2021 Toyota RAV4 vs. Its Competition

2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime
Aaron Cole Aaron Cole Managing Editor

The Toyota RAV4 competes against other mega-sellers such as the Honda CR-V and Ford Escape.

Both offer new hybrid powertrains, although Toyota’s hybrid keeps pace with both.

Only Ford offers a plug-in hybrid, too.

The Subaru Forester and Jeep Compass are off-road champs among the set, the TRD Off-Road comes close, but is more expensive.

The Chevy Equinox will be updated next year, including a sporty-looking RS version; the 2021 version is mostly identical to the year before it.

Unlike the RAV4 Prime, the Equinox RS doesn’t boost power or performance.

2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime2021 Toyota RAV4
2021 Chevrolet Equinox2021 Chevrolet Equinox
2021 Ford Escape2021 Ford Escape
2021 Honda CR-V (CR-V Hybrid)2021 Honda CR-V
2021 Jeep Compass2021 Jeep Compass
2021 Subaru Forester2021 Subaru Forester
Quick Specs
6.5
The 2021 Toyota RAV4 is the meat-and-potatoes crossover for many buyers; the RAV4 Prime supplies the all-electric range.
6.2
The 2021 Chevy Equinox draws closer to the Blazer in size and mission—and in price.
7.0
The 2021 Ford Escape is the softer side of the Blue Oval’s small crossover 1-2 combo.
6.5
The 2021 Honda CR-V wins hundreds of thousands of wallets each year and it’s no surprise: it’s spacious, comfortable, efficient, and quiet.
5.0
The 2021 Jeep Compass skimps on safety and seat comfort, but delivers crossover utility in a compact footprint.
6.8
A recent Best Car To Buy winner, the 2021 Subaru Forester notches big wins in utility and safety as one of our most recommended crossover SUVs.
MSRP From     
$26,350$23,800$25,555$25,350$24,495$24,795
Gas Mileage     
25 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy25 MPG City / 31 MPG Hwy23 MPG City / 37 MPG Hwy27 MPG City / 34 MPG Hwy22 MPG City / 31 MPG Hwy26 MPG City / 33 MPG Hwy
Engine     
Regular Unleaded I-4Turbocharged Gas I4Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-3Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4Regular Unleaded I-4Regular Unleaded H-4
EPA Class     
Small SUV 2WD2WD Sport Utility VehicleSmall SUV 2WDSmall SUV 2WDSmall SUV 2WDSmall SUV 4WD
Style Name     
LE FWD (SE)FWD 4-Door LS FWDLX 2WDSport FWDCVT
Drivetrain     
Front Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveAll Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity     
555555
Passenger Doors     
N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
Body Style     
Sport UtilitySport Utility VehicleSport UtilitySport UtilitySport UtilitySport Utility
Transmission     
Automatic w/ODAutomaticAutomatic w/ODCVT w/ODAutomatic w/ODCVT w/OD
Detailed Spec Comparison
 2021 Toyota RAV4 vs. 2021 Chevrolet Equinox2021 Toyota RAV4 vs. 2021 Ford Escape2021 Toyota RAV4 vs. 2021 Honda CR-V2021 Toyota RAV4 vs. 2021 Jeep Compass2021 Toyota RAV4 vs. 2021 Subaru Forester