Toyota SUVs and crossovers come in all shapes and sizes. While some of them are as vanilla as SUVs can get with lackluster performance, others have been rewriting the playbook by setting new benchmarks in desirability and reliability and are guaranteed future collectibles. So, here's a list of Toyota SUVs in descending order of desirability.
Toyota RAV4
Sales for 2021 MY - 407,739 units
Originally unveiled in 1994, the Toyota RAV4 is often credited with being one of the pioneers of the modern say compact SUV segment. Currently, in its fifth generation which has been in production since 2018, this mini Toyota SUV, for 2022, receives minor updates but the hardware is largely similar. Speaking of hardware, the RAV4 is powered by a 2.5-liter inline-four engine that makes 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque and comes mated to an eight-speed transmission that sends power to the front wheels, but Toyota does offer AWD as an option. For an SUV of this size, the powertrain does feel sluggish, and as a result, 60 mph comes up in a painfully slow 8.0 seconds. If its more performance you seek, then the RAV4 Hybrid is your best bet as it packs a new the same engine assisted by three electric motors for a total output of 219 horsepower and it brings the 0-60 mph time down to 7.4 seconds, all while delivering better fuel economy and refinement than the regular RAV4 in city conditions.
But, unfortunately, it's not enough in a day and age where SUV is the most popular segment. The RAV4's powertrain is uninspired and unrefined. Even the handling is passable at best and that comes as a problem when you compare it to its chief rivals like the Mazda CX-50, the VW Tiguan, and the Hyundai Tucson, all of which offer an experience that feels a segment above. The only saving grace is its low starting price of $28,190, but even that gets you a very bare-bone vehicle that feels incomplete. On the other end of the spectrum is the range-topping TRD off-road trim which costs $38,130 and is not something you would want to take off-road. We suggest looking for other competitors at this price point or the mid-range XLE Premium variant which at $32,550 comes with plenty of equipment at a reasonable price.
Toyota Highlander
Sales for 2021 MY - 246,128 units
Unveiled back in 2000, the Highlander was a revolution in the mid-size SUV segment when it came out. This Toyota SUV aimed at on-road comfort by going with a monocoque chassis rather than a body-on-frame design which is what its competitors from back in the day like Chevy TrailBlazer and Jeep Grand Cherokee used. Fast forward to 2022, and it turns out Toyota was right all along. Monocoque SUVs are everywhere and the Toyota Highlander is one of the best in the business. For the 2023 model year, Toyota has introduced a new 2.4-liter turbo engine with 265 horsepower and 309-pound feet of torque that replaces the dated V-6, all while carrying a very reasonable starting price of around $38,000.
In addition to the new turbocharged engine, it is also available in a hybrid avatar. Staying true to Toyota Hybrid SUVs, this is the same 2.5-liter inline-four with electric motors that powers the RAV4. It produces 243 horsepower in this application and is reasonably nippy with a 0-60 mph time of 7.3-seconds. It does offer good looks, but in all other respects, it’s your average family mid-size SUV that offers plenty of space and practicality with the added benefits of a hybrid powertrain if you choose to opt for it. Competing with the likes of the highly successful Korean twins i.e. the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade, the Highlander lacks that special sauce which is why the 2023 Highlander is best described as a mind-over-heart purchase.
Toyota 4Runner
Sales for 2021 MY - 144,696 units
The Toyota 4Runner name has been running in the Toyota family for four decades and this vehicle, for all intents and purposes, defines the term "SUV". Just like the original, the 4Runner continues to share its basic body-on-frame architecture with the Tacoma pickup truck and is one of only two body-on-frame SUVs in Toyota North America's portfolio. The 2023 Toyota 4Runner marks 13 years of the fifth-generation model which has only received one notable update since its launch.
With prices starting at $39,000 for the entry-level SR5 trim and going nearly as high as $55,000 for the range-topping off-road-centric TRD Pro trim, the 2023 4Runner has to put up with some serious competition which includes everything from the Wrangler to the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Ford Explorer and that’s all down to the versatility it brings to the table.
It is powered by an old-school 4.0-liter naturally aspirated V-6 making 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, and is paired to an equally archaic five-speed auto transmission that continues to be offered with a choice of RWD and 4WD. The 4Runner is not fast with 0-60 achieved in 7.7 seconds and delivers terrible fuel economy, but that very engine also happens to be one of the most reliable engines in history. This, combined with Toyota's legendary build quality, results in a vehicle that has become a cult classic, especially amongst off-road enthusiasts and off-landers, which is why it is not surprising to see examples with close to a million miles on the odometer.
Toyota Venza
Sales for 2021 MY - 61,988 units
Originally unveiled to the public back in 2008, the Venza now makes a comeback in its second-generation avatar after a six-year absence from Toyota's SUV portfolio. The Venza is an interesting product that occupies an odd place in Toyota's portfolio as a luxurious compact crossover that bridges the gap between the somewhat mundane RAV4 and the premium RX range of SUVs from Toyota's luxury division Lexus. Speaking of the RAV4, it shares most of its underpinnings, including the hybrid powertrain with the RAV4 Hybrid that uses a 2.5-liter inline-four in conjunction with three electric motors that deliver a total power output of 219 horsepower and the whole setup comes mated to an eCVT transmission for maximum efficiency without the limitations of a Toyota Electric SUV.
Efficiency is an important metric for this segment, and the Venza does very well with EPA figures of 40 mpg city and 37 highway which is a significant step up from its competitors like the Honda Passport and Ford Escape. The interiors, too, offer a good blend of luxury and functionality which makes it a pleasant place to be in for those daily office commutes. With starting at around $35,000 for the entry-level trim and all the way up to $42,000 for the range-topping Limited trim, the Venza is a solid contender in the highly competitive, compact SUV segment.
Toyota C-HR
Sales for 2021 MY - 35,707 units
Launched back in 2016, the Toyota CH-R was a cutting-edge crossover back in the day, and since its launch, it has gained a lot of popularity thanks to its quirky and futuristic styling, practicality, and utility as a city car intended to replace your hatchback. Based on the GA-C platform that underpins cars like the Corolla and Prius, the North American spec cars come powered by a 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated inline-four engine that makes 156 horsepower and 144 pound-feet of torque. This setup comes mated to a frugal but uninspiring CVT transmission, which results in lackluster performance that leaves you wanting more. As a result, the 0-60 mph time is also an equally unimpressive 11 seconds.
With the introduction of the new Corolla Cross, Toyota has ditched the base LE trim level for 2022 and has retained the three upper trims which include the XLE, Nightshade, and Limited. The entry-level XLE is priced at $25,345 while the top-of-the-line Limited costs $28,365, which makes it one of the most affordable compact crossovers in the entry-level segment.
Toyota Sequoia
Sales for 2021 MY - 8,070 units
Launched back in 2000, the Sequoia is a big and brawny full-size Toyota SUV that's established a fan following for its simple and utilitarian approach. But, for the 2023 model year, there's an all-new third-generation model that takes things up several notches. For starters, the Sequoia shares its underpinnings with the Tundra pickup truck and the recently unveiled Toyota Land Cruiser LC300, which comprises an all-new body-on-frame chassis with a solid rear axle, an all-new powertrain, and seating for up to eight occupants.
Power comes from an all-new 3.4-liter, twin-turbo V-6 hybrid that Toyota calls iForce Max. It makes 437 horsepower and 583-pound feet of torque which is 55 horsepower and 100 pound-feet more than the outgoing V-8. This new powertrain addresses the biggest flaw that plagued the old Tundra, which is fuel economy. It is based on the Tundra Hybrid and should deliver around 19-20 mpg in the city, which is a significant improvement over its V-8-powered predecessor. It is also 8-10 mpg more than the closest V-8-powered competitors like the Tahoe and Durango, all while making more power than them. With prices starting at $59,795 for the base SR5 trim and going all the way up to $78,395 for the off-road-centric TRD Pro, Toyota has managed to pack in a lot of equipment and quality materials, especially the higher-end trims that get well-appointed and luxurious interiors with ample space for a big family along with the added practicality of three-row seating.
Toyota Corolla Cross
Sales for 2021 MY - 7,203 units
The all-new Toyota Corolla Cross is the Japanese automaker's latest pint-sized SUV, and as the name suggests, it shares most of its underpinning with the Corolla hatchback. Launched back in 2020 as an entry-level crossover for the western market, that sits right above the C-HR crossover, it was first launched in the Southeast Asian market and it is based on the GA-C platform that underpins other popular Toyota models like the Corolla sedan and Prius hybrid. The powertrain, too, is the tried and tested 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated inline-four that makes 169 horsepower. There's even a hybrid variant on offer that adds three electric motors to the 2.0-liter, which takes the combined power output to 194 horsepower. It comes mated to a CVT transmission and it even offers the option of AWD.
This, however, is not a performance SUV and the frugal powertrain that gives it excellent gas mileage, which in case you were wondering stands at 31 mpg city and 33 mpg highway for the two-wheel-drive model, it, unfortunately, is a very sluggish powertrain with a 0-60 mph time of 9.2 seconds. But, it makes up for its shortcoming with a well-equipped interior, a practical cabin, and most importantly, an affordable price tag. The 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross is offered in eight distinct trim levels including the hybrid variants and the range carries a starting price of around $24,000 and goes all the way up to $36,000 for the range-topping XSE Hybrid trim.
Toyota bZ4x
Sales for 2021 MY - N/A
The bZ4x is an all-new compact battery-electric crossover that was first showcased in 2021 as a new direction for Toyota and its upcoming portfolio of family EVs, and the bZ4x is the first of the lot. This all-new EV is based on Toyota's all-new e-TNGA platform that was co-developed with Subaru. Powering this all-new BEV is a single-motor setup that makes 201 horsepower. An AWD powertrain which will feature two motors - one on each axle - with a total power output of 215 horsepower, will also be available. Though these figures sound decent in isolation, it is still significantly less than key competitors. To put things into perspective, the VW ID.4 packs 295 horsepower in its AWD guise, whereas the Ioniq 5 makes 320 horsepower in its AWD form. As a result, even the 0-60 mph time which is supposed to be an EV's party trick, is average at 6.4 seconds.
But, outright performance aside, the bZ4x gets all the basics right. It comes with a spacious, well-equipped cabin and a usable boot, but most importantly, it comes with a sizable 63.4-kWh battery pack with the single-motor variant and a 65.5-kWh battery pack for the AWD, twin-motor variant. As a result, the EPA estimated range for the FWD version stands at up to 252 miles while the AWD version does up to 228 miles on a single charge, and with a supported DC fast charger, the batteries can be topped up from flat to 80-percent in under an hour. But, with a starting price of $43,215 for the base variant and $47,915 for the feature-rich Limited trim, the bZ4X faces tough competition from established rivals like the Tesla Model 3, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Kia EV6, and more, all of which offer better performance and even range for nearly the same price, so the little Toyota has its work cut out. The production is planned to start by mid-2022.
FAQ
Q: What is the smallest Toyota SUV?
In a world of Mini Toyota SUVs, it doesn't get much smaller than the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross which you might have guessed from the name is based on the Corolla hatchback.
Q: What is the largest Toyota SUV?
The largest Toyota SUV currently on sale is the Toyota Sequoia which is a smidge larger than Toyota's flagship Land Cruiser LC300.
Q: What SUV does Toyota make?
Toyota makes a whole host of SUVs in various shapes and sizes ranging from the Toyota mini SUV, the recently launched Toyota Corolla Cross, all the way up to the full-size Toyota Sequoia.
Q: What size SUV is the Toyota RAV4?
The Toyota RAV4 is a mid-sized crossover SUV that is available with gasoline and hybrid powertrain options.
Q: What is the best Toyota SUV?
The answer to this highly controversial question has to be the legendary Toyota Land Cruiser line up which has been regarded by many as one of the toughest SUVs of all time.