With the congested market of SUVs, Toyota continues its tradition by introducing a practical and efficient SUV as 2023 RAV4. With opulent features, comfortable seating, and good fuel economy, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 is the talk of the town and among the perennial best-selling Toyota SUVs.
Where the RAV4 shines is in everyday tasks, like commuting and home improvement runs. Toyota includes plenty of driver assistance tech and desirable infotainment features as standard, the crossover SUV is amazing for off-road adventures as well.
If you’re planning to buy the 2023 Toyota RAV4, but can’t decide which one to buy, this article is for you. There are a few rivals like the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, and Nissan Rogue that you should be looking for when comparing with the 2023 RAV4, but how much better the RAV4 is?
2023 Toyota RAV4- Quick Rundown
The RAV4 continues to be a smart choice for those seeking a practical, efficient, and well-equipped SUV for everyday use.
It uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 203 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 184 lb-ft of torque at 5,000 rpm paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
RAV4 gives a great 27 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on highways. The mileage game can get even higher if you opt for the Hybrid RAV4- as hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrain options are also available.
The 2023 Toyota RAV4 is released in six trims to cater to the needs of a wide section of consumers. The trims are LE, XLE, XLE Premium, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and Adventurer. All these trims have six styles each, except the TRD Off-Road- which comes in three styles.
The crossover SUV hosts features like voice command, an automatic emergency braking system, adaptive cruise control, a vehicle anti-theft system, comfortable seating, and amazing fuel economy for the 2023 model.
Best Off-Roader?
The TRD Off-Road and adventurer trims of RAV4 almost surpass all other compact SUVs with their off-roading capabilities. RAV4 boasts higher ground clearance of up to 8.6 inches and this helps you when you are venturing on the beaten path.
The RAV4 boasts 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque giving more power for tough off-roading. The Toyota’s special Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD system is enough to get the required traction on rough, muddy, sandy, or snowy surfaces.
The only competitors that actually compete with RAV4 on off-road surfaces are Subaru Outback, and Ford Bronco Sport. The Honda CRV is another one but the CRV is particularly not for off-roading, so I’m excluding that one.
Starting the off-road comparison, the Subaru Outback outcompetes the RAV4 by a margin! This thing is a monster giving 9.5 inches of ground clearance, Subaru’s specific X-MODE, with its 2.5-liter horizontally opposed (flat-four) engine.
Ford Bronco Sport on the other hand is equipped with tons of off-road features like Bronco’s G.O.A.T. Mode, robust suspension system, and protective features. Its rugged build and superior 4WD allow it to tackle all terrains with ease.
All three are amazing for off-road driving, but if I have to make a decision, I’d pick the other two over the RAV4. The pricing is almost the same and compared to the Bronco and Outback, the RAV4 TRD Off-Road is prepared for just light to moderate off-road and may give you a tough time on more rugged terrains.
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Interior Comparison
For the interior, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 is a 4-door, 5-passenger sport offering SofTex-trimmed seats with 8-way power adjustable passenger and driver seats.
RAV4 offers 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space with rear seats that can fold down easily to open up the cargo area. The RAV4 can fit 10 carry-on suitcases behind the rear seats and 22 with the seats folded, matching the cargo capacity of the Nissan Rogue but falling short of the Subaru Forester and Honda CR-V.
You’ll find Adaptive cruise control, an Inch touchscreen, LED light, a Blind Spot Monitor, Lane Tracing Assist, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto features.
The base LE model has basic cloth seats and basic controls, but the higher XLE and XLE Premium trims add more premium materials and features like leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Which is More Reliable?
When buying any vehicle in the market, reliability should be the standard. There is no use of features or a premium look if the vehicle is just going to last some months before breaking completely. SUVs are often considered safe due to their larger size and heavier body.
Toyota has always been reliable in every segment, but how much the RAV4 is reliable compared to its rivals? Safety features wise, RAV4 comes with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite and Toyota Star Safety System to ensure drivers and passengers are safe during the ride.
Standard features include Lane Tracing Assist, Automatic High Beams, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Smart Stop Technology, Anti-Lock Brakes, Traction Control, Vehicle Stability Control, Panoramic View Monitor, and more.
The RAV4 is not as reliable as you might expect it to be, the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 do seem to be more reliable when you check the reliability rating on J.D. power, but the difference is not much. All four SUVs are strong enough to get “five stars” in the NHTSA Safety Rating.
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Which Gives Better Value?
With multiple trim levels, advanced off-roading capabilities, and enhanced safety features the 2023 Toyota RAV4 costs between $29,625 – $39,245. After 5 years, the RAV4 depreciates to 27% which is impressive but should’ve been more considering it’s a Toyota after all.
In contrast, the Honda CR-V base price for different trims is between $28,410 – $39,100. After 5 years, CR-V retains about 63.52% of its value and you can get a good amount when you sell it.
Mazda CX-5 satisfies its driver with lively handling and costs between $29,990 to $42, 020 and this SUV. With $19,000 to $36,000 resale value, Mazda is best in holding its value.
The 2023 Nissan Rogue is the best version of itself and costs between $28,750 – $38,530. A Nissan Rogue will depreciate 41% after 5 years and have a 5-year resale value of $21,117. You can check the complete details here.
Final Words
Undoubtedly, the RAV4 is among the most popular and solid compact SUVs you can get. When compared to the other SUVs in its league, the RAV4 does not do much special.
RAV4 and CR-V share the position of the best interior in different domains. The CR-V has an edge over its spacious cargo and updated design while the RAV4 is a good choice for its standard technology features.
The 2023 Nissan Rogue outsmarts all three in terms of reliability- with the CR-V sharing the second position slot in terms of reliability.
When we compare them to off-roaders, the RAV4 is a clear winner due to its off-roading capability, lightweight, and ground clearance features. However, all the other SUVs lack the RAV4’s AWD torque vectoring system, which provides better handling on rough surfaces.
