Owner guide · Elgin Toyota · Streamwood, IL
2026 Toyota RAV4 Towing Capacity
The 2026 RAV4 tows either 1,750 lb. or 3,500 lb., depending on the grade and the drivetrain. Here is the rating for each grade and drivetrain, which towing features come standard, and what else to check before you hook up a trailer. Figures are from toyota.com's 2026 RAV4 specifications, read October 27, 2026.
3,500 lb.AWD SE, XLE Premium, XSE, Limited and Woodland
1,750 lb.every FWD grade and the LE with AWD
StandardTrailer-Sway Control on every grade
Woodlandthe only grade with a standard tow hitch
What is the 2026 Toyota RAV4 towing capacity?
Up to 3,500 lb. Toyota.com lists 3,500 lb. for the all-wheel-drive SE, XLE Premium, XSE, Limited and Woodland. Every front-wheel-drive RAV4, and the LE with all-wheel drive, is rated at 1,750 lb.
2026 RAV4 towing capacity by grade
| Grade | Drivetrain | Towing capacity | Net hp |
|---|---|---|---|
| LE | Front-wheel drive | 1,750 lb. | 226 |
| LE | All-wheel drive | 1,750 lb. | 236 |
| SE | Front-wheel drive | 1,750 lb. | 226 |
| SE | All-wheel drive | 3,500 lb. | 236 |
| XLE Premium | Front-wheel drive | 1,750 lb. | 226 |
| XLE Premium | All-wheel drive | 3,500 lb. | 236 |
| XSE | All-wheel drive | 3,500 lb. | 236 |
| Limited | All-wheel drive | 3,500 lb. | 236 |
| Woodland | All-wheel drive | 3,500 lb. | 236 |
From toyota.com's 2026 RAV4 specifications page (weights and capacities, mechanical and performance), read October 27, 2026. Every grade listed there uses a 2.5-liter Dynamic Force four-cylinder hybrid powertrain. This page does not cover the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid.
Which 2026 RAV4 tows 3,500 pounds?
All-wheel drive is the dividing line, with one exception. The all-wheel-drive SE, XLE Premium, XSE, Limited and Woodland are each listed at 3,500 lb. The LE is listed at 1,750 lb. even with all-wheel drive, and every front-wheel-drive RAV4 is listed at 1,750 lb.
All-wheel-drive models are also rated at 236 net combined horsepower, against 226 for front-wheel-drive models, according to the same toyota.com specifications.
If you plan to tow a small camper, a boat or a utility trailer, tell us the trailer's loaded weight when you shop at Elgin Toyota and we will show you the grades rated for it.
Towing features on the 2026 RAV4
Trailer-Sway Control
Listed as standard on every 2026 RAV4 grade on toyota.com.
Hill Start Assist Control
Listed as standard on every grade, useful when you pull away on a slope with a trailer behind you.
Downhill Assist Control
Listed as standard on all-wheel-drive models; not available on front-wheel-drive models.
Woodland tow hitch
The Woodland is the only grade toyota.com lists with a standard tow hitch. It also has 8.5 in. of ground clearance, against 8.1 in. on the other grades.
TRAIL and SNOW modes
The hybrid powertrain on every grade lists SPORT, Eco, NORMAL, EV, TRAIL and SNOW drive modes.
Feature availability from toyota.com's 2026 RAV4 specifications page, read October 27, 2026. Equipment can change during the model year.
Towing capacity is not the only limit
A Toyota RAV4 Owner's Manual (OM0R024U, an earlier-generation RAV4) defines the trailer weight rating as the maximum allowable gross trailer weight, which is the trailer plus the cargo loaded on it. The same manual asks you to confirm that the gross trailer weight, gross combination weight, gross vehicle weight, gross axle weight and tongue weight are all within their limits before you tow.
The figures for those limits, and the hitch and trailer-brake requirements that go with them, are in the owner's manual for your own RAV4 and model year, so read it before your first trip with a trailer.
Elgin Toyota hours
| Department | Hours |
|---|---|
| Sales | Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun closed |
| Service | Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat 7 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun closed |
From Elgin Toyota's website, October 27, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
2026 RAV4 towing FAQ
How much can a 2026 Toyota RAV4 tow?
Toyota.com lists a towing capacity of 3,500 lb. for the all-wheel-drive SE, XLE Premium, XSE, Limited and Woodland grades, and 1,750 lb. for every front-wheel-drive grade and for the LE with all-wheel drive.
Does the 2026 RAV4 LE tow 3,500 pounds with AWD?
No. On toyota.com's 2026 RAV4 specifications, the LE is listed at 1,750 lb. with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. To get the 3,500-lb. rating, choose an all-wheel-drive SE, XLE Premium, XSE, Limited or Woodland.
Which 2026 RAV4 comes with a tow hitch?
Toyota.com lists a tow hitch as standard on the 2026 RAV4 Woodland. It is not listed as standard on the LE, SE, XLE Premium, XSE or Limited.
Does the 2026 RAV4 have trailer sway control?
Yes. Trailer-Sway Control is listed as standard on every 2026 RAV4 grade on toyota.com's specifications page, along with Hill Start Assist Control.
Is the towing capacity the only limit I need to check?
No. A Toyota RAV4 Owner's Manual (OM0R024U) asks you to confirm that the gross trailer weight, gross combination weight, gross vehicle weight, gross axle weight and tongue weight are all within their limits. Check the owner's manual for your model year before you tow.
Planning to tow with a RAV4?
Visit Elgin Toyota at 1600 W. Lake St. in Streamwood to compare RAV4 grades, or book a brake and tire check before a towing trip.
Sources
Towing capacities, horsepower, drivetrains and feature availability are from toyota.com's 2026 RAV4 specifications page; the weight-limit definitions are from an earlier-generation Toyota RAV4 Owner's Manual (OM0R024U); both read October 27, 2026. Your owner's manual and the labels on your vehicle are the final word. Address and hours are from Elgin Toyota's own website. Image is illustrative.
- 2026 Toyota RAV4 specifications: towing capacity, drivetrain, powertrain, ground clearance, Trailer-Sway Control, Hill Start Assist Control, Downhill Assist Control and tow hitch by grade, Toyota, read October 27, 2026
- RAV4 Owner's Manual (OM0R024U, earlier-generation RAV4): trailer weight rating definition and the weight limits to confirm before towing; its figures are not used on this page, Toyota, read October 27, 2026
- Address and hours, Elgin Toyota, October 27, 2026
