The regular four-cylinder engine has been cast aside, leaving the 2.5-liter hybrid as the base powertrain. The hybrid produces 23 more horsepower than the previous base engine for 226 combined horsepower, and for the first time it’s available in a front-drive configuration. The AWD version has even more oomph, with 236 horsepower.

Hybrid-electric vehicles have largely defined Toyota's approach to electrification thus far, with company executives consistently pledging their support to the gas-electric powertrain — and the new RAV4, which offers both conventional and plug-in hybrid powerplants, is the latest iteration of this promise.