New & Used 2026 Toyota RAV4 for Sale nearSanta Cruz, CA

Compare 2026 Toyota RAV4 Trims

The RAV4 lineup offers a range of trims from budget-friendly FWD options to capable AWD models, ensuring versatility for various needs.

• Starting at $38,371
• Best MPG/MPGe: 47 city / 40 hwy
• Most Popular: LE AWD

Trim Overview

Prices updated weekly from CarGurus listings.

Quick Compare Table

Listing prices sourced from CarGurus — updated weekly. OEM specs from manufacturer data.

Missing data displayed as "—".

Trim Deep Dives

LE FWD — "Who It's For"

The LE FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a budget-friendly hybrid without sacrificing essential features.

• Avg. market price: $38,371 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 47 city / 40 hwy
• Inventory: 1,938 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View LE FWD listings

LE AWD — "Who It's For"

The LE AWD is the pick for shoppers who want all-wheel drive capability without a hefty price tag. It's also the most popular trim in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $42,328 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 46 city / 39 hwy
• Inventory: 3,027 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View LE AWD listings

XLE Premium FWD — "Who It's For"

The XLE Premium FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-equipped standard trim without going for AWD.

• Avg. market price: $42,927 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 47 city / 40 hwy
• Inventory: 1,484 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View XLE Premium FWD listings

SE AWD — "Who It's For"

The SE AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a sporty AWD option with premium features without breaking the bank.

• Avg. market price: $43,191 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 46 city / 39 hwy
• Inventory: 126 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View SE AWD listings

XLE Premium AWD — "Who It's For"

The XLE Premium AWD is the pick for shoppers who want sporty features combined with all-wheel drive capability.

• Avg. market price: $44,110 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 45 city / 38 hwy
• Inventory: 1,432 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View XLE Premium AWD listings

XSE AWD — "Who It's For"

The XSE AWD is the pick for shoppers who want sporty features and tech-forward options, though availability is limited.

• Avg. market price: $49,399 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 43 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 58 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View XSE AWD listings

Limited AWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited AWD is the pick for shoppers who want high-end features and serious capability for all-weather driving.

• Avg. market price: $51,696 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 43 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 1,188 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Limited AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — LE AWD

With 3,027 active listings, the LE AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse LE AWD listings

Best Budget Option — LE FWD

At $38,371 avg market price — below the lineup median of $43,191 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse LE FWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — LE FWD

The LE FWD offers the best fuel economy in the lineup with 47 MPG city.

Browse LE FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 12, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

Is the 2026 Toyota RAV4 a good car?

The 6.83/10 expert rating points to a RAV4 that improves on its formula with more power, greater efficiency, and more standard equipment. The model scores 7/10 across Look and feel, Form and function, Cost effectiveness, Technology, and Safety.

The 2026 redesign gives you three distinct design themes, three powertrain and drivetrain options, and seven trim levels, so you get a lot of choice if you want to tailor the SUV to your priorities. It also standardizes a hybrid drivetrain and is claimed to return 44 mpg combined, while the updated operating system and broader feature set make it feel more modern than before.

The tradeoff is that the lineup can be confusing, and the RAV4’s size has not kept up with rivals. Those are real compromises if you want a simple shopping process or a roomier compact SUV.

With 36.6% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have a moderate amount of market opportunity if you shop carefully.

Is the 2026 Toyota RAV4 reliable?

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 is presented as a familiar, value-focused SUV with a long-running reputation for practicality, and the redesign adds more standard equipment and a more efficient hybrid setup. The updated powertrain is described as beefier and slightly more efficient than before, and the new chassis is said to have improved structural rigidity at key mounting points.

The performance notes also point to a smoother electronic continuously variable automatic transmission and a quieter, more pleasant driving experience when you are not pushing hard. That combination suggests the kind of everyday dependability used buyers usually want from a mainstream hybrid SUV.

Toyota also says the standard hybrid powertrain should reduce fuel costs over time compared with a gas-only model. For long-term ownership, the main risk is less about the mechanical concept and more about choosing the right trim and condition, since the lineup is broad enough that you will want to verify exactly what you are getting.

What should I look for when buying a used 2026 Toyota RAV4?

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.8% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you are comparing multiple trims or looking at higher-mileage examples. Focus on overall condition, feature content, and whether the vehicle matches the equipment level you expect, since the lineup varies a lot by design theme and trim.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base LE is the most stripped-down version, with standard screens, push-button start, three USB ports, cloth upholstery, and manually adjustable seats. Higher trims add more comfort and convenience, and the XLE or SE are called out as better starting points if you want more everyday usability.
• Powertrain: The standard hybrid setup uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motors, with front-wheel-drive models rated at 226 horsepower and all-wheel-drive models at 236 horsepower. The system is tuned for smoother, quicker response off the line and better efficiency than the outgoing setup.
• Safety package: Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 is standard and includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert and lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control with limited hands-free driving on certain highways, blind-spot monitors with rear cross-traffic alerts, an emergency stop system, a safe-exit alert, and an enhanced rearview camera. The limited hands-free driving feature is part of the system, and the driver monitor keeps watch during its brief operation.
• Infotainment: Standard tech includes a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.5-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Toyota’s Arene operating system. A 12.9-inch touchscreen is available on top trims, and the system adds customizable tiles, broader voice prompts, and quicker response.
• Fuel efficiency: Toyota says the RAV4 is expected to return 44 mpg combined with FWD and AWD, while top AWD trims such as XSE and Limited are expected to net 42 mpg combined. The Woodland trim is expected to return 39 mpg combined.

Which 2026 Toyota RAV4 trim should I buy?

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 is offered in 7 trim levels: LE, XLE, SE, Woodland, XSE, Limited, GR Sport.

Here's the short version:

• LE: This is the entry point, and it gives you the standard hybrid setup, the core screens, and the basic convenience features. It makes sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the redesigned RAV4, but it is also the most bare-bones version.
• XLE: This is the best-value trim in the Core line because it adds a power driver’s seat, heated front seats, and five USB ports, making it a more comfortable daily driver without jumping too far up the price ladder.
• SE: This is the base trim in the Sport line, and it brings the same useful comfort upgrades as the XLE while giving you access to the Sport design theme. It is a strong pick if you want a little more style without going all the way to the top of the range.
• Woodland: This is the Rugged-themed choice, with standard AWD, all-terrain tires, a roof rack with cross bars, a tow hitch, and extra ground clearance. It is the trim to choose if you want the most outdoorsy setup in the lineup.
• XSE: This Sport model adds the slimmer electric shifter and sits among the higher AWD trims, making it a good fit if you want a more upscale feel and the stronger efficiency of the upper AWD setup.
• Limited: This is another higher-end AWD choice with the larger available touchscreen and the more premium equipment set. It suits you if you want the most comfort-oriented version without going into the GR Sport.
• GR Sport: This is the most distinctive Sport model, but the content emphasizes its styling and mechanical differences rather than making it the obvious value pick. It is best for shoppers who want the most expressive version of the RAV4 lineup.

Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 is standard across the lineup.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2026 Toyota RAV4?

This is a moderate, selective buyer’s market: there is enough inventory to shop around, but the best examples still deserve quick action when you find them.

• Deal availability: 36.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 5,326 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 93.8% of listings are accident-free.

Is the 2026 Toyota RAV4 safe?

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 comes with Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 as standard, and the system includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert and lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control with limited hands-free driving on certain highways, blind-spot monitors with rear cross-traffic alerts, an emergency stop system, a safe-exit alert, and an enhanced rearview camera.

It earns a 7/10 safety score from our experts.

The limited hands-free driving feature is a notable addition, but it is not a substitute for active driver attention, since the driver monitor is designed to intervene if you are not paying attention. Toyota also says the redesign should address shortcomings the IIHS found in the outgoing RAV4’s front crash protection, though crash-test results for this model year were not yet completed in the source material.

Should I buy a 2026 Toyota RAV4 or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2026 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2026 if:

• 36.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.8% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• The redesigned model gives you more choice, a standard hybrid drivetrain, and a quicker operating system.

The bottom line: If you want the newest RAV4 with the most standard tech, the standard hybrid setup, and the broadest range of trims and styles, the 2026 is the one to target. If you are more price-sensitive, a nearby model year may still make sense, especially if you can find a well-kept example with the equipment you want.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 11, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.