2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid vs 2026 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse presented a robust and upright design reminiscent of a smaller Chevrolet Tahoe. Its high-set grille and macho stance were complemented by eye-slit LED headlights and a distinctive air intake/fog light design that integrated into the grille. The sides of the Traverse featured a clean, semi-rounded shape, highlighted by a forward-angled pillar behind the rear door, creating a semi-floating roof effect. The grille varied by model, with chrome and black options, while the Z71 trim stood out with red front tow hooks and all-terrain tires. Inside, the Traverse boasted a 17.7-inch touchscreen and an 11-inch digital instrument cluster, with a well-laid-out centre console thanks to the relocated shifter. The interior materials were smart, with soft-touch surfaces and contrasting stitching, offering a comfortable ambiance enhanced by available leather upholstery.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid was available exclusively in the Sport design in Canada, featuring a bold and square design that echoed Toyota's new SUV lineup. The GR Sport trim added assertive elements like red brake calipers, a large rear wing, and a wide mesh grille. Inside, the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.5-inch touchscreen, with an option for a larger 12.9-inch screen. The interior was optimized for storage, with clever features like a shelf over the dashboard and a wireless device charger. The GR Sport trim featured sporty accents like red stitching and badging, while the centre console housed a mechanical gear shifter or a shift-by-wire setup, depending on the trim.

The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse excelled in road manners, thanks to its car-like unibody architecture, offering better ride and handling than the larger Tahoe. At 5,194 millimetres long and weighing 2,173 kilograms with standard AWD, the Traverse was somewhat cumbersome but more controlled than body-on-frame vehicles. It featured a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Traverse's towing capacity was 2,268 kilograms, and while the turbo-four provided adequate power, the 0 to 100 km/h time was around eight seconds. The engine noise was a downside, and the AWD system required manual engagement. The Traverse offered various drive modes, including Normal, Sport, Off-Road, Snow/Ice, and Tow/Haul.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured an updated 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine with 324 horsepower, making it the most powerful RAV4 to date. It had a larger 22.7-kwh battery pack, providing an estimated range of 80 kilometres. The RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid's AWD system included a large front motor and a smaller rear motor, delivering a 0-100 km/h time in the low five seconds. The vehicle offered EV, Auto, Hybrid, and Charge modes, with seamless power transitions and paddle shifters for manual control. The RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid weighed around 2,040 kilograms, with the GR Sport trim offering enhanced handling attributes due to its lower ground clearance and suspension tweaks.

The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse, at almost 18 centimetres shorter than a Tahoe, offered ample passenger space but less cargo capacity. The RS trim featured second-row captain’s chairs for seven-passenger seating, while the LT and Z71 trims used a second-row bench for eight-passenger capacity. The first-row seats were comfortable with good storage options, while the second-row passengers enjoyed good space. The third row was less accommodating for adults, with limited legroom. Cargo space was generous, with 648 litres behind the third row, 1,603 litres behind the second row, and 2,764 litres behind the first row.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid maintained similar dimensions to its predecessor, with optimized interior storage features. The base SE trim included power-adjustable and heated front seats, while higher trims offered synthetic leather upholstery and ventilated seats. The RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid provided 960 millimetres of rear legroom, accommodating four passengers comfortably. The cargo area offered 951 litres of space, expandable to 1,798 litres with the rear seats folded down, featuring a flat load floor and a temporary spare tire.

The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse featured an 11-inch digital instrument cluster and a 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen with Google built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system was intuitive, with large icons and quick response times. Standard features included a satellite radio trial, Wi-Fi hotspot wiring, eight years of OnStar Basics, a wireless phone charger, and remote start. The base audio system had six speakers, with an optional 12-speaker Bose system available.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.5-inch touchscreen, with a larger 12.9-inch screen on top trims. The touchscreen featured customizable tiles and a quick menu for easy access to settings. Toyota's new operating system, Arene, enhanced responsiveness and user interface. The Voice Assistant responded to a range of prompts, and the system allowed for locating chargers along routes. The climate controls were integrated into the touchscreen, with physical temperature buttons and a volume knob.

The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse came with a comprehensive set of standard safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. The Enhanced Driving package added GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driver-assistance technology and other features. The Traverse earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid included Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, with enhanced camera and radar detection. Standard features included automatic emergency braking, lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and blind spot monitoring. The RAV4's safety record was historically strong, with expected improvements in crash protection for the 2026 model.