Toyota RAV4 vs Hyundai Tucson
Compact SUVs · head to head, 2010–2027
The Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Tucson were both sold for 18 model years (2010–2027). Among the RAV4's own years, its best bet is 2018; years to avoid: 2019–2020; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025. Among the Tucson's own years, its best bet is 2024; years to avoid: 2016–2017; the newest year rated a good buy is 2024.
Toyota RAV4
SUV · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2018
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid 2019–2020
- Be careful 2021
Hyundai Tucson
SUV · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2024
- Newest good buy 2024
- Avoid 2016–2017
- Be careful 2025
How to read this: each model's verdicts compare that model's own years with each other (serious owner complaints per car on the road against that model's usual year, using New York registrations). They are not a reliability ranking of one model against the other, so a good-buy RAV4 year says nothing about whether it beats a Tucson. (How we judge.)
Year by year, side by side
| Year | Toyota RAV4 | Hyundai Tucson | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Not rated | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2026 | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | Side by side |
| 2025 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.8× usual, mostly collision avoidance and brakes | Side by side |
| 2024 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.4× usual, mostly engine and steering | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | Side by side |
| 2023 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
| 2022 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | Side by side |
| 2021 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.6× usual, mostly air bags and engine | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | Side by side |
| 2020 | AVOIDSerious complaints 3.6× usual, mostly engine and fuel system | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
| 2019 | AVOIDSerious complaints 3.6× usual, mostly fuel system and engine | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | Side by side |
| 2018 | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2017 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | AVOIDSerious complaints 2.5× usual, mostly engine and power train | Side by side |
| 2016 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | AVOIDSerious complaints 3.3× usual, mostly power train and engine | Side by side |
| 2015 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2014 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | Side by side |
| 2013 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | Side by side |
| 2012 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | Side by side |
| 2011 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | Side by side |
| 2010 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | Side by side |
Each chip rates that year against the same model's other years. Tap a chip for the year's details; "Side by side" compares both models that year, trim by trim.
Compare any year, trim by trim
2026: the newest shared year with full data, at a glance
Newer years (up to 2027) have thinner price and equipment data for one or both models, so this table uses 2026. Use "Compare any year" above for the others.
| 2026 Toyota RAV4 | 2026 Hyundai Tucson | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict (vs the model's own years) | TOO NEW | TOO NEW |
| Starting price (MSRP range) | $31,900 to $48,500 base price by trim, 10 trims | $29,450 to $48,550 base price by trim, 14 trims |
| Engines and horsepower | 2.5L 4-cyl, 184–186 hp 2.5L 4-cyl hybrid, 184–186 hp | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo hybrid, 178 hp 1.6L 4-cyl turbo plug-in hybrid, 178 hp 2.5L 4-cyl, 187 hp |
| Fuel economy (EPA combined) | 38–43 mpg | 26–38 mpg |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Third row | No | No |
| Cargo behind last row | 33.5–37.8 cu ft | 31.9–38.7 cu ft |
| Max cargo | 63.5–70.4 cu ft | 66.3–74.8 cu ft |
| Max towing | 1,750–3,500 lb | 2,000–2,750 lb |
| NHTSA crash rating | Not rated | 5 of 5 stars |
| Recalls · owner complaints (NHTSA) | 1 · 35 | 5 · 90 |
Sources: OpenSpec and the makers' equipment guides, NHTSA vPIC, EPA and NHTSA ratings. Cargo, towing and bed length rows appear when we have them. "—": not in our data. Compare every 2026 trim →
Key features: base trim vs top trim
| RAV4 LE lowest price, $31,900 | RAV4 Prime GR SPORT highest price, $48,500 | Tucson SE lowest price, $29,450 | Tucson Plug-in Hybrid Limited highest price, $48,550 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Apple CarPlay | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Adaptive cruise control | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Blind-spot warning | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Heated front seats | — | Standard | — | Standard |
| Ventilated front seats | — | Standard | — | Standard |
| Sunroof or moonroof | — | — | — | Standard |
| 360-degree camera | — | Standard | — | Standard |
| Power liftgate or tailgate | No | Standard | — | Standard |
| Remote start | Standard | Standard | — | — |
"Standard" and "Optional" are for that trim as the 2026 data lists it (a package or option adds an "Optional" item); "—": not verified in our sources, never a guess. The cheapest and most expensive trim of each model; every trim is on the model's 2026 page (RAV4, Tucson).
Known fixes and extended coverage
Toyota RAV4
26 manufacturer programs on file: 16 extended coverage, 10 repair programs.
- Extended coverage CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM ZKG Multiple Models and Model Years Vehicles Painted with Blizzard Pearl (070) or Super White (040) Paint Color Coverage for Peeling of Factory-Applied Paint (2010–2017 models)
- Extended coverage Repair is Now Available Multiple Models and Model Years Vehicles Painted with Blizzard Pearl (070) or Super White (040) Paint Color Coverage for Peeling of Factory-Applied Paint. (2010–2017 models)
- Extended coverage Repair Process: Customer Support Program ZKG ? (2010–2017 models)
- Extended coverage These reports indicate that vehicles with these specific paint colors, applied during the vehicle manufacturing process, may experience paint peeling on exterior metal body panels. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to the… (2010–2017 models)
Hyundai Tucson
41 manufacturer programs on file: 13 extended coverage, 28 repair programs.
- Extended coverage The warranty coverage for engine repair or replacement regarding engine damage or malfunction from connecting rod bearing wear has been extended to 15 years or 150,000 miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use,… (22-EM-006H-2, 2010–2015 models)
- Extended coverage Certain vehicles may exhibit excessive paint peeling or bubbling of the primer/paint film on the exterior metal body panels: hood, fender(s), roof, door(s), quarter panel(s), and tailgate/trunk. Hyundai is extending the warranty coverage… (Z05, 2017–2021 models)
- Extended coverage Some Hyundai vehicles with exterior white paint may exhibit peeling or bubbling on metal body panels: hood, fender(s), roof, door(s), quarter panel(s), and tailgate/trunk. The paint warranty coverage for affected vehicles has been extended… (26-BD-002H, 2017–2021 models)
- Extended coverage Certain Hyundai vehicles with exterior white paint may exhibit peeling or bubbling on metal body panels: hood, fender(s), roof, door(s), quarter panel(s), and tailgate/trunk. The paint warranty coverage for affected vehicles has been… (25-BD-004H, 2017–2021 models)
From manufacturer bulletins filed with NHTSA, counted per program. A count is how many programs exist, not how good or bad a model is: a maker that extends coverage is paying for a known problem. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
Which should you buy?
- Buying used, years both are rated a good buy: 2010–2015, 2018, 2022–2024. In those years, choose on price, size and features.
- Shopping around 2020: the Tucson is rated good buy (serious complaints 0.6× usual), while the RAV4 is rated avoid (serious complaints 3.6× usual, mostly engine and fuel system). Each against its own other years.
- Shopping around 2019: the Tucson is rated good buy (serious complaints 1.1× usual), while the RAV4 is rated avoid (serious complaints 3.6× usual, mostly fuel system and engine). Each against its own other years.
- Shopping around 2017: the RAV4 is rated good buy (serious complaints 0.5× usual), while the Tucson is rated avoid (serious complaints 2.5× usual, mostly engine and power train). Each against its own other years.
- Years to skip: RAV4 2019–2020; Tucson 2016–2017.
- Newest year rated a good buy: RAV4 2025; Tucson 2024.
- Third row: neither has one in 2026.
- Lower starting price in 2026: the Tucson, from $29,450 against $31,900. Prices are the maker's listed base prices, not what dealers charge.
- Best EPA combined rating in 2026: RAV4 at 43 mpg (Tucson: 38), for the most efficient version of each.
- Towing: up to 3,500 lb for the RAV4 in 2026, against 2,750 lb for the Tucson.
- Before you buy either: run the VIN for open recalls and ask the dealer whether the extended-coverage repairs above were done.
Rules applied to the data on this page: no overall winner is declared, because our verdicts compare each model with itself.