Abstract
- The RAV4 has overtaken the F-150 because the best-selling car within the USA because of growing gross sales.
- The compact RAV4 and full-size F-150 attraction to totally different existence however face competitors.
- The F-150 gives energy and utility, whereas the extra environment friendly RAV4 brings crossover practicality and security options.
The Toyota RAV4 has ended the Ford F-150’s 42-year reign in 2024 because the best-selling car within the USA, relying on which record you have a look at.* Regardless of the closing tally, the reality is that the RAV4 is growing gross sales, whereas the F-150 is exhibiting a slight decline.
These are two totally different, however widespread, car varieties. The RAV4 joins the Honda CR-V, Tesla Mannequin Y, and Nissan Rogue because the 4 compact crossovers within the high ten, whereas the F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, and GMC Sierra are full-size pickups. The Toyota Camry and Corolla be part of the Honda Civic because the three passenger automobiles on the record.
Whereas the RAV4 and F-150 are very totally different automobiles, they each provide way of life as a attainable buying choice, so let’s take a look at these two widespread selections.
*Many lists nonetheless put the Ford F-series as the highest vendor, however in keeping with MOTORTREND, Ford lumps collectively the F-series — F-150, 250, and many others collectively in a single gross sales class. The record used right here strips out the F-150 gross sales for that 12 months. I’m utilizing 2025 costs and specs.
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Ford F-150 Lariat vs Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Restricted
Evaluating two feature-rich fashions
Ford F-150 Lariat
The Ford F-150 has a variety of eight trims to select from, excluding the Lightning EV. This goes from the very primary single-cab XL beginning at $38,810 to the super-powerful Raptor beginning at $72,000. I’ll have a look at the mid-range Lariat with the hybrid drive, as this gives luxurious options that take this car into the approach to life class. The Lariat begins at $63,360. This era of the F150 was launched in 2021, and as but there aren’t any plans to replace it.
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid LImited
There are twelve trims of the Toyota RAV4 should you separate the ICE and hybrid choices, though just a few would overlap by way of options. There’s additionally a plug-in-hybrid, which I’m not contemplating right here. Costs vary from the fuel LE at $29,250 to the Hybrid LImited beginning at $40,605. We’ll have a look at the highest Hybrid Restricted. The present era RAV4 was launched in 2018, with the hybrid possibility added in 2019. It had a serious facelift in 2021, and a model new era is because of launch in 2026.
F-150 Lariat hybrid and RAV4 Hybrid Restricted primary specs
| F-150 | RAV4 | |
| Energy prepare | 3.5L V6 twin turbo with electrical motor | 2.5L I4 with electrical motor |
| Drivetrain | 2WD/4WD | AWD |
| Horsepower | 430 hp | 219 hp |
| Torque | 450 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft |
| Drivetrain | 10-speed computerized | eCVT |
| 0-60 mph | 5 seconds | 7.3 seconds |
| Gasoline effectivity mixed | 23 MPG | 39 MPG |
| Gasoline spend/save over 5 years | Spend $2,000 extra | Save 2,500 |
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Do you favor CarPlay, Android Auto, or bespoke in-car infotainment
There was a time once I beloved Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, however the points I’ve encountered with my Ioniq 5’s USB port, resulting in each platforms continually disconnecting (I just about do not use both anymore), have led me to vary my opinion. I’ve talked to each Hyundai and Apple, and each corporations blame the difficulty on one another. I’ve additionally gotten the USB and transmitter unit changed in my automobile, however nothing solves the difficulty.
Whereas I respect immediately gaining access to my iPhone or Android gadget in my automobile just by plugging in my cellphone (my car does not have wi-fi CarPlay/Android Auto) and the benefits each working techniques present, issues I’ve encountered have me considering that Tesla-like automobile producer maker-made infotainment techniques stands out as the extra dependable manner ahead. In any case, I actually solely take calls, navigate with Google Maps/Waze, and take heed to music on Spotify in my automobile — I do not really want many different apps.
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F-150 Lariat vs RAV4 Hybrid Restricted options
Issues that make the drive safer and extra fulfilling
Ford
In case your way of life or work wants the attributes of a truck, the F-150 could be an apparent selection. In the event you do not want a truck, a compact crossover just like the RAV4 is a confirmed winner. However we do not simply purchase on worth, and neither of the fashions mentioned listed below are even the most affordable of their vary. Very often, we seek for options to entertain and amuse us through the drive, make the drive extra comfy and fewer tense, assist us be higher drivers, and maintain us protected when the drive goes fallacious.
Ford F-150 Lariat
The Lariat has a big customizable instrument cluster and a 12.0-inch infotainment show with Apple and Android connectivity. It could actually additionally act as a Wi-Fi hotspot. Ford’s new sync 4 software program package deal permits for over the air updates to maintain the truck updated.
Optionally available extras embrace dwell climate and site visitors updates, Sirius XM radio, and a Bang & Olufsen stereo.
The F-150 has the well-known office-in-truck options, with a big work bench, fold-flat entrance seats, and a rear seat within the crew cab to sleep on. The entrance seats are leather-trimmed, heated, and ventilated, whereas the temperature management is dual-zone and computerized.
The F-150 has Ford’s commonplace Co-Pilot driver help expertise, and Blue Cruise hands-free freeway driving as an possibility. This truck will get a most of 5 stars in crash assessments from the NHTSA, in addition to High Security Decide from the IIHS, the insurance coverage trade rankings company.
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Restricted
The RAV4 Hybrid Restricted comes with a 12.3-inch instrument show and a ten.5-inch infotainment display screen, Apple and Android connection, and a six-speaker sound system as commonplace, with an 11-speaker JBL system as an possibility.
Compact crossovers typically promote practicality, and the RAV4 doesn’t disappoint. There are a great deal of nooks and crannies to retailer stuff, whereas a height-adjustable false flooring within the cargo house is useful to maintain your stuff out of sight. Cargo quantity is beneficiant, with practically 38 cu-ft behind the rear seats, and practically 70 with the rear seats folded down.
The upholstery is a leather-like materials, and the entrance and rear seats are heated. The steering wheel can tilt and telescope to accommodate totally different measurement drives, whereas dual-zone local weather management will maintain everybody cozy or cool as wanted.
Toyota is critical about driver help, with a complete package deal that features pre-collision warning and braking, lane conserving, and proximity warning. The RAV4 will get 5 stars from the NHTSA, in addition to a High Security Decide when examined in 2023. The hybrid was not particularly examined, however hybrid and ICE fashions typically get the identical rankings.
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Truck utility vs crossover practicality
Toyota
Apart from 5 seats and 4 wheels, the F-150 and RAV4 are completely totally different automobiles. However when you’ve gotten the 2 bestselling fashions within the US, there needs to be some gross sales overlap. Some merely choose a truck, even for on a regular basis driving, whereas for others a crossover is right for work. Each automobiles additionally face important challenges from different fashions of their classes, so US patrons are spoiled for selection.
Ford F-150
The Ford prices much more, however has a large energy benefit and the towing and cargo utility of a giant truck. However it’s also a lot much less fuel-efficient than the Toyota. In the event you want a truck, the F-150 is a superb selection, though it’s getting a number of competitors from the likes of RAM, GMC, and Chevrolet.
Toyota RAV4
The RAV4 is smaller, lighter, extra environment friendly, simpler to park, whereas nonetheless providing the house and versatility of a crossover. In 2024, the US financial system was booming, however inflation was excessive, and patrons have been in search of worth. The RAV4 was extra reasonably priced to purchase and run than the large Ford, and that most likely contributed to its nice gross sales efficiency.
The RAV4 comes with the built-in reliability and resale worth patrons count on from Toyota, but it surely too faces very robust competitors. The Honda CR-V is proving very talked-about, whereas there are a number of different hybrid crossovers difficult for market share, together with the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-50, and Subaru Forrester.
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