INFINITI QX60 vs Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

The 2026 INFINITI QX60 was available in Luxe, Sport, and Autograph trims in Canada, with prices ranging from $70,573 to $84,573, including fees. The Autograph trim, which we tested, featured a striking Deep Emerald colour with a Black Obsidian roof, priced at CAD $85,773. The QX60's design was updated to align with the larger QX80, featuring a new grille inspired by a bamboo forest. Inside, the QX60 offered a luxurious cabin with options like Stone Grey and Saddle Brown interiors, premium semi-aniline leather, and real open-pore wood. The digital displays and touch-sensing dashboard were user-friendly, with clear labeling and haptic feedback.

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 GR Sport trim featured an assertive grille and rear diffuser, extending the vehicle's length by nearly five centimetres. The RAV4's design embraced a boxy, truck-like presence with square lines and bulging fenders. The Sport trims added gloss black accents and racier elements like red brake calipers and 20-inch black alloy wheels. Inside, the RAV4 offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a touchscreen system, with a streamlined design and customizable displays. The GR Sport trim featured red stitching and sporty badging.

The 2026 INFINITI QX60 was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre inline-four VC-Turbo engine, producing 268 horsepower and 286 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. This engine offered a balance of power and fuel efficiency, with an average consumption of 9.9 litres per 100 kilometres. The QX60 featured a nine-speed automatic transmission and a towing capacity of up to 2,720 kilograms. Despite its smooth and refined performance in Auto mode, the QX60's AWD system lacked sophistication, allowing front wheel slip during hard acceleration. The suspension provided a soft ride, but it struggled with body motion on uneven surfaces, making it less suitable for spirited driving.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid boasted a 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine paired with a larger 22.7-kwh battery pack, delivering a total of 324 horsepower. This made it the most powerful RAV4 to date, with an estimated electric range of 80 kilometres. The RAV4's all-wheel drive system featured a large front motor and a smaller rear motor for assistance and traction. In Auto mode, the RAV4 achieved a 0-100 km/h time in the low five seconds. The GR Sport trim offered enhanced handling with a lower ride height and beefier suspension components, providing a sportier driving experience without sacrificing comfort.

The 2026 INFINITI QX60 offered seven-passenger seating in the Luxe and Sport trims, while the Autograph trim featured six-passenger seating with second-row captain's chairs. The cabin included heated and power-adjustable front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a triple-zone automatic climate control system. However, the driving position in the Autograph trim was less than ideal, with a low, reclined seating position. The second-row captain's chairs were more comfortable, but the third-row seats were tight for adults. The QX60 provided 411 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 2,135 litres with the seats folded.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid maintained its dimensions from the previous generation, offering clever storage solutions and a comfortable interior. The base SE trim included power-adjustable and heated front seats, while higher trims featured SofTex upholstery and ventilated seats. The RAV4's interior was optimized with storage shelves and deep door pockets. It accommodated 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 RAV4's multi-pathway powertrain platform allowed for a spacious interior despite its compact footprint.

The 2026 INFINITI QX60 featured a new Google built-in infotainment system with a 12.3-inch centre touchscreen, offering Google Assistant, Google Maps, and access to apps through the Google Play Store. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with SiriusXM 360L satellite radio and Infiniti InTouch connected services. The QX60 Sport had a 16-speaker Klipsch audio system, while the Autograph featured a 20-speaker Klipsch Reference Premiere setup. However, the audio quality was lacking compared to competitors. The QX60 also included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.8-inch head-up display, and a camera-based digital rearview mirror.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid came with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an enhanced 10.5-inch touchscreen system, with a larger 12.9-inch touchscreen available 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 allowed for locating chargers along routes. The RAV4's infotainment system offered a user-friendly experience with improved graphics and customization options.

The 2026 INFINITI QX60 was equipped with standard driver assistance systems, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, and lane-keep assist. ProPilot Assist 1.1 and 2.1 offered adaptive cruise control and hands-free driving capabilities, though the system's performance was inconsistent. The QX60 received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, but the IIHS had not released crash-test ratings at the time of publication.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, with enhanced camera and radar detection. Standard driver assistance systems included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and blind spot monitoring. The RAV4's safety features contributed to its strong safety record, though crash-testing results for the 2026 model were pending from the IIHS and NHTSA.