Audi Q5 vs Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

The 2025 Audi Q5 presented a robust SUV aesthetic with its third-generation model. It featured a large, textured grille, prominent side air intakes, and high-mounted headlights, giving the front end a commanding presence. The body sides were adorned with well-defined lines, adding a muscular touch. Despite these updates, the styling felt more like an evolution than a complete redesign, resembling a facelift rather than a revolutionary change. The Q5 offered various trim levels, including Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige, with LED Headlights Plus and programmable OLED taillights available on higher trims. The model was available in both standard crossover SUV and coupe-like Q5 Sportback body styles, with the latter offering a sleeker profile at the expense of cargo space and rear-seat headroom. The SQ5 performance grade added sporty elements like matte chrome trim, larger air intakes, and quad exhaust tips, along with standard 20-inch wheels.

Inside, the Q5's design was characterized by a plethora of details, creating a distinctive yet somewhat discordant look. The dashboard and door panels featured opposing curves, accommodating a main touchscreen and bulging doors with speakers and chunky armrests. Despite the design quirks, the materials used were top-notch, with sturdy plastics and a mix of silver and black trim pieces contrasting nicely with lighter upholstery colors. Leather seating surfaces were standard, and the SQ5 offered a red interior with Alcantara trim and sportier front seats. However, the piano-black plastic surrounding the cupholders and shifter was prone to getting dirty quickly, and the SQ5 seats lacked adequate bolstering for enthusiastic driving.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid was available in the Rugged Woodland trim and three Sport grades, including the base SE, XSE, and the new GR Sport, exclusive to the PHEV. The sixth-generation RAV4 maintained the same footprint as its predecessor, with the Woodland and GR Sport trims featuring buffer bumpers that increased the length. The RAV4 adopted a square design, with boxy wheel arches and bulges over the fenders, giving it a broader, truck-like presence. The Woodland trim emphasized the boxiness with a wide front fascia and solid panels replacing fog lights, while the Sport trims featured gloss black accents and racier elements like red brake calipers and a wide mesh grille.

Inside, the RAV4 PHEV offered a mild differentiation between trims, with features like red stitching on the GR Sport's black upholstery. All grades came with a standard 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.5-inch touchscreen, with a larger 12.9-inch touchscreen available on top trims. The interior design was more streamlined, with a wide center console housing a mechanical gear shifter and stylish drive mode knobs. The RAV4 PHEV's interior was optimized with clever storage features, including a shelf over the dashboard and a wireless device charging deck. The passenger space was similar to standard RAV4 models, with 37.8 inches of rear legroom, although the cargo area was slightly reduced due to the PHEV's powertrain.

The 2025 Audi Q5 featured a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive across all models. The base Q5 was powered by a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine producing 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, while the SQ5 boasted a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 with 362 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The standard output was competitive for a compact crossover, with slightly less horsepower than an Acura RDX but more torque. The SQ5's performance was comparable to a Mercedes-AMG GLC43, with a manufacturer-estimated zero to 60 mph time of 4.6 seconds, while the standard Q5 achieved it in 5.8 seconds. However, both models experienced turbo lag and rough shifts, detracting from the sporty feel.

The Q5's suspension featured steel-spring suspension with passive frequency selective damping as standard, while air suspension with adaptive damping was available on the Q5 Prestige trim and standard on the SQ5. The air suspension provided capable handling characteristics, balancing damping and body control without encouraging aggressive driving. The Q5 also offered Off-Road and Off-Road Plus driving modes, raising the air suspension and incorporating hill-descent control, but it was more suited for dirt roads than technical trails.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid adopted an updated 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine, producing 186 horsepower, and a larger 22.7-kwh battery pack. The PHEV's power increased 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. In EV mode, the RAV4 PHEV offered quick acceleration off the line but plateaued at 30 mph. In Auto mode, the combined power delivered a 0-60 mph time in the low five seconds, with seamless power transitions and paddle shifters for manual control.

The RAV4 PHEV's handling was enhanced by a strengthened chassis and new mounts, providing structural rigidity for a calmer ride. The GR Sport trim featured a lower ride height, 20-inch black alloy wheels, and summer performance tires, offering improved handling over rough terrain. The GR Sport's suspension tweaks resulted in less body roll and more damping force, providing a sportier ride without sacrificing comfort.

The 2025 Audi Q5 maintained similar exterior dimensions and interior space to the 2024 model, with adequate headroom and legroom in both rows. The sliding and reclining 40/20/40 split-folding second-row bench seat was standard, with cargo-area buttons for easy adjustment. The 2025 Q5 offered 27.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 56.9 cubic feet with the seats folded, providing more cargo space than a Lexus NX or Mercedes-Benz GLC but less than an Acura RDX or BMW X3. A power tailgate and heated front seats were standard, with additional features like a heated steering wheel and panoramic sunroof available on higher trims. The Q5 also offered a towing capacity of up to 4,400 pounds.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid's base SE trim was well-equipped with a power driver's seat, heated front seats, and five USB ports. The interior dimensions remained similar to the previous generation, with clever storage features like a dashboard shelf and a wireless device charging deck. The RAV4 PHEV offered 37.8 inches of rear legroom, accommodating four passengers comfortably, although five passengers were a squeeze. The cargo area was slightly reduced compared to the standard RAV4, with 33.6 cubic feet of space and 63.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The RAV4 PHEV featured a temporary spare tire under the cargo floor.

The 2025 Audi Q5 came with an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch central touchscreen as standard, with a 10.9-inch touchscreen for the front passenger on the Prestige trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a cooled wireless charging pad. Premium Plus models added four USB-C ports and a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The MMI infotainment system, based on Android Automotive OS, offered a user-friendly interface, with a built-in voice assistant for vehicle functions. The Q5 also featured a head-up display and Dynamic Interaction Light for additional driver cues.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.5-inch touchscreen system, with a larger 12.9-inch touchscreen on top trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with climate controls integrated into the touchscreen. The Arene operating system provided improved graphics and responsiveness, with a Voice Assistant for various functions. The RAV4 PHEV also offered a built-in dash cam for recording exterior camera footage.

The 2025 Audi Q5 included standard driver-assist features like adaptive cruise control, active front assist, lane departure warning, parking sensors, and blind spot monitoring. Premium Plus models added a 360-degree camera system and adaptive cruise assist. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at press time, but Audi aimed to match the previous generation's five-star NHTSA rating.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, with enhanced camera and radar detection. The suite included automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, 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 record was historically strong, with a five-star NHTSA rating for the 2025 model.