The Toyota SUV that outsold both the 4Runner and the Tacoma

As 2025 enters its final month, the new vehicle sales race continues to heat up, especially in the midsize SUV and crossover arena. Despite the fact that a completely new generation model will appear on the American market in the coming months, the 2025 Toyota RAV4 remains a serious competitor among its peers and compared to the rest of the Japanese brand’s lineup.

The RAV4 remains a highly competitive product, due to its good balance of versatility, affordability, reliability and mass market appeal. It may not be the brand’s most exciting model, but it’s a name that people have come to trust, and that’s exactly why it’s performing so strongly in the US, far outperforming brands like the 4 Runner and Tacoma models.

The RAV4 outperforms the 4Runner and Tacoma

As of November 2025, Toyota confirms it could sell 39,463 individual RAV4 copies in a single month, resulting in a total of 437,260 copies for the year to date. This also applies to the numbers of the RAV4 Hybrid and the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid, which amount to 12,830 and 1,952 units respectively. By comparison, Toyota was able to sell 10,241 units of the 4Runner, bringing the annual result to 87,673 units. Sales of the Tacoma are 22,439 units for the month, resulting in a sales figure of 249,563 individual units for 2025 to date. Combined, Toyota sold 32,680 units of the 4Runner and Tacoma; nearly 6,800 fewer than the RAV4, or about 20 percent fewer than the RAV4’s sales.

Breaking down the hybrids, Toyota confirms that it sold 13,191 RAV4 Hybrids and 1,127 RAV4 Plug-In Hybrids, bringing the totals to 167,668 and 19,001 units respectively. Interestingly, the RAV4 moniker is seeing a 2.2 percent increase in sales this year, but HEV sales are down 10.1 percent and 33.9 percent respectively. Toyota sold 2,465 4Runner Hybrids in November, bringing its YTD sales figure to 18,612. The Japanese brand also confirmed 2,389 units of the Tacoma Hybrid in November, resulting in sales of 27,739 units since the beginning of the year.

The RAV4’s reliable powertrain

The Toyota RAV4 hybrid features the brand’s naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder Atkinson cycle engine, which generates 176 hp and 163 Nm of torque without any electrical assistance, with a dual motor setup for the all-wheel drive system.

Toyota doesn’t reveal combined torque figures for most of its hybrid products, but confirms the system generates a combined output of 219 hp. The ICE produces 176 horsepower, while the front electric motor generates 118 horsepower and 149 pound-feet. The rear motor produces 54 horsepower and 89 pound-feet of torque. The result is a fairly respectable 7.3 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h and a top speed of 180 km/h. This model tows up to 1,750 pounds.

2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Specs and Performance

The ICE RAV4 has the same powertrain, without electric motors, so it uses a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission. It is also available with front-wheel drive. The system produces 203 hp at 6,000 rpm and 184 Nm of torque at 5,000 rpm. If you choose the two-wheel drive model you will go from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.4 seconds, which compares to 8.2 seconds if you choose the all-wheel drive system. Both powertrains are limited to a top speed of 115 MPH and a towing capacity of 1,500 pounds.

The PHEV SUV also features a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder Atkinson engine. Collectively, Toyota limits the RAV4 PHEV’s output to 302 horsepower and 288 pound-feet, delivered to all wheels via the direct-drive single-speed eCVT. The brand claims this powertrain will take it from 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds and tow 2,500 pounds.

Impressively attractive consumption estimates

The The RAV4 Hybrid’s fuel economy is class-leading is another reason why consumers rate it so highly, resulting in its impressive long-term value retention. According to the EPA, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid will cost you $46 to fill up the 14.5-gallon tank. It is also estimated that you will spend up to €1200 on fuel every year and you can save up to €2250 on petrol every five years. It costs about $2.03 to drive more than 25 miles. Choosing the Woodland Edition increases your annual fuel costs by €100 and reduces your five-year savings by €500. On average, this model will cost you $2.14 to drive 25 miles.

As for efficiency, the EPA estimates that the standard hybrid will return fuel economy of 41/38/39 mpg on the city/highway/combined cycle and deliver a range of 600 miles on a full tank of gas. The Woodland returns a 38/35/37 MPG result with a slightly less desirable range of 536 miles due to the larger wheels and multi-terrain tires.

2025 Toyota RAV4 EPA Estimates

The base RAV4 with front-wheel drive is the most efficient ICE modelwith a fuel economy estimate of 27/34/30 MPG and a range of 435 miles. This model will save you up to €500 in fuel costs over five years and will cost you €1600 to fill up every year. You can also expect to spend $2.64 to drive 25 miles and $46 to fill the tank. It is striking that the LE with all-wheel drive does not become heavier in terms of fuel.

If you select the RAV4 all-wheel drive without the stop-start ignition system, you can expect an estimated fuel economy of 25/33/28 MPG and a range of 400 miles. The EPA also estimates that this won’t save you anything on fuel over the course of five years and will cost $1,700 annually to stay fueled. This model costs $2.83 to drive 25 miles.

The RAV4 PHEV travels 68 kilometers, while the ICE travels 900 kilometers between refuelings. Not surprisingly, it’s also one of the most efficient SUVs in its segment, with an estimated combined energy consumption of 94 MPGe or 36 kWh per 100 miles. The ICE system returns a fuel consumption estimate of 38 MPG during the same cycle.

The Tacoma is a capable compact truck

The 2026 Toyota TacomaPrices start at $32,145 and are available at the brand’s 2.4-liter four-cylinder turbo enginewith outputs ranging from 228 horsepower to 278 horsepower and torque from 243 to 317 pound-feet. This system includes an eight-speed automatic transmission or six-speed manual transmissionand rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. Toyota doesn’t make performance claims, so there are no official 0-62mph acceleration figures, but we do know that top speed is limited to 113mph.

Choose the hybrid i-Force Max model integrates an electric motor alongside the eight-speed automatic transmission, resulting in a combined output of 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of power. This derivative can achieve a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time of 7.6 seconds. Towing capacity ranges from 3,500 pounds to 6,000 pounds, depending on your desired specification.

The 4Runner’s equally impressive powertrain

The 2026 Toyota 4Runner starts at an MSRP of $51,570, including a 2.4-liter twin-scroll turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a single permanent magnet motor that produces a combined output of 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet, but if you opt for the Trailhunter the first figure drops to 323 horsepower.

The EPA estimates that the 4Runner gets 23/24/23 MPG on the city/highway/combined cycle while traveling 450 miles on a single tank. The two-wheel drive model returns 20/26/22 MPG and travels up to 420 miles.

Sources: Toyota, The EPA