The Toyota RAV4 is the most popular SUV in America, and demand has increased while supply has decreased, according to iSeeCars Executive Analyst Karl Brauer. “The RAV4 line has also seen renewed interest thanks to the success of the RAV4 Prime, which had its best-ever monthly sales in June and forced some dealers to raise its price due to high demand, and the RAV4 Hybrid, which Toyota has struggled to keep in stock since its debut in 2016.
The first half of this year has seen double-digit growth for Toyota’s light trucks and vehicles compared to 2020. Deliveries of the Toyota RAV4 have reached 221,195 units so far this year. By the end of June, sales of the RAV4 had surpassed those of all Cadillac and Buick models combined. Combined. The Mazda CX-5, a deserving rival to the Toyota RAV4, just outsold the Subaru Forester in terms of sales volume. The RAV4 crossover vehicle from Toyota, however, is superior. Not only did the RAV4 outsell the CX-5 in America, but it also outsold every Mazda model.
If you’re interested in finding out which automobiles people want the most, the iSeeCars study is fascinating. The complete study summary is available here.
In This Article...
Will Toyota no longer make the RAV4?
Despite the discontinuation of the Toyota RAV4 EV in 2014, Toyota is still committed to the electrification of automobiles. The future is bright because even though we’ve ceased making the RAV4 EV, our engineers are still hard at work on the next iteration of battery technology. Additionally, your Authorized Toyota RAV4 EV Dealer will continue to provide excellent servicing if you already own a RAV4 EV.
Is the RAV4 the most popular SUV?
The Toyota RAV4 continued to be the most popular SUV in Q1 2022, taking the top spot with 215k sales (2.7 percent market share) and a fairly secure lead over the runner-up.
Sport utility vehicles were initially introduced in Japan and Europe in 1994, and they were the first ones sold globally.
The Tesla Model Y is the second-best-selling SUV with 136k units, followed by the Honda CR-V with 160k units (a 2 percent market share) (1.7 percent share).
The Hyundai Tucson, which dropped two spots to fourth with 129k units, is followed by the 110k-unit Volkswagen Tiguan. The Mazda CX-5, which has sold 101k units, is in sixth place, up 3 spots, ahead of the Toyota Highlander, which has sold 97k units, and the Kia Sportage, which is down 2 spots, with 91k units.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee enters the top 10 with 87k sold units, moving up 4 spaces to take ninth place, followed by the Mercedes GLC, which sold 88k units and moved up 4 spots.
Is the RAV4 in good shape for 2019?
Undoubtedly, the 2019 RAV4 is a reliable used small SUV. Despite the numerous improvements brought about by the 2019 facelift, this Toyota still prides itself on being a useful SUV. It offers a lot of passenger and cargo room and gets good gas mileage.
Who sells more RAV4s and CRVs?
The Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 are arguably the first compact SUVs that come to mind when thinking of them. They have dominated the sales charts in recent years and have a lengthy history of devoted clients who come back to purchase or lease the most recent models.
Although Toyota sold more than 430,000 RAV4s in 2020, the CR-V is not a minor player in the market (333,000 last year). However, as the market for crossover SUVs becomes more competitive, manufacturers are outfitting their models with cutting-edge technology, stylish exteriors, and roomy interiors. Don’t overlook the Nissan Rogue and the Hyundai Tucson either; despite not being as well-known as the Honda and Toyota, their most recent iterations are more appealing than ever.
The Field
We requested that the pertinent automakers offer us their top-trim all-wheel-drive cars so that we may conduct this comparison as fairly as possible. The 2021 Nissan Rogue SL we were given felt well-equipped despite not being the eye-catching Platinum version. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine in the Rogue generates 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. A continuously variable gearbox is in charge of distributing power to all four wheels. Our test vehicle was reasonably priced at $36,805 considering the features it included.
The Limited trim of the brand-new for 2022 Hyundai Tucson served as its representative in our comparison. Its eight-speed automatic transmission is paired with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that has a power output of 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft. The Tucson Limited AWD, which retails for $37,580, offers a ton of technology along with more passenger and storage space.
The 2021 Honda CR-V, the second-most popular crossover SUV, has a lot going for it, especially its price. Despite having the top-of-the-line Touring package, the CR-V was the least priced car here at $36,325 in total. Its 1.5-liter turbo-four engine with 190 horsepower is mated to a CVT.
The Toyota RAV4 from 2021 has shown to be a stylish vehicle. It is also the most potent SUV in this group, with a 203-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automated transmission. The Limited is the top trim, with a starting price slightly north of $37,000. However, our car came with a few options, bringing the price up to $40,451, making it the most expensive vehicle in our comparison test.
The Drive
Despite how similar these SUVs’ power and engine sizes are, each one offers a distinctive driving experience. Because the Tucson’s transmission is set up to shift into the highest gear as rapidly as possible, the torque is not transmitted to the wheels authoritatively. The Tucson’s transmission appeared to need a moment to gather its breath after coming out of a turn before downshifting. The Hyundai Tucson was the slowest SUV of the bunch, reaching 60 mph in 9.3 seconds, which we confirmed at our test track. The Tucson also felt sluggish while merging onto the freeway. Although the Tucson’s suspension was the hardest in the test, the benefit was great body control, which disappointed us as well.
During our test loop, the Toyota RAV4’s powerful engine displayed itself, and the car in general felt like the most enjoyable one to drive. That’s no small compliment considering how quickly the RAV4 accelerates and how well-balanced its body is on bumpy or winding roads, as we discovered during our trip along Southern California’s Palos Verdes Peninsula. Despite its loud engine tone, which can be a little annoying, driving a Toyota is often fun.
Over Portuguese Bend, a portion of our driving loop where the pavement is fairly rough due to continuous land movements, the ride of the 2021 Nissan Rogue seemed a little unnerving. Features editor Scott Evans observed that the vehicle “feels like it has heavy wheels.” “It’s like trying to sprint in work boots,” one person said. The Rogue’s engine produces respectable power, and its CVT is a significant upgrade over the one from the previous generation. While the Nissan’s engine note is quieter and the engine itself feels ready to give power, the transmission is still not as seamless as the Honda’s.
Although the Honda CR-V is the group’s oldest SUV, it conveys “experience” rather than “outdated.” In spite of the entry of new competitors, the Honda’s handling and driving continue to blow us away. Its suspension masterfully smoothes out major bumps, its steering feels straight and well-weighted, and despite having the lowest horsepower, it was the fastest to reach 60 mph. Yes, it has its shortcomings. The CR-body V’s control isn’t as precise as the Toyota’s, and when you apply a lot of throttle, the engine noise fills the entire cabin.
Inside
The Honda CR-V of 2021 conceals its advancing years on the road, but the interior is wrinkly. Its infotainment system is outdated, lacking the cutting-edge visuals and lightning-fast processing speed we’ve grown accustomed to, and its 7.0-inch screen appears small. Overall, the inside of the CR-V may use some improvements, especially the central dashboard.
Despite these criticisms, there are still many positive aspects about the Honda. The CR-V deserves praise for its excellent packaging, large interior, and nearly flat second-row floor. The adaptable center console is among the best in the market. The 2021 Honda CR-technology V’s may not be its strong suit, but its adaptability and packing are still strong selling features.
At the opposite end of the spectrum is the Hyundai Tucson for 2022. Its enormous 10.3-inch touchscreen and its digital instrument cluster, which is the same size, look like they were taken from a Mercedes-Benz. Designers devoted special attention to interior details, such as the piano black and chrome strip that runs from the door panels over the entire dashboard and out the other side. These goods stand out in a market that is so congested. The materials inside the interior provide a high-end feel, and the second row is roomy and open, which the previous model lacked. With its Smart Park feature, which allows the Tucson to remotely enter and exit a confined parking space, the Hyundai triumphs in terms of features offered per dollar spent on features.
The Hyundai Tucson has more technology, but the 2021 Nissan Rogue adds some nice touches and has a respectable design. The substantial quantity of leather and stitching gracing the door panels and console, as well as the fake wood trim, gave the three-tone inside of our SL test vehicle a nice first impression. The new, low-mounted shifter, which feels sleek and contemporary and makes the center console large, also contributes to the attractiveness. The Premium package includes a 9.0-inch touchscreen that supports wireless Apple CarPlay. (Wire connections are required for Android Auto to function.) The second row provides adequate space, and the cargo area has plenty of room for hauling your family about on a road trip.
The interior of the 2021 Toyota RAV4 feels a step behind the new Tucson and Rogue, much like the CR-V. Its 8.0-inch touchscreen is simple to operate, but, like the Honda’s, its infotainment system feels dated and responds slowly. Although we enjoy the 360-degree camera, the smaller screen makes it more difficult to see compared to the Nissan or Hyundai models. The speakers, cupholder bottoms, and dashboard trays all have a star-like pattern because Toyota designers paid special attention to detail and added these interesting design elements. The interior of the door handles also has a gripping texture similar to that of the HVAC knobs. The 2021 Toyota RAV4 stands out thanks to all these unique features, but we still prefer to see its rear doors open at a broader angle. A motorized passenger seat would be a surprising omission in a $40,000 car, in our opinion.
Safety
In comparison to other automakers, Honda and Toyota have gone further to standardize their active safety features. And that goes for the majority of the new vehicles in their portfolios, not just their well-liked SUVs. Excellent at keeping their respective SUVs centered in their lanes and a safe distance from the vehicle in front, Honda Sensing and Toyota Safety Sense perform admirably on the road. One of the better systems available is the Honda Sensing system.
Although Nissan and Hyundai have not yet made this move, they have upgraded their base models with a few active safety features while maintaining their complete driver aid systems for the higher trims. The $1,320 Premium package on our test vehicle included Nissan’s ProPilot Assist with Navi-Link, which performed an excellent job reading lane markings and recognizing other cars around the Rogue. We think Nissan customers would love to see ProPilot added to more models and throughout the Rogue line. It is also simple to activate: just press and hold the blue button on the steering wheel for a few seconds, and ProPilot will come to life.
Although we loved how well the Hyundai technologies operate together, just like the CR-V and RAV4, you must turn on the adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist separately to enjoy the full benefits of semi-autonomous driving. It is simple to see what is engaged and what is not in the Hyundai’s full digital instrument cluster, but we prefer the straightforwardness of the Nissan’s on/off button positioned on the steering wheel.
The Rogue is the only one of these four SUVs to be recognized by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) as a Top Safety Pick+, the organization’s top honor. The IIHS hasn’t yet evaluated the new Tucson, but it has given the CR-V and RAV4 Top Safety Pick ratings.
What’s the Best Compact SUV?
A horse never runs as quickly as when he has several horses to catch up to and outpace, according to the Roman poet Ovid. The situation with the compact SUV market is the same. Since there are so many cars racing, everyone is attempting to catch and surpass the opposition.
Hyundai deserves praise for taking a chance and going in a novel direction with the new Tucson. Despite its contentious design, there’s no denying that it stands out in the competitive segment and offers amazing value while being loaded with valuable features and technology. Hyundai, however, spent its money on tangible items rather than on the way the car drives. And we care about driving. We had high expectations for the most recent Tucson, but it came in last overall. It was without a doubt the most daring of the bunch, but you could think its design leans a little too heavily to make up for its uninspiring driving experience.
The rugged appearance and interior amenities of the 2021 Toyota RAV4 make it a very alluring SUV and highlight why it’s the market leader in sales. It excels at all it doesgreat internal room, a fully furnished cabin, amazing safety features, and the list continues on. However, there are some significant flaws, such as the small opening of the back door and the inability to fold the seats from the cargo space. The RAV4 is the Swiss Army knife of SUVs, but as Ovid once observed, horses gallop quickly when pursuing other horses, and the Toyota has been overtaken by the competition. We gave it a third-place finish.
The Nissan Rogue, which is the most improved SUV, may receive recognition in 2021. Space, value, safety, and technology are all combined in one sleek vehicle. To be honest, Nissan really outdid itself with the Rogue. Additionally, the model has good handling, which isn’t something we can claim about every Nissan these days. Being in second position is significant in such a competitive market. Without a doubt, Nissan took a huge stride ahead with the new Rogue, and we salute them for it. Its biggest drawback may be the existence of the CR-V, an unexpectedly superior and well-made SUV.
rd Place: 2021 Toyota RAV4
- fantastic styling on the inside and outside
- incredible safety innovations
- narrow back door opening
- a subpar entertainment system
- Only the second row can be used to fold second-row seats.
The Swiss Army knife of SUVs has all the features you need, but some of the things you wish you had packed aren’t included.
nd Place: 2021 Nissan Rogue
- attractive design
- a large cabin
- current technology
- rather rigid ride quality
- Need to add packages to get a version with all the features
the most enhanced SUV. Nissan may regain the upper hand if it keeps going in this direction.
st Place: 2021 Honda CR-V
- fantastic packing
- void in the middle
- good value
- stale design and technology
- lacks the fancy features of today
Despite fierce competition, the Honda CR-V remains the top SUV in the compact market.