Toyota Sequoia vs Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia, particularly in the 1794 Edition trim, was a striking presence on the road, especially with its Lunar Rock paint. Despite being a few years into its current generation, the Sequoia remained a rarity, drawing attention with its dark grey 20-inch wheels and minimal chrome accents. Inside, the cabin was a mix of Saddle Tan leather upholstery and open-pore walnut wood trim, though the rest of the interior was dominated by Toyota-grade plastic, which detracted from the overall luxury feel. The Sequoia lineup in Canada offered a range of trims, from the base SR5 TRD Off-road to the luxurious Capstone, with prices spanning from $87,174 to $106,175, excluding the federal luxury tax on higher trims.

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 RAV4 maintained the same footprint as its predecessor but featured buffer bumpers that extended its length. The GR Sport trim stood out with its assertive grille, rear diffuser, and sporty elements like red brake calipers and a wide mesh grille. The RAV4's design was boxy and truck-like, with features such as daytime running lights and an integrated rear roof spoiler. Inside, the RAV4 offered a modern and streamlined design, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a touchscreen that ranged from 10.5 to 12.9 inches, depending on the trim. The interior was optimized for storage, with clever features like a wireless device charging deck and customizable digital displays.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia was powered by an i-Force Max hybrid powertrain, combining a twin-turbocharged 3.4-litre V6 engine, an electric motor, and a 1.87-kilowatt-hour nickel metal hydride battery pack, delivering 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. It featured a part-time four-wheel-drive system with multiple driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Tow/Haul. Despite its muscular performance, the Sequoia's fuel economy was disappointing, averaging 14.5 L/100 km in testing, compared to the expected 11.7 L/100 km. The Sequoia excelled in towing, with a maximum capacity of 4,137 kilograms and a peak payload of 640 kilograms. However, its solid rear axle and battery placement compromised rear-seat room and cargo space, affecting driving dynamics and ride comfort.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured an updated 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine, producing 324 horsepower, making it the most powerful RAV4 to date. It boasted a larger 22.7-kwh battery pack, offering an estimated electric range of 80 kilometres. The RAV4's all-wheel-drive system included a large front motor and a smaller rear motor, providing quick acceleration and a seamless transition of power. The RAV4 offered multiple driving modes, including EV, Auto, Hybrid, and Charge, catering to different driving needs. Despite its increased weight, the RAV4 maintained a spirited ride with improved handling, especially in the GR Sport trim, which featured enhanced suspension and a lower ride height for better cornering.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia accommodated up to eight passengers, though the third row was best suited for shorter individuals due to limited headroom. The Platinum and Capstone trims offered luxurious features like 10-way power-adjustable seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. Accessing the third row was challenging due to the high floor and low roof, and cargo space was limited, with a maximum of 2,460 litres with all seats folded. The Sequoia's interior was practical but fell short compared to rival full-size SUVs in terms of space and versatility.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid provided a well-equipped interior with power-adjustable and heated front seats, multiple USB ports, and convenient storage solutions. The RAV4's interior dimensions remained similar to the previous generation, offering ample passenger space and clever storage features. The cargo area was slightly reduced due to the battery placement, with a total of 1,798 litres available with the rear seats folded. The RAV4's interior was comfortable and practical, with thoughtful design elements that enhanced usability.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with various connected services plans available. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system offered features like cloud-based navigation and voice recognition, though some functions required active subscriptions. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and a 14-speaker JBL premium sound system was available on higher trims. The Sequoia's tech offerings were comprehensive but relied heavily on subscription services for full functionality.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid boasted a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an enhanced 10.5-inch touchscreen system, with a larger 12.9-inch screen on top trims. The touchscreen featured customizable tiles and a quick menu for easy access to settings. The RAV4's operating system, Arene, was more responsive and supported a broader range of voice commands. The RAV4's tech suite included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as features like a range map and charging schedule for the plug-in hybrid system.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, offering a range of driver assistance features like adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane departure warning. While the safety tech was comprehensive, some features, like lane assist, could be intrusive. At the time of publication, crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available for the Sequoia.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, with enhanced camera and radar systems for improved detection and responsiveness. The RAV4's safety suite included automatic emergency braking, lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and blind spot monitoring. The RAV4's safety features were designed to enhance its already strong safety record, though crash-test ratings for the 2026 model were pending.