Audi Q5 vs Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

The 2025 Audi Q5 presented a robust SUV aesthetic with its third-generation design. It featured a large, textured grille, prominent side air intakes, and high-mounted headlights, giving the front end an imposing look. The body sides were adorned with well-defined lines, adding a muscular touch. While the exterior design was entirely new, it felt more like an evolution than a revolution, resembling a facelift rather than a complete redesign. In Canada, the Q5 was available in base, Progressiv, and Technik trims, with the latter two featuring matrix-design LED headlights and animated taillights. The Q5 came in both standard crossover SUV and coupe-like Sportback body styles, with the latter offering a sleeker profile at the expense of cargo space and rear-seat headroom. The SQ5 performance grade added more power, sport suspension, and distinctive styling elements like matte chrome trim, larger air intakes, and quad exhaust tips. Inside, the Q5's design was detailed, with top-notch materials and a mix of silver and black trim contrasting with lighter upholstery colours. Leather seating surfaces were standard, and the SQ5 offered a sportier interior with Alcantara trim.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid was available exclusively in Sport design grades in Canada, including the base SE, XSE, and the new GR Sport. The sixth-generation RAV4 maintained the same footprint as its predecessor, with the GR Sport's assertive grille and rear diffuser extending its length by nearly five centimetres. The RAV4 embraced a square design, with boxy wheel arches and bulges over the fenders, giving it a truck-like presence. The Sport trims featured gloss black accents, and the GR Sport, inspired by Toyota's Gazoo Racing division, showcased racier elements like red brake calipers, 20-inch black alloy wheels, and a wide mesh grille. Inside, the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid offered a mild differentiation with accents like red stitching on the GR Sport's black upholstery. All grades had a standard 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.5-inch touchscreen, with a larger 12.9-inch touchscreen available on top trims. The interior design was streamlined, with a wide centre console housing a mechanical gear shifter on lower grades and a shift-by-wire setup on higher trims. The GR Sport trim sat lower than the SE and XSE grades, offering enhanced handling with beefier rear suspension braces and tweaks to the suspension.

The 2025 Audi Q5 featured a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive across all models. The base Q5 was powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-four engine producing 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, while the SQ5 boasted a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 with 362 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The Q5's standard output was competitive for a compact crossover, with slightly less horsepower than an Acura RDX but more torque. The SQ5 nearly matched the output of a Mercedes-AMG GLC 43, with a manufacturer-estimated 0-100 km/h time of 4.8 seconds. However, both the Q5 and SQ5 experienced turbo lag and rough shifts from the dual-clutch transmission, affecting their perceived speed. The standard steel-spring suspension with passive frequency selective damping provided capable handling, while the available air suspension with adaptive damping offered a balance between damping and body control. The Q5 included Off-Road and Off-Road Plus driving modes, but it was more suited for dirt roads than technical trails.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured an updated 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine rated at 186 horsepower, paired with a larger 22.7-kwh battery pack. The PHEV's power increased to 324 hp, making it the most powerful RAV4 to date. All-wheel drive was standard, with a large front motor rated at 203 hp and 201 lb-ft of torque. In EV mode, the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid offered quick acceleration off the line but plateaued at just under 50 km/h. In Auto mode, the two propulsion motors and engine worked together to deliver a 0-100 km/h time in the low five seconds. The RAV4 offered Hybrid and Charge modes, with the latter recharging the battery using the gas engine. The transition of power was seamless, and paddle shifters allowed drivers to override the electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT). The RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid's ride was spirited without sacrificing comfort, thanks to a strengthened chassis and new mounts. The GR Sport trim offered enhanced handling with a lower ride height and 20-inch black alloy wheels.

The 2025 Audi Q5 maintained similar exterior dimensions and interior space to the 2024 model, with adequate headroom and legroom in both rows. The 2025 model offered an additional 48 litres of cargo space behind the second row and nearly 80 litres behind the first row compared to the 2024 model, with a total of 757 litres and 1,710 litres, respectively. This gave the Q5 more cargo space than a Lexus NX or Mercedes-Benz GLC but less than an Acura RDX or BMW X3. The Q5 featured a sliding and reclining 40/20/40 split-folding second-row bench seat, a power tailgate, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Progressiv trim added heated outboard rear seats and a panoramic sunroof, while the SQ5 included ventilated front seats. The Q5 offered up to 2,000 kilograms of towing capacity, surpassing the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4Matic and Lexus NX.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid's base SE trim was well-equipped with power-adjustable and heated front seats, five USB ports, and push-button start. The front seats provided adequate bolstering and thigh support, with synthetic leather upholstery on all but the base SE. Ventilated seats were standard on the GR Sport and XSE trims. The RAV4's interior dimensions remained mostly unchanged, with clever storage features like a shelf over the dashboard and a storage shelf between the stack and console. The centre console storage could be accessed from either side, and deep door pockets accommodated large water bottles. The RAV4 seated four passengers comfortably, with 960 millimetres of rear legroom. The cargo area offered 951 litres of space, with a total of 1,798 litres when the 60/40-split rear seats were folded down. The cargo floor was flat, and a temporary spare tire was stored under it.

The 2025 Audi Q5 featured an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch central touchscreen as standard, with a 10.9-inch touchscreen for the front passenger on the top Technik trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a cooled wireless charging pad. The Progressiv trim added four USB-C ports and a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Q5's infotainment system was based on the Android Automotive OS, with a curved display that was easy to see and reach from the driver's seat. A built-in voice assistant handled some vehicle functions, while an available head-up display showed speed, driver assistance warnings, and navigation directions. The Q5 also featured Audi's Dynamic Interaction Light, a light bar at the base of the windshield providing additional cues to the driver.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid came with a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an enhanced 10.5-inch touchscreen system, with a larger 12.9-inch touchscreen on top trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the touchscreen featured large customizable tiles and a quick menu for commonly used settings. The digital displays were improved, with three display options and customizable info. Toyota's new operating system, Arene, offered a more responsive and quicker interface. The subscription-based Voice Assistant responded to a range of prompts, and the system allowed drivers to locate chargers along their route.

The 2025 Audi Q5 included standard driver assist features such as adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, parking sensors, automatic high beams, blind spot monitoring, and traffic sign recognition. An exit alert feature used interior ambient lighting to warn occupants about to open the door into the path of an oncoming vehicle or cyclist. The Q5's safety ratings from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) were not available, but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) ratings were not favourable, with too many Marginal or Acceptable ratings for a Top Safety Pick designation.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, with a wider view for cameras and a broader detection range for radar. Standard driver assistance systems included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a safe exit alert. All but the base SE had a surround-view camera system. The RAV4's safety record was historically strong, and the redesign aimed to address shortcomings in front crash protection. The NHTSA rated the 2025 RAV4 at five out of five stars.