2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid vs 2025 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban maintained its iconic status in the full-size SUV market by carefully balancing modern updates with its classic design. Chevrolet managed to refresh the Suburban's exterior with a new front fascia and rear end, while retaining its recognizable profile. The trim lineup remained consistent, offering a range from the basic LS to the luxurious High Country, with options like the RST and Z71 catering to specific lifestyle preferences. Inside, the Suburban saw significant improvements, including a sophisticated dashboard with a 17.7-inch touchscreen display, replacing the outdated 10.2-inch screen. The interior upgrades extended to more refined air vents and a modernized steering wheel, enhancing the overall user experience.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid offered a distinct design with its Rugged and Sport trims, including the new GR Sport exclusive to the PHEV. The RAV4 maintained its compact footprint but introduced buffer bumpers for a more robust appearance. 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 performance-oriented elements. Inside, the RAV4 PHEV provided a well-equipped cabin with features like 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 design focused on practicality, with clever storage solutions and comfortable seating, although it fell short in cargo space compared to larger rivals.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban offered a choice of three engines, starting with a 5.3-liter V8 producing 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. The more powerful 6.2-liter V8, available on higher trims, delivered 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, providing a satisfying driving experience. The standout option was the turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six Duramax diesel engine, which saw a power increase to 305 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque. This engine offered impressive fuel efficiency and a quiet ride, making it a preferred choice for long-distance driving. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and the Suburban featured a recalibrated Magnetic Ride Control suspension for improved comfort. However, the optional 24-inch wheels, while visually striking, compromised ride quality on rough surfaces.

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 resulted in a total output of 324 hp, making it the most powerful RAV4 to date. The PHEV offered an estimated electric range of 52 miles, with all-wheel drive as standard. The RAV4 PHEV excelled in EV mode for quiet city driving, while Auto mode provided a seamless blend of electric and gasoline power for a spirited ride. The GR Sport trim, with its lower ride height and performance tires, offered enhanced handling, although the RAV4's weight was noticeable in corners. The RAV4 PHEV's powertrain provided a smooth transition between modes, with paddle shifters allowing for manual control of the electronic continuously variable transmission.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in interior space, offering ample room for passengers and cargo. With 41.5 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, expanding to 93.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, the Suburban provided unmatched cargo capacity. The option for a three-across front row increased seating to six passengers, and with all seats folded, the Suburban offered a maximum of 144.7 cubic feet of cargo space. Additionally, the Suburban boasted impressive towing capabilities, with a maximum capacity of 8,300 pounds when properly equipped. The diesel engine offered excellent fuel economy, allowing for extended highway driving without frequent refueling.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid offered a well-equipped interior with practical storage solutions. The base SE trim included features like a power driver's seat and heated front seats, while higher trims added synthetic leather upholstery and ventilated seats. The RAV4's interior dimensions remained consistent with the previous generation, providing comfortable seating for four passengers, although five passengers would be a tight fit. The RAV4 PHEV's cargo space was slightly reduced compared to the standard model, offering 33.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 63.5 cubic feet with the seats folded. Despite the smaller cargo area, the RAV4 PHEV maintained a flat load floor and included a temporary spare tire.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban made significant strides in technology, featuring a 17.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, complemented by an 11-inch driver information display and an available 15-inch head-up display. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Google Built-in for seamless integration of Google services. While the user interface was intuitive, customizing the driver information display proved challenging. The Suburban retained physical buttons for essential functions, maintaining some user-friendly elements from the previous model. However, the Bose stereo system left room for improvement compared to competitors.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid introduced a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an enhanced 10.5-inch touchscreen system, with a larger 12.9-inch display available on higher trims. The touchscreen featured customizable tiles and a quick menu for easy access to frequently used settings. Toyota's new operating system, Arene, improved responsiveness and voice command capabilities. The RAV4 PHEV also included a built-in dash cam for recording exterior camera footage, with adjustable sensitivity settings. The system allowed for easy location of charging stations and provided detailed information on the plug-in hybrid system.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban came equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and a surround-view camera. However, at the time of review, the 2025 model had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. The 2024 model received four out of five stars from the NHTSA, and the Suburban's safety features were comparable to those of its competitors. GM's Super Cruise hands-free driving technology was available on higher trims but was not included in the initial release.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, offering a wide range of driver-assistance features as standard. The suite included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitors. The system's enhancements improved responsiveness and detection capabilities, although testing was conducted during daylight hours. The RAV4 PHEV's safety features contributed to its strong safety record, with the 2025 model receiving a five-star rating from the NHTSA. The 2026 model's redesign aimed to address previous shortcomings in crash protection.