Compare the2024 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In HybridVS 2024 Toyota Rav4 Prime

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid are reminded to check the back seat. The Rav4 Prime doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s standard Downhill Brake Control allows you to creep down safely. The Rav4 Prime doesn’t offer Downhill Brake Control.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Parking Support Brake costs extra on the Rav4 Prime XSE, and isn't offered on other Rav4 Prime models.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Rav4 Prime doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

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

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid is safer than the Rav4 Prime:

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 67 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Rav4 Prime is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2023.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Rav4 Prime’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Toyota covers the Rav4 Prime. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Rav4 Prime ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Rav4 Prime’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid for 1 year and 11000 miles longer than Toyota pays for maintenance for the Rav4 Prime (3/36,000 vs. 2/25000).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai above average in initial quality. With 6 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in reliability, above the industry average. With 10 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked fifth.

For better traction, the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has larger tires than the Rav4 Prime (235/55R19 vs. 225/60R18).

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Rav4 Prime SE’s standard 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Rav4 Prime SE.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Rav4 Prime’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s wheelbase is 2.6 inches longer than on the Rav4 Prime (108.5 inches vs. 105.9 inches).

For greater off-road capability the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Rav4 Prime SE (8.3 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s minimum ground clearance is .1 inch higher than on the Rav4 Prime XSE (8.3 vs. 8.2 inches).

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has 7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Rav4 Prime (105.9 vs. 98.9).

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has 2.4 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more front hip room, 1.7 inches more rear legroom and 6.2 inches more rear hip room than the Rav4 Prime.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Rav4 Prime doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Limited’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Rav4 Prime doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Rav4 Prime’s power window (except driver window), power lock and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Rav4 Prime XSE offers wireless charging.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Limited’s Remote Smart Parking Assist can parallel park by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Park Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Rav4 Prime doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid and the Toyota Rav4 Prime, based on reliability, safety and performance.