Toyota Corolla Cross vs Toyota RAV4

By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-05 · Specs from the manufacturers and fueleconomy.gov · Prices paid from CarWhere verified deals

The short answer

The Corolla Cross is the budget pick: it starts at $25,335 versus $31,900 and still offers a gas engine, while every RAV4 is a hybrid or plug-in hybrid. The RAV4 is roomier, with 37.8 cu ft behind the rear seat versus 24.0, tows up to 3,500 lb versus 1,500, and rates up to 43 mpg combined.

Key differences

  • The Toyota Corolla Cross starts $6,565 lower (base MSRP $25,335 vs $31,900, before destination).
  • The RAV4 is 4.9 in longer (176.1 vs 181 in).
  • The RAV4 tows up to 3,500 lb, 2,000 lb more.
  • Best combined fuel-economy rating: 42 vs 43 mpg (RAV4 leads).
  • Most powerful version: 196 hp (Toyota Corolla Cross) vs 324 hp (RAV4).

Corolla Cross vs RAV4 specs side by side

Toyota Corolla Cross vs Toyota RAV4 specifications
Toyota Corolla CrossToyota RAV4
Model year compared20262026
Base MSRP range (excl. destination)$25,335–$33,830$31,900–$48,500
Powertrains (hp / torque)2.0L 4-cylinder: 169 hp / 151 lb-ft · 2.0L 4-cylinder hybrid: 196 hp2.5L 4-cylinder hybrid (FWD): 226 hp · 2.5L 4-cylinder hybrid (AWD): 236 hp · 2.5L 4-cylinder plug-in hybrid (AWD): 324 hp
Fuel economy (city/hwy/combined)2.0L FWD: 31/33/32 mpg · 2.0L AWD: 29/31/30 mpg · Hybrid AWD: 46/39/42 mpgHybrid LE/SE/XLE Premium FWD: 47/40/43 mpg · Hybrid LE/SE AWD: 46/39/42 mpg · Hybrid XLE Premium AWD: 45/38/41 mpg · Hybrid XSE/Limited AWD: 43/37/41 mpg · Hybrid Woodland AWD: 41/35/38 mpg · Plug-in Hybrid SE (gas mode): 43/36/40 mpg · Plug-in Hybrid XSE (gas mode): 43/36/40 mpg · Plug-in Hybrid Woodland (gas mode): 41/34/37 mpg · Plug-in Hybrid GR SPORT (gas mode): 40/33/36 mpg
RangeNot publishedPlug-in Hybrid SE (gas mode): 54 mi · Plug-in Hybrid XSE (gas mode): 52 mi · Plug-in Hybrid Woodland (gas mode): 49 mi · Plug-in Hybrid GR SPORT (gas mode): 49 mi
Seating55
Cargo behind rear row24 cu ft37.8 cu ft
Max towing1,500 lb3,500 lb
AWD / 4WDAvailableAvailable
Length176.1 in181 in
Width71.9 in73 in
Height64.9 in66.5 in
WheelbaseNot published105.9 in
Ground clearance8.1 in8.1 in
  • Toyota Corolla Cross: 2026 model year (newest year with full specs on toyota.com). Gas L/LE/XLE offer FWD or AWD; all hybrids have standard electronic on-demand AWD. Hybrid hp is net system output; system torque not published (engine 150 hp / 139 lb-ft), so null. Cargo behind rear seat 24.0 cu ft gas FWD, 21.5 gas AWD and hybrid; max cargo and wheelbase not listed on the spec page (null). Hybrid length 176.8 in, ground clearance 8.0 in. Destination charge not shown on the allowed Toyota pages (null). MPG are EPA ratings.
  • RAV4: 2026 model year: toyota.com spec pages (hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid) are 2026; no gas-only RAV4 is listed. Hybrid FWD on LE/SE/XLE Premium, AWD standard on XSE/Limited/Woodland and all plug-in hybrids. System torque not published (null). Hybrid MPG are EPA ratings; plug-in hybrid MPG, MPGe (SE 101, XSE 96, Woodland 94, GR SPORT 86) and electric range (rangeMi) are Toyota estimates (not yet listed on fueleconomy.gov). Cargo behind rear seat 37.8 cu ft (Limited 36.6, plug-in hybrid 33.6); max cargo not listed (null). Towing 1,750 lb on FWD and LE AWD, 3,500 lb other AWD hybrids and plug-in hybrids; GR SPORT no rating. Woodland hybrid 182 in long, 74 in wide, 8.5 in clearance; plug-in hybrids 182 in long, 74 in wide, 66.0 in high (GR SPORT 65.4 high, 7.5 clearance). Destination charge not shown on the allowed Toyota pages (null).

What buyers actually paid

Median discount off MSRP from CarWhere's verified, buyer-submitted deal sheets for new Corolla Cross and RAV4 purchases. Each model is matched exactly, so no other nameplate is mixed in. Use the median as a target discount when you negotiate.

Toyota Corolla Cross

3.6% off MSRP (median)

Middle half of buyers: 3.6% to 4.4% off · 0% paid over MSRP

5 verified deals · model years 2026

Toyota RAV4

2.2% off MSRP (median)

Middle half of buyers: 0% to 4.1% off · 0% paid over MSRP

70 verified deals · model years 2025–2026

Snapshot 2026-11-05. Approved, de-duplicated deals only; shown when each side has at least 5 deals. % off MSRP is before rebates. Methodology

Reliability and known issues

Toyota Corolla Cross

More on each model

FAQ

Which is better, the Toyota Corolla Cross or the RAV4?

The Corolla Cross is the budget pick: it starts at $25,335 versus $31,900 and still offers a gas engine, while every RAV4 is a hybrid or plug-in hybrid. The RAV4 is roomier, with 37.8 cu ft behind the rear seat versus 24.0, tows up to 3,500 lb versus 1,500, and rates up to 43 mpg combined.

Is the Toyota Corolla Cross cheaper than the RAV4?

The Toyota Corolla Cross has the lower starting price: the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross starts at $25,335 and tops out at $33,830, and the 2026 RAV4 starts at $31,900 and tops out at $48,500. Those are base MSRPs before destination, from the manufacturers.

Is the Toyota Corolla Cross bigger than the RAV4?

The Toyota Corolla Cross is 176.1 in long; the RAV4 is 181 in on a 105.9-in wheelbase. Seating: 5 vs 5.

Which tows more, the Toyota Corolla Cross or the RAV4?

The RAV4: up to 3,500 lb vs 1,500 lb, properly equipped, per the manufacturers.

Which gets better gas mileage?

Combined ratings: 30–42 mpg for the Toyota Corolla Cross and 36–43 mpg for the RAV4, depending on powertrain and drivetrain. Figures are EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov, or the manufacturer's estimate where the EPA has not yet listed the new model year (see notes under the table).

How much off MSRP are buyers getting on the Toyota Corolla Cross and RAV4?

In CarWhere's verified deals, the median Toyota Corolla Cross buyer paid 3.6% below MSRP (5 deals) and the median RAV4 buyer paid 2.2% below MSRP (70 deals). Use those as a target discount when you negotiate; results vary by trim, region and month.

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Sources

"Not published" means the manufacturer has not released that figure for this model year; CarWhere does not estimate missing specs.

Cite this page: CarWhere Research, "Toyota Corolla Cross vs Toyota RAV4," carwhere.com/car-comparisons/toyota-corolla-cross-vs-toyota-rav4.