Toyota Corolla Cross vs. Toyota RAV4: A Model-to-Model Comparison

in Car Comparisons
Silver Toyota Corolla Cross

Source: Flickr

Toyota is one of the most prominent manufacturers on the market, providing ample selections for interested parties. Two of their most well-known SUVs include the Toyota Corolla Cross and the Toyota RAV4. If you’re debating between the two, it’s helpful to check out the details surrounding the Toyota Corolla Cross vs. Toyota RAV4 before buying.

No matter what you’re looking for in your next car, it’s always an excellent idea to check out your options first. While there are many similarities between the Cross and RAV4, there are some significant differences. Read on to learn more about the performance, interior comfort, safety, fuel economy, and more between the cars.

Performance

The first thing to check out when examining the Toyota Corolla Cross vs. Toyota RAV4 is the performance of the vehicles. Every driver wants a car that will serve them well in the long term, and there is a difference between the Cross and RAV4.

According to motortrend.com, the Corolla Cross puts more of an emphasis on a comfortable ride. The base engine takes 9.2 seconds to go from 0-60 mph. The RAV4 will take eight seconds to do the same thing, though the rocketing plug-in hybrid selection takes a mere 5.4 seconds to reach the same number.

Both vehicles struggle in the performance department. However, we would place the Toyota RAV4 as the winner in this category over the Corolla Cross.


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Interior Comfort and Style

The interior comfort and style are also another area to consider when picking a car. The more comfort and space you have to enjoy on the road, the more enjoyable and dependable your experience will be. 

The Toyota Corolla Cross provides just under 75 cubic feet EPA of passenger cargo volume. It also brings a maximum of 25.5 cubic feet of cargo hold. The Toyota RAV4 is much better in this category, providing around 88.4 cubic feet of EPA passenger volume and more than 35 cubic feet of room for cargo.

Both vehicles come with sleek additions to the interior. The RAV4 comes with features like available 12.3-inch and 10.5-inch touchscreens. They also have some off-roading capabilities, though not as much as true off-roaders. The Corolla Cross only has a 7.0-inch screen and no off-roading abilities.

The winner in this category is the Toyota RAV4. It’s more equipped to satisfy in the interior department. 

Price and Value

One of the most common reasons for a particular vehicle investment is the price and value. While some investors simply will purchase a car for its looks, the price and value are critical aspects for many individuals to consider. 

The Toyota Corolla Cross is one of the smallest selections on the Toyota market, providing a more compact experience for the driver that doesn’t need an extensive amount of room. Typically, you will find the starting price for the Toyota Corolla Cross to be slightly over $24,000, which is excellent for a buyer on a budget.

The Toyota RAV4 is slightly larger, and the price point reflects that number. If you want the base model of the Toyota RAV4, it will cost you more than $32,000. If you want to upgrade to a hybrid version of the classic machine, it will cost you even more, at around $44,000. That’s for the least expensive version, which gets very expensive for investors. 

The Toyota Corolla Cross is the clear winner here. It’s far more reasonable to consider. 


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Safety

Of course, most drivers will place a high importance on safety. The safer the vehicle, the more confident you will feel placing your family in the rear. Toyota is revered for safety, and that’s apparent in these machines.

The Toyota Corolla Cross earned the Top Safety Plus award, though some aspects of the vehicle have not been evaluated for safety as of yet. It receives a rating of Good in the side and front tests.

The Toyota RAV4 garners a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and is a Top Safety Pick. However, it only earns an Acceptable rating in front and side tests, so we would make the Toyota Corolla Cross the winner in this arena. 

Fuel Economy

Another area of importance in any vehicle investment is the fuel economy. It doesn’t matter how fast your machine can go if it doesn’t get very many miles per gallon of fuel. The better the fuel economy, the higher the value.

The Toyota RAV4 has solid fuel economy. Most trims will acquire 27 mpg in the city and 35 on the highway. Comparably, the Toyota Corolla Cross accesses 31 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.

It’s nearly a tie in this category. However, we’d place the Corolla Cross slightly ahead.


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Trims

The final item to consider in the Toyota Corolla Cross vs. Toyota RAV4 is the available trims. People want choices when investing, and Toyota provides them.

The Toyota Corolla Cross offers three trim levels in the latest iteration: the L, LE, and XLE. The higher you climb in the trims, the more features you will gain.

The Toyota RAV4 provides an astounding six trim levels, not including any of the hybrid selections on the market (which take the number up to fifteen). It’s easy to upgrade the RAV4 to your liking.

The RAV4 emerges victorious in this category. It offers far more to the interested buyer.

Which Car Comes Out On Top?

We’ve gone over ample details associated with the Toyota Corolla Cross vs. Toyota RAV4, checking out everything from the performance of each car to the fuel economy of each successful performer. Now, it’s time to answer one final question - is it better to invest in the Toyota Corolla Cross or the Toyota RAV4?

Overall, we recommend the Toyota Corolla Cross if you want a well-equipped vehicle selection with an agreeable price point to most people. While the Toyota Rav4 can be more attractive and faster in many instances, the Toyota Corolla Cross offers a far better value with the offerings and the price point.



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