2024 Toyota RAV4 vs 2023 Toyota 4Runner

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition, or 40 ASE, was based on the SR5 trim level and added $3,330 to its price. This special edition featured retro body stripes, a heritage grille design, bronze 17-inch wheels, and unique badges and stitching. It was available in black, white, or red paint with a black artificial leather interior. The 4Runner lineup included various trims, with prices ranging from $51,050 to $66,220, plus a $1,930 destination charge. The 40 ASE test vehicle had an MSRP of $54,380. The 4Runner's design, reminiscent of truck-based SUVs from the past, had a timeless appeal. Its interior, though filled with plastic, felt solid and of quality, with user-friendly controls.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 aimed to project a tough appearance with its aggressive design elements, including grey body cladding and dual exhaust outlets. The TRD Off-Road trim, tested in the U.S., was discontinued in Canada, where the Limited trim topped the lineup. Prices for the gas-engine RAV4 ranged from $36,215 to $47,815, with hybrids costing slightly more. The RAV4's interior emphasized utility, featuring easy-clean surfaces and rubber-lined storage areas. Higher trims offered more upscale options, such as contrast-colour interiors. The RAV4's cabin was practical, with comfortable seating and ample storage, making it suitable for recreational activities.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner was equipped with a 4.0-litre V6 engine producing 270 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 278 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. It featured a five-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive (4WD) in Canada, with a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. Two 4WD systems were available: a part-time 4WD system and a full-time 4WD system on the Limited trim. The 4Runner's fuel economy was rated at 13.8 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with the 40 ASE averaging 13.9 L/100 km. It had 24.4 centimetres of ground clearance and various off-roading technologies, including a locking rear differential and Crawl Control. The 4Runner excelled off-road but had some on-road drawbacks, such as leisurely acceleration and heavy steering.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 184 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm. It came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD) in Canada. The RAV4 offered Multi-Terrain Select with various driving modes and had ground clearance ranging from 20.6 to 21.6 centimetres. While powerful for its class, the RAV4's engine was loud and unrefined. Its fuel economy was rated at 8.5 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with the LE model slightly lower at 7.9 L/100 km. The RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition offered better fuel efficiency at 6.4 L/100 km.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner's rear window, which powered down into the tailgate, provided excellent ventilation. The interior featured comfortable seats, with heated seats and a heated steering wheel standard in Canada. The 40 ASE had SofTex artificial leather upholstery. The second-row seating area was spacious, with good legroom and USB charging ports. A third-row seat was available but compromised cargo space. The 4Runner offered 1,337 litres of cargo space behind the second-row seat, with additional storage cubbies and a 120-volt AC power outlet in the cargo area.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4's interior focused on practicality, with numerous storage options and oversized control knobs. The test vehicle had SofTex artificial leather upholstery, with heated front seats standard in Canada. The Limited trim offered ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. The RAV4's driver’s seat was comfortable, and the steering wheel was well-designed. The rear seat accommodated four adults comfortably, with good legroom and rear air conditioning vents. The RAV4's cargo area offered 1,059 litres of space, expanding to 1,977 litres with the seats folded down.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured traditional analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The system was user-friendly, with large knobs and buttons. Upgrades included a navigation system and a JBL premium sound system. The voice recognition system performed well, though it had limitations with certain commands.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 boasted the latest Toyota Audio Multimedia system with an 8-inch or 10.5-inch touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. It offered four connected services plans, including Service Connect and Safety Connect, with complimentary subscriptions. Drive Connect added cloud-based navigation and a digital voice assistant. The infotainment system was sophisticated but had some usability issues, such as the lack of a multi-panel Home screen. The test vehicle had a digital rear-view mirror but lacked the panoramic surround-view camera.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner came with Toyota Safety Sense, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard. The 4Runner received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with lower ratings for front passenger protection and rollover resistance. The IIHS gave it a Marginal rating for driver protection in the small overlap frontal-impact test.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert standard in Canada. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist systems performed adequately, though the latter was less effective on curvy roads. The RAV4 lost its Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS due to Marginal and Acceptable ratings in recent crash tests, highlighting the need for an updated design.