Cars Similar To The Toyota RAV4 (7 Alternatives in 2022)

Back in the 1990s, the genre of the crossover SUV was taking shape with rigorous enthusiasm from the public. And Toyota was among the first companies to take note of this rising trend.

The Toyota RAV4 has been around since 1994 and even became the best-selling SUV in the world in 2019. As for the latest 2022 model, its sticker price ranges from $26,975 to $38,075 in the US.

But if you think this is a one-horse race, you may be wrong! There are other striking cars in the segment that deliver equally-promising results. So, let’s discover the top 7 alternatives to the Toyota RAV4!

1. Hyundai Tucson ($25,800 – $35,300)

Similarities Between the Tucson and the RAV4

Like RAV4, the Tucson is also its automaker’s best-selling SUV. Both these cars look vastly different and are many-fold more advanced than their predecessors in their latest iterations.

The Tucson, too, features a unibody construction and is available with gasoline or hybrid powertrains and automatic transmissions. It can be had with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

Like the RAV4, this Hyundai also gets independent suspension front & back, similar exterior length and width, and weighs almost the same as well. Their fuel tanks hold comparable amounts of fuel, too.

Common features found on both cars’ base trims include 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps with High Beam Assist, remote keyless entry, digital MID, tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, and Forward Collision Warning with Pedestrian Detection.

Features that Make the Hyundai Tucson Stand Out

Compared to the RAV4, Tucson’s design is far more audacious yet fashionable. The Hyundai is also available in either sporty or rugged exterior styling with more color options.

The Tucson’s overall body and wheelbase are longer with a lower roof. And it features not only a bigger boot but also a larger passenger cabin.

On the inside, Tucson’s cabin hosts a minimalistic and more upmarket design. Its wraparound styling, along with paddle shifters and a driver-oriented center console promotes a sense of sportiness.

Here are the Hyundai Tucson’s other fortes:

• Substantially cheaper
• Gets Rear Occupant Alert and Driver Attention Warning
• Comes with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard
• Gets a larger touchscreen infotainment screen across variants

The Tucson will be a great pick for buyers who want an urban SUV with a lot of features and a premium cabin experience. Check out the table below for detailed specifications of this Hyundai:

2. Subaru Forester ($25,895 – $35,995)

Similarities Between the Subaru Forester and the Toyota RAV4

Both Forester and RAV4 arrived in the same decade as compact crossover SUVs, being in their fifth-generation avatars. Like RAV4, the Forester also boasts a new unibody design and a modern platform.

Subaru and Toyota get four-cylinder gas engines with automatic gearboxes as standard. The latter is also available with all-wheel drive, while both cars share similar city MPG figures.

The lower variants of both cars can tow 1500 pounds, while street-friendly variants of the RAV4 also have comparable ground clearance. The two also share nearly-identical wheelbase.

Other common features are split-folding rear seats, tilt/telescoping steering column, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Detection, TPMS, and High Beam Assist.

How Does the Forester Stand Out From the RAV4?

While the RAV4 looks rugged enough, the Forester’s exterior is even more compelling than an SUV. It’s also longer and taller and has a roomier cabin that boasts a higher passenger volume.

The seats of the Forester feel more accommodating and look better contoured, while its greenhouse area is positively more expansive. Its interior design is seemingly more car-like, too.

Moreover, the Forester feels far more at home on challenging terrains than the RAV4. It feels confident and almost undeterred.

Here are the Forester’s other salient features:

• Gets AWD as standard with Active Torque Vectoring
• Cheaper than the RAV4
• Its off-road-specific variant gets more ground clearance
• Gets a larger fuel tank

If you want a compact crossover to go through the wilderness and come out unscathed, Subaru Forester is your best bet. To know more, check out the specifications table below:

3. Kia Sportage ($25,990 – $36,790)

Similarities Between the Kia Sportage and the Toyota RAV4

Both crossovers are presently in their fifth-generation avatars and utilize a car-like monocoque chassis in their construction. The Sportage is also primarily a front-wheel drive vehicle but is available with all-wheel drive as well.

The two share other similarities like fully-independent suspension all around, choices of gas and hybrid powertrain, and automatic transmissions. In their AWD versions, both cars have comparable ground clearances.

The Sportage and RAV4 are just as wide on the outside and designed to seat five people on the inside. They also have near-identical boot volume, fuel tank capacity, and curb weights.

The Kia also comes with multi-terrain drive modes and safety features such as Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning & Lane Keeping Assist, and Radar-Guided Cruise Control.

What Makes the Kia Sportage Stand Out?

One of the most noticeable aspects of the Kia Sportage is its design. It now looks a lot bolder and more contemporary, sporting various sharp angles and strong body contours.

The Sportage is also a much newer car, so it will undeniably attract more eyes and for longer. It also offers customers more exterior color options, including eye-catching dual-tone shades.

The interior of the Sportage can also be had in interesting dual-tone colors, along with perforated and quilted materials and plenty of modern technology equipment.

These are some more of the Sportage’s other USPs:

• Relatively cheaper than the RAV4
• Boasts a longer wheelbase
• Larger passenger volume
• Features upmarket & better-quality materials

If you want a crossover SUV with a style statement, a compliant ride and a spacious cabin, then the Kia Sportage would be a great pick. Here’s the specification table of the Kia Sportage:

4. Volkswagen Tiguan ($26,590 – $37,320)

Similarities Between the Tiguan and the Toyota RAV4

Like the RAV4, the Tiguan is also a unibody design with a primary front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. Both cars also get automatic transmissions as standard.

Besides, Volkswagen and Toyota also have a similar amount of cargo space behind the second row, with the cabin feeling equally roomy in both cars.

Other similar features that bring Tiguan closer to RAV4 are multiple airbags, Electronic Stability Control, Blind Spot Monitoring, Forward Collision Warning with Pedestrian Detection, and Tire Pressure Monitoring System.

How Does the Tiguan Differentiate Itself From the RAV4?

The Tiguan is a typical Volkswagen product as it shines more emphasis on being an understated yet modern design.

Unlike the RAV4, the interior design of the Tiguan is more car-like and feels suitably premium and well-built. Its cabin also feels roomier and has three rows that can seat up to 7 people.

Even the base variant of the Tiguan gets an 8-inch digital driver’s display, Dynamic Road Sign Display, touch-capacitive HVAC panel, and 17-inch alloy wheels.

The top variant of the Tiguan has larger, 20-inch alloy wheels.

Here are some other notable features of the Volkswagen Tiguan:

• It’s longer in overall length and has a longer wheelbase
• Higher total fuel & payload capacity 
• Torquier turbocharged engine
• Higher top speed
• Heated front seats

The Volkswagen Tiguan is for those who want a well-refined crossover with a flexible yet feature-loaded cabin. Check out the Tiguan’s specifications table below for more details:

5. Mazda CX-5 ($26,700 – $39,650)

Similarities Between the Mazda CX-5 and the Toyota RAV4

Both CX-5 and RAV4 are available in a similar number of gas-powered variants, while the base powerplants of these cars are of identical displacements with comparable torque outputs.

Like RAV4, the CX-5 also gets an automatic transmission, four-corner independent suspension, available Drive & Terrain Modes, and a comparable wheelbase figure. The Mazda’s length and width figures are similar to the Toyota’s as well.

Other common equipments between the two are available 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps with Automatic High Beams, Radar Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Departure Warning, etc.

Both Mazda CX-5 and the Toyota RAV4 were unveiled at American auto shows and hail from highly-respected Japanese marques. The two SUVs were given a facelift at around the same time, too.

Where Does the Mazda CX-5 Take the Lead?

The exterior design of the CX-5 is more akin to a high-riding sports car than a rugged SUV. It’s sporty and taut body with sleek yet svelte lines that provides admirable driving characteristics.

While the two cars have similar exterior dimensions, the CX-5 looks visually smaller. Its interior design and the overall quality of materials used makes its cabin feel richer and more artistic.

The base variant of the CX-5 comes loaded with exciting standard features. Some of them are automatic headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, Cross Traffic Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking, etc.

The following are the other pertinent features unique to the CX-5:

• It can be had with a punchy turbocharged engine
• Gets Mazda’s i-Activ AWD system as standard
• Snappier gearbox with Sports mode
• Quicker to 60 mph

So, if you want a compact crossover that drives well and gets a well-trimmed & feature-rich cabin, then the Mazda CX-5 is for you. Below is the specifications table for the CX-5:

6. Ford Escape ($27,185 – $40,700)

Similarities Between the Ford Escape and the Toyota RAV4

Just like the RAV4, the Escape is also built on a modern car-based platform that’s tuned more towards urban conformity rather than a conqueror of tough landscapes.

Both crossovers are primarily powered by gas engines that drive the front wheels via an automatic transmission. The base Escape too gets 17-inch steel wheels, with its higher AWD variants capable of towing 3500 pounds.

Other similarities between the two include a 5-seater cabin with amenities like Pre-Collision Assist with Forward Collision Warning & Pedestrian Detection, Auto High-Beam Headlamps, TPMS, etc.

What Makes the Ford Escape Stand Out?

The Ford is a more compact and sleeker package, making it easier to drive in congested spaces. The trendy yet unassuming car-like facade of the Escape makes for an inoffensive design.

The Escape gets at least three powerplant options, witnessing standard and plug-in hybrid versions. Moreover, the base variant of the Escape offers slightly better city MPG than the RAV4.

As for its equipment list, the Escape can be had with more features for less money. It scores extremely well on the safety front while also being engaging to drive in its turbo-petrol avatar.

Here are Ford’s other strong suits:

• Gets an intuitive infotainment system
• Can hit 60 mph in just 6 seconds
• Boasts a higher top speed
• Even the base variant can tow more, at 2000 pounds
• Poised and compliant handling

If you like small crossovers that are easy to drive but also practical and capable, the Ford Escape is a good option for you. Check out the specifications table below for more insight:

7. Honda CR-V ($31,110 – $35,260)

Similarities Between the Honda CR-V and the RAV4

The Honda CR-V came into existence around the same time as the Toyota RAV4. It’s also a modern unibody chassis that has been one of the top-selling cars in North America.

Both crossovers are 5-seaters and are powered by gas engines that are paired with torque-converter automatics and drive the front wheels. The MPG ratings of the two are almost identical too.

The CR-V’s wheelbase, as well as its boot space, is comparable to the RAV4 too. They also share nearly-similar ground clearance figures and body width.

Other points of commonality shared here come in the form of LED headlamps & tail lamps, a 7-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, and Adaptive Cruise Control with Forward Collision Warning, etc.

Where Does the CR-V Take the Lead?

The outgoing Honda CR-V is an all-new model, which makes it a far more interesting case. It’s also a bit longer and comes in more color options on the outside.

Unlike the RAV4, the all-new CR-V is available in only two variants. The Honda is even easier to drive within city limits, with its ride quality even more sorted than the Toyota.

The base CR-V sports larger alloy wheels, a one-touch power sunroof, dual-zone climate control, ambient lighting, a 7-inch digital driver’s display, a 240-watt sound system, and wireless smartphone connectivity.

Here are some other unique features the Honda CR-V gets:

• AWD comes as standard
• Blind Spot Monitor with Cross Traffic Monitor
• Up to 10 airbags
• Lighter and faster
• Quieter cabin with Active Noise Cancellation

If you want an easy-to-handle, reliable urban crossover with up-to-date equipment, the all-new Honda CR-V will serve you well. Check the CR-V’s specifications table below for more insight:

So, the top alternatives to the Toyota RAV4 we have here are definitely worthy of serious consideration. Cars like the Tucson and Sportage are your set of wheels if you prefer stand-out designs with an extensive features list at lower prices.

The CX-5 and Tiguan will suit those who prioritize good driving and interior quality. And the CR-V is a great buy for a reliable and well-equipped suburban crossover. So, pick your best car and take a test drive! If you need fantastic alternatives to Toyota Corolla, we’ve got you!