Americans Go Crazy Over the New Toyota RAV4: Dealers Mark Up Prices and Mislead Buyers

The new generation of Toyota’s best-selling SUV has sparked heated online debate.

January 31, 2026 at 3:00 PM / News

Last spring, Toyota unveiled a new generation of its best-selling RAV4 crossover. The vehicle received major exterior, interior, and technical updates and went on sale in the U.S. in late 2025.

In the United States, official prices for the new RAV4 range from $31,900 to $48,685. However, surging demand has led dealers to inflate prices and mislead customers.

According to some Americans, many local dealerships are selling the top-trim RAV4 Limited with a hybrid powertrain—whose MSRP is $43,300—for significantly more, asking as much as $52,857.

Dealers emphasize that this price includes $4,700 worth of additional options plus a $295 installation fee. Even so, this does not explain the substantial gap between Toyota’s official pricing and what dealerships are charging in their showrooms.

Similar price markups were observed in the U.S. during the launches of new generations of other popular Toyota models, including the Land Cruiser and Tacoma.

At the time, such dealer behavior was linked to limited supply that failed to meet demand. Eventually, however, the hype around these vehicles faded, and prices returned to the levels set by Toyota itself.

You may also be interested in the news:

Worst Cars to Buy: Five Models Experts Say You Should Avoid at All Costs
White With Character: 2026 Ford Ranger Gets New Avalanche Paint Color
Never Press the “OFF” Button Until You Read Your Owner’s Manual: Why It Can Be Dangerous
Ford and Xiaomi Deny Rumors of Joint EV Production in the U.S.
How to Raise a Car Window in the Field When the Power Window Fails
Renders of the Next-Generation Hyundai Creta Crossover Surface Online
Useful Upgrade for Shop Technicians: Updated Touchbrain Plus OBD Monitor Now Supports Select Nissan and Mitsubishi Models
Won “Car of the Year” Back in Its Day: 1949 Ford Convertible