Compared: 2024 Subaru Crosstrek vs. 2023 Toyota RAV4

The redesigned Crosstrek faces off against one of Toyota's signature crossover SUVs.

Brennan Sullivan | 

May 17, 2023 | 3 min read

Toyota | Subaru

The Subaru Crosstrek sports a new look for 2024, redesigned inside and out. Read on to find out how this capable compact crossover stacks up against a close competitor, the 2023 Toyota RAV4, as we compare features, fuel economy, power output, and more.

Toyota

Crosstrek's Starting Price Is Thousands Less than RAV4's

While Toyota offers more than a dozen trim levels for the RAV4, the base model starts at around $30,000. This version packs a 2.5-liter inline-four powerplant generating 203 horsepower. The RAV4 Hybrid (HEV) pricing begins at about $33,000, while the RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid (PHEV) starts at about $44,000.

Subaru

The Crosstrek looks pretty thrifty by comparison with its starting price of $26,000. A 152-hp four-cylinder comes standard, while it takes stepping up to the Sport trim level for around $30,000 to net an extra 30 horses. Subaru offers five versions of the Crosstrek, including the off-road-oriented Wilderness with its high-riding suspension and chunky body work.

That extra money for the RAV4 does buy more sheetmetal. The Crosstrek stretches 177.0 inches, while the RAV4 can measure as long as 181.0 inches.

Toyota

RAV4 Comes Out on Top in Cargo Space

While Toyota offers all-wheel drive on the RAV4, it costs about $1,000 more on non-hybrid versions. The Crosstrek comes standard with all-wheel drive.

The other significant drivetrain difference is the hybrid gasoline-electric powertrain you can order on the RAV4 Hybrid or with a plug-in hybrid system on the RAV4 Prime.

Subaru

For the first time, Subaru offers a 11.6-inch touchscreen on most versions of the Crosstrek, while the largest screen available in the RAV4 measures 10.5 inches.

As it is the larger of the two, cargo space is one area where the RAV4 naturally comes out on top. It boasts a maximum of 69.8 cu-ft behind the front row, a solid step above the Crosstrek's 54.7 cu-ft. They offer similar levels of ground clearance. The Crosstrek has a ride height of 8.7 inches while the RAV4 stands at 8.4. The two models feature identical towing capacity in most forms, with both able to haul up to 1,500 pounds. Drivetrain revisions and a transmission cooler mean, however, that the Crosstrek Wilderness is rated at 3,500 pounds, which is what the RAV4 TRD version can tow.

Toyota

RAV4 Hybrids Are far Ahead in Fuel Economy

The 2024 Crosstrek scored as high as 29 mpg using the EPA's test cycle, just as last year's model did.

Subaru

Despite having a bigger engine than the base Crosstrek, the Toyota in its base format is quite competitive, achieving 30 mpg. Toyota claims the RAV4 Hybrid ranks higher, with an estimate of 40 mpg. The RAV4 Prime PHEV clocks in with 38 mpg but trumps them all with a 94-MPGe rating when using battery power alone.

All vehicle pricing includes MSRP plus destination charges (set at the time of publication) and will be rounded to the nearest thousand.

Brennan Sullivan

Brennan Sullivan is a writer and lifelong car fanatic. With an appreciation for all makes and models, Brennan is particularly passionate about the rich history of the automotive industry. In his spare time, he's the caretaker of a 1962 Sunbeam Alpine, and a Golden Retriever named Willow.