Compare the2025 Toyota Rav4VS 2025 Hyundai Tucson

The Toyota Rav4 has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Tucson doesn’t offer knee airbags.

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 Tucson 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 Tucson have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Rav4 is safer than the Hyundai Tucson:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are over 47 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Rav4’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Rav4’s reliability 11 points higher than the Tucson.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota second in reliability, above the industry average. With 51 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked 13th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Hyundai is ranked 11th.

The Rav4’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 16 more horsepower (203 vs. 187) and 6 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 178) than the Tucson’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota Rav4 is faster than the Hyundai Tucson:

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

The Rav4 stops shorter than the Tucson:

For better maneuverability, the Rav4 LE/XLE’s turning circle is 2.5 feet tighter than the Tucson’s (36.1 feet vs. 38.6 feet). The Rav4 XLE Premium/Limited’s turning circle is 1.2 feet tighter than the Tucson’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.6 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Rav4 LE/XLE has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Tucson (8.4 vs. 8.3 inches), allowing the Rav4 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Rav4 XLE Premium/Limited’s minimum ground clearance is .3 inch higher than on the Tucson (8.6 vs. 8.3 inches).

The Rav4 has .2 inches more front shoulder room and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Tucson.

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

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 Tucson’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Tucson SEL/XRT/Limited’s power windows, only the front windows 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 Tucson can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Both the Rav4 and the Tucson offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Rav4 has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Tucson doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The Rav4 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Rav4 will retain 60.29% to 62.45% of its original price after five years, while the Tucson only retains 52.49% to 54.46%.

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

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its November 2021 issue and they ranked the Toyota Rav4 Limited 4WD higher than the Hyundai Tucson Limited AWD.

The Toyota Rav4 outsold the Hyundai Tucson by over two to one during 2023.