Toyota Adds Apple Car Key to 2026 RAV4 in US

Toyota has begun rolling out support for Apple's digital car key feature in select trims of its 2026 RAV4 model in the United States, allowing owners to lock, unlock, and start the vehicle using an iPhone or Apple Watch without removing the device from their pocket.

The integration, first reported through a social media post from an owner and confirmed on Toyota's website, marks the Japanese automaker's entry into a system that has been available since 2020. Apple's Car Key functionality, part of the Wallet app, stores a virtual key that interacts with compatible vehicles via near-field communication or advanced wireless signals. For the 2026 RAV4, Toyota employs Ultra Wideband technology, enabling passive entry where users can approach the car, open the door, and drive away seamlessly. This requires an iPhone 11 or later model, excluding the second- and third-generation iPhone SE as well as the iPhone 16e, or an Apple Watch Series 6 or newer.

The feature's rollout coincides with the debut of Toyota's next-generation multimedia system in the North American RAV4, which includes 5G connectivity and enhanced phone-as-key capabilities. However, access is tied to Toyota's Remote...