2024 GMC Acadia vs 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

The 2024 GMC Acadia was built on a significantly modified platform from its predecessor, resulting in a larger and more imposing vehicle. It was 10.6 inches longer and 3.2 inches taller than the 2023 model, with styling that emphasized its increased size. The front end featured a more upright design and a broad grille, reminiscent of GMC's full-size SUVs and trucks, framed by distinctive LED headlights. The wheel arches and door skins had intricate detailing that added definition to the vehicle's bulk, although this was only visible in certain lighting conditions. At the rear, quad exhaust tips drew inspiration from the C8 Corvette, adding a sporty touch.

The Acadia was available in three trims: the base Elevation, off-road AT4, and luxe Denali. The Elevation came with standard 18-inch wheels, while the Denali offered 20-inch wheels with an option for 22s. The AT4 featured model-specific 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires. Unique styling elements distinguished the Denali and AT4 models, with the Denali showcasing a toned-down grille inspired by bridge trusswork, and the AT4 featuring red tow hooks and blacked-out trim. Inside, the Acadia's interior was redesigned for spaciousness, with larger screens and a panoramic sunroof enhancing the open feel. The AT4's interior, with its outdoor gear-inspired look, was preferred over the Denali's leather seats and "fractal stitch" pattern, which didn't quite meet the luxe expectations.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid was available in the Rugged Woodland trim and three Sport grades: SE, XSE, and the new GR Sport, exclusive to the PHEV. While the sixth-generation RAV4 maintained the same footprint as its predecessor, the new trims added buffer bumpers, increasing the length slightly. The RAV4 adopted a boxy, truck-like presence, with squared-off wheel arches and bulges over the fenders, similar to the Highlander models. Daytime running lights and an integrated rear roof spoiler added to its distinctive look.

The Woodland trim emphasized the RAV4's ruggedness with a wide front fascia, solid panels replacing fog lights, and chunky all-terrain tires on 18-inch wheels. A black roof rack and a standard hitch enhanced its off-road capabilities. The Sport trims featured gloss black accents and racier elements, with the GR Sport showcasing red brake calipers, a big rear wing, and a wide mesh grille. The charge port location varied by trim, and the interior offered mild differentiation with accents like red stitching on the GR Sport. All trims had a standard 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a touchscreen, with the GR Sport offering a sportier ride without sacrificing comfort.

The 2024 GMC Acadia was powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. This engine replaced the previous 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four and 3.6-liter V6 engines, offering more power than both. Despite the absence of a V6, the turbo-four provided strong and consistent performance, enabling a 5,000-pound towing capacity with an available towing package. However, the engine's coarse note was less appealing, especially in the high-end Denali trim. An eight-speed automatic transmission was standard, with front-wheel drive on Elevation and Denali models, and all-wheel drive available. The AT4 trim featured standard all-wheel drive with a sophisticated twin-clutch system for off-road driving.

The AT4 also included a 1.2-inch ride height lift, special suspension tuning, skid plates, and a Terrain drive mode for low-speed off-road cruise control. While the Acadia AT4 was marketed as the "most capable Acadia AT4 ever," it was more of a light off-roader, suitable for dirt roads but not as capable as other GMC AT4 models. The Acadia's suspension tuning varied with wheel-and-tire combinations, with the Denali offering a "premium" tune for 22-inch wheels. Despite the comfortable suspension, both the Denali and AT4 felt larger than they were due to slow steering and road undulations.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured an updated 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine, producing 186 horsepower, paired with a larger 22.7-kwh battery pack. This combination increased the RAV4's power to 324 horsepower, making it the most powerful RAV4 to date. All-wheel drive was standard, with a large front motor rated at 203 horsepower and 201 lb-ft of torque, and a smaller rear motor for assistance and traction. The RAV4 PHEV offered an estimated range of 52 miles in EV mode, with seamless power transitions and paddle shifters for manual control.

The RAV4 PHEV's performance was spirited, with a 0-60 mph time in the low five seconds. The GR Sport trim, with its lower ride height and 20-inch wheels, offered enhanced handling and less body roll. The RAV4's chassis was strengthened for the larger battery pack, resulting in improved structural rigidity and a quieter ride. Despite its 4,500-pound weight, the RAV4 PHEV handled well, with the GR Sport trim providing a sportier experience without sacrificing comfort.

The 2024 GMC Acadia's interior was designed for spaciousness, with a low dashboard and generous glass area. It offered more headroom across all three rows than competitors like the Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Kia Telluride, and Toyota Grand Highlander. The Acadia also provided more first-row legroom, although the Kia and Toyota offered more second-row and third-row legroom, respectively. Cargo space was significantly improved, with 23 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 97.5 cubic feet with both rows folded. An underfloor storage bin and a "presence based" power liftgate added to its utility. Small-item storage was reasonable, although the headlight controls were less intuitive, requiring touchscreen interaction.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid maintained similar dimensions to its predecessor, with optimized interior storage features. The base SE trim offered a power driver's seat, heated front seats, and five USB ports, while higher trims added synthetic leather upholstery and ventilated seats. The interior featured clever storage solutions, including multiple shelves and a center console with flexible storage options. The RAV4's passenger space was comfortable for four, with 37.8 inches of rear legroom, although it fell short of larger models like the Honda CR-V. The PHEV's cargo area was slightly reduced to 33.6 cubic feet, with a flat floor and a temporary spare tire.

The 2024 GMC Acadia featured a standard 11-inch digital instrument cluster and a 15-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 12-speaker Bose audio system, wireless device charging, and a Wi-Fi hotspot were standard, with an 8-inch head-up display and a 16-speaker Bose system available. The infotainment system included Google built-in apps, offering a familiar and user-friendly interface. The touchscreen layout was logical, with climate control readouts and physical buttons for easy access. The instrument cluster graphics were crisp, although drive-mode icons could be difficult to spot.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.5-inch touchscreen, with a larger 12.9-inch screen on top trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with climate controls integrated into the touchscreen. The touchscreen featured customizable tiles and a quick menu for easy navigation, while the cluster graphics were improved with Toyota's new operating system, Arene. The Voice Assistant responded to a wide range of prompts, and a built-in dash cam recorded clips from exterior cameras, with adjustable sensitivity settings.

The 2024 GMC Acadia's safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic-sign recognition. An optional rearview camera mirror and surround-view camera system provided up to nine camera views. The Acadia was the first GMC model to offer the Super Cruise driver-assist system, allowing for hands-free driving on certain roads. Crash-test ratings were not available at the time of publication.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid came with Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, offering a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features. These included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, and a safe-exit alert. A surround-view camera system was available on higher trims. The RAV4's safety record was historically strong, with the 2025 model receiving a five-star rating from the NHTSA. Crash-test ratings for the 2026 model were pending.