2026 Toyota RAV4 GR vs VW Tiguan Turbo: Drag Race and Review

[00:04] Thomas. >> And I'm James. >> And the hot compact craze is spreading. [music] Volkswagen and Toyota are the latest victims. The Tiguan now gets a turbo badge and our badges. And yes,

[00:20] even the RAV 4, a car as interesting as pigeon bird watching, now gets swarthed with GR badges. So, before we get into their livability and looks and all the other stuff, let's see if those letters mean anything. And if this goes anything

[00:36] like the race between the GR Corolla and the Golf R, their younger siblings, the Golf R, their younger siblings, well,

[00:53] given spicy trims to economy crossovers, which is like giving a spliff to a six-year-old. It's wrong, but you want to see it and you [music] that's what's happening. >> Now, we've brought a GTI just as a bit

[01:08] of a reference point. Why? As we all know how quick a GTI is, and that's going to tell us just how quick these things actually are.

[01:23] but that's only on paper. And German horsepower is often underrated. And the car is even lighter, so it's anyone's game.

[01:44] >> And we're off. Oh, that shift didn't feel good. Oh, the EV torque off the feel good. Oh, the EV torque off the lines got the RAV 4 going. lines got the RAV 4 going. Oh, we are off. We are like off. Off.

[02:00] Oh my god, it's extremely quick. Look at that thing go.

[02:19] did not expect the difference to be that substantial. >> Different race, mate. I didn't think that it was going to be that different. You absolutely dusted me. >> Do we need a spicier reference frame car

[02:33] >> What can >> Who won at the end between >> He was next to you. >> You beat a Golf GTI in that >> by a country mile. Actually, that's inaccurate because the whole thing was a

[02:45] quarter mile. So, >> so it's literally not a country mile. >> Country quarter country eighth of a mile. [laughter] It's a significant >> I I can't believe how quick that thing is.

[02:57] though. >> All right. along cuz it's here and it probably can't, but if the Ram 4GR can get close

[03:11] can't, but if the Ram 4GR can get close to that, then, you know, stops being a lifestyle choice and it just becomes a legendary choice. All right, I realize now why am I in this race? We already know this. Anyway, front row

[03:24] seats to whatever the hell happens here. >> Three, two, one, go. >> Okay. Yeah, he's off. All right, we got too brave there. Oh, so the Charger's

[03:39] quite a bit faster. Yeah, but you know what? The distance between me and the Rav 4 is the distance between the RAV 4 and the Charger. >> We got too brave. But look at the difference between the three.

[04:02] the Rav 4 was? >> I It wasn't me. It was It was the souls of all GR fans across the world. >> Right. Not sure what that teaches us, torque off the line. >> Yes.

[04:15] >> The charger has proved that I've lost the plot. So, let's just [laughter] >> Okay. >> But first, I do think we should change >> But first, I do think we should change our clothes.

[04:29] >> Who am I now? >> You are trick. you implying exactly? >> I'm implying that WeatherTech liners are

[04:45] be able to deal with whatever a Canadian winter can throw at you. So, I found players I've ever met. And they said upon you. >> Yeah. I think the idea is is that

[04:58] WeatherTech liners are meant to protect the carpets in your car from salt and pucks, >> right? But this is one of those like oh go through me things and in which case me is you as Thomas and it is oh we're

[05:14] science. >> You sure this is going to work >> Okay. >> All right lads do your worst.

[05:53] >> We we'll get back to the rink and weather tech at the end of the video. >> All right, in the RAV 4 GR Sport, it's time for you to experience time for you to experience >> sport mode.

[06:13] >> it has. >> This has the same powertrain as the other normal plug-in hybrid, the nonGR. All the GR stuff >> It has beefed up suspension. It has sporttuned steering when you're in sport

[06:28] mode. It has a performance front damper. It's got dedicated coil [music] springs that are GR and obviously it looks cool. >> Well, they haven't ruined the ride. >> It's quite nice, actually. >> Yeah. And even though we are high up

[06:41] hybrid stuff, there's three electric motors down low that keep that center of gravity low. So, you can hustle this. The roads are a bit compromised today, but you can absolutely hustle this car in a way that a Toyota RAV 4 should

[06:54] never be able to >> or never needed to be able to. >> or never needed to be able to. >> 100%. Except not only does it have that ability to hustle, the insulation still good, the ride is still good. And in

[07:06] auto mode, I have been getting 4 L per 100 km in this. tank. >> Yes. But because this is a plug-in >> Yes. But because this is a plug-in hybrid, you have a 48 mile or 77 km EV

[07:19] >> But you have to plug it in to get that. >> You have to plug it in to get that. petrol for a while, >> which is a bit of a downside. reflect in the price, which as of filming, we don't know yet. That's the

[07:34] hybrids. They make sense until they're 20 grand more than [music] the next one. But you you can only get the RAV 4 in hybrid now or plug-in hybrid. There's no normal gas only RAV 4. >> So, no matter what you get, this inline

[07:46] 4 is assisted. This one happens [music] to be assisted by 200 horsepower of >> Yeah, it's uh it's quite nice to drive. And even though I'm in sport mode right >> Yes. >> Right.

[07:58] >> Does the CVT feel >> No. >> No. And that is a kind of a it's a weird way to ruin what was otherwise, you know, a decently sporty package. And I

[08:13] mean, listen, Toyota's already stepping into dangerous territory by putting GR badges on things. I just want to say like if you're going to do this new halo like if you're going to do this new halo brand GR because the GR GT is just GR.

[08:27] >> You got to be careful with this stuff. >> Well, this is technically GR Sport which means it's like Audi S, not RS. It's it's M performance. >> Yes. And I have just as many choice words to say about them for that as

[08:39] your brands that you've you've [music] put so much equity into by making really >> So, I don't know. I don't know what to do. I I really like this. And so, first it. >> This because you you want to know why

[08:55] dads love this is because this is firmly within the camp of being a responsible >> But it's it's that tow it's that towing the line of most responsible. Yeah. from Stranger Things with the horn room glasses.

[09:09] >> Yeah. >> put together with the hot wife. >> This is [laughter] it. It's like it's like he's got it together and he's and he's able to have a little fun with it. [laughter]

[09:22] >> But is this the car you're going to go on a Sunday and be like I need to I just >> I just need to rip it, man. Just like >> But I remember the Prime cars and coffee? >> No. When the When the RA Well, you I

[09:34] new where every it's a new GR and then it will fall into non-existence. out, >> people were queued up like they just opened a new cheesecake factory in the neighborhood. like the frying was hard

[09:47] >> Yeah. >> I, you know, this still does do things like torque steer and the CVT with that inline for drones. I've just got on so well with this. >> Yeah, this is uh this is good.

[10:04] >> I know that's the thing. This is this is still on the wrong side of 50 grand. >> And the interior I know that Tigwan's good inside. >> Let's take a look.

[10:23] >> Listen, even though that one's pre-production, the general design of this is very, very nice. >> Yeah. Little sneaky confession. >> I've done a little bit of nerding out over this car before today. Oh. in the

[10:36] months leading up because I have thought that maybe [music] if I was to give up the Golf R as a family car that now that this has the same engine that EA8 that also sits under the bonnet of a Porsche [music] Macan that it wouldn't be so

[10:50] undignified of a switch. >> No, it would. [music] But it's okay a nice car and I can see how you'd want to live with it. And if I'm being while we're doing confessions, I felt the same thing as well.

[11:04] Luckily, as far as safe spaces go, this is quite wellappointed. >> I thought it would feel quicker, though. This doesn't feel even close to my Golf far off. >> It just it doesn't have the EV that the

[11:18] RAV 4 does, right? So, it just kind of needs boost. It needs time and gear. as a result, >> right? It's actually not very good fuel into pricing too much, but it's not priced [music] terribly the same way the

[11:32] >> Yes. >> And again, we get it for a deal. I'm >> Yeah, we we get these things for good prices in Canada. Um, so I've been >> And it's been quite nice. It's difficult to argue with the space that you [music]

[11:46] get to sit in. It's difficult to argue with the power, the accessibility of it. Right. However, the ride's a bit stiff. Oh, is [music] it? >> Even in comfort mode, the ride in the RAV 4 is nicer. I don't really know why.

[12:01] But you know what? This is the most fun crossover to drive in the Volkswagen lineup. So, there's >> I did really caveat that whole sentence. >> I can't I can't get over how much sportier that Rav 4 feels.

[12:15] >> Okay, so here's how I see [music] this vehicle. I don't see this as an attempt at being an actual R. No, >> I see this more as bridging the gap between what you would consider the non-luxury brands and the luxury brands

[12:29] them, especially in the modern era with good insulation and all that, is >> Right. [music] Because if you get into like even a basic X3, they're pretty >> And this [music] is quick enough that this now feels like

[12:44] >> Oh, it's absolutely quick enough. I I say it's not as quick as my Golf Rile, it. for I like >> Yeah. >> Other than as I said the hard impacts

[12:58] >> I don't think that there's any fault that I can give the way that this car drives. It's got that that confidence. It's got that firmness. It's got that that that sense of solidity that [music] an Audi, a BMW, a Mercedes gives you and

[13:12] a little bit of speed actually. But you know what? It looks like a donkey's ass. >> No, it looks fine. >> It's No, this light bar is too high.

[13:27] >> The color doesn't help. >> But they didn't I just Why is it It looks so bulky here. It kind of bugs me. I don't actually care in this segment >> You said segment. >> Oh, what have I done? What's happened?

[13:41] >> Go be ashamed in the corner somewhere. >> Okay. Oh [snorts] no, I just I'm sorry >> I was about to say that the round four's mean, but you're right. Like a car in >> Yeah. >> Doesn't have It can only be so much. I

[13:54] mean, look, the RAV's got a bloody spoiler on the back. [laughter] It does. grill. >> No, I actually like it cuz it's If it was the Ferrari Amalfi >> became an SUV.

[14:08] giving you pure Sangway vibe. >> It's very pure Sangway. Yes. >> It's It's blocky and angular. You know what I mean? It's fine. Hey, this sits just over half an inch lower than a normal RA 4, giving it a full scale of

[14:21] Godzilla level aggression. >> It's wider. It comes with summer tires, performance tires. [laughter] >> It otherwise just looks like >> A RAV 4. Yeah. Yeah. Rav 4. I think they've both done a good job with their

[14:34] >> Come on. >> That is sadness manifest. >> No. >> No, but it's really bad here. stuff. >> Yes.

[14:47] >> Look, it's like, do you know what I mean? Like, it's [laughter] it it's someone who had a golf and decided they needed I don't know. to say about these on the outside? They are what they are. If you like them, you

[15:00] cares what actually matters is what's going on inside. pre-production model. >> Yes. Which we can't get that to go away. >> And because we haven't got the price, it could be an absolute steal at 20 bucks.

[15:13] Yeah, [laughter] that's right. It could be 20 Canadian bucks. >> But I think we can probably comment on the steering wheel, which has got all GR >> It's nice. >> The uh I got a 12.9 in screen here and a

[15:26] 12 something else. 3 in screen here, which means I got 25.2 in of glorious the T1. >> It just isn't, is it? >> No. No. But it's just not. >> No.

[15:40] >> But listen, I'm a Toyota fan. I own a Toyota. Okay. And there it is again. And I don't really care. I'm more concerned about usability, ergonomics, comfort,

[15:52] durability, reliability, and that's what you get with the Toyota, right? So, Maybe it doesn't look as good. Maybe there's no ambient lighting or all any. work. It'll be fine. >> It's got a proper shifter. Yep.

[16:05] >> This is a bit, >> you know, >> we've tested the back seats. Harrison, our 6'6 sound engineer, has more although the knee room is allegedly the same.

[16:19] >> Otherwise, yeah, not a very fancy roof situation. Just a little sunroof rather than the full glass thing. And uh >> I just I think that as usual, this is not news. Toyota is ever so slightly behind in interior tech.

[16:32] you know, this whole >> blocky. Yeah. But I and I it kills me to bring this up because I just I hate mentioning the CRV hybrid, [laughter]

[16:44] but I like that CRV hybrid a lot. It's basically the Civic interior. It's very >> It's got a good interior. >> The interior is where this car is let it everywhere else. >> Yeah. No, it is it is a very good

[16:57] >> Yes. >> However, if you want something that's just a little bit more luxurious, maybe you should look at a TIG one. >> No, a lot nicer. Like a lot. >> Like a lot. Like a lot a lot nicer.

[17:12] >> Yeah. Massaging seats. Rolls Royce level art display there. >> No, it's not. But I kind of wish, you know, when you said the badge is cheap on the side, it's all gone into this instead. That's where That's where you

[17:24] >> It's the gallery. No, listen. A little bit of hard wood goes a long way. >> I believe it does. >> That's what I would tell people. >> No, it's open. >> This technically has

[17:37] >> I think this has got screen superiority cuz this is a 10.25 in screen and a 15in screen which leads it to a 25.25 in screen which means this has 0.05 in in screen which means this has 0.05 in more screen and therefore is a premium.

[17:51] >> I just want you to know you'll never get that time back. [laughter] >> I live in the Pixels, man. This is what it's all about. Uh, so obviously the the VW steering wheel without the stupid little like haptic buttons.

[18:05] This is a false truth. >> Here we go. >> It is not an updated steering wheel. >> Well, it's updated because they they >> They went back on themselves. No, Ferrari, for example, have done a fully

[18:17] now retrofit to the shitty capacitive touch ones. This is them using the base version of the wheels because anyway, long story because there's an R button. They haven't got an R specific wheel. So on

[18:31] normal TSI. >> You know what a Golf doesn't have though got this lovely >> I still don't use it. >> No, you would. No, because that's stupid. No, it's not. It's so much

[18:45] stupid. No, it's not. It's so much better. It's so much better. And you can switch. Look, you click it and it becomes the drive mode selector. I like that. And then >> the functions are tptic. You can select

[18:58] >> Yes. >> And you just have an array of incredibly car in terms of lighting. >> Um lounge joy nature.

[19:10] >> I'm going to click it again. Energetic. Minimal. nothing to do with volume knobs or anything like that or even the steering >> It's a heated steering wheel. >> It's that the fact that my software

[19:24] >> Oh, that's great cuz this has been completely flawless. >> right. >> Yeah. The the wireless Apple CarPlay is literally not usable. It glitches constantly. And when you have wireless

[19:38] CarPlay connected, uh none of the other stuff in the screen works either. It's >> when you plug it in, it's fine. >> I need you to get your together because you are otherwise so strong in so many places, but that I'm I

[19:52] >> I get so upset with it. >> It's very, very frustrating. >> Oh, good. >> And I and I've asked Volkswagen about to be happening." >> That's [laughter] not an answer. And and

[20:07] what's weird is the Mark 8, not.5, we're getting off topic here, is in a weird about it because the new Golfs have this stuff, which means they're constantly forgotten already. >> So, it reminds me, I was just in a hotel

[20:19] in England recently for no reason whatsoever. And it was freezing in the bar. And I said to the waitress uh the uh the the waiter, I said, "Sorry, sir. goes, "It is, isn't it?" >> Yeah.

[20:31] >> And that was it. There's zero attempt at fixing the problem. And that's exactly I think they need to be a little more. >> I feel about as supported as Windows 10. It's It's a sad place to be. However, this has massaging seats. It has a nice

[20:45] >> lots of massaging seat options. By the way, if you go into the menu here, we can go to driver. The programs are just >> I never use massaging seats. I never end up using them. >> It even comes with upward strokes.

[20:58] Don't look at me. Don't look at me. Don't look at me. [snorts] [laughter] >> But it's got the glass roof. It seems so much nicer in the back. >> This is a nicer place to be,

[21:10] >> but I totally get why you'd get a RA 4. >> Yeah, I can see I can see the purchase of both of these cars being logical depending on uh what you're looking for. >> shift is stupid, though. >> That's a stupid That's a stupid hybrid

[21:23] >> stupid shifter says that you're stupid? >> That's a stupid shifter. superiority in a way that we okay I sorry [music] never expected. Its fuel

[21:38] economy gives it the range of a bartailed godwit and it looks funky and despite its performance prowess [music] somehow it doesn't really sacrifice any comfort. Price being unknown is a big question but as it [music] stands kudos

[21:53] question but as it [music] stands kudos Toyota. The Tiguan is modern VW at its best. A perforated flat bottom steering wheel and a turbo badge don't make it feel like an inflated Golf R as we saw, but an inflated GTI is possible. It's

[22:09] nicely powerful, easy to drive, comfortable, the interior is lovely, and as long as you don't have a smartphone in your life, then yeah, this is one of those lovely moments where both cars are pretty damn good at what they set out to

[22:21] be. The choice is yours. Thanks [music] for watching. failed to demonstrate the WeatherTech liner's purpose. They are designed very

[22:34] well to protect your car's interior. They laser scan them for your specific vehicle, and they are quite literally fit for purpose. That of course didn't stop James from continuing to insist that they had an application for hockey.

[22:47] Those poor Throttle House subscribers that came out to help him were guinea investigation into the floor liner's use outside of a car and within a hockey thanks to WeatherTech for putting up with his ongoing attempts at well,

[23:01] actually, I don't even ever know what his plan is. Point is, WeatherTech cars protected through the winter. So, if you don't have any yet, go to car. >> Yeah, don't be a hoser. Be a beauty.

[23:15] I said beauty. >> No, it's No, it's beauty. It only works trying to say Beauty and the Beast or something. Beast. >> Yeah, we know.

[23:30] French. >> Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. What?

[23:44] What? A wee wee.