Hyundai Tucson vs. Toyota RAV4: which is better?
Two of the most reliable family SUVs go head-to-head to see which one is the better all-rounder
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To put the Hyundai Tucson vs. Toyota RAV4 against each other is to compare two of the sharpest SUVs on the market. With angular designs and competent hybrid systems, it’s hard to ignore either.
But what’s also hard is choosing between the two. So that’s why we’ve compared how they look, how they drive, and what features they have to help you choose the right one.
Read on to find out more in our Tucson vs. RAV4 review.
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Hyundai Tucson vs. Toyota RAV4
Which SUV has the better styling?
Is the Hyundai Tucson or Toyota RAV4 better to drive?
Does the Hyundai Tucson or Toyota RAV4 have better tech?
Is the Hyundai Tucson or Toyota RAV4 more reliable?
What are the Hyundai Tucson vs. Toyota RAV4 dimensions?
Hyundai Tucson vs. Toyota RAV4: styling
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When it comes to styling, very few SUVs look as menacing as these two.
The Hyundai Tucson is almost styled to look like a shark with its wide imposing grille and sharp contours that run along the side.
It’s a complex design, and not as smooth as some other SUVs, but that’s what makes it stand out.
It’s a similar story with the RAV4 in that it’s been given a seriously angled design – the latest gen is as angular as a Lamborghini Urus, but a lot cheaper. A lot.
To appeal to both the US and UK markets, Toyota has made sure the RAV4 is a bigger car than before, but still easy on the eyes – something Toyota has always been good at.
Hyundai Tucson vs. Toyota RAV4: what are they like to drive?
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As a car to do it all, the Tucson is hard to beat, especially when it comes to driving. It handles the UK’s bumps with ease, keeping you and your family comfortable on longer drives.
Being an SUV, it commands a high driving position that gives you full visibility of the road ahead.
Plus, there’s a strong range of engines on offer, with our pick of the bunch being the 256hp plug-in hybrid, which offers up to 35 miles of electric-only range.
The RAV4 is also a very quiet and refined car, offering a smooth ride and a surprisingly agile feel around town.
It comes with just one engine option: a 2.5-litre petrol engine mated to an electric motor that produces 215hp and is capable of 48.7mpg.
If you were to take these off-road, the car you’d want to be in is the RAV4 for its more capable four-wheel drive system that it’s famed for.
Hyundai Tucson vs. Toyota RAV4: interior and technology
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For a long time, Hyundai and Toyota weren’t known for quality interiors, instead being quite basic. Nowadays, they’re much more upmarket and can easily compete with more expensive rivals.
Both cars get central infotainment screens: 10.25 inches in the Tucson and eight inches in the RAV4. They’re both smooth and responsive, and run Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
If we had to pick the better interior, we’d say the Hyundai just takes the cake since it has a larger infotainment screen, a sleeker design, and better-integrated buttons and switches.
Hyundai Tucson vs. Toyota RAV4: safety and reliability
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Family SUVs are some of the safest cars on our roads, and that’s shown by the great in-built safety features you get with the Tucson and RAV4.
The Hyundai Tucson gets lane-keep assist, lane-follow assist, automatic emergency braking, and intelligent speed limiting.
The Toyota RAV4, on the other hand, comes with adaptive cruise control, lane trace assist, and a pre-collision warning system.
Both cars scored a full five stars following their most recent Euro NCAP safety tests, proving these onboard safety systems work.
As for reliability, they’re both very strong. The Japanese Toyota and South Korean Hyundai are well known for being very dependable, thanks to solid engines and great build quality.
Hyundai Tucson vs. Toyota RAV4: boot space and practicality
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Being SUVs, boot space is at the top of their lists, and neither the Tucson nor the RAV4 disappoint.
However, it’s worth noting that the size of the boot in your Tucson depends on the engine you pick. The 1.6-litre petrol gets 620 litres, whereas the full hybrid gets 577 litres, and the plug-in hybrid gets even less at 558 litres.
Having just one engine available, the RAV4 gets a 580-litre boot, which sits about right when compared to the hybrid Tucson.
Overall practicality is great in both cars too, with plenty of cubbies and storage spaces for you and your family.
Hyundai Tucson vs. Toyota RAV4: dimensions
2024 Hyundai Tucson
Length: 4,510mm
Width: 1,865mm
Height: 1,650mm
Boot space: 620 litres (1,799 with the rear seats folded)
2019 Toyota RAV4
Length: 4,600mm
Width: 1,855mm
Height: 1,685mm
Boot space: 580 litres (1,690 with the rear seats folded)
Hyundai Tucson vs. Toyota RAV4: which should you buy?
Choosing between the Hyundai Tucson and Toyota RAV4 is quite a tricky decision. They’re both so similar in many ways, but let’s simplify it for you.
You should buy a used Hyundai Tucson if...
You want to benefit from electric-only driving
Boot space is important to you
You want the better interior
You should buy a used Toyota RAV4 if...
You prefer the styling
You want a very dependable family car
You have a little more to spend on a car
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