Kia Seltos vs Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

The 2024 Kia Seltos underwent a mid-cycle refresh that subtly enhanced its exterior and interior aesthetics. The updated headlight and grille designs, along with a connecting light strip between the smaller taillight assemblies, gave the Seltos a rejuvenated appearance without a significant price hike. The test model in "Pluton Blue" paint added a sharp visual appeal. Inside, the Seltos introduced a new Gentle Brown interior colour, although the test model featured the standard black interior. A prominent change was the large digital panel spanning two-thirds of the dash, integrating a fully digital instrument panel and a larger touchscreen infotainment system.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid was available exclusively in the Sport design in Canada, with trims like the SE, XSE, and the new GR Sport. The sixth-generation RAV4 maintained the same footprint as its predecessor but featured buffer bumpers that extended the length, particularly in the GR Sport trim. The RAV4 adopted a boxier, truck-like presence with square front and rear ends, boxy wheel arches, and bulges over the fenders. The Sport trims showcased gloss black accents and racier elements, such as red brake calipers 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 accents like red stitching.

The 2024 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The base model featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 146 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with Kia's Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). Front-wheel drive was standard, with optional all-wheel drive available. The SX and X-Line trims boasted a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine delivering 195 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, coupled with a new eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The turbocharged engine provided noticeable acceleration improvements, especially in Sport mode, and handled various road conditions with minimal body roll and responsive steering.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured an updated 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine with 186 horsepower, complemented by a larger 22.7-kwh battery pack. The combined power output reached 324 horsepower, making it the most powerful RAV4 to date. The RAV4 PHEV offered an estimated electric range of 80 kilometres. All-wheel drive was standard, with a front motor rated at 203 hp and a smaller rear motor for assistance. The RAV4 excelled in EV mode for quiet city driving and offered a seamless transition of power in Auto mode. The GR Sport trim provided enhanced handling with a lower ride height and beefier suspension components.

The 2024 Kia Seltos provided up to 1,778 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 753 litres with the seats in use. A hands-free power liftgate was standard from the EX Premium trim. The Seltos offered an upright seating position with ample headroom and rear legroom, accommodating taller occupants comfortably. The front seating area featured decently sized in-door cupholders and cubbies, while the centre console had a small tray for essentials. A removable cargo cover was standard from the EX Premium trim.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid maintained similar dimensions to its predecessor, with clever storage features optimizing the interior space. The base SE trim included power-adjustable and heated front seats, five USB ports, and push-button start. The RAV4 offered 960 millimetres of rear legroom, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. The cargo area provided 951 litres of space, expandable to 1,798 litres with the rear seats folded. The GR Sport and XSE trims featured ventilated seats and synthetic leather upholstery, while the panoramic sunroof slightly reduced headroom.

The 2024 Kia Seltos featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the base trim, with upper trims upgrading to a 10.25-inch fully digital instrument panel and touchscreen. The infotainment system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with physical controls for volume and climate settings. The SX and X-Line trims offered an upgraded eight-speaker Bose premium stereo system and Digital Key 2 Touch for smartphone access.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.5-inch touchscreen system, with a larger 12.9-inch touchscreen on top trims. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with climate controls integrated into the touchscreen. Toyota's new operating system, Arene, enhanced responsiveness and user interface, while the Voice Assistant offered a range of commands. The system also provided data for the plug-in hybrid system, including charging schedules and a range map.

The 2024 Kia Seltos came equipped with standard driver assistance features, including forward collision avoidance assist, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The EX Premium trim added smart adaptive cruise control, while the SX trim included traffic sign recognition and highway driving assist.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, offering a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features. These included automatic emergency braking, lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and a safe exit alert. The RAV4's safety enhancements aimed to improve responsiveness and detection, with a surround-view camera system available on higher trims.