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 car within the USA, relying on which record you have a look at.* Regardless of the last tally, the reality is that the RAV4 is growing gross sales, whereas the F-150 is displaying a slight decline.

These are two completely different, however common, car varieties. The RAV4 joins the Honda CR-V, Tesla Model Y, and Nissan Rogue because the 4 compact crossovers within the prime 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 vehicles on the record.

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

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 gives luxurious options that take this car into the life-style class. The Lariat begins at $63,360. This era of the F150 was launched in 2021, and as but there aren’t any plans to replace it.

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid LImited

There are twelve trims of the Toyota RAV4 if you happen to separate the ICE and hybrid options, though just a few would overlap by way of 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 choice added in 2019. It had a serious 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 beloved Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, however the points I’ve encountered with my Ioniq 5’s USB port, resulting in each platforms continually disconnecting (I just about do not use both anymore), have led me to vary my opinion. I’ve talked to each Hyundai and Apple, and each corporations blame the difficulty on one another. I’ve additionally gotten the USB and transmitter unit changed in my automotive, however nothing solves the difficulty.

Whereas I respect immediately getting access to my iPhone or Android gadget in my automotive just by plugging in my cellphone (my car would not have wi-fi CarPlay/Android Auto) and the benefits each working methods present, issues I’ve encountered have me considering that Tesla-like automotive producer maker-made infotainment methods could be the extra dependable manner ahead. In any case, I actually solely take calls, navigate with Google Maps/Waze, and take heed to music on Spotify in my automotive — I do not actually need many different apps.

With this in thoughts, do you favor 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. If you happen to 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 below are even the most affordable of their vary. Very often, we seek for features to entertain and amuse us through the drive, make the drive extra snug and fewer disturbing, assist us be higher drivers, and maintain us protected when the drive goes fallacious.

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 might probably 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 computerized.

The F-150 has Ford’s normal Co-Pilot driver help know-how, and Blue Cruise hands-free freeway driving as an choice. This truck will get a most of 5 stars in crash checks from the NHTSA, in addition to High Security Decide from the IIHS, the insurance coverage trade 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, Apple and Android connection, and a six-speaker sound system as normal, with an 11-speaker JBL system as an choice.

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 ground within the cargo area is useful 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 dimension drives, whereas dual-zone local weather management will maintain everybody cozy or cool as wanted.

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

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choose 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 want a truck, even for on a regular basis driving, whereas for others a crossover is good for work. Each automobiles additionally face vital 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. If you happen to want a truck, the F-150 is a good selection, though it’s getting plenty 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 area and versatility of a crossover. In 2024, the US financial system was booming, however inflation was excessive, and consumers have been searching for worth. The RAV4 was extra inexpensive to purchase and run than the massive Ford, and that in all probability 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 sturdy competitors. The Honda CR-V is proving extremely popular, 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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