Thinking about buying a Toyota RAV4? Here are other top choices to consider

There’s life beyond Toyota when it comes to compact SUVs.

Feb 17, 2025 - 07:43

Thinking about buying a Toyota RAV4? Here are other top choices to consider

Americans love the Toyota RAV4. Last year, only the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado outsold it, and its status at the top of the charts is well-deserved. After all, this was the world’s first crossover SUV, debuting in Japan in 1994 and stateside two years later.

It created the compact SUV segment, which was meant more for mall crawling than boulder-bashing. With its utilitarian shape, high seating position, and decent fuel economy, the RAV4 is the perfect everyday station wagon. This is no off-road warrior; it’s big hat, no cattle.

1996 Toyota RAV4: the world's first car-based SUV
Toyota

Need proof? Well, Toyota dropped the Adventure and TRD Off-Road grades for 2025, as well as the latter’s torque-vectoring all-wheel drive system. Need further proof? Its cargo hold swallows 38 cubic feet of lifestyle debris, or 70 cubic feet if you leave the kids or your mother-in-law at home and fold down the rear seats.

Its tech package includes a standard 8-inch or optional 10.5-inch display, which is a bit smaller than today’s norm, but it does include a 4G LTE mobile hotspot and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

What’s left is what was previously offered: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, transmitted to the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is optional and has a negligible effect on fuel economy, coming in at 29 mpg.

While Toyota and its competitors also offer hybrid versions of their compact SUVS, we review them separately.

Nevertheless, the RAV4’s powerplant is certainly adequate for the task, but no one will accuse the RAV4 of having best-in-class power, handling, or driver engagement. Actually, given the range of choices in this class, we’d suggest you at least try these key competitors before deciding on a RAV4.

Honda CR-V

Placing fifth in U.S. sales last year, the Honda CR-V shares some of the RAV4’s faults, such as average acceleration, uninspiring interior design, and a middling tech package. But it proves to be a remarkably balanced SUV, one that expertly balances a pleasing demeanor, decent handling, and a reasonably comfortable ride. Driving enthusiasts will likely prefer the Volkswagen or Mazda, though.

The LX, EX, and EX-L trims get a 190-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission with either front- or all-wheel drive. Acceleration is average at best. All-wheel drive models return 28 mpg, while front-wheel drive models get 30 mpg.

The instrument panel looks like the Civic’s, providing a functionalism typical of classic Hondas. Thankfully, designers have resisted doing away with as many switches and knobs as possible, for which we say, “bravo.”

That said, the standard screen on the LX and EX measures a minuscule 7 inches. EX-L models get a slightly larger 9-inch unit with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Cargo space is impressive, at 39 cubic feet or 77 cubic feet, with the rear seats down.

Mazda CX-50

While Mazda makes the slightly smaller CX-5, we prefer the CX-50 for its far newer design. Like its sibling, the Mazda-CX-50, it offers up an athletic, engaging driving experience with great handling, a powerplant that’s a willing accomplice, and a cabin that feels as if it should be in something far more expensive.

The CX-50’s appearance has a solid stance, and its larger size seems more accommodating than the CX-5. Its cargo space is rated at 31 cubic feet or 56 cubic feet with the seats folded. While that outdoes the CX-5, it’s not as large as some of its competitors.

We are less enthusiastic about its cumbersome infotainment system, with a 10.25-inch screen that is adequate but not optimal in size. What's worse is that it's controlled solely by a wheel on the center console.

Power for the CX-50 is a naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 187 horsepower through a six-speed automatic transmission. The same engine is offered in turbocharged form, and we recommend it for its 256 horsepower and ability to tow 3,500 pounds. That said, its 25-mpg fuel economy rating is 3 less than the non-turbo driveline. All-wheel drive is also standard, which is unusual for this crowd.

Ford Bronco Sport

This is the off-road warrior of the bunch, with similar off-road chops to its bigger sibling and standard all-wheel drive. It's also closer in size to the original, making for a more authentic experience.

That said, it shares its underpinnings with the Ford Escape, including its 181-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine and eight-speed transmission. A far more desirable 250-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is available, but only on the top trim level.

If you are hitting the trails with any regularity, we recommend the Badlands trim, which includes essential off-road gear you’ll need once the sidewalk ends. It can tow 2,200 pounds, and its cargo space is average for the class at 29 cubic feet.

Overall, the Bronco Sport’s trucklike persona renders this the truest SUV here, possessing a steady, reassuring character that's reflected in its slightly lesser interior trim quality. It has been cost-accounted to death by Ford’s whiz kids, but it does have a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a navigation system.

Volkswagen Tiguan

If you’d like an affordable Germanic compact SUV, the Volkswagen Tiguan is a satisfying answer. Redesigned for 2025, the Tiguan’s styling gets a bit more modern and generic, losing some of its distinctive Volkswagen design crispness in an effort to look more like the ID.4 EV. Volkswagen has at least upgraded its interior quality, using walnut and double-stitched leather trim even as it loses its optional third row.

Inside is a 12.9-inch infotainment display that can be paired with an optional head-up display and a 15-inch infotainment screen. Interestingly, VW added a new option that allows you to synchronize the interior’s ambient lighting with your music, giving the Tiguan's cabin a club-like vibe. Wireless phone charging is also standard.

As before, the 2025 Tiguan is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine good for 201 horsepower, which is a notable improvement from last year's 184 horses.

If you don’t mind the lower power rating and the minuscule third row, you might be able to swing a deal on a leftover 2024 model. It possesses a certain athleticism and crisp, classic VW style that’s alluring.

Subaru Forester

Rational and not rapid, the redesigned 2025 Subaru Forester looks much like a Merrill hiking boot with alloy wheels. Yet its sensible sheet metal contains a far more refined cabin, anchored by a standard 7-inch touchscreen or an optional 11.6-inch display with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto. While the onscreen buttons are large and easy to use, its design is graceless and lacks a visual hierarchy to make controls easy to find.

A 2.5-liter horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission provide 180 horsepower to all four wheels. Power delivery is smooth, even if you’d wish for more of it. The ride is comfortable, and body motions are well-controlled.

Its cabin looks bigger than it is, with 30 cubic feet of cargo space that expands to 74 cubic feet when needed. For the 17th year in a row, the Forester has won the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick designation.

Final thoughts

Since the Toyota RAV4 doesn’t excel in any particular area, it’s a good idea to try a rival or two to see if their personality is more pleasing.

The Honda has a copious amount of space and is more fun to drive than the RAV4, but Mazda and Volkswagen offer an SUV that a driving enthusiast can appreciate, even if the Mazda is the smallest one here.

For those who need real SUV capability or just want to make an unmistakable fashion statement, the Ford Bronco Sport is your ride. Finally, the Subaru offers a plain, unprepossessing aura that’s reassuring, practical, and safe.

With such a variety of personas, settling for a RAV4 seems silly. Or then again, maybe not.

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