2022 Toyota Corolla Cross vs. 2022 Toyota RAV4: Which Is Better?

It’s a battle between the 2022 Corolla Cross and the RAV4. Which of these two popular Toyota crossover SUVs can go the distance?
Written by Amber Reed
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
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The
Toyota Corolla Cross
and the
Toyota RAV4
are both excellent daily drivers with impressive safety ratings, but the 2022 RAV4 takes the lead when it comes to performance and cargo space.
Considered one of the most reliable automakers in the industry, Toyota makes long-lasting cars that are often on the road 200,000 miles or more (with proper care and maintenance, of course). They also have below-average repair costs, get good fuel economy, and offer a wide selection of affordable sedans and SUVs for under $30,000.
Choosing between two highly-rated Toyotas like the Corolla Cross and RAV4 isn’t easy! That’s why
Jerry
, the trustworthy super app that saves you money on
car insurance
, has put together this helpful side-by-side comparison of these two popular Toyota crossovers. 
Keep reading to learn more about the Corolla Cross versus the RAV4 in terms of price, performance, reliability, and more. And if you want to lower your
Toyota car insurance costs
(or insurance for any other vehicle), Jerry’s got you covered there, too!

Pricing

Both the Corolla Cross and the RAV4 are reasonably affordable, but the Corolla Cross might be more appealing to drivers on a tight budget. Here’s a rundown of starting costs for all trims of the 2022 Corolla Cross and the 2022 RAV4.
Model
Starting price
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross L
$23,780
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross LE
$26,130
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross XLE
$27,910
2022 Toyota RAV4 LE
$28,310
2022 Toyota RAV4 XLE
$29,780
2022 Toyota RAV4 XLE Premium
$32,670
2022 Toyota RAV4 Adventure
$34,565
2022 Toyota RAV4 Limited
$36,810
2022 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off Road
$38,250
Based on those numbers, you can see that the RAV4 and the Corolla Cross are only comparable in price if you’re looking at the RAV4’s lower trims like the
LE
or
XLE
. Once you get into higher RAV4 trims like the
Limited
or the
TRD Off Road
, opting for the Corolla Cross comes with some significant savings.
In addition to starting price, other expenses such as repair costs, fuel, and
car insurance
all contribute to the overall cost of a new car. According to Edmunds.com, the cost of owning a Toyota RAV4 LE adds up to $37,734 over five years, while costs for the
Corolla Cross XLE
add up to $36,606
With a difference of less than $1,000 between these two similarly priced models, the Corolla Cross and RAV4 are comparable in terms of their true cost of ownership.
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Performance

The RAV4 is available with a better engine than the Corolla Cross, making it the clear winner for drivers who prioritize power, performance, or speed. The fastest RAV4 is actually the 219-horsepower hybrid, which can go from 0 to 60 mph in a speedy 7.4 seconds
But the standard 203-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder still moves the RAV4 to 60 mph in a comfortable 8.4 seconds. The Corolla Cross, on the other hand, is fitted with a smaller 169-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder that has a 0-to-60 time of 9.2 seconds
The RAV4 offers an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the Corolla Cross comes with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). There’s no manual transmission option for either vehicle. Both the RAV4 and the Corolla Cross come standard with front-wheel drive but can be upgraded with an all-wheel-drive system for better performance in winter weather conditions.
In general, both the Corolla Cross and the RAV4 offer enough power for typical daily driving, but the RAV4 has better engine options and faster acceleration times than the Corolla Cross. The Corolla Cross is also known for its heftier engine sounds compared to the RAV4, which could disturb drivers who prefer a quieter ride.

Fuel efficiency

When it comes to fuel economy, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid comes out on top with its EPA-estimated 40 mpg combined. However, the Corolla Cross gets 32 mpg, beating the gas-powered RAV4 by just a smidge.
Here’s a breakdown of how the EPA rates the 2022 Toyota RAV4 and the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross.
Model
Engine
Fuel economy (city/hwy/combined)
2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
2.5L four-cylinder
41 / 38 / 40
2022 Toyota RAV4
2.5L four-cylinder
27 / 35 / 30
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross
2.0L four-cylinder
31 / 33 / 32
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Technology

Both the Toyota RAV4 and the Toyota Corolla Cross come standard with a 7-inch digital display, which can be upgraded to a larger 8-inch model on either vehicle. They both include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, USB ports, and can be optioned with wireless charging. A six-speaker sound system is standard on both vehicles, and both can be upgraded to a premium JBL audio system.  
Additionally, both vehicles come with Toyota SafetySense 2.0, a technology suite of advanced driver aids such as forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and more. 
While the Corolla Cross doesn’t offer many upgrades beyond its base-level driver-assistance tech, upper RAV4 trims can be optioned with hill descent control, a digital rearview mirror, or a surround-view camera system.

Reliability

Toyota has a long-standing reputation for being a reliable car brand, and it lives up to that reputation in 2022 by coming in at No. 3 on Consumer Reports’ Annual Auto Reliability Rankings. Toyota also makes J.D Power’s list of car brands with the fewest reported problems after three years.
According to Consumer Reports, both vehicles are above-average in terms of reliability, with the RAV4 earning a score of 65/100 and the Corolla Cross earning a 68/100.

Interior

The interior of the RAV4 has a slight edge over the Corolla Cross—but only because of its size. Being both longer and wider than the compact Corolla Cross, RAV4 owners enjoy its larger cargo capacity and spacious second-row passenger seats
The RAV4 has 37.5 cubic feet of cargo volume behind its rear seats, which can be expanded to a generous 69.8 cubes with the seats folded, while the Corolla Cross only offers 25.2 cubic feet of storage space in the back. The Corolla Cross’ rear seats can be pushed forward to make room for larger items, but they don’t fold completely flat.
Here’s how headroom and legroom compare between the two vehicles.
Measurement
Toyota Corolla Cross
Toyota RAV4
Headroom front seats
38.6 inches
39.5 inches
Legroom front seats
42.9 inches
41 inches
Headroom rear seats
39 inches
39.5 inches
Legroom rear seats
32 inches
37.8 inches
Both cars are constructed from high-quality materials and feature faux leather upholstery and a wrapped steering wheel and shift knob on upper trims. Both can be optioned with features like a power liftgate, power-adjustable and heated front seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control.

The final word

Deciding between the 2022 Toyota RAV4 versus the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross can be tough. Both are small crossovers that combine the convenience of an SUV with sedan-style driving. Both are reasonably reliable and affordable—especially if you’re looking at the RAV4’s lower trims—and both are equipped with similar tech.
But if you’re looking for a better engine with more acceleration power, the RAV4 is the clear winner. It also comes out ahead for drivers interested in an eco-friendly vehicle, thanks to its optional hybrid powertrain
Larger families or people who travel a lot might also appreciate the RAV4 for its generous storage space and comfortable back seat.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for one of the most budget-friendly daily drivers you can get your hands on, or just prefer something a little smaller than the RAV4, the Corolla Cross could be right for you.

How to find cheap car insurance for a Toyota SUV

Whenever you buy a new car, you’ll have to start thinking about more than just its sticker price. There are expenses like fuel costs, repairs and maintenance,
car loan
payments, and of course,
car insurance
to consider. If you want to make sure you’re getting the best possible rate on your insurance coverage, turn to
Jerry
.
The Jerry app is a licensed broker that’s partnered with more than 55 of the nation’s top insurance companies. Jerry can generate a list of customized quotes that match your needs and your budget in minutes. Jerry will handle the phone calls, paperwork, and renewals for your top pick so that you don’t have to. We can even help cancel your old policy!
And to ensure you always have the lowest rate, Jerry will send you new quotes every time your policy comes up for renewal, so you’re always getting the coverage you want at the best price. This level of service is why Jerry earned a 4.7/5 rating on the App Store and made it the top insurance app in the country.
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Yes! The Toyota RAV4 has a wheelbase of 105.9 inches. That’s 2 inches longer than the Corolla Cross’ wheelbase of 103.9 inches.
The RAV4 gets about 40 mpg when fitted with the optional hybrid powertrain, making it the most fuel-efficient option of the two vehicles. However, the gas-powered Corolla Cross gets 32 mpg, which is 2 mpg more fuel efficient than the gas-powered RAV4.
Yes, the RAV4 costs more than the Corolla Cross—although your final price depends on trim level, optional upgrades, and other factors. On average, starting costs for a new RAV4 fall between $28,310 and $38,250. The Corolla Cross usually costs between $23,780 and $27,910.
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