Ford Bronco vs Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

The 2025 Ford Bronco successfully captured the essence of its 1960s predecessor while avoiding an overly retro design. Its boxy shape was modernized with rounded corners, and the front view was dominated by a wide rectangular grille flanked by round headlamps. The Bronco offered multiple removable top options, including soft and hard tops, and doors for an open-air experience. The Sasquatch package added 17-inch aluminum wheels with 35-inch all-terrain tires, a HOSS 2.0 suspension, and electronic-locking axles, enhancing its off-road capabilities and giving it a menacing look. With seven versions available, including the high-performance Bronco Raptor, the Bronco catered to a wide range of buyers. The Big Bend model, equipped with the Sasquatch package and finished in Velocity Blue Metallic, was particularly appealing.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid was available exclusively in Sport design grades in Canada, including the SE, XSE, and the new GR Sport. The GR Sport featured an assertive grille and rear diffuser, extending its length by nearly five centimetres. The RAV4 adopted a square, truck-like presence with boxy wheel arches and bulges over the fenders. Gloss black accents adorned the Sport trims, and the GR Sport showcased racier elements like red brake calipers and a wide mesh grille. Inside, the GR Sport featured red stitching on black upholstery and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The RAV4's interior was optimized with clever storage features, and the GR Sport trim offered a sportier ride with enhanced handling.

The 2025 Ford Bronco offered two engine options, with the Bronco Raptor featuring a unique, more powerful engine. The base 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine produced 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, providing ample power for city and highway driving. The optional 2.7-litre EcoBoost V6 engine increased output to 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Bronco's maximum tow rating was 1,587 kilograms, with the Raptor capable of towing up to 2,040 kilograms. The Sasquatch package enhanced off-road capabilities with locking differentials and large tires. All Bronco models came with four-wheel drive, and the Badlands, Heritage, Stroppe, and Raptor trims featured an advanced 4WD system with an Automatic mode.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured an updated 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine with 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 front motor rated at 203 hp and a smaller rear motor for assistance and traction. The RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid offered multiple driving modes, including EV, Auto, Hybrid, and Charge, with seamless power transitions. The GR Sport trim provided enhanced handling with a lower ride height and 20-inch black alloy wheels. Despite its weight, the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid maintained a spirited ride without sacrificing comfort.

The 2025 Ford Bronco offered ample space for two passengers in the two-door model, while the four-door version provided more room and easier access. The Sasquatch package's big tires and suspension resulted in a high step up into the cabin. The two-door Bronco offered 634 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,509 litres with the rear seats folded. The four-door model increased cargo space to 1,084 litres with seats up and 2,350 litres with seats folded. The Bronco featured numerous storage cubbies and MOLLE mounting points for added convenience.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid's interior was optimized with clever storage features, including a shelf over the dashboard and a wireless device charger. The RAV4 seated four passengers comfortably, with 960 millimetres of rear legroom. The cargo area offered 951 litres of space, expandable to 1,798 litres with the rear seats folded. The GR Sport and XSE trims featured ventilated seats for added comfort. Despite its compact footprint, the RAV4 provided ample passenger space and storage options.

The 2025 Ford Bronco came standard with a 12-inch touchscreen running Sync 4 infotainment software, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A seven-speaker audio system was standard, with an optional Bang & Olufsen sound system available on higher trims. A second 12-inch screen served as a digital gauge cluster, customizable with various modes. The Bronco featured five G.O.A.T. modes, with additional modes available on higher trims.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 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 offered customizable tiles and a quick menu. Toyota's new operating system, Arene, improved responsiveness and loading times. The Voice Assistant responded to a range of prompts, and the system provided data for the plug-in hybrid system.

The 2025 Ford Bronco offered the Co-Pilot360 safety suite starting with the Big Bend trim, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. Post-collision braking, hill start assist, and hill descent control were standard. The Bronco received top "Good" ratings from the IIHS in several crash tests but had a "Marginal" rating for headlights. The NHTSA awarded the Bronco four out of five stars for frontal crash safety.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, featuring automatic emergency braking, lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and blind spot monitoring. The system offered a wider view for cameras and a broader detection range for radar. The RAV4's safety record was historically strong, and the redesign aimed to address previous shortcomings. Crash-testing results from the IIHS and NHTSA were pending.