Here, we pit two of Toyota’s best-selling subcompact SUVs against one another to see which one comes out on top.
Toyota is well-known for producing high-quality vehicles, especially SUVs, which are known for their dependability and longevity. The Corolla Cross and the RAV4 are just two of Toyota’s many SUVs that have made a name for themselves in the industry.
The RAV4 has been in production since the 1990s, and its current fifth-generation model continues the brand’s tradition of offering comfortable transportation for families, excellent gas mileage, and ample interior space. The Corolla Cross, introduced just last year, is the newest SUV available from the manufacturer and has quickly established itself as a competent and affordable substitute for the RAV4. In this article, we will examine the advantages of the Corolla Cross over the RAV4 in the areas of performance, design, safety, and fuel economy.
Choice Of The Powertrain Is Key
Both SUVs have excellent performance and a variety of engine options to choose from, but there are some key distinctions to keep in mind. The Toyota RAV4 features three different engines, all of which are mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine can tow 3,500 pounds due to its 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque.
On the other hand, the hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains generate 219 hp and 163 lb-ft of torque, and 302 hp and 165 lb-ft of torque, respectively. Both the conventional hybrid powertrain and the plug-in hybrid version have impressive towing capacities of 2500 and 1750 pounds, respectively. The RAV4 is available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations.
Naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 169 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque has been an option for the Toyota Corolla Cross since the vehicle’s debut. However, Toyota has recently released a hybrid powertrain option for the SUV, which increases output to 196 hp and 152 lb-ft of torque.
The Corolla Cross can tow up to 1500 pounds, according to Toyota, with either engine choice. The Corolla Cross, like the RAV4, is available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Although both SUVs feature all-wheel drive to appeal to adventure seekers, the RAV4 is clearly the superior off-roader.
This is because the RAV4’s higher ground clearance makes it ideally suited for rough terrain, especially in its Adventure and TRD iterations. However, just like the RAV4, the Corolla Cross can switch to FWD in order to prioritize fuel economy depending on the driving conditions.
Better Gas Mileage With The Hybrids
Previously, the only Corolla Cross model that could be compared to the RAV4 was the naturally aspirated one. Now that hybrid powertrains are available for comparison, things get very intriguing. Both the Corolla Cross and the RAV4 offer comparable fuel economy with their gas-powered engines, with the former achieving 31 mpg in the city, 33 mpg on the highway, and 32 mpg combined, and the latter achieving 28 mpg in the city, 35 mpg on the highway, and 30 mpg combined.
The hybrid version of the Corolla Cross, meanwhile, is incredibly fuel-efficient, with an EPA-estimated 45 city mpg, 38 highway mpg, and 42 mpg combined. The EPA estimates that the RAV4 hybrid will achieve 40 miles per gallon overall, or 41 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. When compared to the RAV4, the Corola is clearly superior in this respect.
Corolla Cross Is Not Only Safe But Also Well-Equipped
Let’s get the technology and features out of the way first, since they’re crucial to the modern consumer before we get to the safety aspect. In this respect, picking between the Corolla Cross and the RAV4 could be challenging because both Toyota SUVs are loaded with amenities.
Both have identical infotainment systems, with a 7.0-inch touchscreen standard and an optional 8.0-inch unit available for higher trims. SiriusXM satellite radio, along with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, are therefore included as standard equipment on both models. Both the Corolla Cross and the RAV4 feature standard JBL audio systems, the former with nine speakers and the latter with eleven.
The tachometer and speedometer cluster sizes on the base Corolla Cross and RAV4 are 4.2 and 7.0 inches, respectively. The highest-end Corolla Cross has a 7-inch digital display, while the RAV4 Limited has a 12.3-inch display.
Pricing Is Where It Counts The Most
First, let’s talk about how much a gas-powered Corolla Cross or RAV4 costs, since these are likely to be the vehicles most people are looking into. The Corolla Cross is offered in three different trim levels, with prices ranging from $23,610 for the base L to $27,715 for the highest-end XLE. Prices for the hybrid version of the Corolla Cross range from $27,970 for the base S trim to $31,065 for the top-spec XSE trim.
The RAV4 is available in six different trim levels, starting at $28,275 for the base model and going up to $37,895 for the top-tier TRD Off-Road model that runs on gasoline. The hybrid version of this vehicle costs between $31,225 and $39,530, with the LE starting at the lower price.
Taking into account the aforementioned factors, the Corolla is the cheaper choice. The Corolla Cross is less expensive than the RAV4 in every category and offers comparable safety, fuel economy, and feature sets, but it falls short in passenger volume, off-road capability, and performance. The size is reminiscent of the original RAV4 from the 1990s. The success of the Corolla Crossover depends on the same formula that made the sedan such a hit for Toyota.
