Compare the2024 Toyota Rav4 HybridVS 2024 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

The Toyota Rav4 Hybrid has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Tucson Hybrid doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Rav4 Hybrid has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Tucson Hybrid doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Rav4 Hybrid and the Tucson Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Rav4 Hybrid the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 80 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Tucson Hybrid has not been fully tested, yet.

There are over 49 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Rav4 Hybrid’s warranty.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota first in overall reliability. Hyundai is ranked 13th.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota Rav4 Hybrid is faster than the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid:

On the EPA test cycle the Rav4 Hybrid gets better mileage than the Tucson Hybrid:

The Rav4 Hybrid can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for 1.6 miles. The Tucson Hybrid can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

The Rav4 Hybrid has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Tucson Hybrid doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Rav4 Hybrid stops shorter than the Tucson Hybrid:

The Rav4 Hybrid has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Tucson Hybrid; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For better maneuverability, the Rav4 Hybrid’s turning circle is 2.5 feet tighter than the Tucson Hybrid’s (36.1 feet vs. 38.6 feet).

The Rav4 Hybrid has .2 inches more front shoulder room and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Tucson Hybrid.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Rav4 Hybrid. The Tucson Hybrid doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Rav4 Hybrid has a higher standard payload capacity than the Tucson Hybrid (1210 vs. 1169 lbs.).

The Rav4 Hybrid’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Tucson Hybrid’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the Rav4 Hybrid the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Tucson Hybrid can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Rav4 Hybrid Limited offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Tucson Hybrid doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Rav4 Hybrid Woodland has a 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Tucson Hybrid doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Toyota Rav4 Hybrid and the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Toyota Rav4 outsold the Hyundai Tucson by over two to one during 2022.