Toyota RAV4 Forums banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

The RAV4 2026 getting a 1.5 liter turbo, Good or Bad?

2 reading
Jump to Latest
1 - 20 of 75 Posts

Mar Espejo

· Registered
2023 RAV4 LTD HEV
Joined
·
1,398 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
#2 ·
Mar Espejo said:
Should the RAV4 get a 1.5-liter or is it a bit too small?
Click to expand...
According to the article:
The other new Toyota engine – a 1.5-liter turbo-four – is developed for the company's more compact models, including the RAV4. However, the sixth-generation Toyota RAV4 will not feature that engine. A mid-cycle refresh could change that. For now, the upcoming RAV4 will continue to be motivated by the 2.5-liter Dynamic Force engine.

2026 should be OK.
 
#4 ·
Mar Espejo said:
The 2026 Toyota RAV4 And It Will Not Be As Groundbreaking. What do you think, is this true? Should the RAV4 get a 1.5-liter or is it a bit too small? Let us know what you think.

www.torquenews.com

Japan Has Already Seen The 2026 Toyota RAV4 And It Will Not Be As Groundbreaking Under The New Skin

Toyota's 2026 RAV4 dons all-new looks, but plays it safe in the powertrain department.
www.torquenews.com www.torquenews.com
Click to expand...
Again rumors, and rumors on top of rumors ("fresh reports from Japan suggest"). There has been zero information from Toyota Corporate on a new generation RAV4.
 
#5 ·
My laymen understanding of the future engines is they will act more like a generator to provide electrical power to the electrical motors unlike the current engine which is used somewhat to propel the car.

Before I get chastised about the technical aspect of how Hybrid synergy drive works, I am just providing an overview of what I understand the future 1.5 and 2.0 hybrid designed motors will do.

To the best of my knowledge, the new engines are the first Toyota engines designed for exclusive hybrid use, rather than augmenting a gas engine for hybrid use.

If I am correct, the gas engine will work like a home/commercial generator and produce power at a low, somewhat constant RPM rate and the electric motors will propel the car, provide torque etc. This is similar to the current design but HSD will rely on the gas engine way less rather than the incremental updates we have seen with each Gen of HSD.

Also, I don't believe that the upcoming Rav will get this engine as I think its 2 or 3 years away from use and we will probably see it on a Japan model first, probably the Prius.
 
#6 ·
FKHeath said:
Again rumors, and rumors on top of rumors ("fresh reports from Japan suggest"). There has been zero information from Toyota Corporate on a new generation RAV4.
Click to expand...
Yeah, who needs industry insiders when we have moderators telling us that nothing is official until Toyota announces it. lol. In case you haven’t noticed, there are hundreds of people working on future Toyota’s and their progress gets released before Toyota releases it.
 
#7 ·
Variman said:
My laymen understanding of the future engines is they will act more like a generator to provide electrical power to the electrical motors unlike the current engine which is used somewhat to propel the car.

Before I get chastised about the technical aspect of how Hybrid synergy drive works, I am just providing an overview of what I understand the future 1.5 and 2.0 hybrid designed motors will do.

To the best of my knowledge, the new engines are the first Toyota engines designed for exclusive hybrid use, rather than augmenting a gas engine for hybrid use.

If I am correct, the gas engine will work like a home/commercial generator and produce power at a low, somewhat constant RPM rate and the electric motors will propel the car, provide torque etc. This is similar to the current design but HSD will rely on the gas engine way less rather than the incremental updates we have seen with each Gen of HSD.

Also, I don't believe that the upcoming Rav will get this engine as I think its 2 or 3 years away from use and we will probably see it on a Japan model first, probably the Prius.
Click to expand...
These new engines aren’t designed for hybrid use specifically at all. They will be in use in 2026 and not in the Prius.
 
#8 ·
Variman said:
My laymen understanding of the future engines is they will act more like a generator to provide electrical power to the electrical motors unlike the current engine which is used somewhat to propel the car.
Click to expand...
That is exactly how the Lohner-Porsche worked: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lohner–Porsche over a hundred years ago. Porsche is credited with inventing the first hybrid vehicle with those cars.
 
#9 ·
Probably won't see any turbo synergy drives in the near future. Emission conformance is primary reason auto manufacturers are switching to turbocharged engines and one of the benefits of Toyota's Synergy Drive is it's ability to operate engine more efficiently thus lower emissions. Take the updated Camry, same 2.5 l dynamic force engine but revised hybrid system.
 
#10 ·
I'd take a Camry, Corolla/Cross, Rav4 with an AWD hybrid 1.5T combo in a heartbeat, especially if they can squeak another couple mpg out of it. I've driven plenty of small turbo engines and they all just need a little electric hybrid motor kick. The naturally aspirated motors are boring and guzzlers in comparison.

I'd also love to see extra power from any of the hybrids. The 219hp hybrid rav4 is pretty good but wish it could have a 50hp power boost for 5 seconds, without the bloated weight of a plug-in. I don't see the current 2.5hybrids' 236-245HP as anything special in the Camry/Crown/Highlander/Signia/Grand..... The extra torque is good but a little more would be nice.

 
#12 ·
RobertB said:
Probably won't see any turbo synergy drives in the near future. Emission conformance is primary reason auto manufacturers are switching to turbocharged engi
Click to expand...
Not with synergy drive, but the latest 4Runner, Land Cruiser, and Tacoma have turbo engines and mild hybrid.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
If Toyota will add a new trim like a 1.5L turbo hybrid option, it may offer slightly better fuel efficiency but would likely need to work harder than the 2.5L engine when charging the hybrid battery and propelling the wheels simultaneously. Under heavy load conditions—such as idling in traffic, sudden acceleration, or climbing uphill—the 1.5L engine could generate more noise and potentially deliver slower acceleration compared to the 2.5L.

While not perfect, the 2.5L hybrid is better suited for handling heavy loads and sudden demands due to its larger displacement and simpler design. Maintenance costs are also lower, as it has fewer complex components. In contrast, turbocharged engines involve additional parts like turbochargers, intercoolers, and high-pressure systems, all of which are prone to wear and could lead to higher repair costs over time.
 
#15 · (Edited)
sdavissy said:
These new engines aren’t designed for hybrid use specifically at all. They will be in use in 2026 and not in the Prius.
Click to expand...
"According to Toyota's Chief Technology Officer Hiroki Nakajima, its new four-cylinder engine lineup is a "game changer." The upcoming powertrains have 1.5- and 2.0-liter displacements, and while they're being optimized primarily for electrification, the fun element isn't being ignored."

"A 1.5-liter engine with turbo and naturally aspirated configurations has been developed, as well as a 2.0-liter turbocharged version. The new engines will have shorter strokes and less torque. But as they’re designed to work in conjunction with a hybrid system, the electric motors will fill in any gaps. The trade-off, at least with our enthusiast’s cap on, will be fewer revolutions per minute. "
 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
Generally, fewer RPMs can lead to improved fuel efficiency, reduced engine wear, quieter operation, and less heat, which reduces strain on the cooling system—though this often comes at the cost of lower power and torque.

Instead, couldn’t Toyota adopt an approach similar to Nissan’s e-Power, where the internal combustion engine (ICE) functions solely as a generator to charge the battery? In this system, the wheels are driven entirely by an electric motor, delivering a driving experience akin to a fully electric vehicle (EV).
 
#17 ·
RobertB said:
Probably won't see any turbo synergy drives in the near future. Emission conformance is primary reason auto manufacturers are switching to turbocharged engines and one of the benefits of Toyota's Synergy Drive is it's ability to operate engine more efficiently thus lower emissions. Take the updated Camry, same 2.5 l dynamic force engine but revised hybrid system.
Click to expand...
I think your correct. It appears Toyota will offer these new engines in naturally aspirated and Turbo forms. Probably the NA for hybrids and turbo for any specialty, high performance cars that have not gone hybrid. I suspect for most high selling models, NA hybrid 1.5. I believe I read the 2.0 will be used in the larger vehicles such as the Crown.

"A 1.5-liter engine with turbo and naturally aspirated configurations has been developed, as well as a 2.0-liter turbocharged version. The new engines will have shorter strokes and less torque. But as they’re designed to work in conjunction with a hybrid system, the electric motors will fill in any gaps. The trade-off, at least with our enthusiast’s cap on, will be fewer revolutions per minute. "
 
#19 ·
Because they have to... EPA/CAFE
The 2GR V6 is gone and replaced with a 2.4T. The 5.7 V8 is gone replaced with a twin turbo V6. The 2.5 will be gone one day and I can't wait for the 1.5T. Leave the 1.5 NA for the Prius, Corolla, or some smaller Tercel/Echo/Yaris/Scion type vehicles.

Looks like one of the articles mentioned the 2.0T to replace the current 2.4T, which is new in the Highlander/Crown/Grand.... Should be interesting what the next 5 years brings.

These engines have nothing to do with performance models. Its for the lightest, most compact, and most efficient capabilities needed for the future, with just enough power for the majority. Nothing niche here.

Nissan E-power is so successful that how many models of it are sold in the USA? Toyota also figured out that there are times when the gas engine is more efficient driving the wheels than running as a generator. I don't think that Nissan or Honda have the hybrid MPG tech required to compete with Toyota. I was hoping that GM would grow the Volt but simply abandoned it. I do miss the GM E-assist torque bump from 20 years ago, which would've been perfect for the 1.2-1.6 turbo lag engines that some automakers are using now in the USA.

The goal has nothing to do what we want. Its driven by:
www.nhtsa.gov

Corporate Average Fuel Economy | NHTSA

Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards regulate how far vehicles must travel on a gallon of fuel. Learn more about CAFE & vehicle miles per gallon.
www.nhtsa.gov www.nhtsa.gov
 
#20 ·
sdavissy said:
Yeah, who needs industry insiders when we have moderators telling us that nothing is official until Toyota announces it. lol. In case you haven’t noticed, there are hundreds of people working on future Toyota’s and their progress gets released before Toyota releases it.
Click to expand...
🤫, stuff like that gets you banned.
 
1 - 20 of 75 Posts
About this Discussion
74 Replies
32 Participants
Last post:
Skinny guy
Toyota RAV4 Forums
posts
1.1M
members
174K
Since
2004
Rav 4 World is the internet's largest Toyota Rav4 SUV and EV online forum community. Discuss towing, modifications, and more.
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
4.3 General 4.3 Mechanical 4.5 RAV4 Hybrid (except Prime) 4.5 RAV4 Prime 4.3 Exterior