How do Other Crossover SUVs Stack Up to the 2021 Toyota RAV4?

When you're shopping for a new car, it can be hard to know what makes one car better than another, and there are a lot of crossovers out there. Here at Szott M59 Toyota in Waterford, MI, we want you to make an informed decision. Let's take a look at the RAV4 and how it compares to some of its competition: the Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage and Nissan Rogue.

Toyota RAV4 vs. Kia Sportage

• When you're driving around Bloomfield, MI, the last thing you want to worry about is what your gas is costing you. The Kia Sportage only travels an EPA-estimated 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. The RAV4 can go an EPA-estimated 27 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway, and that's not even considering the hybrid option.
• Sometimes it feels like your phone needs to be charged all the time. The Sportage can have a USB port in the front and one in the back, but what happens when you have more than one device that needs to be charged? The new Toyota RAV4 can have up to five USB ports. One is used to connect your phone to the infotainment screen, then there are two more in front and two in the back to keep the whole family's charged and operational.
• With your phone connected to the infotainment system through Android Auto™ or Apple CarPlay®, you might want to listen to some music. The base trim for the RAV4 has six speakers, half again as many as the base Sportage. Even at the most feature-rich level, the RAV4's available 11 JBL® speakers beat out the Sportage's available 8 Harman Kardon® speakers. Both provide an immersive acoustic experience, but the RAV4 provides a powerful surround-sound adventure.
• LED head and taillights are safer and last longer. That's why they come standard on the Toyota RAV4. However, the Kia Sportage only has LED head and taillights available at higher trim levels, meaning you'll pay more for this basic safety feature.

Toyota RAV4 vs. Honda CR-V

• The RAV4 has an available seven-inch digital Multi-Information Display with digital speedometer and customizable settings. This feature is completely unavailable on the Honda CR-V. While you are stuck with the CR-V infotainment system's layout, the RAV4 can keep you informed with exactly what you want to know.
• Listening to a podcast or music on the way to work is practically a given these days, and both the RAV4 and CR-V will get that done. However, while the CR-V has Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay® integration on higher trims, the Toyota RAV4 has these and Amazon Alexa right on the base trim. This makes connecting your music, communication and calendar easier and more affordable.
• Parking in those tight parking garages in Rochester, MI can be a pain. With the Honda CR-V, you will just have to rely on the backup camera, your skill and a bit of luck. The RAV4, on the other hand, gives you an extra edge. In addition to the standard backup camera, you can get an available Bird's Eye View Camera to show you a top-down perspective of your car and the surrounding area. That way you can slide into that corner parking space with confidence.
• Almost all modern cars have a central infotainment screen. The Honda CR-V has a small, 5.0-inch LCD screen to view the backup camera and music. The RAV4's audio system uses a 7.0-inch touchscreen, and that's standard on the base trim. The larger touchscreen makes interacting with the infotainment system simpler and less distracting, so you can keep your eyes focused on the road.

Toyota RAV4 vs. Nissan Rogue

• Although the Nissan Rogue may appear to be more affordable at first, it will end up costing you more. Thanks to ToyotaCare, the 2021 RAV4 includes free, factory-scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles and 24-hour roadside assistance for two years. You will have to pay extra for the same maintenance and roadside assistance with the Rogue.
• The available ventilated seats in the RAV4 can keep you cool in those Detroit summers, but the Rogue lacks this feature entirely. No one likes a sweaty back, and the Rogue won't be able to help you with that.
• The engine you have matters, especially when you are heading up the hills north-west of Farmington. The Rogue has a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that generates only 181 horsepower. However, the RAV4 has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 203 horsepower. Plus, if you're looking for a hybrid option, the RAV4 has a hybrid engine that gives up to 219 horsepower, and there is no hybrid option for the new Nissan Rogue.
• Driving in the rain can be a pain, especially when it's intermittent. Do you keep turning the windshield wipers on and off or just leave them on? The available rain-sensing windshield wipers on the RAV4 are the real solution to this problem. They can turn on and off automatically as they are needed while you'll still be faced with this dilemma in the Rogue.

 See the 2021 Toyota RAV4 for Yourself at Szott M59 Toyota

Whether we look at technology, comfort or performance, the RAV4 beats out its competition by a fair margin. If you're looking for a great compact SUV, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 is an excellent choice! Don't take our word for it, though. You can check out our RAV4 inventory here and schedule a test drive with us so you can experience it for yourself.