2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid vs 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid was available in a limited selection of trims, focusing on the Rugged and Sport designs. The Woodland trim emphasized a more adventurous aesthetic with its extended length, boxy design, and off-road features like all-terrain tires and a roof rack. The Sport trims, including the exclusive GR Sport, showcased a racier look with elements inspired by Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division, such as red brake calipers and a prominent rear wing. The RAV4 maintained its square, truck-like presence, with distinctive features like vertical taillights and a wide front fascia. Inside, the RAV4 offered a streamlined design with a digital instrument cluster and touchscreen options, along with practical storage solutions and comfortable seating, although the interior space was slightly limited compared to some competitors.

The 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE underwent significant styling updates, featuring a star motif for its lights and grille, which added a unique touch to its appearance. The GLE was available in both standard SUV and Coupe body styles, with the latter offering a sleeker look but compromising rear-seat headroom and cargo space. The GLE lineup included both standard and AMG performance models, with the latter boasting sportier styling elements and larger wheels. Inside, the GLE featured a redesigned dashboard to accommodate the Superscreen display, offering a luxurious feel with options for high-quality materials and vibrant upholstery colors. The interior space was generous, especially in the second row, and the SUV model offered a standard panoramic glass roof, enhancing the overall sense of space.

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 PHEV offered an estimated electric range of 52 miles and came standard with all-wheel drive. The RAV4 PHEV excelled in EV mode for quiet city driving, while Auto mode provided a satisfying power band for quicker acceleration. The GR Sport trim offered enhanced handling with a lower ride height and performance tires, making it a sportier option within the lineup.

The 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a wide range of powertrain options, including four-, six-, and eight-cylinder engines, as well as two plug-in hybrid variants. The base GLE 350 4Matic featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 255 horsepower, while the GLE 450 4Matic and GLE 580 4Matic offered more powerful six- and eight-cylinder engines, respectively. The GLE 580’s V8 engine was particularly impressive, providing a smooth and powerful driving experience. The GLE also offered a plug-in hybrid model with an inline-six engine, delivering a total system output of 429 horsepower. The AMG GLE models took performance to the next level, with the AMG GLE 63 S boasting a 603-horsepower V8 engine and AMG-specific enhancements.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid maintained its compact dimensions, offering a well-equipped interior with features like a power driver’s seat, heated front seats, and multiple USB ports. The interior space was optimized with clever storage solutions, although it fell short of some rivals in terms of passenger and cargo space. The RAV4 PHEV offered 33.6 cubic feet of cargo space, which expanded to 63.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The interior was comfortable for four passengers, but five would be a tight fit, and the panoramic sunroof reduced headroom slightly.

The 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered both two-row and three-row configurations, with the latter providing additional seating but limited space for adults. The interior dimensions remained unchanged, offering class-competitive headroom and legroom, although some rivals offered more spacious accommodations. The GLE SUV provided 33.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 74.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. The GLE Coupe offered slightly less cargo space due to its lower roofline. The GLE’s maximum towing capacity was 7,700 pounds, making it a versatile option for those needing to tow.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an enhanced 10.5-inch touchscreen system, with a larger 12.9-inch touchscreen available on top trims. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the new Arene operating system improved responsiveness and user interface. The RAV4 also offered a built-in dash cam and a voice assistant capable of handling various functions, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE introduced the Superscreen display, consisting of three 12.3-inch screens forming the dashboard fascia. The MBUX infotainment system was upgraded with the new MB.OS operating system and AI-enhanced voice assistant. The GLE also offered an augmented-reality head-up display, an inward-facing camera for videoconferencing, and a 15-speaker Burmester audio system. While the new features added to the GLE’s technological appeal, the previous version of MBUX was already highly capable.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid came standard 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 surround-view camera system on higher trims. The enhancements aimed to improve the system’s responsiveness and detection capabilities, although crash-test ratings were not available at the time of writing.

The 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a robust set of standard driver-assistance features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitors, forward-collision warning, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality. The GLE also featured a parking-assist system, a surround-view camera system, and Mercedes’ Pre-Safe system, which prepared the vehicle for a collision by closing windows and tightening seatbelts. The GLE’s sensor suite supported advanced driver-assistance capabilities, although crash-test ratings were not available at the time of writing.