2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid vs 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

The 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid underwent a significant design overhaul, adopting a more rugged appearance akin to the refreshed 2025 Kia Sorento. The front fascia featured a larger grille, pushing the headlights aside to create a more SUV-like look. Daytime running lights extended from the corners of the front end onto the hood, adding a unique touch. Despite these changes, the Carnival Hybrid retained its van-like appearance, which some found less appealing than the pre-refresh version. The rear end was cleaned up by relocating the license plate housing, and the top SX Prestige trim boasted "Star Map" taillights. The Carnival Hybrid skipped the base LX trim, offering LXS, EX, SX, and SX Prestige grades, with the LXS featuring 17-inch wheels and higher trims offering 19-inch wheels and a Dark Edition with darkened exterior trim. Inside, the interior carried over from the 2024 model, with the SX Prestige hybrid showcasing a premium navy and gray interior. High-quality materials and thoughtful details, like the cross-hatch pattern on the Bose audio system's speaker grilles, contributed to a pleasing cabin experience.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid offered a range of distinct designs, including the Rugged Woodland trim and three Sport grades: SE, XSE, and the new GR Sport, exclusive to the PHEV. The RAV4 maintained the same footprint as its predecessor, with some trims featuring buffer bumpers that increased length. The Woodland trim was an inch longer, while the GR Sport's grille and rear diffuser extended it by 1.9 inches. The RAV4 embraced a boxy, truck-like presence, with square wheel arches and bulges over the fenders. Daytime running lights bracketed the corners, and the rear featured vertical slash-like taillights. The Woodland trim emphasized boxiness with a wide front fascia and solid panels replacing fog lights. It sported chunky all-terrain tires on 18-inch wheels and a black roof rack with cross bars. Sport trims featured gloss black accents, and the GR Sport showcased racier elements like red brake calipers, 20-inch black alloy wheels, 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's black upholstery. All trims featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a touchscreen, with the GR Sport offering a more streamlined design.

The 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid shared its powertrain with the Kia Sorento Hybrid, featuring a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a single electric motor attached to a six-speed automatic transmission. This setup delivered a total system output of 242 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. In comparison, the non-hybrid Carnival's V6 engine produced 287 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Both hybrid and non-hybrid models were front-wheel drive, with the Carnival Hybrid offering a maximum towing capacity of 2,500 pounds, 1,000 pounds less than the V6 model. The Carnival Hybrid's acceleration felt similar to the V6 model, with noticeable electric motor torque off the line, followed by a dip before turbocharger boost kicked in. The vehicle featured three levels of regenerative braking, allowing for battery recharge on long downhills. The Carnival Hybrid's steering and suspension provided a comfortable ride with minimal body roll, and it remained quiet at all speeds.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured an updated 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine, producing 186 horsepower, up from 177 hp in the previous model. The PHEV benefited from a larger 22.7-kwh battery pack and more efficient semiconductors, resulting in an estimated range increase from 42 miles to 52 miles in the SE and XSE models. The RAV4 PHEV's power output increased from 302 hp to 324 hp, making it the most powerful RAV4 to date. All-wheel drive was standard, with a large front motor rated at 203 hp and 201 lb-ft of torque, and a smaller rear motor for assistance and traction. The RAV4 PHEV offered a 0-60 mph time in the low five seconds, with seamless power transitions and paddle shifters for manual control. The GR Sport trim featured enhanced handling with a lower ride height, 20-inch wheels, and summer performance tires. The RAV4 PHEV's chassis was strengthened for improved rigidity, resulting in a calmer and quieter ride, although its weight was noticeable in corners.

The 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid offered eight-passenger seating with sliding and removable second-row seats, and fold-flat third-row seats as standard. Optional VIP Lounge Seats replaced the second-row bench with reclining captain's chairs, featuring power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. However, these seats were not removable, making access to the third row challenging. The Carnival Hybrid's interior dimensions remained the same as the non-hybrid model, with 40.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and 145.1 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. The interior featured a rotary shifter and a functional center console with easy-to-reach buttons for drive modes and front-seat heating and ventilation.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid's base SE trim came equipped with a power driver's seat, heated front seats, five USB ports, and push-button start. The interior featured synthetic leather upholstery on all but the base SE, with ventilated seats standard on the GR Sport and XSE trims. The RAV4's dimensions remained mostly unchanged, with clever storage features like a shelf over the dashboard and a wireless device charger. The center console storage could be flipped up from either side, and the deep door pockets accommodated large water bottles. The RAV4 offered 37.8 inches of rear legroom, with a cargo area of 33.6 cubic feet, expandable to 63.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The system included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster on SX and SX Prestige models, Bluetooth connectivity, and over-the-air updates. A voice-recognition system was available, along with a Wi-Fi hotspot, USB ports in all rows, and power outlets on higher trims. Notable tech options included an 11-inch head-up display, digital key functionality, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. EX and higher trims offered an in-cabin camera and intercom, as well as a rear-seat entertainment system with dual 14.6-inch HD monitors.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.5-inch touchscreen system, with a larger 12.9-inch touchscreen on top trims. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with climate controls integrated into the touchscreen. The touchscreen offered customizable tiles and a quick menu for easy navigation. Toyota's new operating system, Arene, improved responsiveness and loading times. The Voice Assistant responded to a range of prompts, and a built-in dash cam recorded clips from exterior cameras. The system also provided data for the plug-in hybrid system, including charging schedules and a range map.

The 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid's safety ratings were not available at the time of publication, but the 2024 model received mixed ratings from the IIHS. The Carnival Hybrid retained its comprehensive array of driver aids, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. SX and SX Prestige models added junction crossing and lane-change assist functions, as well as Highway Driving Assist 2 for highway lane following. A 360-degree camera system and blind-spot camera system were standard on higher trims.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, with a wider view for cameras and a broader detection range for radar. The suite included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, and a safe-exit alert. All but the base SE had a surround-view camera system. The RAV4's safety enhancements aimed to improve its already strong safety record, with crash-testing results pending from the IIHS and NHTSA.