Mitsubishi Outlander vs Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander was available in six trims in Canada: ES, SE, LE, SEL, GT, and GT Premium, all featuring Mitsubishi’s Super All-wheel Control (S-AWC) all-wheel drive system as standard. The Outlander’s front design was distinctive, with a thin upper eyebrow serving as a daytime running light and a large, square headlight below, highlighted by a chrome bezel. Despite subtle changes to the grille and diffuser, the Outlander retained its unique, albeit polarizing, appearance. Inside, the GT Premium trim offered quilted leather seats and soft-touch surfaces, with physical controls for the HVAC system and Yamaha speaker faces inspired by traditional Japanese patterns. However, some plastic elements attempted to mimic high-end materials, which was typical for a mid-tier crossover.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid was available exclusively in Sport design grades in Canada, including the base SE, XSE, and the new GR Sport. The sixth-generation RAV4 maintained the same footprint as its predecessor, with the GR Sport’s assertive grille and rear diffuser extending its length by nearly five centimetres. The RAV4 adopted a boxy, truck-like presence with square front and rear ends, hood, and roof lines, consistent with Toyota’s other new SUVs. The Sport trims featured gloss black accents, red brake calipers, 20-inch black alloy wheels, and a wide, steep mesh grille. Inside, the GR Sport trim showcased red stitching on black upholstery and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, with a 10.5-inch or available 12.9-inch touchscreen. The centre console housed a mechanical gear shifter on lower grades and a shift-by-wire setup on higher trims, with stylish drive mode knobs for easy switching between modes.

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. The S-AWC AWD system, developed from Mitsubishi’s rally racing success, provided stability on curvy roads, with retuned suspension for more comfort and less body roll. The Outlander offered modes for Eco, Normal, Tarmac, Gravel, Snow, and Mud, with Tarmac mode providing sportier acceleration and heavier steering. However, the CVT suffered from a droning rubber-band feeling, and the engine’s performance was underwhelming, with a fuel rating of 8.8 litres per 100 kilometres combined. The plug-in hybrid variant offered 248 horsepower, 332 pound-feet of torque, a fuel rating of 3.6 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres, and 61 kilometres of all-electric range.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid boasted a 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine with 186 horsepower, paired with a larger 22.7-kwh battery pack. The PHEV’s power increased to 324 horsepower, making it the most powerful RAV4 to date. The AWD system featured a large front motor rated at 203 horsepower and 201 pound-feet of torque, with a smaller rear motor for assistance and traction. The RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid achieved an estimated 80 kilometres of electric range, with a 0-100 km/h time in the low five seconds. The vehicle offered EV, Auto, Hybrid, and Charge modes, with seamless power transitions and paddle shifters for manual control. The GR Sport trim featured enhanced handling with a lower ride height, 20-inch wheels, and improved suspension, providing a sportier ride without sacrificing comfort.

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander included a third row of seating, suitable only for small children or adults in a pinch, with just 475 millimetres of legroom. With the third row in place, cargo space was limited to less than 308 litres, but folding the seats increased storage to 866 litres. The driver’s seat featured digital HVAC controls with physical buttons for fan control and seat heating. The top-line trim offered heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. However, the cup holders were shallow, causing issues with larger bottles during braking.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid’s base SE trim came equipped with power-adjustable and heated front seats, five USB ports, and push-button start. The interior featured SofTex synthetic leather upholstery on higher trims, with ventilated seats standard on the GR Sport and XSE. The RAV4 maintained its dimensions from the previous generation, with optimized interior storage, including a dashboard shelf and centre console storage accessible from both sides. The vehicle accommodated four passengers comfortably, with 960 millimetres of rear legroom, although the panoramic sunroof reduced headroom. The cargo area offered 951 litres of space, expandable to 1,798 litres with the rear seats folded, featuring a flat floor and a temporary spare tire.

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander’s standout feature was the Yamaha premium sound system, with eight speakers standard and a 12-speaker, 1,650-watt system on upper trims. The system offered customizable sound modes and volume adjustments based on speed and ambient noise. The Outlander included a 12.3-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a physical volume knob, and SiriusXM 360L. Upper trims featured a digital gauge cluster, rear camera mirror, and head-up display. Mitsubishi Connect and Remote Services were available with a trial period, offering remote start and other features.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.5-inch touchscreen, with a 12.9-inch option on top trims. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with climate controls integrated into the touchscreen. The touchscreen offered customizable tiles and a quick menu, while the digital cluster displayed vehicle info and driver assist systems. Toyota’s Arene operating system improved responsiveness, with a Voice Assistant for various commands. The system also provided charging information and a range map for the plug-in hybrid system.

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander offered a limited suite of ADAS features as standard, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and automatic braking. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and traffic sign recognition. The NHTSA had not rated the 2025 model, but the 2024 model received four out of five stars in frontal crashes and five stars in side crashes. The IIHS rated the 2025 model’s headlights as “Good,” with previous models receiving “Good” ratings in crashworthiness and “Poor” in front crash prevention.

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 with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and a safe exit alert. All but the base SE featured a surround-view camera system. The RAV4’s safety record was historically strong, with the NHTSA rating the 2025 model at five stars. The 2026 model’s redesign aimed to address previous shortcomings in front crash protection.