by Toyota Continues to Sell RAV4 with Gasoline Engine in the Middle East
While in North America, Europe, and Japan Toyota has transitioned its most popular crossover to an exclusively hybrid lineup, the internal combustion engine has not yet relinquished its authority worldwide. If you are a fan of the RAV4 who values the simplicity of a non-electrified powertrain, you can still find it, although you will now need a passport for that.
The automaker announced the debut of the 2026 model year RAV4 in the Middle East market, where the list of available powertrains looks different. Alongside the familiar 2.5-liter hybrid producing up to 236 horsepower, the crossover is also offered with a base 2.0-liter gasoline engine delivering 169 hp. This engine has been carried over almost unchanged from the previous generation, made possible by the region’s more lenient environmental regulations.
While buyers in the Middle East get the internal combustion engine option, they miss out on the more powerful plug-in hybrid version available in other regions.
The new RAV4 is also offered with a purely gasoline engine in China, although that version is different and produced by local joint ventures.
Exterior Remains Unchanged
Visually, the model for the Middle East is no different from the American, European, and Japanese versions of the RAV4. Buyers can choose between the base Core grade and the more off-road-oriented Adventure trim, with wheel sizes ranging from 17 to 20 inches.
The same consistency is maintained in the interior, which received a multimedia system sized 10.5 or 12.9 inches depending on the trim, as well as a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Available options include a heads-up display and a panoramic sunroof with power-operated shading.
Trims and Prices
In the United Arab Emirates, the RAV4 lineup includes EX FWD, EXR, GXR, Adventure, and VXR trims. This means local buyers do not get access to the sporty GR Sport version.
The top Adventure and VXR trims are available exclusively with the hybrid powertrain. The EX, EXR, and GXR models offer a choice between the two engine types.
Prices for the gasoline-powered RAV4 start from 105,900 AED and go up to 123,900 AED. The hybrid version costs from 114,900 to 152,900 AED. Thus, the new model is slightly more expensive than its predecessor, although the hybrid variant has become more affordable than before.
This situation clearly demonstrates how automakers adapt their global models to the specific requirements of regional markets. Differences in environmental standards, tax policies, and consumer preferences lead to the same model existing in completely different technical specifications. For Toyota, this means supporting old, proven technologies where they are still in demand, while aggressively promoting electrified versions in key markets. Such flexibility allows the company to maximize audience reach and meet the needs of customers with different budgets and views on the future of the automobile.
