Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid was available exclusively in the Sport design in Canada, with trims including the base SE, XSE, and the new GR Sport. The GR Sport trim, inspired by Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division, featured a more aggressive look with a prominent grille, rear diffuser, and red brake calipers visible through 20-inch black alloy wheels. The RAV4 maintained its boxy, truck-like presence with squared-off lines and bulging fenders, reminiscent of the Highlander models. The Sport trims added gloss black accents, enhancing the vehicle's sporty aesthetic. Inside, the RAV4 offered a streamlined design with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a choice between a 10.5-inch or 12.9-inch touchscreen. The GR Sport trim included unique interior touches like red stitching and badging, while all trims featured a wide centre console with flexible storage options.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee retained its handsome SUV design with subtle updates to the headlights, grille, and lower front fascia. The vehicle's wide-track look was accentuated by its thin grille and headlights, while traditional Jeep elements like trapezoidal wheel arches and straight body lines added to its robust appearance. The Grand Cherokee's proportions recalled classic Jeep models, with a shark-nose front end and canted rear. Despite its age, the design remained appealing, and the vehicle's off-road capability was emphasized by its rugged styling. Inside, the Grand Cherokee offered a range of materials and equipment, with higher trims featuring genuine leather upholstery and advanced features like dual-pane sunroofs. The interior layout was slightly plain compared to newer models, but it still provided a comfortable and well-equipped environment for passengers.

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. This combination resulted in a total output of 324 horsepower, making it the most powerful RAV4 to date. The vehicle offered an estimated electric range of 80 kilometres, thanks to efficient silicon carbide semiconductors. The RAV4's all-wheel-drive system included a front motor rated at 203 hp and a smaller rear motor for assistance and traction. The vehicle's performance was characterized by a seamless transition of power, with paddle shifters allowing drivers to override the electronically controlled CVT. 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 Jeep Grand Cherokee introduced the Hurricane 4 Turbo engine, delivering 324 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. This engine was standard on all trims except the base Laredo and Laredo X, which continued with the Pentastar 3.6-litre V6. Both engines were paired with eight-speed automatic transmissions and standard four-wheel drive in Canada. The Hurricane engine provided a broad power band, making the Grand Cherokee feel quick and confident, especially during uphill passing. The vehicle maintained a towing capacity of 2,810 kilograms, matching the Pentastar V6. The Grand Cherokee's driving experience remained truck-like, with lazy steering and a suspension that prioritized comfort. Off-road capability varied by trim, with higher trims offering advanced 4WD systems and air suspension for increased ground clearance.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid offered a well-equipped interior with features like power-adjustable and heated front seats, five USB ports, and push-button start. The interior dimensions remained similar to the previous generation, with clever storage solutions like a dashboard shelf and deep door pockets. The RAV4 provided 960 millimetres of rear legroom, accommodating four passengers comfortably, though five would be a squeeze. The cargo area offered 951 litres of space, expandable to 1,798 litres with the rear seats folded. The PHEV's cargo capacity was slightly reduced compared to the standard RAV4 due to the battery placement.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered two-row and three-row configurations, with the latter providing additional seating but less legroom in the rearmost seats. The two-row model provided 1,067 litres of cargo space behind the second row and 2,004 litres with the seats folded. The Grand Cherokee L offered 487 litres with all seats in place, expanding to 2,395 litres with all back seats folded. The interior featured a deep centre console storage bin and various storage options, though the rotary shifter and drive mode selector were not particularly practical. The Grand Cherokee's interior space was competitive but fell short of some rivals in terms of legroom and cargo capacity.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured a new 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 system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with customizable tiles and a quick menu for easy access to settings. Toyota's new operating system, Arene, improved responsiveness and loading times, while the Voice Assistant responded to a wide range of prompts. The system also allowed drivers to locate chargers along their route and access data for the plug-in hybrid system.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen on higher trims, with lower models featuring a 10.2-inch touchscreen. All trims included a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, and the Summit trim boasted a 19-speaker McIntosh audio system. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system provided wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Off-Road Pages for off-road enthusiasts. However, the main touchscreen's home menu was cluttered, and the digital instrument cluster's widget collection was disorganized. The Grand Cherokee also offered a surround-view camera system with night vision and a low-angle off-road camera.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, which included a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features. These included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The system's enhancements improved responsiveness and detection, particularly at night. The RAV4's safety record was historically strong, with the 2025 model receiving a five-star rating from the NHTSA.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee was expected to maintain its standard driver assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and lane departure warning. Additional features like blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors were also standard. The Active Drive Assist system offered hands-free highway driving, with improvements for 2026. The 2025 model received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was an IIHS Top Safety Pick, though the criteria had since changed.