2026–27 Toyota RAV4 vs Toyota 4Runner: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the RAV4 — it leads our weighted scorecard 5–3.5 across 9 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($31,900 vs $43,490) and better 5-year value retention (63.7% vs 61.2%). Choose the 4Runner if you tow (6,000 lb vs 3,500 lb max).
Scorecard: RAV4 5 pts · 4Runner 3.5 pts across 9 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2026 RAV4 | 2027 4Runner | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $31,900 | $43,490 | RAV4 |
| NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (2) | 0.18 | — | No data |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 63.7% | 61.2% | RAV4 |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 43 mpg | 23 mpg | RAV4 |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 324 hp | 326 hp | Tie |
| Max towing (1) | 3,500 lb | 6,000 lb | 4Runner |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | 37.8 cu ft | 48.4 cu ft | 4Runner |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | 2.2% off MSRP | 4.9% off MSRP | 4Runner |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 5 | 3 | 4Runner |
| Weighted points | 5 | 3.5 | RAV4 |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the RAV4 — 43 mpg vs 23 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: the 4Runner — 48.4 cu ft vs 37.8 cu ft (cargo behind rear seats).
- Budget. Tight budgets: the RAV4 — $31,900 vs $43,490 (starting MSRP). Used, the median asking price is $28,621 for the RAV4 vs $37,101 for the 4Runner.
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the RAV4 — 63.7% vs 61.2% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: the 4Runner — 6,000 lb vs 3,500 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The RAV4 starts at $31,900 and tops out at $48,500; the 4Runner runs $43,490 to $68,870 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Verified RAV4 buyers paid a median 2.2% off MSRP across 70 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 4.2% off. Verified 4Runner buyers paid a median 4.9% off MSRP across 59 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 6.7% off. Used, the median asking price is $28,621 for the RAV4 and $37,101 for the 4Runner (all model years, US dealer listings).
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- RAV4: 0.18 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 98th percentile among the SUVs we track).
- 4Runner: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: RAV4 5, 4Runner 3.
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2026 RAV4 | 2027 4Runner | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $31,900 | $43,490 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $48,500 | $68,870 |
| Horsepower | 226–324 hp | 278–326 hp |
| Max torque | 170 lb-ft | 465 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 38–43 mpg (hybrid avail.) | 21–23 mpg (hybrid avail.) |
| Max towing | 3,500 lb | 6,000 lb |
| Max payload | 1,340 lb | — |
| Seats (standard / max) | 5 / 5 | 5 / 7 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | 37.8 cu ft | 48.4 cu ft |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Size
| RAV4 | 4Runner | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 181 in | 194.9 in |
| Width | 73 in | 78 in |
| Height | 66.5 in | 72.6 in |
| Wheelbase | 105.9 in | 112.2 in |
| Ground clearance | 8.1 in | 8.1 in |
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) RAV4 lists for a median $26,414 — 63.7% of today's median new price of $41,446. A 5-year-old (2021) 4Runner lists for a median $37,050 — 61.2% of today's median new price of $60,580.
Shop both
Negotiating either one?
CarWhere PRO ($12.99/mo) shows the 75th-percentile target price for your exact trim and zip, comparable nearby deals, and an AI quote analyzer. See PRO → · Checking a specific used one? The $9.99 Full VIN Report covers the federal record + original window sticker.
More on the Toyota RAV4
More on the Toyota 4Runner
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the RAV4 better than the 4Runner?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the RAV4 — it leads our weighted scorecard 5–3.5 across 9 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($31,900 vs $43,490) and better 5-year value retention (63.7% vs 61.2%). Choose the 4Runner if you tow (6,000 lb vs 3,500 lb max).
Which is more reliable, the RAV4 or the 4Runner?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 RAV4 and 3 for the 4Runner.
Which holds its value better, the RAV4 or the 4Runner?
The RAV4: a 5-year-old example lists for 63.7% of the new price, versus 61.2% for the 4Runner, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.
Which is cheaper, the RAV4 or the 4Runner?
The RAV4 starts lower: $31,900 vs $43,490 starting MSRP (before destination). Verified buyers paid a median 2.2% off MSRP on the RAV4 (70 deals) and 4.9% on the 4Runner (59 deals).
Which has better gas mileage, the RAV4 or the 4Runner?
The RAV4: up to 43 mpg combined vs 23 mpg for the 4Runner (best EPA rating across each lineup).
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2026–27 Toyota RAV4 vs Toyota 4Runner: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/toyota-rav4-vs-toyota-4runner, updated November 8, 2026.