Why the Toyota RAV4 Is America’s Best-Selling SUV
Something historic happened in 2024. For the first time in more than 70 years, the best-selling vehicle in the US wasn’t a pickup truck; it was the Toyota RAV4*. To break a streak like that, it takes a special vehicle, one so well executed that it can appeal to a huge cross-section of the population, and one so reliable that it encourages repeat customers. To fully appreciate just how the RAV4 manages this, we’re going to have to take a look at several factors.
Toyota RAV4 Dependability
Every year, the experts at J.D. Power publish the findings of their Vehicle Dependability Study**, which tracks new vehicles sold in the US over a three-year period. This is the best way to predict the reliability of a brand or model, and Toyota/Lexus do extremely well in these rankings, regularly ranking in the top five brands, and specifically dominating the #1 spot for the last decade. But most important, the RAV4 was named the most dependable vehicle in its segment, joining the five other Toyota models that were named for their segments. Toyota has a reputation worldwide for being extremely reliable, but it’s always good to see that confirmed by hard data.
Performance And Capability
The compact SUV segment is extremely competitive, and things like fuel economy ratings are pretty near identical across all of the most popular offerings. But where the RAV4 stands out is power, which it has noticeably more of than the competition, all while offering the same fuel economy. In standard form, the RAV4 comes with 203 horsepower, versus 190 in the Honda CR-V and 180 in the Ford Escape. The same holds true for the hybrid versions: the same fuel economy, but the RAV4 makes 219 horsepower, the CR-V makes 204, and the Escape offers 192. The most dramatic difference comes when looking at the plug-in hybrid version of the RAV4. There aren’t a lot of plug-in hybrid models in this segment; Honda doesn’t make one, for example, but Toyota and Ford do. The Escape plug-in hybrid isn’t quite in the same league, though. It does offer a decent all-electric range of 37 miles, versus the 42 miles that come with the RAV4 plug-in hybrid. Power is a whole other story, where the RAV4 produces 302 horsepower to the Escape’s 210.
Configuration Options
Just because you’re shopping for the most popular vehicle in America, that doesn’t mean that your RAV4 has to be exactly the same as your neighbor’s. The RAV4 starts off with the advantage of offering three different drivetrains, with all-wheel drive being either standard or available on all configurations. Toyota offers 14 different paint options for the RAV4, and 11 different trims, both of which are well above average for the segment. This brings us to another major advantage, one of those trims is the Hybrid Woodland Edition, an off-road-ready configuration that comes with TRD-tuned off-road suspension, unique wheels, all-terrain tires, and of course, standard all-wheel drive. That’s an extra bit of functionality that you simply won’t get from a competitor.
Safety
The RAV4 comes with all of the safety features you’d expect, like eight airbags, traction control, anti-lock brakes, and latches for children’s car seats. But where the RAV4 is a standout is the standard Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5 suite of advanced driver assistance features. These features use cutting-edge technology to help prevent a collision, since there’s no safer crash than one that never happens in the first place. These technologies include: Pre-Collision System w/Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert w/Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), and Road Sign Assist (RSA).
Comfortable Interior
Obviously, none of the other advantages of the RAV4 would mean much if it weren’t also a pleasant experience for both the driver and the passengers. The 41 inches of front legroom and 37.8 inches of rear legroom are more than enough to seat five adults comfortably. There are more upholstery options than you get on competitors, and the Hybrid Woodland Edition even comes with an interior specifically designed to withstand the rigors of dirt-based activities. Available equipment includes favorites like heated seats, ambient lighting, and a panoramic glass roof. And for the audiophiles, the available 11-speaker JBL® Premium Audio system delivers truly impressive sound.