The 2026 Toyota RAV4 has delivered strong results in most safety evaluations, but one crash-test weakness has kept the redesigned compact SUV from earning a top safety award. Both the standard hybrid and the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid performed well in several tests, but their results in the moderate overlap front crash test fell short of the highest rating required for recognition.
2026 Toyota RAV4 Safety Ratings
The sixth-generation Toyota RAV4 has continued the previous model’s success with a standard hybrid powertrain, a broad selection of trims and an approachable design. However, its latest safety results reveal an area where the new model did not meet the highest standard.
Vehicles are evaluated for crash protection and crash prevention to determine whether they qualify for a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award. Ratings are assigned on a four-level scale: Good, Acceptable, Marginal or Poor.
The 2026 RAV4 received Good ratings in the small overlap front crash test, side crash test, headlights evaluation and both front crash-prevention tests. Its moderate overlap front result, however, prevented it from achieving the highest rating across all evaluations.
RAV4 Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid Crash-Test Results
The standard RAV4 hybrid received an Acceptable rating in the moderate overlap front crash test, while the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid received a Marginal rating. Both versions earned Good ratings in the small overlap front and side crash tests, as well as in vehicle-to-vehicle and pedestrian front crash prevention.
The moderate overlap front test simulates a 40-mph collision in which 40% of a vehicle’s width strikes a deformable barrier. A Good rating in this evaluation is required for a vehicle to qualify for a safety award.
The standard RAV4 hybrid’s weaker results involved injury measures for rear-seat passengers, particularly the head, neck and chest. The plug-in hybrid performed worse in some rear-passenger measures, receiving an Acceptable rating for chest injuries and a Poor rating for rear-passenger restraints and dummy kinetics.
How the Toyota RAV4 Compares With the Hyundai Tucson
The 2026 Hyundai Tucson earned a Top Safety Pick+ award and performed better in the moderate overlap front crash test, receiving a Good rating. It also received Good ratings in the small overlap front, side and both front crash-prevention tests.
The Tucson’s headlights received a Good or Acceptable rating. Its stronger moderate overlap front result sets it apart from both RAV4 versions in a test that has challenged vehicles since it was updated several years ago.
Despite being a new model, the RAV4 could not match the Tucson’s result in the crash test required for a safety award.
Other Toyota Models Also Fall Short in Crash Tests
The RAV4 is not the only Toyota model that failed to achieve a Good rating in the moderate overlap front crash test. Several other vehicles from the automaker received Acceptable or Marginal ratings in the same evaluation.
- Toyota Corolla Cross: Acceptable
- Toyota bZ: Acceptable
- Toyota bZ Woodland: Acceptable
- Toyota Corolla Sedan: Marginal
- Toyota Crown Signia: Marginal
- Toyota Highlander: Marginal
- Toyota Land Cruiser: Marginal
- Toyota 4Runner: Marginal
All these vehicles feature some version of Toyota’s TNGA platform. Their results raise questions about whether a shared design characteristic could be contributing to the performance seen in the crash test.
The Prius and Camry are exceptions. Both earned Good ratings in the same test, allowing them to qualify for safety awards.
What the Results Mean for Toyota RAV4 Safety
The results do not necessarily mean the affected Toyota models are unsafe or unable to protect occupants adequately in a crash. However, their performance falls short of results regularly achieved by competing vehicles from Kia, Hyundai and Mazda in the same evaluation.
For the 2026 Toyota RAV4, strong performance in most safety categories was not enough to earn an award. The moderate overlap front crash test remains the main weakness for both the standard hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions.
