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2025 Toyota RAV4 vs the Competition

2025 Toyota RAV4 vs the Competition

When discussing the RAV4, one cannot avoid using superlatives. The RAV4 is the Toyota entry into the compact crossover category, which is the best-selling segment in the U.S. It is also the best-selling model in that category. In fact, it is the best-selling model in the U.S. that is not a full-size pickup truck. Possibly lesser known is that the RAV4 created the compact crossover segment when it first appeared in 1994. Prior to that, SUVs were all truck-based. The RAV4 showed that a vehicle that drives like a car and has the comfort of a car and the space and versatility of an SUV would be a winner.

So, in its tire tracks was built the compact crossover segment one competing vehicle introduction at a time. Today, almost all mainstream and luxury brands have a compact crossover in their model lineups, and the models have effectively replaced the sedan as the default family vehicle. It is easy to see why. Compact crossovers combine a compact footprint that is easy to navigate in city traffic and parking lots. They have space to carry five people comfortably and still have a fair amount of cargo space behind them. Most model lines have standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and offer the on-road traction optimization of all-wheel drive (AWD) as an option. 4-cylinder engines, both turbocharged and naturally aspirated, are prevalent through the segment, with a few turbocharged 3-cylinder engines present as well. The standard RAV4 engine is a naturally aspirated (not turbo or supercharged) 2.5-liter inline-4 that produces 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque.

Unsurprisingly, the RAV4 was the first model in this category to offer a hybrid drivetrain, and it has since added a plug-in hybrid drivetrain. This drivetrain starts with the 2.5-liter engine and adds an electric motor through the Toyota Synergy Hybrid system for a total system power of 219 hp.

2025 Toyota RAV4 vs Honda CR-V

After being sold in Japan for a few years, the Honda CR-V entered the U.S. market in February 1997. It is now in its sixth design generation and fits between the HR-V and the Passport in size. The CR-V has surpassed the Accord as the best-selling Honda model and is available with conventional and hybrid drivetrains. The conventional drivetrain features a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4 paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Its hybrid setup differs from the Toyota system and most others as it uses an electric motor for most of the propulsion, while the 2.0-liter engine primarily recharges the battery. The engine can propel the car directly at steady highway speeds. Thus, it essentially has no transmission.

  • The CR-V has no plug-in hybrid model.
  • Among non-hybrid models, the RAV4 has more horsepower (203 vs.190) and torque (184 vs. 179 lb-ft) than its CR-V counterpart.
  • With 219 combined total power output, the RAV4 hybrid outpowers the 204-hp CR-V Hybrid.
  • Despite their different drivetrains, the non-hybrid RAV4 and CR-V have very similar fuel mileage. The FWD RAV4 is EPA-rated at 27 city and 35 highway, while the FWD CR-V is rated at 28 / 34, respectively. Thus, both have a combined estimate of 30.
  • The RAV4 Hybrid (which has standard AWD) gets better fuel mileage with up to 41 city and 38 highway compared to 40 / 34 for the CR-V Hybrid AWD.
  • The CR-V has no counterpart to the off-road focused RAV4 Hybrid Woodland with its higher ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and improved towing capacity (1,750 pounds compared to other RAV4s and all CR-Vs)
  • The RAV4 and CR-V both have an Overall 5-Star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) with identical crash-test scores.
  • The standard audio system in the base RAV4 has six speakers compared to four in the CR-V.
  • When the surface becomes uneven, the RAV4 has a higher ground clearance than the CR-V (8.4 inches vs. 7.8 inches).
  • The RAV4 has standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. However, the CR-V still requires a wired connection until you reach costly trim levels.
  • The starting MSRP of $29,250 for the base RAV4 is lower than the CR-V at $30,100.

2025 Toyota RAV4 vs Nissan Rogue

The Nissan Rogue debuted in 2008 and is now in its third design generation. It is currently the best-selling Nissan model. The Rogue is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-3 engine, which is the only powertrain offered, as the Rogue has no hybrid or Plug-in hybrid models. Comparisons will involve the non-hybrid RAV4.

  • There are no hybrid versions of the Rogue.
  • All Rogues feature a continuously variable transmission, whereas the RAV4 has a more conventionally behaving 8-speed automatic.
  • The Rogue drivetrain is considerably more complex, with variable transmission, valve timing, and compression. These three variable components can interfere with predictable acceleration.
  • The RAV4 has significantly more cargo space with the rear seats up (37.5 vs. 31.6 cubic feet).
  • The RAV4 has standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The Rogue still requires a wired connection until you get to more costly models.
  • Adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and roadside recognition systems are standard on the RAV4 but cost extra on the Rogue.
  • The standard audio system in the base RAV4 has six speakers compared to four in the Rogue.

2025 Toyota RAV4 vs Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester was an early entry into the compact crossover category, with its debut in the 1998 model year. The Forester stands out in the category with standard AWD across the model line and its 4-cylinder engine having a horizontally opposed (flat or Boxer) configuration rather than an inline configuration like the rest of the category. The comparisons below will be against the non-hybrid RAV4 AWD model.

  • The RAV4 has more power with more horsepower (203 vs 180) and more torque (184 vs. 178 lb-ft).
  • All Foresters feature a continuously variable transmission, whereas the RAV4 has a more conventionally behaving 8-speed automatic.
  • The RAV4 gets slightly better fuel mileage. The EPA estimates the RAV4 AWD’s city and highway mileage at 27/34, while the Forester is rated at 26/33.
  • With the rear seats up, the RAV4 has significantly more cargo space than the Forester (37.6 cubic feet vs. 29.6 cubic feet).
  • The RAV4 has standard wireless smartphone integration, while the Forester requires an upgrade from the base model to get wireless integration.
  • Rear passengers will appreciate the rear climate control vents on the RAV4, which are not on the Forester.

2025 Toyota RAV4 vs Hyundai Tucson

The Hyundai Tucson made its debut in 2004 as a compact alternative to the Santa Fe, which was shifting to mid-size status. While it shares mechanical components with the Kia Sportage, the two models do not share any exterior or interior design features. Currently, the Tucson is in its fourth generation, which was introduced in the 2022 model year. It is built on a smaller version of the platform that supports the Santa Fe. The Tucson stands out as the other model line in this category, offering conventional, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid drivetrains.

  • AWD is standard on RAV4 Hybrid models but not available on Tucson hybrid models, which all have FWD.
  • The non-hybrid RAV4 has more power than the non-hybrid Tucson, with more horsepower (203 vs 187) and more torque (184 vs. 178 lb-ft).
  • The non-hybrid RAV4 is more fuel-efficient than the Tucson. The EPA estimates that FWD models can achieve up to 27 / 35 city and highway mpg, compared to 25/ 33 for the Tucson.
  • The RAV4 hybrid with standard AWD is more fuel-efficient than the FWD Tucson hybrid. The EPA estimates the RAV4 Hybrid to get up to 41 / 38 mpg in city and highway driving, compared to 38/ 38 for the Tucson Hybrid Blue and 35/35 for other Tucson hybrid models.
  • The RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid has an estimated EV-only range of 42 miles compared to 33 miles for the Tucson Plug-in Hybrid.
  • When the EV range has expired, the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid gets 38 combined mpg vs. 35 for the Tucson Plug-in Hybrid.
  • The RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid’s total operating range is estimated at 600 miles, compared to 420 miles for the Tucson Plug-in Hybrid.
  • Driver-side knee airbags are standard on the RAV4 but unavailable on the Tucson.
  • Cornering Brake Control is standard on the RAV4 but unavailable on the Tucson.
  • When the surface becomes uneven, the RAV4 has a higher ground clearance than the Tucson (8.4 inches vs. 7.1 inches).

Compare 2025 Toyota RAV4 to the Competition

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Standard Crossovers Toyota
RAV4
Honda
CR-V
Nissan
Rogue
Subaru Forester Hyundai
Tucson
Trims 11 6 5 10 9
Colors 6 8 12 9 9
Engine Gas – 2.5-liter
Hybrid – 2.5-liter
1.5-liter Turbo
2.0-liter Hybrid
1.5-liter Turbo Gas – 2.5-liter
Hybrid – 2.5-liter
Gas – 2.5-liter
Hybrid – 1.6-liter Turbo
Horsepower Gas – 203
Hybrid – 219
Gas – 190
Hybrid – 181
201 Gas – 180
Hybrid – 194
Gas – 187
Hybrid – 231
Plug-in – 268
Torque Gas – 184 Gas – 179
Hybrid – 247
225 Gas – 178 Gas – 178
Hybrid – 271
Plug-in – 271
Transmission 8-spd auto CVT CVT CVT Gas – 8-spd auto
HEV/PHEV – 6-spd auto
DriveTrain Standard – FWD
Optional – AWD
Standard – FWD
Optional – AWD
Standard – FWD
Optional – AWD
AWD Standard – FWD
Optional – AWD
Fuel Tank Capacity 14.5 14 14.5 16.6 14.3
Fuel Economy (City/Hwy/Comb) 25 / 32 / 28 28 / 34 / 30 30 / 37 / 33 26 / 33 / 29 25 / 33 / 38
Infotainment Standard – 8″”
Optional – 10.5″”
Standard – 7″”
Optional – 9″”
Standard – 8″”
Optional – 12.3″”
Standard – 7″”
Optional – 11.6″”
Standard – 12.3″
Front Headroom 37.7 40 41.1 Base – 41.2
All Other Trims – 40
40.1
Front Legroom 41 41.3 41.5 43.3 41.4
Rear Headroom 39.5 38.2 39.2 Base – 39.6
All Other Trims – 37.7
39.5
Rear Legroom 37.8 41 38.5 39.4 41.3
Cargo Space Behind Rear Seats 37.5 cu.ft. 39.3 cu.ft. 31.6 cu.ft. 29.6 cu.ft. 38.7 cu.ft.
Cargo Space Rear Seats Folded 69.8 cu.ft. 76.5 cu.ft. 74.1 cu.ft. 74.4 cu.ft. 74.8 cu.ft.
Base Price 30,645 31,495 29,980 31,415 30,200

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