Toyota Cars Outclass RAV4 in Certain Areas, But No Toyota Vehicle Can Beat RAV4 Overall

Rich, a happy owner of a 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, recently shared his story under Hande Tuncer’s review of her 5,000-mile Toyota Venza hybrid EV, explaining why he believes the RAV4 is unbeatable when you look at the entire package. His journey with the RAV4 highlights its well-rounded nature and practicality, making it one of the most popular vehicles in the United States.

Rich writes:

I purchased a 2023 RAV4 hybrid last year and am as pleased with it as you have been with your Venza. I considered Venza, and love the nifty moon roof, but decided sacrificing some mpg, interior space, and $$$ was not worth it.

There's a good reason the RAV4 is America's most-sold passenger vehicle. It's not the best vehicle at any one thing, but it does *everything* well. Venza does the same. A 4Runner or Taco far outclass RAV4 for off-road & hauling. Prius, Bz4x, or other EVs outclass RAV4 for efficiency and acceleration. But these cars all fall short of Toyota RAV4 in other areas. No one is going to look at your RAV4 and say "Wow!" You see them everywhere. I am OK with that. That's not what I bought the car for.

There's no other vehicle that can beat the RAV4 overall when you consider the whole package: cost, practicality, mpg, space, convenience, even looks, power, and of course reliability. Last week I was off-roading in my RAV4 in Moab Utah. Not rock crawling, but on a pretty rough dirt road. This week I have been lumber and insulation from Home Depot as I frame in a couple of bedrooms in the basement. My 4 young adult kids frequently ride on outings with me, and they're not embarrassed about it (they always want me to drive my car). 

My RAV4's display reads 44 MPG over the last 400 miles, significantly better than the EPA's 40 MPG overall rating.

What other vehicle does all that, let alone one of the most reliable vehicles on the road?

I think Rich’s own experiences with the RAV4 Hybrid speak volumes. What’s most telling, though, is how the RAV4 fits into Rich’s family life. His four young adult kids frequently ride along for outings, and they’re not embarrassed by the vehicle's looks or performance. In fact, they always ask him to drive, a subtle nod to the RAV4’s comfort and practicality. The interior space, ease of use, and modern features appeal to both the driver and passengers, making it a favorite for family trips.

Over his last 400 miles of driving, the RAV4 Hybrid managed to average 44 miles per gallon, which is even better than the EPA’s rating of 40 mpg. For a vehicle this size, that’s impressive. Rich acknowledges that while a Prius or a bZ4X might achieve better numbers, no other vehicle in the Toyota lineup can match the RAV4’s perfect blend of space, fuel economy, and versatility.

The modern Toyota RAV4 might not be a superstar in any one category, but it’s a jack of all trades that can handle just about anything. From off-roading to hauling building supplies, to comfortably seating a family, Rich’s story shows why the RAV4 continues to dominate sales year after year. It’s reliable, practical, and efficient—everything you’d want in a car that you can count on for daily use.

While other Toyota models might excel in specific areas, such as off-roading, fuel efficiency, or speed, no Toyota vehicle can outdo the RAV4 when you consider the whole package. It might not turn heads, but it’s not supposed to. Instead, it quietly gets the job done, day in and day out, offering everything drivers need without compromise.

Rich sums it up perfectly: "What other vehicle does all that, let alone one of the most reliable vehicles on the road?" His 2023 RAV4 Hybrid may not be the flashiest car, but in his eyes, it’s the most well-rounded and dependable choice Toyota has to offer. And for countless other RAV4 owners across America, it’s this all-encompassing versatility that makes it the perfect vehicle for just about anything life throws their way.

Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.