Toyota RAV4 vs Hyundai Tucson

RAV4

Base trim: $27,975  

Pictured: RAV4 Off-Road in Cavalry Blue with Ice Edge Roof. MSRP as tested $42,700.

TUCSON

Base trim: $26,900 

Pictured: N Line in Quartz White ($400). MSRP of 2022 model as as tested $34,070.

RAV4

The RAV4 has been the nation's top-selling SUV for many years. It offers a wide range of trim levels and options, including hybrid and plug-in models, to appeal to different budgets.   The RAV4 scores highly in safety and reliability and has good fuel economy, even in the gas engine types. 

The gas-only model's 204-horsepower provides nice acceleration for its size but the engine is on the noisier side. Several trims add off-road capability.

If you're looking for a practical SUV that's built to last, you can't go wrong with RAV4. The only issue you may encounter is finding one, especially if you want specific features. There's high demand for this vehicle, so you may need to order or wait to get exactly what you want.

Want more details? Here's our full review of the 2023 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road.

TUCSON

The Hyundai Tucson is a roomy and enjoyable two-row SUV with a nice ride and drive.  It offers a comfortable cabin,  great cargo space, terrific advanced driver safety technology and 2023 sees the expanded availability of some features.

Horsepower is OK given its size but we'd still love a more powerful gas-only engine option.  (The Tucson lineup does offer hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants with more power.)

The Tucson isn't geared for off-roading performance. But an N Line trim gives it a sporty vibe.

All in all, the 2023 Tucson is a great value for all the technology, safety, comfort and convenience features it offers.

Want more details? Here's our full review of the 2022 Hyundai Tucson N-Line AWD

RAV4

For 2023, all RAV4 models are equipped with the new Toyota Audio Multimedia system with over-the-air updates, dual Bluetooth phone connectivity, standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

TRD Off-Road, Limited and Prime XSE now all come standard with a new 10.5-inch Multimedia display for 2023. Other models feature a new 8-inch Multimedia screen.

A new 12.3-inch Multi-Information Display is standard on Limited and Prime XSE, and optional on TRD Off-Road. A 7-inch Multi-Information Display screen is standard on lower trims

TUCSON

For 2023, the Tucson is largely a carryover model that sees the expanded availability of some features. Some grades swap cloth for H-Tex seating surfaces.

A 10.25” color touchscreen with onboard Navigation & Traffic flow expands availability as does Dynamic Voice Recognition.

2023 brings more standard safety features, too.  Smart Cruise Control with Stop/Go, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, FCA with Pedestrian, Cyclist, and Junction Turning  Detection (sensor fusion-type) are now standard across the lineup.

RAV4

• More powerful
• More towing capability
• More ground clearance and off-road capability

TUCSON

• More upscale interior
• Smooth and quiet ride
• Roomier with more passenger and cargo space

RAV4

• Not as roomy in the front seat
• Noisy engine

TUCSON

• Isn't as powerful  
• Not as fuel efficient 

RAV4

TUCSON

30 mpg  (LE FWD, LW AWD, XLE FWD,  XLE Premium, Limited FWD)

29 mpg ( XLE AWD,  XLE Premium AWD, 

28 mpg (Adventure, TRD Off-Road, Limited AWD)

28 (FWD)/25 (AWD)

27 mpg (LE FWD, LW AWD, XLE FWD, XLE AWD, XLE Premium, XLE Premium AWD, Limited FWD)

 25 mpg (Adventure, TRD Off-Road, Limited AWD)

25 (FWD)/ 23 (AWD)

35 mpg (LE FWD, Limited FWD)

34 mpg (LE AWD, XLE FWD, XLE Premium FWD)

33 mpg  (XLE AWD,  XLE Premium, Adventure, Limited AWD)  

32 mpg (TRD Off-Road)

 32 (FWD)/28 (AWD)

RAV4

TUCSON

• New 10.5-inch Multimedia display standard on TRD Off Road w/6 speaker audio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; 8-inch screen is base
  
• New 12.3-inch Multi-Information Display is optional on TRD Off Road
• Backup camera with dynamic gridlines
  
• Optional 11-speaker JBL Premium Audio 
• SiriusXM® Platinum Plan 3-month trial subscription
• 1 yr trial Drive Connect subscription — includes Cloud Navigation with Google Points of Interest (POI) data, Intelligent Assistant with Hey, Toyota, and Destination Assist. Subscription required after trial.  4G network dependent.

• 4.2” Multi-Information Display or 10.25” Digital instrument cluster
• 8” color touchscreen Display Audio (Value 2.0) system with 6-speakers  (SE)
• 8” color touchscreen Display Audio: Adds SiriusXM, VR & Bluelink (SEL)
• Android AutoTM & Apple CarPlay (Wireless with 8” Display Audio)
• HD Radio standard
• 10.25” color touchscreen with onboard Navigation & Traffic flow including incident data via HD Radio  (XRT, N Line, Limited)
• BOSE® Premium Audio System with 8 Speakers (N Line, Limited)
• Rearview camera with dynamic parking guidelines
• Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) (Limited)

• Optional wireless charging
• Five USB ports
• One 12V/120W auxiliary power outlet  in front instrument panel storage tray and one 12V/120W auxiliary power outlet in cargo area

• Front dual USB ports (Standard)
• Second row Dual USB ports (XRT, N Line, Limited)
• 2 12-volts (front/cargo)
  
  

RAV4

TUCSON

• Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5 (TSS 2.5) —Pre-Collision System w/Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert w/Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), Road Sign Assist (RSA) 
• OPTIONAL: Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) 
• OPTIONAL: Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking (PA w/AB)

Standard ADAS:

• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with Pedestrian, Cyclist, and Junction Turning Detection (sensor fusion-type) 
• Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist
• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
• Lane Keeping Assist 
• Lane Following Assist
• Driver Attention Warning 
• Intelligent Speed Limit Assist
• Safe Exit Warning
• Rear Occupant Alert Or Ultrasonic Rear Occupant Alert

Limited Trim:

• Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist – Reverse  (Limited)
• Parking Distance Warning – Front & Rear (Limited)
• Surround View Monitor (Limited)
• Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control with Curve Control (Limited)
• Blind-Spot View Monitor (Limited)
• Highway Driving Assist (Limited)

• 3-point seatbelts for all seating positions; driver-side Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) and Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor (ALR/ELR) on all passenger seatbelts
• Front and outboard second-row seatbelts with seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters
• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) includes lower anchors on outboard rear seats and tether anchors on all rear seats
• Star Safety System™ — includes Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC),  Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and Smart Stop Technology® (SST)  
• Child-protector rear door locks and power window lockout control
• Eight airbags  — includes driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, driver's knee airbag, front passenger seat cushion airbag, and front and rear side curtain airbags

• 3-point/ELR Outboard seatbelts/inboard seatbelt (rear)
• Adjustable front-seats shoulder belt anchors
• Front seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters
• AirBags (advanced)- Driver (1)-Front passenger (1) -Occupant Classification System (OCS) Seat weight sensor and seat track sensor- Driver and front passenger side-impact FR (Thorax) (2)- Side air curtains (front and rear passengers) with rollover sensors (2)
• LATCH Lower Anchors and Upper Tether Anchors
• Power window lock-out button
• Child safety locks (rear)
• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with 4-wheel disc brakes
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control (TCS) and Brake Assist.
• Vehicle Stability Management

RAV4

TUCSON

182.3"

73.4"

187-horsepower

178 pound-feet

14.3

3,341  - 3,666 lbs (ICE)

3,500 (Adventure/TRD Off-Road grade)

1,500 lbs. (LE, XLE, XLE Premium and Limited)

2,000 w/trailer brakes