Lincoln Nautilus vs Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus exuded a stately presence with its distinctive grille, reminiscent of a horse collar, featuring black mesh across all models. Depending on the trim level or appearance package, the Lincoln star trim elements could be chrome, copper, or blacked out. A prominent Lincoln logo adorned the centre, flanked by squinting eye-slit headlights with winged LED light signatures. The body sat wide and proud, complemented by a contrasting black roof and pillars. Integrated door handles along the shoulder line maintained a sleek appearance, while a spear-shaped design element along the upper doors added a touch of elegance. The rear boasted a spoiler and a full-width taillight within a black trim piece, all resting on standard 19-inch alloy wheels, with options for larger sizes. The Jet Appearance Package offered additional styling elements, including satin dark luster wheels and black accents.

Inside, the Nautilus adopted a unique, high-end look with a large 48-inch screen at the base of the windshield, necessitating a lower steering wheel with a flat top. This layout, though functional, was unconventional. The cockpit featured a stepped design, starting with a low-set centre console, moving up to the infotainment touchscreen, and culminating in the wide display screen. The base Premiere trim offered black or grey synthetic leather upholstery, while the Reserve trim upgraded to leather with a chocolate brown option. The interior was designed for comfort, with features like power-adjustable heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and ambient lighting.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid, available exclusively in Sport design grades in Canada, showcased a bold and assertive appearance. The GR Sport trim, inspired by Toyota's Gazoo Racing division, featured a racier look with red brake calipers, a big rear wing, and a wide, steep mesh grille. The RAV4 maintained its square, truck-like presence, with boxy wheel arches and bulges over the fenders. Daytime running lights bracketed the corners, and an integrated rear roof spoiler added a sporty touch. The Sport trims wore gloss black accents on various exterior elements, enhancing their dynamic appeal.

Inside, the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid offered a well-equipped cabin with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an enhanced 10.5-inch touchscreen system. The interior design was streamlined, with customizable tiles and a quick menu for easy access to settings. The GR Sport trim featured red stitching on black upholstery, adding a sporty flair. The centre console housed a mechanical gear shifter on lower grades, while the XSE's Technology Package or the GR Sport offered a low-profile shift-by-wire setup. Clever storage features, such as deep door pockets and multiple shelves, optimized the interior space, providing practicality and convenience.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus offered modest power for its price, with a standard turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. While adequate for a typical midsize SUV, luxury buyers expected more from a vehicle weighing over 2,000 kilograms. The hybrid variant, which was tested, used the same engine with a larger turbo and an electric motor, boosting output to 310 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. This setup, paired with a continuously variable transmission, provided a smoother ride, though the 0-96 km/h time of about 7 seconds was still middling for a luxury vehicle. The Nautilus prioritized comfort over sportiness, with a MacPherson strut front suspension and a multi-link rear suspension. The Reserve trim added adaptive dampers for a softer ride, though handling remained spongy.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured an updated 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine, delivering 186 horsepower. The PHEV benefited from a larger 22.7-kwh battery pack and more efficient semiconductors, resulting in an estimated range of 80 kilometres. Power increased to 324 hp, making it the most powerful RAV4 to date. The all-wheel-drive system, with a large front motor and a smaller rear motor, provided a spirited ride. The RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid excelled in EV mode for quiet cruising, while Auto mode delivered satisfying power with a 0-100 km/h time in the low five seconds. The transition of power was seamless, and the strengthened chassis offered great structural rigidity for a calmer ride. The GR Sport trim, with its lower ground clearance and enhanced suspension, provided improved handling over rough terrain.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus prioritized comfort for both front and rear passengers. Standard features included power-adjustable heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a heated steering wheel. Ventilated front seats, 24-way power front seats with a massage function, and heated rear seats were available options. The second row offered excellent space, with 1,095 millimetres of legroom, and the rear seats folded down via power releases in the cargo area. Cargo space was generous, with 1,030 litres with the rear seats upright and 2,020 litres when folded flat. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free version available for added convenience.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid maintained its dimensions from the previous generation, optimizing interior space with clever storage features. The base SE trim was well-equipped with power-adjustable heated front seats and multiple USB ports. The interior featured synthetic leather upholstery, with ventilated seats standard on higher trims. The RAV4 offered 960 millimetres of rear legroom, providing ample space for passengers. The cargo area, with 951 litres of space, was slightly smaller than the standard RAV4 due to the PHEV's powertrain. Folding down the 60/40-split rear seats opened up a total of 1,798 litres, with an even flat floor for added practicality.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus featured a unique approach to technology with a full-width, 48-inch screen at the base of the windshield. This screen displayed essential information, while an 11.1-inch lower touchscreen handled typical infotainment controls. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot, and a wireless smartphone charger. The audio system options ranged from a standard 10-speaker setup to a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D unit. Lincoln Rejuvenate offered relaxation programs using scent, seating position, and calming images on the screen. The steering wheel featured five-way controllers for cruise control and voice controls.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid boasted a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an enhanced 10.5-inch touchscreen system. The touchscreen featured customizable tiles and a quick menu for easy access to settings. The Arene operating system improved responsiveness and loading times. The Voice Assistant responded to a range of prompts, and the system allowed for locating chargers along the route. The touchscreen integrated climate controls, with physical temperature buttons and a volume knob for convenience.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus came equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including a surround-view camera system, adaptive cruise control, lane centring steering, and automatic emergency braking. Lincoln BlueCruise, a hands-free driving system, was also standard, offering automatic lane changes and effective performance on mapped highways. The Nautilus earned a perfect five-star rating from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

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. Standard driver assistance systems included automatic emergency braking, lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and blind spot monitoring. The RAV4's safety enhancements aimed to improve responsiveness and detection at night. The RAV4's strong safety record was expected to continue, with updates addressing previous shortcomings in front crash protection.