2022 Toyota Highlander vs 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

The 2022 Toyota Highlander boasted a modern and somewhat aggressive front-end design, with flared fender arches and a distinctive third-row window that gave it a compact appearance despite its spacious interior. Inside, it offered ample cabin space and clever storage solutions, making it ideal for families. The XSE trim, in particular, stood out with its bold red leather interior, unique exterior styling, ambient lighting, and sport-tuned suspension, providing a blend of luxury and sportiness. The Highlander came in various trims, each offering a range of features from basic comforts in the L trim to upscale amenities in the Limited and Platinum trims, such as heated and ventilated seats, a hands-free power liftgate, and advanced audio systems.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid, on the other hand, featured a more rugged and sporty design with three distinct styles: Core, Rugged, and Sport. The PHEV was available in the Rugged Woodland trim and three Sport grades, including the exclusive GR Sport. The RAV4's design was boxier and more truck-like, with assertive grilles and rear diffusers that extended its length. The Woodland trim emphasized off-road capabilities with features like all-terrain tires and a black roof rack, while the Sport trims showcased gloss black accents and racier elements inspired by Toyota's Gazoo Racing division. Inside, the RAV4 PHEV offered a well-equipped cabin with a focus on storage and convenience, although it fell short in cargo space compared to its standard counterpart.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission with standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. The Highlander offered a smooth ride with good handling, especially in the XSE trim with its sport-tuned suspension. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds, making it suitable for various hauling needs. The Highlander's performance was characterized by its strong pickup at highway speeds and a throaty exhaust note, although it was less lively off the line compared to some competitors.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid boasted a more powerful setup with a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine and a larger 22.7-kwh battery pack. This combination resulted in a total output of 324 horsepower, making it the most powerful RAV4 to date. The PHEV offered an estimated electric range of 52 miles and featured all-wheel drive as standard. It excelled in EV mode for quiet city driving and delivered impressive acceleration in Auto mode, achieving a 0-60 mph time in the low five seconds. The RAV4 PHEV's handling was enhanced by a strengthened chassis and improved suspension, particularly in the GR Sport trim, which offered a sportier ride with less body roll.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander provided generous cargo space, with up to 84.3 cubic feet available when the second and third rows were folded. With all seats in use, it offered 16 cubic feet behind the third row. The interior was designed for practicality, featuring deep door pockets, multiple storage compartments, and convenient access to the third row via second-row captain's chairs. While the third row was best suited for short trips, the second row offered ample space for adults.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid maintained similar dimensions to its predecessor but optimized interior space with clever storage solutions. It featured a shelf over the dashboard, a wireless device charger, and versatile center console storage. The RAV4 PHEV accommodated four passengers comfortably, though five was a tighter fit. It offered 37.8 inches of rear legroom, which was adequate but not as spacious as some rivals. The cargo area was slightly reduced compared to the standard RAV4, with 33.6 cubic feet available and 63.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. It featured a straightforward layout with hard buttons for easy navigation. The XSE trim included a wireless charging pad and additional USB ports. A larger 12.3-inch touchscreen and an 11-speaker JBL premium stereo system were available as options.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid introduced a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an enhanced 10.5-inch touchscreen system. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a larger 12.9-inch touchscreen on top trims. The touchscreen featured customizable tiles and a quick menu for easy access to settings. The RAV4 PHEV also included a built-in dash cam and an advanced voice assistant for added convenience.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came standard with Toyota Safety Sense, offering features like forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and traffic-sign recognition. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and other advanced safety features. The lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist systems were noted for being quite active, sometimes overly so.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, with improved camera and radar detection. It included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, updated lane-departure alert and lane-keep assist systems, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, and a safe-exit alert. The RAV4 PHEV also offered a surround-view camera system on higher trims. While crash-testing results were pending, the RAV4 had a strong safety record, with the previous model receiving high ratings from safety organizations.