The Toyota RAV4 vs. Corolla: Both Are Reliable, but Which Is Better?

Lisa Steuer McArdle
· 4 min read
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When it comes to high-quality and affordable vehicles,
Toyota
has been a top choice for many. The Japanese automaker offers plenty of options, from trucks to compact cars and SUVs. Some of the most popular vehicles from the automaker are the Toyota RAV4 and the Corolla.
The two vehicles are among the best-selling cars in North America, according to
Car and Driver
. So, what would compel people to purchase a RAV4 over a Corolla? Here, we take a look at the RAV4 vs. Corolla.
The Toyota Corolla offers a better asking price and fuel mileage than the RAV4, but fewer features.

Is the Toyota Corolla a good car?

The short answer to this question is yes. In fact, the Corolla is one of the best vehicles in its class in terms of value and reliability. For this reason, it has become extremely popular as a daily commuter compact car.
Corolla's base model (L) trim level is not fast—but then again, none of the trim levels are. This compact car does, however, have a reputation for practicality, reliability, and safety. According to
U.S. News
, the 2022 base model will cost you about $20,075. 
At that price, you expect to get standard features such as tail lights and LED headlights. You will also have cloth upholstery, a 7-inch touchscreen, a six-speaker stereo, a pair of manually adjustable front seats, and much more. Moving up the trim levels, Corolla is still affordable, with the Corolla XSE Apex Edition starting at $28,360.
On top of those standard specifications, Corolla gets you the entire Toyota safety suites. That means you will enjoy features such as a rearview camera, automatic emergency braking, and forward-collision warning. Other standard safety features include pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, and automatic high beams.
That's not all. You will also get plenty of standard driver-assistive features. For instance, you will get adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and others.
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Comparing the 2022 Toyota RAV4 vs. Corolla

If your wallet can allow it, the 2022 Toyota RAV4 crossover has much more to offer. For only $27,000, you will have all of the same standard features on the Corolla. However, the benefit here is that you get to drive a crossover instead of a compact car. 
Compact cars are great and have their purpose. However, the ease of access inside without stooping so low is compelling. It also offers more cargo room, which might be a deciding factor if you have children.
The higher ground clearance is another compelling factor. It might not seem like much, but driving through over divots and bumps and having your car damaged can be very annoying. If that is not convincing enough, there is more head and legroom for rear passengers on the RAV4.
It is not a surprise to have all these features when switching from a sedan to a crossover. But that adds up to the reason why you might think of spending more. Not only do you get more features, but you also get a more powerful engine and better performance.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 vs. Corolla: Fuel economy

Naturally, with the price and features, you would expect the 2022 Toyota Corolla to crush the RAV4 in terms of fuel economy. The truth is that it's not as far off as you might imagine. According to the EPA, the Corolla rates at 32 mpg city and 41 mpg highway. 
When paired to a manual transmission instead of the available 2.0-liter engine and CVT, the rating drops to 29/36 mpg. Its standard 1.8-l engine with a CVT gets a rating of 30/38 mpg.
The RAV4 comes close with 28/35 mpg city/highway. Driving on an AWD, its base model ratings drop to 27/34 mpg city/highway, while the AWD on other trims gets 25/27 mpg.
In conclusion, the Corolla offers a better asking price and fuel mileage. However, if you can afford to spend more, you get more performance and features on the RAV4
With that said, you need to protect your investment. No matter what vehicle you choose, you need affordable insurance coverage. Sign up with
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