
The plug-in RAV4 Prime, meanwhile, matches the Woodland's combined figure of 38 mpg when operating as a hybrid. Those estimates fall to 38/35/37, respectively, for the more off-road-oriented Woodland Edition. Going the hybrid route nets the RAV4 an EPA-estimated 41 mpg city, 38 mpg highway, and 40 mpg combined. City dwellers looking for peak efficiency from a small, solely gas-powered Toyota SUV are likely to find favor with the Corolla Cross and its superior EPA estimates. Both front- and all-wheel-drive RAV4s return up to 27 mpg, per the EPA, with the trail-focused TRD Off-Road netting 25 mpg. Opt for all-wheel drive and that sum falls to 34 mpg in LE guise and as low as 32 mpg for the likes of the TRD Off-Road trim. If you do a lot of highway driving and aren't interested in a hybrid powertrain, then the run-of-the-mill four-cylinder RAV4 stands out for its EPA-estimated highway fuel-economy rating of up to 35 mpg in front-drive form. Regardless of what powers it, the RAV4 is not a compact SUV for the driving enthusiast. Like lesser RAV4s, the Prime's comfort-oriented suspension setup's soft springs result in plentiful body motions. Alas, the Prime's chassis and braking dynamics fail to match its powertrain's acceleration capabilities adequately. The plug-in-hybrid SUV rocketed to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds. Of course, the 302-hp RAV4 Prime is the powertrain of choice for those who put acceleration on a pedestal. Nonetheless, the gas-electric powerplant's 16 extra horses are a welcome addition, helping a RAV4 Hybrid we tested hit 60 mph in 7.4 seconds. The RAV4 Hybrid's four-cylinder is no better sounding, as the powertrain's CVT exacerbates the drone of the engine under heavy acceleration. As is, the 2.5-liter inline-four growls coarsely as its revs rise. Though we'd like a little more grunt from the 203-hp four-cylinder engine, we'd kill for additional sound-deadening materials in the firewall-or an engine that sings a better song. Unlike the glacier-slow Corolla Cross, the RAV4's entry-level powertrain offers adequate acceleration, with an all-wheel-drive model hitting 60 mph in 8.0 seconds in our testing. An electronically controlled CVT doles out power to the front wheels. Credit the Prime's large-capacity battery pack.Īs in the lesser hybrid RAV4, the Prime features three electric motors, including a rear-mounted unit that nets the SUV standard all-wheel drive. The 2023 RAV4 Prime features a plug-in-hybrid powertrain that affords it an estimated battery-electric driving range of 42 miles. Like the gasoline-electric Corolla Cross, the hybrid RAV4 features an electronically controlled CVT and all-wheel drive courtesy of a rear-mounted electric motor.Īt the top of the RAV4's powertrain hierarchy sits another gasoline-electric setup. Those looking for a bit more oomph can jump up to the SUV's optional hybrid powertrain that combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with three electric motors to produce a combined 219 horsepower.

This engine endows the RAV4 with reasonable straight-line acceleration, though the engine sounds rather gruff when spinning at higher revs. Front-wheel drive is the default setup, and all-wheel drive is optionally available.

The least powerful setup is a 203-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that mates to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The 2023 Toyota RAV4 offers three different power source options. Fortunately, we've done some of the work for you by comparing these two models' key specifications. Determining which one makes the most sense for your needs and budget, though, may require a little bit of extra research. Its more compact size, however, means the Corolla Cross sacrifices interior space relative to the larger RAV4.ĭespite their differences, these two Toyota models are sure to be cross-shopped by many consumers looking for a small, relatively affordable SUV. Measuring in at 175.6 inches long, the Corolla Cross is smaller than today's RAV4 but still notably larger than the first-gen four-door RAV4.Įven so, the Corolla Cross drives smaller than its size suggests, making it reasonably easy to navigate this subcompact SUV through crowded city streets. Those looking for a Toyota SUV closer in size to that of the original RAV4 may find themselves better served by the subcompact Corolla Cross.

With an overall length of 180.9 inches, the 2023 RAV4 casts a shadow nearly 20 inches longer than its forebear from 1996 (the first model year that Toyota sold the RAV4 on our shores). The Toyota RAV4 is no longer the diminutive SUV it once was.
