2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid vs 2026 Hyundai Venue

The 2026 Hyundai Venue was classified by Hyundai as a crossover SUV, though its dimensions and design suggested it was more akin to a tall hatchback. It featured only front-wheel drive and had a ground clearance of 6.7 inches, which was higher than a typical car but not as elevated as a standard crossover SUV. The EPA categorized it as a midsize car due to its interior space. The Venue's design leaned more towards a crossover aesthetic, with a small and narrow appearance reminiscent of European runabouts. Its upright windshield, bluff nose, and standard roof rails contributed to its SUV-like look. The Venue's exterior was characterized by a high nose, lower headlights, and high-set daytime running lights, with black wheel flares and a two-tone roof option adding to its visual appeal. Inside, the Venue offered a simple and functional design, with a digital instrument cluster and a small touchscreen that resembled an iPad affixed to the dash.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid was available in the Rugged trim, known as the Woodland, and three Sport grades, including the SE, XSE, and the new GR Sport. The RAV4 maintained the same footprint as its predecessor, with some trims featuring buffer bumpers that extended its length. The Woodland trim was an inch longer, while the GR Sport's grille and rear diffuser added 1.9 inches. The RAV4's design embraced a boxy, truck-like presence, with square wheel arches and bulges over the fenders. Daytime running lights bracketed the corners, and an integrated rear roof spoiler extended over a vertical tailgate. The Woodland trim emphasized its boxiness with a wide front fascia and solid panels replacing fog lights. The Sport trims featured gloss black accents, and the GR Sport showcased racier elements 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 various trims featuring different upholstery and accents.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue was powered by a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. This power was delivered to the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Venue's performance was modest, with a 0-60 mph time ranging from 8.5 to 8.8 seconds, as tested by Car and Driver and Road & Track. Despite its low power, the Venue's lightweight design, weighing in at 2,738 pounds, allowed it to feel peppy in city traffic. However, at highway speeds, the transmission was slow to downshift, and the limited torque made passing maneuvers challenging. The Venue's handling benefited from its small size and low weight, making it easy to maneuver in traffic and park in tight spaces. The ride was generally comfortable, though the solid rear axle caused some jiggling 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 power output of 324 horsepower, making it the most powerful RAV4 to date. The RAV4 PHEV offered an estimated electric range of 52 miles in the SE and XSE models. All-wheel drive was standard, with a front motor rated at 203 horsepower and 201 lb-ft of torque, complemented by a smaller rear motor. The RAV4 PHEV excelled in EV mode for quiet city driving, while Auto mode delivered a 0-60 mph time in the low five seconds. The vehicle's handling was enhanced by a strengthened chassis and improved suspension, particularly in the GR Sport trim, which featured 20-inch black alloy wheels and summer performance tires. Despite its 4,500-pound weight, the RAV4 PHEV maintained a spirited ride without sacrificing comfort.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue's interior featured cloth and H-Tex seats with black upholstery and white contrast stitching, providing a sporty appearance. The seats were comfortable, with six-way manual adjustments for the driver. Headroom was ample, but legroom was limited for taller occupants. The rear seat offered enough space for average-sized adults, though taller passengers would struggle for legroom. The Venue's cargo space was modest, with 31.9 cubic feet available with the rear seats folded and 18.7 cubic feet with them up. The interior materials were primarily hard black plastic, with limited soft-touch surfaces.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid's interior was well-equipped, with a power driver's seat, heated front seats, and multiple USB ports. The front seats provided adequate bolstering and thigh support, with power adjustments available on higher trims. The interior dimensions remained similar to the previous generation, with clever storage solutions like a dashboard shelf and deep door pockets. The RAV4 PHEV offered 37.8 inches of rear legroom, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. The cargo area provided 33.6 cubic feet of space, expanding to 63.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The interior featured SofTex upholstery, which could become sticky on hot days, but ventilated seats were available on higher trims.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen for basic infotainment functions. While the screen size felt small compared to modern standards, it was functional and responsive. The system included phone, radio, media, and phone-projection connections, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, it lacked features like navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Venue's audio system consisted of a simple six-speaker setup, with no premium options available.

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 screen available on top trims. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with customizable tiles and a quick menu for easy access to settings. The touchscreen integrated climate controls, with physical temperature buttons and a volume knob. The RAV4 PHEV's operating system, Arene, offered improved responsiveness and a broader range of voice commands. A built-in dash cam recorded clips from exterior cameras, with adjustable sensitivity settings.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue came with a good set of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, a driver-attention monitor, and a rear-occupant warning. Higher trims added blind-spot monitors and rear cross-traffic alert. However, adaptive cruise control was not available. The Venue received a four-star safety rating from the NHTSA, with mixed ratings from the IIHS.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid included Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features. The system offered automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, and a safe-exit alert. The RAV4 PHEV also featured an enhanced rearview camera and a surround-view camera system on higher trims. The vehicle's safety record was historically strong, with a five-star rating from the NHTSA for the 2025 model.