Volkswagen Taos vs Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos was a compact SUV designed to appeal to a broad audience with its stylish and sporty appearance. Despite its small SUV classification, the Taos offered a premium look, especially in the Highline trim, which featured bold 19-inch alloy wheels, Cornflower Blue paint, and LED headlights. Inside, the Taos Highline resembled a more affordable Audi, with light grey seat and dashboard accents, gloss black trim, metallic detailing, and leather seats. Volkswagen claimed the Taos was nearly as roomy as the larger Tiguan, making it one of the most spacious subcompact SUVs available.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid was available exclusively in the Sport design in Canada, with the GR Sport trim showcasing racier elements inspired by Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division. The RAV4 maintained its boxy, truck-like presence with assertive grille designs and vertical tailgate features. The GR Sport trim added red brake calipers, 20-inch black alloy wheels, and a wide mesh grille, enhancing its sporty appeal. Inside, the RAV4 offered a modern and streamlined design with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.5-inch touchscreen, with the option for a larger 12.9-inch display on higher trims. The interior was optimized for storage and comfort, with features like a wireless device charger and multiple storage shelves.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos was powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. It offered a choice between front-wheel drive with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The Taos had up to five driving modes and additional settings for the 4Motion AWD system. However, the powertrain response was unpredictable, with occasional surges of torque and delays in response. The dual-clutch transmission exhibited halting behaviour, and the engine's lack of power was evident compared to rivals like the Mazda CX-30 and Hyundai Kona N. Despite these issues, the Taos demonstrated a Germanic driving character with firm handling and excellent visibility, though it suffered from wind and road noise at highway speeds.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured an updated 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine with 186 horsepower, paired with a larger 22.7-kwh battery pack. The PHEV's total power output increased to 324 horsepower, making it the most powerful RAV4 to date. It offered an estimated electric range of 80 kilometres and a 0-100 km/h time in the low five seconds. The RAV4's powertrain provided seamless transitions between modes, with paddle shifters allowing manual control over the CVT. The GR Sport trim offered enhanced handling with a lower ride height and beefier suspension components, resulting in a sportier driving experience without sacrificing comfort.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos offered a range of interior features depending on the trim level, with the Highline trim featuring real leather seats and a host of cold-weather equipment. The Taos provided ample interior space, with a comfortable eight-way power driver's seat and generous rear-seat room. The cargo area offered 790 litres of space behind the back seat and 1,866 litres with the rear seat folded down, though these figures were slightly reduced with the 4Motion system.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid maintained similar dimensions to its predecessor, with clever storage solutions and a well-equipped interior. The base SE trim included power-adjustable and heated front seats, while higher trims featured SofTex synthetic leather upholstery and ventilated seats. The RAV4 offered 960 millimetres of rear legroom, though it fell short of larger models like the Honda CR-V. The cargo area provided 951 litres of space, expanding to 1,798 litres with the rear seats folded down, with a flat floor and a temporary spare tire.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos came with standard digital instrumentation, with the Highline trim featuring a 10.25-inch display. The infotainment system varied by trim, with the Highline offering an eight-speaker Beats Audio system and a native navigation system. However, the user experience was marred by hidden virtual controls, a cumbersome radio tuning process, and ineffective voice-recognition technology. Pairing a smartphone and using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto was recommended for a better experience.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an enhanced 10.5-inch touchscreen system, with a larger 12.9-inch touchscreen available on top trims. The system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with customizable tiles and a quick menu for easy access to settings. Toyota's new operating system, Arene, improved responsiveness and loading times, while the Voice Assistant responded to a wide range of prompts. The system also provided information on charging schedules and a range map for the plug-in hybrid system.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos improved its standard safety features, with the Trendline trim including Front Assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Comfortline trim added Lane Assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist, while the Highline featured parking sensors and a road-sign recognition system. Travel Assist performed well, maintaining proper distance and navigating curves smoothly. However, crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS were decent but not perfect.

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, lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and a safe exit alert. The enhancements improved responsiveness and detection, contributing to the RAV4's strong safety record. Crash-testing results from the IIHS and NHTSA were pending, but the redesign aimed to address previous shortcomings.