Nissan Murano vs Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

The 2025 Nissan Murano showcased a completely revamped front design, featuring a next-generation lighting signature with a wing motif composed of horizontal lines that seamlessly integrated into the grille's slats. This new face bore little resemblance to its predecessor, presenting a wider appearance due to its horizontal design elements. The latest iteration was nearly seven and a half centimetres wider and had an additional 3.5 centimetres of ground clearance compared to the previous model. The Murano's side profile was accentuated by a chrome arch lining the tops of the windows, intersecting with black trim at the rear. While the winged LEDs and chrome strip were not entirely original, the Murano's cohesive and sophisticated appearance stood out, especially when compared to competitors like the Hyundai Tucson. Standard 20-inch wheels were offered, with the Platinum trim boasting a 21-inch style. Inside, the Murano's interior was modernized with a sleeker, horizontally oriented dash layout, fewer buttons, and a push-button gear selector. The new "Murano glass-inspired" treatment on the dash and door cards added a visually appealing ombre effect, enhancing the aesthetic despite the material not feeling particularly premium.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid was available exclusively in the Sport design in Canada, with the SE, XSE, and new GR Sport trims. The sixth-generation RAV4 maintained the same footprint as its predecessor, but the GR Sport's assertive grille and rear diffuser extended its length by nearly five centimetres. The RAV4 adopted a boxier, truck-like presence, consistent with Toyota's other new SUVs, featuring boxy wheel arches and bulges over the fenders. The Sport trims sported more gloss black accents, with the GR Sport showcasing racier elements like red brake calipers, a big rear wing, and a wide mesh grille. Inside, the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid offered a standard 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.5-inch touchscreen, with a larger 12.9-inch touchscreen available on top trims. The centre console housed a mechanical gear shifter on lower grades, with a shift-by-wire setup on higher trims. The GR Sport trim, sitting 1.5 centimetres lower than the SE and XSE grades, featured 20-inch black alloy wheels and handled more evenly over rough terrain due to its beefier rear suspension braces and tweaks.

The 2025 Nissan Murano introduced a new powertrain, featuring a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine known as VC-Turbo, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This engine delivered 241 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, offering a torquier performance compared to the previous V6. The nine-speed automatic transmission was a significant improvement over the old CVT, providing better acceleration and responsiveness. All-wheel drive was standard in Canada, and higher trims offered Transparent Hood View for improved visibility. Noise cancellation was noticeable, with active noise cancellation standard and an enhanced version available with the new Bose audio system.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured an updated 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine, rated at 186 horsepower, and a larger 22.7-kwh battery pack. The PHEV's power increased to 324 hp, making it the most powerful RAV4 to date. All-wheel drive was standard, with a large front motor rated at 203 hp and 201 lb-ft of torque. In EV mode, the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid excelled at quiet cruising, while Auto mode delivered a 0-100 km/h time in the low five seconds. The transition of power was seamless, and paddle shifters allowed drivers to override the electronically controlled CVT. The RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid weighed around 2,040 kilograms, with the GR Sport trim offering enhanced handling due to its lower stance and suspension tweaks.

The 2025 Nissan Murano continued to offer impressive baseline comfort features, including standard heated and power-adjustable front seats. The Platinum trim added massage functionality, easily accessible via a button near the seat-adjustment controls. The Murano's Zero Gravity seats provided comfort, although the rear seats were firmer. Interior dimensions improved in the front, with legroom increasing to 1,124 millimetres and headroom to 1,000 mm with the panoramic moonroof. However, the second row lost 6 cm of legroom, now at 922 mm. Cargo volume was 931 litres behind the rear seats, with a power liftgate standard and foot-activated on the Platinum trim.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid's base SE trim was well-equipped with power-adjustable and heated front seats, five USB ports, and push-button start. The interior dimensions remained mostly unchanged, with clever storage features optimizing space. The RAV4 offered 960 millimetres of rear legroom, accommodating four passengers comfortably. The cargo area had a capacity of 951 litres, with 1,798 litres available when the rear seats were folded. The RAV4 maintained an even flat floor with the seats down, and a temporary spare tire was located under the cargo floor.

The 2025 Nissan Murano was well-equipped with tech features, including wireless charging, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The monolith-style display paired two 12.3-inch screens, with infotainment on the right and driver information on the left. The SL trim added Google Built-In, a 10-speaker Bose audio system, and a 64-colour ambient lighting system. The Murano Platinum added a head-up display.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an enhanced 10.5-inch touchscreen system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with a larger 12.9-inch touchscreen on top trims. The touchscreen had customizable tiles and a quick menu, while the digital cluster offered improved graphics and user interface. Toyota's new operating system, Arene, enhanced responsiveness, and the Voice Assistant responded to a broader range of prompts.

The 2025 Nissan Murano came standard with the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, including lane departure warning, blind spot warning, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. ProPILOT Assist was added, with the SL and Platinum trims featuring ProPILOT Assist 1.1, which used navigation data to anticipate curves. The Murano earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, and safety offerings were improved with a passenger's side airbag and reinforced seating.

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. All but the base SE had a surround-view camera system. The RAV4's safety record was historically strong, and the redesign aimed to address previous shortcomings.