Honda HR-V vs Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

The 2026 Honda HR-V, available in LX, Sport, and EX-L trims, was priced between $33,446 and $41,846 in Canada, inclusive of a $2,000 destination charge. The EX-L trim, which we tested, featured a Nordic Forest Pearl paint and had an MSRP of $42,246. The HR-V's design was not universally appealing, with its blobby grille and forward-leaning profile, but the green paint and 18-inch alloy wheels under gloss-black wheel arches enhanced its appearance. The HR-V's styling updates included new wheel designs across trims and fresh paint colours like Boost Blue and Solar Silver. Inside, the HR-V's grey upholstery and trim in the EX-L trim added an upscale touch, though this option was limited to specific exterior colours. The EX-L also boasted genuine leather seats with Z-pattern stitching and upgraded cabin lighting, contributing to a more refined interior.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid was offered exclusively in Sport design trims in Canada, including the SE, XSE, and the new GR Sport, the latter being a PHEV exclusive. The RAV4 maintained the same footprint as its predecessor but featured buffer bumpers that extended its length. The GR Sport trim showcased a bold grille and rear diffuser, adding nearly five centimetres to its length. The RAV4's design embraced a boxy, truck-like presence, with square wheel arches and bulging fenders reminiscent of the Highlander. The Sport trims featured gloss black accents, while the GR Sport, inspired by Toyota's Gazoo Racing division, included red brake calipers, 20-inch black alloy wheels, and a wide mesh grille. Inside, the RAV4 offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a touchscreen system, with the GR Sport trim featuring sporty red stitching and badging.

The 2026 Honda HR-V was powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 158 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 138 pound-feet of torque at 4,200 rpm. Weighing up to 1,510 kilograms, the HR-V's engine and continuously variable transmission (CVT) worked hard, especially during acceleration on highways or overtaking. Despite its modest power, the HR-V's fuel economy was not particularly impressive, averaging 9.5 L/100 km on our test loop, compared to the official ratings of 8.3 L/100 km for FWD and 8.7 L/100 km for AWD. The HR-V's dynamic tuning, featuring a multi-link rear suspension and Agile Handling Assist, provided a lively driving experience, though the steering was not particularly quick. The EX-L's 18-inch wheels offered good grip, and the 18.5 centimetres of ground clearance allowed for some off-road capability.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured an updated 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine, producing 186 horsepower, paired with a larger 22.7-kwh battery pack. The PHEV's total power output increased to 324 hp, making it the most powerful RAV4 to date. The RAV4's all-wheel-drive system included a large front motor rated at 203 hp and a smaller rear motor for assistance and traction. In EV mode, the RAV4 offered a range of 80 kilometres, with a seamless transition of power between the motors and engine. The RAV4's handling was enhanced by a strengthened chassis and suspension tweaks, particularly in the GR Sport trim, which sat lower and featured 20-inch wheels. Despite its weight of around 2,040 kilograms, the RAV4 provided a spirited ride without sacrificing comfort.

The 2026 Honda HR-V's interior lacked the innovation of its predecessor, with the rear "Magic Seat" now folding flat like other crossovers. The HR-V missed features like a fold-flat front passenger seat, 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat, and a panoramic sunroof. The storage situation for the driver and front passenger was reasonable, with comfortable seats and standard heated front seats in Canada. However, the back seat lacked support and amenities like air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The HR-V offered a 691-litre cargo area, expanding to 1,559 litres with the rear seats folded, benefiting from its boxier roofline.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid's interior was well-equipped, with power-adjustable and heated front seats, five USB ports, and push-button start. The RAV4's dimensions remained similar to the previous generation, but clever storage features optimized the interior space. The RAV4 offered 960 millimetres of rear legroom, accommodating four passengers comfortably, though five would be a squeeze. The cargo area provided 951 litres of space, expanding to 1,798 litres with the rear seats folded. The RAV4's multi-pathway powertrain platform allowed for a spacious interior, despite the PHEV's additional components.

The 2026 Honda HR-V featured a 9-inch touchscreen with a faster processor, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless smartphone charger. However, the system lacked built-in navigation and SiriusXM satellite radio. The base LX had four speakers, while the Sport and EX-L trims had six and eight speakers, respectively. The tech was simple and user-friendly, with easy pairing to the infotainment system and a smart 7-inch digital instrumentation panel. The HR-V's technological simplicity was appreciated by some, but it lagged behind rivals like the Hyundai Kona.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an enhanced 10.5-inch touchscreen system, with a larger 12.9-inch touchscreen on top trims. The touchscreen featured customizable tiles and a quick menu for easy access to settings. Toyota's new operating system, Arene, improved responsiveness and loading times. The Voice Assistant responded to a wide range of prompts, and the system provided data for the plug-in hybrid system, including charging schedules and a range map.

The 2026 Honda HR-V came equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of driver assist features including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. In Canada, blind-spot monitors and rear cross-traffic alert were standard. The EX-L trim featured front and rear parking sensors with low-speed automatic braking. While the Honda Sensing technology was generally unintrusive, the adaptive cruise control occasionally failed to respond as expected, requiring driver intervention. The HR-V received favourable safety ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for the 2025 model year.

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. The system included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and a safe exit alert. All but the base SE had a surround-view camera system. The RAV4's safety enhancements aimed to improve its already strong safety record, with crash-testing results pending from the IIHS and NHTSA.