known for the RAV4 and Grand Highlander, two of its best-selling family SUVs.

The details

The Grand Highlander Woodland Edition is offered only with a hybrid powertrain and includes standard all-wheel drive, matte black 18-inch wheels, and a half-inch suspension lift. It sits between the XLE and Limited grades, and XLE gas and hybrid models gain a standard heated steering wheel and dark gray 18-inch wheels. Gas-only Grand Highlander Platinum models receive a new wheel design, while Hybrid Max Platinum models finish all exterior accents in black.

The changes take effect with the 2027 model year.

The Home Front

Plug-in hybrids like the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid let owners with home charging run more daily trips on electricity, which can shift where families plan to charge. The 10-mile range increase over the RAV4 Prime moves that option further toward covering a typical commute on battery power alone.

If you are considering a 2027 Grand Highlander, decide early whether the hybrid or gas powertrain fits your household's towing and budget needs, since the Woodland Edition is hybrid-only. For a RAV4 plug-in, check whether your home has a 240-volt charging setup, as the extra electric range is most useful for overnight home charging.

The takeaway

The new Woodland Edition and the longer-range RAV4 plug-in both give families more choice in the 2027 lineup. Before buying, compare the powertrain options against your daily driving and whether you have reliable home charging.