The battle for the highest of the gross sales char...

The Toyota RAV4 has ended the Ford F-150’s 42-year reign in 2024 because the best-selling automobile within the USA, relying on which listing you have a look at.* Regardless of the last tally, the reality is that the RAV4 is rising gross sales, whereas the F-150 is displaying a slight decline.

These are two completely different, however standard, automobile sorts. The RAV4 joins the Honda CR-V, Tesla Model Y, and Nissan Rogue because the 4 compact crossovers within the high ten, whereas the F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, and GMC Sierra are full-size pickups. The Toyota Camry and Corolla be part of the Honda Civic because the three passenger automobiles on the listing.

Whereas the RAV4 and F-150 are very completely different automobiles, they each provide way of life as a doable buying resolution, so let’s take a look at these two standard decisions.

Ford F-150 Lariat vs Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Restricted

Evaluating two feature-rich fashions

Ford F-150 Lariat

The Ford F-150 has a variety of eight trims to select from, excluding the Lightning EV. This goes from the very primary single-cab XL beginning at $38,810 to the super-powerful Raptor beginning at $72,000. I’ll have a look at the mid-range Lariat with the hybrid drive, as this affords luxurious options that take this automobile into the life-style class. The Lariat begins at $63,360. This era of the F150 was launched in 2021, and as but there are not any plans to replace it.

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid LImited

There are twelve trims of the Toyota RAV4 should you separate the ICE and hybrid options, though a number of would overlap when it comes to options. There’s additionally a plug-in-hybrid, which I’m not contemplating right here. Costs vary from the gasoline LE at $29,250 to the Hybrid LImited beginning at $40,605. We’ll have a look at the highest Hybrid Restricted. The present era RAV4 was launched in 2018, with the hybrid possibility added in 2019. It had a significant facelift in 2021, and a model new era is because of launch in 2026.

F-150 Lariat hybrid and RAV4 Hybrid Restricted primary specs

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Do you prefer CarPlay, Android Auto, or bespoke in-car infotainment

There was a time once I liked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, however the points I’ve encountered with my Ioniq 5’s USB port, resulting in each platforms continuously disconnecting (I just about do not use both anymore), have led me to alter my opinion. I’ve talked to each Hyundai and Apple, and each firms blame the difficulty on one another. I’ve additionally gotten the USB and transmitter unit changed in my automobile, however nothing solves the difficulty.

Whereas I respect immediately getting access to my iPhone or Android gadget in my automobile just by plugging in my cellphone (my automobile does not have wi-fi CarPlay/Android Auto) and the benefits each working techniques present, issues I’ve encountered have me pondering that Tesla-like automobile producer maker-made infotainment techniques stands out as the extra dependable approach ahead. In spite of everything, I actually solely take calls, navigate with Google Maps/Waze, and hearken to music on Spotify in my automobile — I do not really want many different apps.

With this in thoughts, do you like CarPlay or

F-150 Lariat vs RAV4 Hybrid Restricted options

Issues that make the drive safer and extra pleasing

Ford

In case your way of life or work wants the attributes of a truck, the F-150 can be an apparent selection. Should you do not want a truck, a compact crossover just like the RAV4 is a confirmed winner. However we do not simply purchase on value, and neither of the fashions mentioned listed here are even the most cost effective of their vary. Very often, we seek for features to entertain and amuse us in the course of the drive, make the drive extra comfy and fewer anxious, assist us be higher drivers, and maintain us secure when the drive goes incorrect.

Ford F-150 Lariat

The Lariat has a big customizable instrument cluster and a 12.0-inch infotainment show with Apple and Android connectivity. It could possibly additionally act as a Wi-Fi hotspot. Ford’s new sync 4 software program package deal permits for over the air updates to maintain the truck updated.

Elective extras embody reside climate and site visitors updates, Sirius XM radio, and a Bang & Olufsen stereo.

The F-150 has the well-known office-in-truck options, with a big work bench, fold-flat entrance seats, and a rear seat within the crew cab to sleep on. The entrance seats are leather-trimmed, heated, and ventilated, whereas the temperature management is dual-zone and automated.

The F-150 has Ford’s normal Co-Pilot driver help know-how, and Blue Cruise hands-free freeway driving as an possibility. This truck will get a most of 5 stars in crash assessments from the NHTSA, in addition to High Security Choose from the IIHS, the insurance coverage business scores company.

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Restricted

The RAV4 Hybrid Restricted comes with a 12.3-inch instrument show and a ten.5-inch infotainment display screen, Apple and Android connection, and a six-speaker sound system as normal, with an 11-speaker JBL system as an possibility.

Compact crossovers typically promote practicality, and the RAV4 doesn’t disappoint. There are a great deal of nooks and crannies to retailer stuff, whereas a height-adjustable false flooring within the cargo house is helpful to maintain your stuff out of sight. Cargo quantity is beneficiant, with almost 38 cu-ft behind the rear seats, and almost 70 with the rear seats folded down.

The upholstery is a leather-like materials, and the entrance and rear seats are heated. The steering wheel can tilt and telescope to accommodate completely different measurement drives, whereas dual-zone local weather management will maintain everybody cozy or cool as wanted.

Toyota is severe about driver help, with a complete package deal that features pre-collision warning and braking, lane protecting, and proximity warning. The RAV4 will get 5 stars from the NHTSA, in addition to a High Security Choose when examined in 2023. The hybrid was not particularly examined, however hybrid and ICE fashions typically get the identical scores.

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Find out how to decide one

Truck utility vs crossover practicality

Toyota

Moreover 5 seats and 4 wheels, the F-150 and RAV4 are completely completely different automobiles. However when you’ve got the 2 bestselling fashions within the US, there must be some gross sales overlap. Some merely desire a truck, even for on a regular basis driving, whereas for others a crossover is right for work. Each automobiles additionally face important challenges from different fashions of their classes, so US consumers are spoiled for selection.

Ford F-150

The Ford prices much more, however has an enormous energy benefit and the towing and cargo utility of a giant truck. However additionally it is a lot much less fuel-efficient than the Toyota. Should you want a truck, the F-150 is a superb selection, though it’s getting quite a lot of competitors from the likes of RAM, GMC, and Chevrolet.

Toyota RAV4

The RAV4 is smaller, lighter, extra environment friendly, simpler to park, whereas nonetheless providing the house and versatility of a crossover. In 2024, the US financial system was booming, however inflation was excessive, and consumers have been in search of worth. The RAV4 was extra inexpensive to purchase and run than the massive Ford, and that most likely contributed to its nice gross sales efficiency.

The RAV4 comes with the built-in reliability and resale worth consumers anticipate from Toyota, however it too faces very robust competitors. The Honda CR-V is proving highly regarded, whereas there are a number of different hybrid crossovers difficult for market share, together with the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-50, and Subaru Forrester.

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