Toyota RAV4 vs Subaru Crosstrek

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek retained much of its predecessor's design, yet introduced new sheet metal, a fresh chassis, and additional colour options like Sun Blaze, Offshore Blue, and Sapphire Blue. While its wheelbase and overall length remained nearly unchanged, the Crosstrek featured a steeper departure angle and slightly reduced cargo space. The base trim came with 17-inch alloy wheels and 22 centimetres of ground clearance, making it suitable for off-road adventures. In Canada, standard roof rails added to its outdoorsy appeal, although crossbars needed to be purchased separately. The Crosstrek's front fascia, with its clever wing bar design, gave it a distinctive, smiling appearance. Black plastic cladding protected the wheel arches, and aerodynamic air inlets and outlets improved fuel efficiency and reduced road noise. The split taillight design from the second generation carried over, allowing for wider trunk access. The Wilderness trim added unique design elements, including a hexagonal front grille, larger cladding, and increased ground clearance. Inside, the Crosstrek Wilderness featured StarTex synthetic leather upholstery and copper accents, with all-weather floormats and an LED light in the cargo area.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 aimed for a tough appearance with its aggressive angularity and dual exhaust outlets, though its performance didn't quite match the look. The TRD Off-Road trim, tested in the U.S., featured a digital rearview mirror, while the Canadian lineup topped with the Limited trim. The RAV4's interior focused on practicality, with storage shelves, trays, and rubberized control knobs. SofTex artificial leather upholstery adorned the seats, with heated front seats standard in Canada. The RAV4 accommodated four adults comfortably, with good legroom and footroom. The cargo area offered 1,059 litres of space, expanding to 1,977 litres with the rear seats folded. The RAV4's design prioritized utility, making it a versatile choice for recreational activities.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek offered two engine options: a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, and a smaller 2.0-litre engine producing 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. The latter, tested in the U.S. Touring trim, was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). While not particularly quick, the CVT provided smooth power delivery with simulated shift points. The Crosstrek Wilderness trim featured different gearing for improved off-road capability and a towing capacity of 1,587 kilograms. Subaru's X-Mode traction management system, standard on all trims, enhanced off-road performance. Fuel economy for the 2.0-litre engine was estimated at 8.8 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 7.1 on the highway, with slightly higher figures for the 2.5-litre engine.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine generating 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission delivered power to the standard all-wheel-drive system. The RAV4's Multi-Terrain Select offered various driving modes, including Normal, Snow, Mud & Sand, and Rock & Dirt. Ground clearance ranged from 20.6 to 21.6 centimetres, depending on the model. The RAV4's engine provided ample power for a compact crossover, though it was loud and unrefined. 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 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, built on the Subaru Impreza platform, offered competitive cargo space and utility for a subcompact SUV. Rear-seat legroom and headroom were adequate, though taller passengers might prefer the front seats. The trunk provided 564 litres of space, expanding to 1,549 litres with the rear seats folded. The interior featured robust, easy-to-clean materials, with a protective cargo tray standard on higher trims. A heated steering wheel was standard on most trims, and the centre console bin accommodated two 32-ounce Nalgene water bottles.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 prioritized practicality and utility, with storage shelves, trays, and rubberized control knobs. The interior featured SofTex artificial leather upholstery, with heated front seats standard in Canada. The RAV4 comfortably seated four adults, with good legroom and footroom. The cargo area offered 1,059 litres of space, expanding to 1,977 litres with the rear seats folded. The RAV4's design focused on versatility, making it suitable for recreational activities.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek featured an 11.6-inch vertically oriented touchscreen, standard on all but the base trim. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a wireless charger standard on higher trims. The Limited trim offered a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Subaru Starlink technology provided various features, though some were difficult to locate. The system suffered from glare in bright sunlight.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 featured the Toyota Audio Multimedia system with an 8-inch or available 10.5-inch touchscreen. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and four connected services plans. Service Connect and Safety Connect were free for ten years, while Remote Connect was complimentary for three years. Drive Connect required a subscription, offering cloud-based navigation and a digital voice assistant. The system lacked a multi-panel Home screen and had a delicate font that was hard to read. The test vehicle had a digital rear-view mirror but lacked the panoramic surround-view camera.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek was expected to maintain its Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. Subaru's EyeSight driver assist technology, standard on all trims, included automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The system featured a wider-angle lens and automatic emergency steering on models with blind-spot monitoring.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, including adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist. The system performed adequately, though it struggled on curvy roads. The RAV4 lost its Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS due to a Marginal rating in the small overlap frontal-impact crash test and an Acceptable rating in the side-impact test. These results highlighted the need for an updated RAV4 design.