Compare the2023 Toyota Rav4VS 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander

The Rav4 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Outlander doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Rav4 and the Outlander have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Rav4 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 53 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Outlander has not been fully tested, yet.

The Rav4’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Outlander’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Rav4 for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mitsubishi doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Outlander.

There are almost 4 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Rav4’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in initial quality. With 54 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in long-term dependability. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mitsubishi is rated lower.

The Rav4’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 22 more horsepower (203 vs. 181) and 3 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 181) than the Outlander’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Toyota Rav4 is faster than the Mitsubishi Outlander:

On the EPA test cycle the Rav4 gets better mileage than the Outlander:

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Rav4 LE AWD/XLE/XLE Premium’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Outlander doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Rav4 stops much shorter than the Outlander:

The Rav4 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Outlander; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For greater off-road capability the Rav4 LE/XLE has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Outlander ES (8.4 vs. 8.3 inches), allowing the Rav4 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Rav4 XLE Premium/Limited/Adventure/TRD Off-Road’s minimum ground clearance is .2 inch higher than on the Outlander SE/SEL (8.6 vs. 8.4 inches).

The Toyota Rav4 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 100 to 200 pounds less than the Mitsubishi Outlander.

The Rav4 is 4.5 inches shorter than the Outlander, making the Rav4 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Rav4 has standard flush composite headlights. The Outlander has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The Rav4 has .3 inches more front hip room, .4 inches more rear headroom and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Outlander.

The Rav4 has a much larger cargo volume than the Outlander with its rear seat up (37.6 vs. 11.7 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Rav4. The Outlander doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Maximum trailer towing in the Mitsubishi Outlander is limited to 2000 pounds. The Rav4 4WD offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

The power windows standard on both the Rav4 and the Outlander have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Rav4 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Outlander prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Rav4’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Outlander’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Rav4 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Outlander can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Rav4’s driver power window and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Outlander’s power window switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Rav4 (except LE/XLE/Adventure) keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Outlander doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Rav4 Adventure/TRD Off-Road has a 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Outlander doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Toyota Rav4 and the Mitsubishi Outlander, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Toyota Rav4 outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander by over 9 to one during 2022.