2024 Hyundai Tucson vs 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson, a continuation of its fourth generation, maintained its striking design with sharp angles and unique features like headlights that seamlessly integrated into the grille. This design choice, while bold, resulted in a cohesive and modern appearance that stood out even in a neutral color like white. The Tucson's athletic stance was further enhanced by its contrasting angles, giving it a dynamic presence on the road. Unlike some luxury brands that replicate designs across models, Hyundai ensured each vehicle had its own distinct style. The Tucson offered various trims, each with unique features, from the SE's 17-inch alloy wheels to the Limited's dark chrome grille and upgraded headlights. Inside, the Tucson's cabin was modern and refined, with technology that was user-friendly, although some controls, like the touch-capacitive buttons for volume, were less intuitive. The base SE trim came with essential features like an 8-inch touchscreen and wireless smartphone integration, while higher trims added conveniences like push-button start and dual-zone climate control.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid was available in the Rugged Woodland trim and three Sport grades, including the exclusive GR Sport. The RAV4 maintained the same footprint as its predecessor but featured design enhancements like buffer bumpers that extended its length. Its boxy design, consistent with Toyota's SUV lineup, gave it a robust, truck-like presence. The Woodland trim emphasized off-road capability with features like all-terrain tires and a black roof rack, while the Sport trims added gloss black accents and sporty elements. The GR Sport, inspired by Toyota's Gazoo Racing division, showcased racier features like red brake calipers and a wide mesh grille. Inside, the RAV4 offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a touchscreen system with customizable tiles. The interior was optimized for storage, with clever features like a shelf over the dashboard and deep door pockets. While the RAV4's passenger space was comfortable, the cargo area was slightly reduced compared to the standard model, offering 33.6 cubic feet with the seats up.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While this powertrain was adequate for city driving, it struggled to deliver quick acceleration on highways, often requiring heavy throttle input. For those seeking more power, Hyundai offered hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants with 226 and 261 horsepower, respectively. The Tucson's handling was a highlight, offering a balanced ride with precise steering, making it suitable for both daily commutes and longer trips. However, the button-style shifter on hybrid models required some acclimation.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured an updated 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine with 186 horsepower, complemented by a larger 22.7-kwh battery pack. This setup delivered a combined 324 horsepower, making it the most powerful RAV4 to date. The PHEV offered an impressive electric range of 52 miles, thanks to efficient semiconductors. All-wheel drive was standard, with a powerful front motor and a smaller rear motor for traction. The RAV4 PHEV excelled in EV mode for city driving, while Auto mode provided a satisfying power band for quick acceleration. The GR Sport trim, with its lower stance and performance tires, offered enhanced handling, particularly on challenging terrain. Despite its heavier weight, the RAV4 PHEV maintained a comfortable ride, with seamless power transitions and paddle shifters for manual control.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson offered generous cargo space, with up to 74.8 cubic feet available with the rear seats folded. Even with the seats in use, it provided 38.7 cubic feet, making it one of the roomiest in its class. The hands-free power liftgate on higher trims added convenience, allowing easy access when carrying items. The Tucson comfortably seated five passengers, with ample headroom and legroom in both rows. The cabin featured numerous storage options, including deep cup holders and a center tray with a wireless charging pad.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid's interior was well-equipped, with features like a power driver's seat and heated front seats. While the dimensions remained similar to the previous generation, the interior was optimized for storage, with multiple shelves and deep door pockets. The RAV4 comfortably seated four passengers, though five was a tighter fit, and the panoramic sunroof reduced headroom slightly. The cargo area offered 33.6 cubic feet with the seats up, expanding to 63.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The flat cargo floor and temporary spare tire added practicality.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson's infotainment system featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, praised for its straightforward operation. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with a fully digital instrument panel, though they lacked wireless smartphone connectivity. The remote start system was user-friendly, allowing drivers to start the vehicle remotely and drive off without pressing the start button.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.5-inch touchscreen system, with a larger 12.9-inch option on top trims. The touchscreen featured customizable tiles and a quick menu for easy access to settings. Toyota's new operating system, Arene, improved responsiveness and voice command functionality. The RAV4 also included a built-in dash cam for recording driving events, with adjustable sensitivity settings.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson came standard with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. The Limited trim added advanced features like a 360-degree camera system and Smart Park remote-parking. The Tucson received high safety ratings from the IIHS, earning a Top Safety Pick+ designation, though its standard headlights were rated "Acceptable."

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, with enhanced camera and radar detection for improved responsiveness. The suite included features like automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and a safe-exit alert. Higher trims offered a surround-view camera system for added convenience. While crash-testing results for the 2026 model were pending, the RAV4's safety record was historically strong, with the 2025 model receiving a five-star rating from the NHTSA.