Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Willys ’41 Special Edition stood out even in a region filled with Wranglers, thanks to its unique design elements like the unusual colour, terrific wheel design, and tan fabric top. Despite the gloomy weather during the test week, the vehicle attracted attention. The overall look, reminiscent of World War II cosplay, was distinctive, and the wheels were particularly admired. Jeep offered the Willys ’41 with either a standard tan soft top or an optional body-colour hardtop. The soft top was convenient for open-air driving in dry climates, though it complicated cargo loading. Inside, the Willys ’41 featured Heritage Tan cloth seats and an Olive Drab cloth dashboard insert, exclusive to this special edition. The cabin, typical of a Wrangler, was rugged and easy to clean, though it lacked the refinement expected at its price point.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid was available in Canada exclusively with the Sport design, including the base SE, XSE, and the new GR Sport trims. The sixth-generation RAV4 maintained the same footprint as its predecessor, with the GR Sport featuring an assertive grille and rear diffuser that extended its length. The RAV4 adopted a boxier, truck-like presence, with square lines and bulging fenders. The Sport trims added gloss black accents and racier elements like red brake calipers and a wide mesh grille. Inside, the RAV4 offered a standard 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.5-inch touchscreen, with a 12.9-inch option on higher trims. The interior was optimized for storage, with multiple shelves and a wide centre console. The GR Sport trim, sitting lower than other grades, provided a sportier ride with enhanced handling due to its suspension tweaks.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe featured a powertrain based on a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, complemented by two electric motors and a 17.3-kWh battery pack. This setup provided an estimated 35 kilometres of electric-only range. In Hybrid mode, the Wrangler 4xe produced 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, significantly more than the gas-only turbo four and the available 3.6-litre V6 engine. The vehicle offered three driving modes: Hybrid, Electric, and E-Save, allowing for flexibility in power usage. During testing, the Wrangler 4xe achieved 7.6 L/100 km over a mixed driving loop, though efficiency decreased with extended driving without recharging. Despite its impressive off-road capabilities, the Wrangler 4xe's on-road performance was hindered by a noisy interior and modest handling.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid boasted a 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine, producing 324 horsepower, making it the most powerful RAV4 to date. The PHEV featured a larger 22.7-kWh battery pack, offering an estimated 80 kilometres of electric range. The RAV4's all-wheel-drive system included a large front motor and a smaller rear motor, providing quick acceleration in EV mode. The vehicle offered multiple driving modes, including Auto, Hybrid, and Charge, allowing for efficient power management. The RAV4's power transition was seamless, and its handling was enhanced by a strengthened chassis and improved suspension. The GR Sport trim, with its lower stance and larger wheels, provided a sportier driving experience, though the vehicle's weight was noticeable in corners.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe accommodated four adults comfortably, with the option to squeeze a fifth passenger in the back. The interior featured manual front seat adjusters and cloth upholstery, with premium options available on higher trims. Storage space was limited, requiring creative solutions for small items. The soft top allowed for easy open-air driving but complicated cargo loading, with a 784-litre cargo area expanding to 1,908 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid offered a well-equipped interior with power-adjustable and heated front seats, multiple USB ports, and push-button start. The interior dimensions remained similar to previous models, with optimized storage solutions like dashboard shelves and deep door pockets. The RAV4 provided 960 millimetres of rear legroom, though cargo space was reduced to 951 litres due to the PHEV system. Folding the rear seats expanded the cargo area to 1,798 litres, with a flat floor and a temporary spare tire.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Uconnect 5 technology, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and optional upgrades like a navigation system and Alpine premium sound. The touchscreen was intuitive and responsive, with large knobs for analog control. The optional sound system effectively mitigated ambient noise, though rear passengers needed to be cautious of the overhead sound bar.

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 option on higher trims. The touchscreen offered 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 range of prompts, and the system provided data for the plug-in hybrid system, including charging schedules and a range map.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe offered limited safety technologies, with standard forward-collision warning and adaptive cruise control. The optional Active Safety Group included features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, but required additional packages. The Wrangler received a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA and unimpressive scores from the IIHS, highlighting the need for safety improvements.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid came with Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, offering a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features. The system included automatic emergency braking, lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and blind spot monitoring. The RAV4's safety record was historically strong, with expected improvements in crash protection for the 2026 model. The NHTSA rated the 2025 RAV4 at five stars, and further testing was anticipated for the 2026 model.