The Toyota RAV4 is a best-selling SUV, and for good reason. But the all-new Corolla Cross is definitely a worthwhile competitor, especially for price-conscious purchasers.

If you’re in the market for a new Toyota SUV, the RAV4 and the new Corolla Cross are worthy considerations.
The Corolla Cross is the slightly cheaper option.
The RAV4 offers more cargo and passenger space.

Pricing

The Toyota RAV4 is an affordable and quality subcompact SUV, especially if you get a more basic trim level.

However, the Corolla Cross has an absolutely unbeatable price tag when it comes to SUVs. You’ll be able to opt for a top-tier trim level and still spend less than what you would on a RAV4.

Take a look at the pricing information for all trims of each model:

Model	MSRP	Model	MSRP
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross L	$23,780	2022 Toyota RAV4 LE	$28,310
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross LE	$26,130	2022 Toyota RAV4 XLE	$29,780
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross XLE	$27,190	2022 Toyota RAV4 XLE Premium	$32,670
---------	-----------	2022 Toyota RAV4 Adventure	$34,565
---------	-----------	2022 Toyota RAV4 Limited	$36,810
---------	-----------	2022 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off Road	$38,250

If you’re looking for the lowest price tag: The Corolla Cross is an obvious choice. You can opt for the highest trim level and still spend over $1,000 less than what it would cost you to buy even the most basic RAV4.

But the purchase price isn’t the only cost of ownership. To get a better idea of what your vehicle will actually cost you in the long run, you need to consider the cost of ownership over a longer period of time.

According to Edmunds, ownership costs for the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross add up to an estimated $32,079 over a five-year period.

Here’s what those costs include:

Taxes and fees: $2,340

Financing: $2,615

Fuel: $9,934

Toyota Corolla Cross insurance cost

: $4,477

Repairs: $618

Maintenance: $3,626

Depreciation: $8,469

On the other hand, the RAV4 has an estimated five-year ownership cost of $38,279—several thousand dollars more than the Corolla Cross.

Surprisingly, this increase in cost has nothing to do with insurance. With an estimated price of $4,321 for five years of coverage, the

Toyota RAV4’s insurance cost

is a bit cheaper.

Performance

If your driving experience is more important to you than the exact price tag, then you’ll want to stick with the RAV4.

Its 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder produces 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, making it feel considerably quicker than the Corolla Cross.

Still, neither Toyota here has a super impressive engine. Both are incredibly noisy and paired with coarse transmissions. Their drivetrains certainly get the job done—but they’re unrefined and poky overall.

The Corolla Cross’ 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine puts out 169 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque, which aren’t bad numbers for a mini SUV, but they certainly don’t put it anywhere near the top of its segment.

Hybrid RAV4 option: The 2022 RAV4 is also available as a plug-in hybrid. It’s powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine assisted by two electric motors for a combined output of 219 horsepower.

It’s much quicker than its gas-powered counterparts (reaching 60 mph in 7.4 seconds as opposed to a lethargic 8.0 seconds) and feels considerably more solid on the road.

Fuel efficiency

When it comes to fuel efficiency, the RAV4 Hybrid obviously ranks supreme. However, if you’re only comparing the gas-powered RAV4 and Corolla Cross models, you’ll find they perform relatively evenly in terms of fuel economy.

The table below shows how EPA ratings for each model and powertrain compare:

Model	Engine	Fuel economy (city/hwy)
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross FWD	2.0-liter 4-cylinder	31/33 mpg
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross AWD	2.0-liter 4-cylinder	29/32 mpg
2022 Toyota RAV4 FWD	2.5-liter 4-cylinder	27/35 mpg
2022 Toyota RAV4 AWD	2.5-liter 4-cylinder	27/34 mpg
2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid	2.5-liter 4-cylinder	41/38 mpg

Overall, the Corolla Cross seems to perform slightly better in the city, while the RAV4 gets an extra mile per gallon or two on the highway.

A Corolla Cross hybrid is on the way with the 2023 model.

Technology

When it comes to infotainment and safety technology, the Corolla Cross and RAV4 offer nearly identical setups.

Both infotainment systems are no-nonsense and intuitive. They can also be controlled via a 7.0-inch display.

An upgraded 8.0-inch display is available on both models if you opt for a higher trim. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio will all be standard regardless of which SUV you choose.

A JBL premium audio system, navigation, and a wireless charging pad for a smartphone are optional.

Safety features are neck-and-neck as well. In general, Toyota has standardized driver assistance features, so the Corolla Cross and RAV4 are both equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 as standard across the line.

This includes automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, Road Sign Assist, and a lane departure system. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert (with braking) are available on higher trims of both SUVs.

Reliability

When it comes to reliability, the RAV4 has a proven track record of positive performance. However, experts are optimistic about the Corolla Cross.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 received a 4.0 out of 5.0 from Repair Pal, which ranks it 3rd out of 26 compact SUVs. Annual repair costs are estimated at just $429, and repairs on a RAV4 tend to be far less frequent and less severe than on other cars on the road.

Because the Corolla Cross is so new, less is known about its long-term reliability. However, trustworthy reviewers like Consumer Reports predict this crossover will perform above average.

Interior

The RAV4 is clearly the bigger vehicle and uses its space wisely so that you can haul more cargo and seat passengers more comfortably.

Take a look at the exact specs for both Toyotas:

Measurement	Toyota Corolla Cross	Toyota RAV4
Cargo volume	25.5 cubic feet	37.5 cubic feet
Headroom (front seats)	38.6 inches	37.7 inches
Legroom (front seats)	42.9 inches	41 inches
Headroom (rear seats)	39.0 inches	39.5 inches
Legroom (rear seats)	32.0 inches	37.8 inches

To be clear, the Corolla Cross still offers a decent amount of space—but take note of the added rear legroom and cargo space in the RAV4.

Toyota Corolla Cross vs. Toyota RAV4: who wins?

The RAV4 only slightly outperforms the Corolla Cross in a few categories, but the Corolla Cross is significantly cheaper, making it a wonderful option if you have a tight budget.

Still, the RAV4 is the bigger—and ultimately more comfortable—vehicle, with a faster engine and way more trim levels to choose from. Plus, with so many years of on-road experience, the RAV4’s reliability ratings are tried and true.

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FAQs

Is a Toyota Corolla Cross bigger than a Toyota RAV4?

No—the Toyota Corolla Cross is considered a “mini SUV,” while the RAV4 is part of the subcompact SUV class.

The RAV4 has an extra 5.3 inches of length, 1.1 inches of width, and 2.2 inches of height compared to the Corolla Cross.

Which is better on gas, Corolla Cross or RAV4?

The gas-powered Corolla Cross and RAV4 perform similarly in terms of fuel efficiency. The Corolla Cross may get slightly better gas mileage in the city, while the RAV4 squeezes out a few extra miles per gallon on the highway.

A hybrid option for either car will offer superior fuel economy.

Is the Toyota RAV4 more expensive than the Toyota Corolla Cross?

Yes—the Toyota RAV4 is a bit more expensive than the Corolla Cross. The least expensive trims for each cost $28,310 and $23,780, respectively.

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