Toyota RAV4 vs Chevrolet Trax

The 2026 Chevrolet Trax emerged as a more stylish and appealing option compared to its predecessor, which was known for being a basic crossover. With its second-generation model, the Trax adopted car-like proportions, sharing its platform with the Buick Envista, while maintaining enough SUV styling elements to satisfy marketing demands. The design featured Blazer-like headlights, a wide grille, and a tall front end, giving it a distinctive personality. The sides were defined by chunky wheel arches and a pronounced rib in the doors, while a laid-back windshield and upward arc of the rear side windows contributed to a sleeker appearance. Despite its small size, the Trax exuded SUV toughness with its wide stance and imposing grille.

In Canada, the 2026 Trax lineup included the 1RS, LT, 2RS, and Activ trim levels, with wheel sizes ranging from 17-inch to 19-inch alloys. The Activ models stood out with black-painted 18-inch wheels, a black grille with chrome accents, and unique front and rear bumpers designed to resemble skid plates. Inside, the Trax's interior was marked by economical materials, but thoughtful design details elevated its appeal. Large, round air vents and contrasting trim helped distract from the rubbery surfaces, while the instrument cluster and touchscreen layout drew inspiration from the Corvette. The LT test car featured grey door panels, dashboard trim, and blue accents, adding a touch of sophistication to the predominantly black interior. Cloth upholstery was standard on the 1RS, while higher trims offered suede-like Evotex or a combination of materials.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4, in its sixth generation, presented three distinct design themes: Core, Rugged, and Sport, spread across five trim levels. The new RAV4 adopted a blockier appearance, aligning with Toyota's other SUVs and trucks, while retaining boxy wheel arches and a bulge over the rear fenders reminiscent of the Highlander and 4Runner models. The design emphasized boxiness throughout, from the fascias to the hood and roof lines. Daytime running lights clipped the corners, and an integrated rear roof spoiler framed a vertical tailgate. The taillights featured vertical slash marks that narrowed towards the RAV4 badge.

The Core models evolved from past RAV4s with a sedate design, while the Rugged grade, paired with the Woodland trim, embraced a boxy all-around styling. The Sport style introduced the first-ever RAV4 GR Sport, inspired by Toyota's Gazoo Racing division, exclusively available with the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid powertrain. Inside, the RAV4 boasted a standard 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.5-inch touchscreen, with an available 12.9-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The cockpit felt more streamlined, although climate controls migrated to the touchscreen. The centre console housed a mechanical gear shifter, except on the Limited trim, which featured a slimmer electric shifter. USB-C ports offered varying wattage, and wireless device chargers were available on all but the base LE trim.

The 2026 Chevrolet Trax was powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. It featured a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, with no all-wheel drive option available. Despite its small engine, the Trax delivered confident acceleration and maintained power at higher speeds, thanks to its turbocharged design. The conventional geared automatic transmission contributed to its drivability, offering smoother shifts compared to a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

The Trax felt stable and car-like on twisty roads, although it exhibited some body roll and limited grip. The electric power steering was responsive, enhancing the driving experience. The suspension provided a comfortable ride, and active noise cancellation improved refinement, although some tire noise and engine drone persisted.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 featured a beefier hybrid system, combining a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with three electric motors for a total of 236 horsepower. In Canada, it came with standard all-wheel drive and an electronically controlled CVT. The electric motor provided quick power off the line, while the four-cylinder engine supplemented acceleration. The CVT offered smooth transitions between motor and engine, with paddle shifters on the Limited trim mimicking eight gear shifts.

The RAV4's suspension, consisting of MacPherson front struts and a multi-link rear setup, prioritized comfort, absorbing rough roads effectively. Steering feel was light, and the RAV4 excelled as a quiet and pleasant driver. The Woodland trim, part of the Rugged style, featured all-terrain tires and increased ground clearance, enhancing its off-road capability. Fuel efficiency varied across trims, with the Woodland trim being less efficient due to its heavier equipment and tires.

The 2026 Chevrolet Trax offered competitive interior space for a small crossover, with headroom comparable to the Hyundai Kona and Subaru Crosstrek. It provided more rear-seat legroom than the Subaru and significantly more than the Hyundai Venue and Nissan Kicks Play. The Trax's cargo space was in line with a Honda Civic hatchback, offering 725 litres behind the rear seats and 1,532 litres with the seats folded. The tall seating position facilitated easy ingress and egress, while forward visibility was impressive. The interior featured large door pockets and adequate cup holders, although the wireless device charger struggled to hold phones in place. Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated side mirrors were standard on the base 1RS model in Canada.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 maintained the same dimensions as its predecessor, with a 2,690-millimetre wheelbase and similar interior passenger space. Cargo volume increased slightly, offering 1,070 litres with the rear seats up and 1,994 litres with them folded. The interior featured clever storage solutions, including a dashboard shelf, a storage shelf between the stack and console, and a wireless device charger on all but the base LE trim. The centre console storage was accessible from both sides, and higher trims offered a removable cover that doubled as a tray. Heated front seats were standard in Canada. The RAV4 accommodated four passengers comfortably, although five passengers felt cramped, and the panoramic sunroof reduced headroom. Rear legroom was ample at 960 millimetres, but the RAV4 trailed larger competitors like the Honda CR-V and Volkswagen Tiguan.

The 2026 Chevrolet Trax came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, and a four-speaker audio system on the base 1RS model. Higher trims featured an 11-inch touchscreen, an all-digital 8-inch instrument cluster, and a six-speaker sound system. Standard connectivity included two USB ports, with additional charge-only ports for rear-seat passengers on all but the 1RS trim. The digital cluster was easy to read, and the touchscreen had a sensible layout, although the volume knob was hard to reach for both the driver and front passenger.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 boasted a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an enhanced 10.5-inch touchscreen, with a larger 12.9-inch touchscreen on top trims. The Arene operating system offered improved responsiveness and graphics, with customizable tiles on the touchscreen for frequently used information. The Voice Assistant, available by subscription, responded to a wide range of prompts, enhancing the user experience.

The 2026 Chevrolet Trax included standard driver-assist features such as automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, automatic high beams, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear park assist, and a following distance indicator. Adaptive cruise control was available on higher trims. The Trax also featured Chevy's Teen Driver monitoring system, which activated all safety features and allowed parents to monitor their teens' driving behaviour. However, full safety ratings were not available at the time of writing, and the Trax received low marks from the IIHS for its moderate overlap front crash test and headlights.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 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, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, an emergency stop system, a safe exit alert, and an enhanced rearview camera. A driver attention monitor was available on higher trims. The RAV4's safety record was historically strong, and the redesign aimed to address previous shortcomings in front crash protection.