2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid Australia: First Drive and Walkaround
Join Tom and Joy from the Ludicrous Feed YouTube channel as they take an in-depth walkaround and first drive of the 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid, marking Toyota Australia’s very first PHEV offering. This review covers the full lineup, including the X 2WD, XSE AWD, and the GR Sport AWD featured here in red, with pricing starting from $58,840 before on-road costs. Under the bonnet sits a 2.5-litre petrol engine paired with a 22.7 kWh lithium-ion NMC battery, capable of 11 kW AC charging and delivering up to 121 km of WLTP electric range in 2WD form. The video explores exterior GR Sport styling, boot space with V2L capability, and the familiar, durable interior featuring USB-C ports, wireless charging, and a head-up display. On the road, Tom and Joy discuss the driving experience across winding roads and highway stretches, noting the transition from EV to hybrid and petrol modes, the vehicle’s stable handling, and the gradual introduction of electrification for loyal RAV4 buyers. With a 55-litre fuel tank, 1.5-tonne towing capacity, and Toyota’s hallmark reliability, this plug-in hybrid offers a practical bridge for those seeking electric commuting with the security of a petrol backup | Video by Tom Gan (Tesla Tom) and Joy of Ludicrous Feed from Sydney Australia July 2026
2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid Australia: First Drive and Walkaround
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Financial Disclosure:
– Tom and Joy were invited guests of Toyota at this media event
– Toyota covered our accommodation, meals and other associated costs
– No payment was received from Toyota or any third party for the production of this video
With thanks to our sponsors:
carloop – Australian EV Data & Ownership Trends
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00:00 Introduction to the 2026 Toyota RAV4 PHEV
00:23 Variants, pricing, and key specs
01:10 Driving range and battery details
01:42 Exterior design and GR Sport features
02:28 Boot space, spare tire, and V2L capability
03:03 Interior practicality and durability
03:54 Familiar Toyota design and hybrid transition
04:53 Interior features and storage
05:36 First drive impressions and handling
06:49 Acceleration and performance perspective
07:52 Instrument cluster and EV mode details
08:34 Head-up display and infotainment
09:29 Australia’s first Toyota plug-in hybrid
10:11 Road noise and cabin insulation
12:09 Transition to petrol powertrain on highway
13:45 Final thoughts and electrification journey
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ABOUT LUDICROUS FEED
Ludicrous Feed is a Sydney-based YouTube channel showing daily life as an Australian family with an electric vehicle.
Tom and Joy provide straightforward candid insights into key issues around EV adoption such as vehicle range, charging infrastructure and road trip planning.
The channel started in 2018 after Tom purchased his Tesla Model S. The weekly live stream provides an opportunity for audience members to engage with others from the EV community as well as to stay up to date with the latest industry news. They have a Sigenergy home battery coupled with rooftop solar and together have reviewed many electric vehicles for the channel including brands such as BYD, Geely (Polestar, Volvo, Zeekr, Smart), Hyundai Motor Group (Kia, Genesis), SAIC (MG, LDV), GWM, Stellantis (Leapmotor, Peugeot, Fiat, Abarth, Jeep), VW Group (Cupra, Skoda), BMW Group (Rolls Royce, Mini), GM (Cadillac), Ford, Toyota, Subaru, Mazda, Nissan, Renault, Xpeng, Chery (Omoda, Jaecoo), Deepal and GAC
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