Toyota 4Runner vs Toyota RAV4

When it came to the 2024 Toyota RAV4, Toyota went to great lengths to make this SUV appear tougher than it actually was. The RAV4 consistently sported a frown and grimace, giving it a perpetually angry look. The lower gray body cladding common to most SUVs showcased aggressive angularity, while dual exhaust outlets suggested performance levels that simply didn’t exist. Upper trim levels featured fake front and rear skid plates, and two off-road-themed versions boasted more robust utility-style roof racks.

The test vehicle, a TRD Off-Road model, topped the lineup with a base price of $38,295 plus a destination charge of $1,350. While the Army Green color wasn’t a favorite, it didn’t carry an extra cost. The vehicle also included a digital rearview mirror and the Advanced Technology and Weather option packages, bringing the MSRP to $41,925, including the destination charge.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner was a true embodiment of a throwback. Redesigned last for the 2010 model year, it had undergone a few refreshes over the years but desperately needed a serious makeover. However, as an all-terrain vehicle, its boxy shape remained highly practical. The flared fenders lent a brawny and wide stance, conveying stability essential for off-pavement adventures. Rugged personality shone through with chunky and beveled shapes in the grille and liftgate. The TRD Pro model featured underbody skid plates, all-terrain tires, and a beefy tubular roof rack, equipping it to tackle the toughest terrains.

However, the interior of the 4Runner revealed its age with outdated styles and last-generation technology. Analog instrument panels and an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen stood as anchors to the past. The cabin had a lot of hard plastic, typical for off-road-focused vehicles, but it covered frequently touched surfaces with cushioned panels, maintaining some level of comfort.

Toyota equipped the 2024 RAV4 with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 184 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm. This translated to needing to rev the engine hard to access maximum power. An eight-speed automatic transmission powered the front wheels unless you chose the torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. The TRD Off-Road model had AWD as standard, exclusive off-road suspension tuning, an underbody skid plate, and 18-inch matte-black TRD alloy wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires.

Multi-Terrain Select in the RAV4 came standard, providing Normal, Snow, Mud & Sand, and Rock & Dirt modes. However, the TRD Off-Road offered the same 8.6 inches of ground clearance as several other RAV4 models, without improved approach or departure angles. During testing, the off-road performance in muddy Southern California conditions and on rutted gravel roads proved it slightly more capable than its siblings, but it couldn’t match a 4Runner.

The discussed engine and suspension setup worked well for daily commutes, soaking up imperfections in the pavement without transmitting too much. The RAV4 was noisy at freeway speeds, but the engine and transmission’s reliable performance took the edge off. The TRD Off-Road model had an EPA fuel economy rating of 28 mpg in combined driving, with the test vehicle averaging 26.6 mpg. By comparison, the RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition was significantly more fuel-efficient at 37 mpg.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner boasted a 4.0-liter V6 engine generating 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. While these specs weren’t drastically lower than competitors like the Bronco or Wrangler, the 4Runner lagged due to its five-speed automatic transmission. The TRD Pro model included standard four-wheel-drive (4WD) and a two-speed transfer case.

On the pavement, the 4Runner felt sluggish, requiring heavy pedal action for highway merging. The soft suspension was perfect for off-roading and rock-crawling but resulted in noticeable rear-end squat and nosedive during acceleration and braking, respectively. Heavy noise from the engine and exhaust made for a loud driving experience, while body roll was significant during cornering.

Despite these drawbacks, the 4Runner excelled in handling larger road imperfections, thanks to tall tire sidewalls and the soft suspension. However, the tendency for some residual bounces and floatiness on highway undulations presented challenges for passengers prone to motion sickness. When loaded with heavy gear, these characteristics were mitigated to some extent.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4’s interior emphasized practicality and utility, with storage shelves, trays, bins, and rubberized control knobs reflecting its purpose. The TRD Off-Road model featured SofTex artificial leather upholstery and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. Optional Weather packages added important amenities like heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and more.

Drivers found the RAV4’s seats comfortable, the steering wheel delightful to grip, and outward visibility excellent, enhanced by the optional digital rearview mirror. The rear seat could comfortably carry four adults, with good legroom and footroom. The cargo space was spacious, offering 37.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with them folded down.

Conversely, the 2024 4Runner’s interior appeared ruggedly outdated. Despite this, its layout remained easy to navigate, and the controls were user-friendly even while wearing gloves. Sturdy handles helped passengers stay steady when off-roading. The elevated rear bench provided a stadium-like seating experience, giving rear passengers a better view. However, headroom was limited for taller occupants. A third row of seats was also available in select trims.

For storage, the 4Runner provided several compartments, including door pockets and a large armrest bin. The vehicle offered a cargo area of 47.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to a substantial 89.7 cubic feet when the rear seats were stowed. Though lacking remote seat releases, it did feature a sliding glass rear window and a hitch receiver with a seven-pin harness, accommodating a 5,000-pound towing capacity.

Despite the 2024 RAV4’s age, its infotainment system housed the latest technology from Toyota. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system came with either an 8-inch or a 10.5-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and five connected services plans. Some of these plans, including Service Connect and Safety Connect, were complimentary for ten years.

The system included a cloud-based navigation, digital voice assistant, and concierge services free for a year, with Wi-Fi Connect turning the RAV4 into a mobile hotspot. However, users noted drawbacks, such as the lack of a multi-panel home screen, difficulty switching from Apple CarPlay to SiriusXM, and hard-to-read font. The test vehicle had functioning Drive Connect but experienced some challenges with the voice assistant.

By contrast, the 2024 4Runner’s infotainment system felt more basic. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a small eight-inch touchscreen. The system lacked off-road specific apps and gauges found in competitors, though the TRD Pro trim featured a 15-speaker JBL premium audio system. Terrain controls located in the headliner console required familiarity with the owner’s manual for optimal use.

The Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select systems, alongside differential controls, aimed to enhance off-road driving.

The 2024 RAV4 came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5), a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). However, the base LE trim did not offer blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. While features like adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist worked reasonably well, they sometimes were overly cautious, particularly the adaptive cruise control’s braking response. The RAV4 had lost its Top Safety Pick award from IIHS due to recent design and engineering shortcomings.

The 2024 4Runner, on the other hand, received mixed safety ratings. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded it four out of five stars overall and five stars for side impacts, but only three stars in rollover evaluations. The IIHS offered a mix of "Good" ratings in moderate frontal overlap and side protection tests, but poorer results in newer tests.

Despite this, the 4Runner included crucial safety features such as adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert. However, the system tended to be overly sensitive with alerts.