Toyota RAV4 vs Toyota Corolla Cross

Base trim: $27,975  

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

Base trim: $23,610.

Pictured: XLE AWD. MSRP of 2022 model as tested $32,693.

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.  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.

The Corolla Cross is a great addition to the Toyota SUV lineup, offering a slightly smaller, 2-row alternative to the RAV4.  It's easy to drive around town in and brings peace of mind with the latest Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 driver assistance system.

The Corolla Cross comes as both a gas-only and hybrid model, which is new for 2023. After reviewing both versions, we recommend the hybrid over the gas-only. The hybrid engine is more powerful, accelerates better, and has great fuel economy.

For 2023, all RAV4 models have 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, Hybrid XSE, Limited/Hybrid 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/Hybrid Limited and Prime XSE,  and optional on TRD Off-Road and Hybrid XSE grades. A 7-inch Multi-Information Display screen is standard on lower trims.

The only upgrade in 2023 for the Corolla Cross was the hybrid engine option in trim levels S, SE, and XSE.

• Roomy, comfortable interior
  
• Plenty of trims to choose from
• More powerful than the Corolla Cross
  

• Is equipped with next-gen TSS 3.0 Safety System
• Slightly better fuel economy over the RAV4
• Available as forward-wheel or all-wheel drive

• Is equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, not the latest TSS 3.0.
• You may have to order: as one of the nation's most popular SUVs, the RAV4 is often short in supply. 

• Less powerful than the RAV4
• 8-inch multimedia touchscreen is the only one offered
• Only three trims to choose from

28-30 mpg

30/32 mpg

25 -27 mpg

29/31 mpg

32-35 mpg

32-33 mpg

• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; 8-inch screen is base
  
• Optional 11-speaker JBL Premium Audio 
• Optional wireless charging
• SiriusXM® Platinum Plan 3-month trial subscription
• 1 yr trial Drive Connect subscription  

• Standard 8-in. touchscreen with six speakers, wireless Android Auto™ & wireless Apple CarPlay® 
• Optional 9-speaker JBL sound system (LE, XLE)
• 4.2-in. color TFT Multi-Information Display (L, LE) or  7-in. Fully Digital Gauge Cluster (XLE)
• Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging (LE, XLE)
• Drive Connect capable (Subscription required)

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

•  WiFi Connect - Up to 30-day/3 GB trial subscription
• 2 or 4 USB outlets
  
• One cargo area 120V/150A auxiliary AC power outlet 

• Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5 (TSS 2.5) 
• Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) 
• OPTIONAL: Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking (PA w/AB)

• Standard Toyota Safety Sense™ 3.0 (TSS 3.0)
• Rear Seat Reminder (Standard Across Lineup)
• Blind Spot Monitor/Rear Cross Traffic (LE, XLE)
• Safe Exist Assist (LE, XLE)
• Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking (PA w/AB) (XLE)
• Backup Camera (LE, XLE)
• Backup Camera With Dynamic Gridlines (XLE)

• 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

-Star Safety System—includes 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) 

- LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) includes lower anchors on rear seats

-Collapsible steering column

-Crumple zones/side-impact door beams

-Nine airbags —includes driver and front passenger airbags; driver and front passenger outboard seat-mounted side airbags; driver and front passenger side curtain airbags, rear side airbags (right and left), and driver knee airbag

Anti-theft system with engine immobilizer ^*

175.6"

71.9" (w/o mirrors)

169-horsepower

151 lb.-ft

12.4 (FWD) 13.2 (AWD)

12.4 (L)

13.2 (LE, XLE)

3,370 -3,640 lbs

3142- 3,206  lbs

1,500 lbs. (LE, XLE, XLE Premium and Limited) 3,500 lbs. (Adventure grade/TRD)

1,500 pounds