Toyota RAV4 vs Hyundai Tucson

The Hyundai Tucson is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 50 mpg combined versus 43 mpg for the Toyota RAV4, a 7 mpg advantage and costs about $150 less per year to fuel.

Across 5 measured categories, the Hyundai Tucson leads in 3. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.

2015–2026

Toyota RAV4

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 72 configurations

43mpg combined (best)
All Toyota RAV4 specs

2015–2026

Hyundai Tucson

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 62 configurations

50mpg combined (best)
All Hyundai Tucson specs

Head-to-head specifications

MetricToyota RAV4Hyundai Tucson
Best combined MPG43 mpg50 mpg
Best city MPG47 mpg49 mpg
Best highway MPG40 mpg51 mpg
Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year$1,450$1,600
Lowest CO2 output72 g/mi100 g/mi
Engines offeredSIDI & PFI; Hybrid, SIDI & PFI, SIDI & PFI; with Stop-Start, SIDI & PFI; PHEVSIDI; PHEV, SIDI & PFI, SIDI; Hybrid, 1.6
TransmissionsAutomatic (AV-S6), Automatic (variable gear ratios), Automatic (S8)Automatic (AM-S6), Automatic (S8), Automatic (S6)
DrivetrainsFront-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel DriveAll-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel typesRegular, Regular Gas and ElectricityRegular Gas and Electricity, Regular, Hydrogen
EPA classSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Years covered2015–20262015–2026
Configurations on record7262

Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.

RAV4 vs Tucson: common questions

Which is better on gas, the Toyota RAV4 or the Hyundai Tucson?

The Hyundai Tucson is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 50 mpg combined versus 43 mpg for the Toyota RAV4, a 7 mpg advantage and costs about $150 less per year to fuel.

Which costs less to run per year?

By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Toyota RAV4 runs about $1,450 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $1,600 for the Hyundai Tucson — a difference of roughly $150 per year.

What engines do the RAV4 and Tucson offer?

Toyota RAV4: SIDI & PFI; Hybrid, SIDI & PFI, SIDI & PFI; with Stop-Start, SIDI & PFI; PHEV. Hyundai Tucson: SIDI; PHEV, SIDI & PFI, SIDI; Hybrid, 1.6.

Are they in the same vehicle class?

Yes — the EPA classifies both the Toyota RAV4 and the Hyundai Tucson as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, so they compete directly.

More RAV4 comparisons

Comparison id: toyota-rav4-vs-hyundai-tucson