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Best PHEV SUV: Toyota RAV4 PHEV vs. Hyundai Tucson PHEV

2026-07-03 Autos & Vehicles
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Edmunds Cars
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Description

Looking for the best PHEV SUV on the market? We pit the Toyota RAV4 PHEV against the Hyundai Tucson PHEV to see which plug-in hybrid delivers the ultimate mix of range, power and efficiency. Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid Edmunds Review - https://www.edmunds.com/toyota/rav4-plug-in-hybrid/?utm_campaign=video_description&utm_source=youtube Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid Edmunds Review - https://www.edmunds.com/hyundai/tucson-plug-in-hybrid/?utm_campaign=video_description&utm_source=youtube More Edmunds Comparison Videos - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsSQoIGhBLpQwAPiW1fCPh4LEWxlbp9Cx Appraisal Tool - https://www.edmunds.com/appraisal/?utm_campaign=video_description&utm_source=youtube Car Listings - https://www.edmunds.com/new-cars-for-sale/?utm_campaign=video_description&utm_source=youtube Ratings and Reviews - https://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/?utm_campaign=video_description&utm_source=youtube 00:00 Intro 00:35 Tucson Pricing, Interior, & Tech 04:22 Tucson Driving Impressions 07:11 RAV4 Pricing, Interior, & Tech 11:12 RAV4 Driving Impressions 13:26 Value 15:27 Edmunds' Take So you're looking to buy the best plug-in hybrid but can't decide between two heavy hitters. While we normally prefer the standard Hyundai Tucson over the standard Toyota RAV4, upgrading to their plug-in hybrid variants completely changes the game. In this comprehensive comparison, we look closely at how these two family crossovers stack up when it comes to electric range, power, MPG and daily usability. The 2026 Hyundai Tucson PHEV offers a fantastic, premium-feeling interior with class-leading rear passenger space and top-tier in-cabin technology. On the road, its battery delivered an impressive 41 miles of all-electric range in our testing, and its suspension provides a smooth, compliant ride. However, it compromises on cargo room compared to its standard hybrid sibling, and its overall fuel efficiency isn’t quite as high as that of its Japanese competitor. Enter the 2026 Toyota RAV4 PHEV. While its cabin features more hard plastics and tighter rear legroom, it absolutely dominates where it matters most for a PHEV SUV. In our real-world city range test, the RAV4 smashed expectations by driving a crazy 62 miles on pure electric power. Plus, certain trims offer Level 3 DC fast-charging capability, allowing you to juice up from 10% to 80% in just 35 minutes. It is also roughly 15% more fuel-efficient than the Tucson if both are running in hybrid mode. When we tallied our official Edmunds Ratings, the Hyundai Tucson PHEV finished with a highly respectable 7.9 score, but the Toyota RAV4 PHEV eked out the victory with an 8.1 rating. Thanks to its unrivaled battery capacity, exceptional real-world efficiency, and fast-charging capability, the RAV4 is officially our reigning champion and the best PHEV SUV you can buy today. If this kind of video is helpful to you and you want to support us in making more work like this in the future, hitting the like, subscribe, and notification bell buttons goes a long way. Disclaimer: This video's description was generated with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy by the Edmunds editorial team. The video itself was created entirely without the use of generative AI. https://www.instagram.com/edmundscars https://www.facebook.com/edmunds https://www.tiktok.com/@edmunds https://twitter.com/edmunds https://www.reddit.com/user/edmundscars/ #ToyotaRAV4PluginHybrid #HyundaiTucsonPluginHybrid #Edmund

Top Comments (10)

@alfontana6242 2026-07-03

I am an actual owner of a 2026 RAV4 PHEV model SE here is my last update. I live in NW. Oregon Major Highway is Highway 101 max speed limit 55 mph plenty of in town driving and rural roadways. I don’t believe anything comes close to the 2026 RAV4 PHEV that’s my personal opinion because I own one Total miles 3644 Gas miles 100% pure hybrid mode 1048.5 Electric range from full charge Lowest 59.7 miles Highest 81.1 miles MPG at the pump for 1048.5 miles 51.622 Last fillup included on 062626 Gas miles 100% pure hybrid mode 352.8 / gals. 6.402/ MPG 55.107 Costco gas 87 octane 10% ethanol Gas tank filled this method for all fillups Lowest setting/ when pump auto clicks off immediately return to pump housing NOTE. Last fillup dash displayed 58.4 mpg for tank average. Off by 3.3 mpg

16 7 replies
@sam-yau 2026-07-03

Which one has the spare tire despite being a PHEV? Nuff said.

15 7 replies
@SDpapa 2026-07-03

This Hyundai Tucson outgoing model is 5 years old while the Rav4 is brand new. Once the new Tucson arrives next year, it'll have similar or better tech, capabilities than the Rav4.

13 1 replies
@No_This.IsPatrick 2026-07-03

Also your "price in your area calc" doesn't actually let you compare areas, states, whatever.. can't change zip once you enter it once

8
@hynsum 2026-07-03

Thank God they're both "mandatory corporate" gray. I almost loose my $hlt seeing other colors...😲🤔😅

7
@jacktyler7599 2026-07-03

It would have been helpful for you to create a set of typical assumptions on driving each of these cars - annual mileage, % under electric only - and then point out when each vehicle had "paid for" the higher PHEV prices. Payback seems to average 5--6 years for efficient PHEVs from what I've seen. What's Edmund's view on payback period?

2
@edmundscars 2026-07-05

Does a plug-in hybrid work for your lifestyle or would you just take the regular hybrid versions of these two cars? Would you skip the gas entirely and go straight to an EV? Let us know in the comments!

1
@c.c.5472 2026-07-06

The Tuscon is definitey the ‘nicer’ car but with a small GDI 1.6lt turbo, I wouldn’t go there. IMHO Toyota wins big based on the 2.5lt naturally aspirated engine, port and direct injection (D 4-S), and the brilliant e-cvt. The range and power just put it way over the top. Cheers.

1
@edmc1409 2026-07-06

I bought a 2026 SE Phev what surprised me is the EV mode very smooth but very powerful also. I googled it 0 to 40 in 3.5 to 4 seconds it is quick. Plus quite I also did 78.3 miles on a single charge.

0
@drewolsen-1138 2026-07-07

The blind spot cameras are an absolute game changer. I have one on my 2014 Honda Civic and it's something I'll definitely miss if I go to the Rav4 (which I'm leaning towards). That Hyundai is really nice though. Will have to see after a test drive.

0

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