Compare the2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVVS 2026 Toyota Rav4

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Rav4 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Outlander PHEV has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Rav4 doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the Outlander PHEV. But it costs extra on the Rav4.

Both the Outlander PHEV and the Rav4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4189-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is safer than the Rav4:

The Outlander PHEV comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Rav4’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Mitsubishi’s powertrain warranty covers the Outlander PHEV 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Toyota covers the Rav4. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Rav4 ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Outlander PHEV’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Rav4’s (7 vs. 5 years).

The Outlander PHEV has more powerful engines than the Rav4:

For better stopping power the Outlander PHEV’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Rav4:

The Outlander PHEV’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the Rav4 are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the Outlander PHEV SE/SEL’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Rav4 (255/45R20 vs. 235/65R17).

The Outlander PHEV’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Rav4 LE’s standard 65 series tires. The Outlander PHEV SE/SEL’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Rav4 XSE’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Outlander PHEV has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Rav4 LE.

The Outlander PHEV has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Rav4 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For better maneuverability, the Outlander PHEV’s turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the Rav4’s (36.1 feet vs. 36.9 feet). The Outlander PHEV’s turning circle is 1.2 feet tighter than the Rav4 GR Sport’s (36.1 feet vs. 37.3 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Outlander PHEV ES has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Rav4 GR Sport (7.8 vs. 7.5 inches), allowing the Outlander PHEV to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the Outlander PHEV uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Rav4 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Outlander PHEV has standard seating for 7 passengers; the Rav4 can only carry 5.

The Outlander PHEV has 26.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Rav4 (125.5 vs. 98.9).

The Outlander PHEV has 2.7 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear legroom and 3.7 inches more rear hip room than the Rav4.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Outlander PHEV’s second row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Rav4 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

While the Rav4 GR Sport is not recommended to tow, any Outlander PHEV can tow a minimum of 1500 pounds.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat in the Rav4 XSE/Limited/GR Sport, the Outlander PHEV SEL has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Outlander PHEV SEL’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Rav4 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Outlander PHEV’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Rav4 LE’s standard fixed intermittent wipers only have one fixed delay setting, so the driver will have to manually switch them between slow and intermittent.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Outlander PHEV has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Rav4 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Outlander PHEV to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Rav4 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the Outlander PHEV SEL is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Rav4’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Toyota Rav4 offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The Outlander PHEV offers available power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Rav4’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

The Outlander PHEV SEL offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Rav4.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, based on reliability, safety and performance.