2018 Best Crossover SUVs
Look below the table for a detailed breakdown of 2018 RAV4 advantages.
| SPECS | 2020 RAV4 XLE AWD | 2020 ESCAPE SE AWD | 2020 FORESTER 2.5i PREMIUM (CVT) | 2020 CR-V EX AWD | 2018 RAV4 XLE HYBRID | 2018 ROGUE SV HYBRID |
| Engine | 2.5-liter 4-cyl. DOHC 16-valve with dual VVT-i | 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cyl. DOHC 16-valve | 2.5-liter 4-cyl. DOHC 16-valve with AVCS | 1.5-liter turbo 4-cyl. DOHC 16-valve with dual VTC | 2.5-liter 4-cyl. DOHC 16-valve with dual VVT-i | 2.0-liter 4-cyl. DOHC 16-valve with CVTCS |
| Transmission | 6-speed ECT-i automatic | 6-speed SelectShift® automatic | Lineartronic CVT with X mode | CVT with Sport Mode | ECVT | Xtronic CVT |
| Horsepower | 203 @ 6,600 rpm | 181 @ 6,000 rpm | 182 @ 5,800 rpm | 190 @ 5,600 rpm | N/A | N/A |
| Torque | 184 @ 5,000 rpm | 190 @ 3,000 rpm | 176 @ 4,400 rpm | 179 @ 2,000 rpm | N/A | N/A |
| Hybrid System Net Power | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 194 hp | 170 hp |
| Electric Motor | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Permanent magnet motor | Advanced electric motor |
| Battery | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Sealed nickel-metal hydride | Lithium-ion |
| Est. MPG (city/hwy/combined) | 25/33/28 | 26/31/28 | 26/33/29 | 27/32/29 | 34/30/32 | 31/34/33 |
| Airbags | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 6 |
| Cargo Volume | 73.4 cu. ft.; 38.4 cu. ft. behind 3rd row | 68.0 cu. ft.; 34.0 cu. ft. behind 3rd row | 68.5 cu. ft.; 34.4 cu. ft. behind 3rd row | 75.8 cu. ft. total; 39.2 cu. ft. behind rear seats | 70.6 cu. ft. total; 35.6 cu. ft. behind 2nd row | 61.4 cu. ft. total; 27.3 cu. ft. behind 2nd row |
| Tire Size | 225/65R17 | 225/65R17 | 225/60R17 | 235/60R18 | 100.7 cu. ft. | 106.8 cu. ft. |
| Towing Capacity | 1,500 lbs. | 2,000 lbs. | 1,500 lbs. | 1,500 lbs. | 1,750 lbs. | N/A |
| Curb Weight | 3,490 lbs. | 3,464 lbs. | 3,522 lbs. | 3,521 lbs. | 3,925 lbs. | 3,746 lbs. |
The RAV4 offers a diverse range of benefits over its crossover competitors: the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, Subaru Forester, and Nissan Rogue.
SafetyÂ
If safety is your primary concern, look no further than the 2018 RAV4 XLE AWD, which comes equipped with eight airbags; that beats out the Ford Escape and Honda CR-V equivalents, boasting seven and six airbags respectively. The 2018 RAV4 also received the NHTSA 5-Star Overall Safety Rating and is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ when equipped with LED Headlights.
In terms of more advanced safety features, the entire line of RAV4 vehicles comes standard with the Toyota Safety Sense ™ P package featuring an array of high-tech safety and assistance capabilities. The RAV4 competitors can’t keep up as the Ford Escape only includes related features with particular trims and package options. Subaru follows a similar path, as comparable technology is only available on the Forester 2.5i Premium at an additional cost. The RAV4 LE comes standard with advanced active safety features while the Honda CR-V LX offers no matching option; a similar case can be seen when comparing the RAV4 XLE Hybrid to the Rogue SV Hybrid.
Fuel Economy
The 2018 RAV4 exhibits advantages in the hybrid market as well. The RAV4 XLE’s hybrid option has an EPA rating that boasts 7 more city mpg than Honda’s CR-V EX AWD. Even non-hybrid RAV4 vehicles feature stronger EPA ratings than all of the engine options available for the Ford Escape. Regarding awards, IntelliChoice named the 2016 RAV4 Hybrid a winner in both SmartChoice Operating Costs and SmartChoice Fuel Costs categories.  And if that’s not enough, the 2017 RAV4 Hybrid was named Best Hybrid SUV for the Money by U.S. News & World Report.
Engine Power
The RAV4 is no flop when it comes to engine power either. Toyota’s RAV4 XLE boasts 176 horsepower while the Forester 2.5i Premium, a key RAV4 competitor, only reaches 170 horsepower. If you’re more interested in the power of competitive hybrid models, Nissan’s 2018 Rogue Hybrid produces 176 horsepower. On the other hand, the RAV4 XLE hybrid is capable of producing 194 horsepower.
Space
The Toyota RAV4 also has key advantages regarding interior space and cargo capacity. The RAV4 offers 73.4 cubic feet of storage behind its first row while the Ford Escape only has 68 cubic feet of storage. The RAV4 also features significantly more cargo space behind its first and second rows than the Subaru Forester. And storage capacity isn’t the only area in which the RAV4 beats the competition; the RAV4 XLE offers more headroom and legroom than the Honda CR-V. The RAV4 wins out in the hybrid market as well, with the RAV4 XLE Hybrid providing almost 10 more cubic feet of cargo volume than the Rogue SV Hybrid.
Navigation
Accurate and dynamic navigation options can be crucial when traversing long distances or driving in unknown areas. The RAV4 XLE comes with standard and upgradable navigation options while the Forester 2.5i Premium and the CR-V EX have no available navigation options. Additionally, the Escape LE has no standard navigation.
These are just some of the advantages you can experience with the 2018 Toyota RAV4.
