The battle for the highest of the gross sales charts: Ford-F150 vs Toyota RAV4

Abstract

The RAV4 has overtaken the F-150 because the best-selling automobile within the USA resulting from growing gross sales.
The compact RAV4 and full-size F-150 enchantment to completely different life however face competitors.
The F-150 presents energy and utility, whereas the extra environment friendly RAV4 brings crossover practicality and security options.

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 checklist you take a look at.* Regardless of the closing 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, automobile varieties. 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 vehicles on the checklist.

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

*Many lists nonetheless put the Ford F-series as the highest vendor, however in line with MOTORTREND, Ford lumps collectively the F-series — F-150, 250, and so on collectively in a single gross sales class. The checklist used right here strips out the F-150 gross sales for that 12 months. I’m utilizing 2025 costs and specs.

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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 fundamental single-cab XL beginning at $38,810 to the super-powerful Raptor beginning at $72,000. I’ll take a look at the mid-range Lariat with the hybrid drive, as this presents luxurious options that take this automobile into the approach to life class. The Lariat begins at $63,360. This technology 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 may be 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 take a look at the highest Hybrid Restricted. The present technology RAV4 was launched in 2018, with the hybrid choice added in 2019. It had a serious facelift in 2021, and a model new technology is because of launch in 2026.

F-150 Lariat hybrid and RAV4 Hybrid Restricted fundamental specs

	F-150	RAV4
Energy prepare	3.5L V6 twin turbo with electrical motor	2.5L I4 with electrical motor
Drivetrain	2WD/4WD	AWD
Horsepower	430 hp	219 hp
Torque	450 lb-ft	184 lb-ft
Drivetrain	10-speed computerized	eCVT
0-60 mph	5 seconds	7.3 seconds
Gasoline effectivity mixed	23 MPG	39 MPG
Gasoline spend/save over 5 years	Spend $2,000 extra	Save 2,500

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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 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 accessing my iPhone or Android machine in my automotive 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 automotive producer maker-made infotainment techniques could be 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 automotive — 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 gratifying

Ford

In case your life-style or work wants the attributes of a truck, the F-150 can be an apparent selection. In case you do not want a truck, a compact crossover just like the RAV4 is a confirmed winner. However we do not simply purchase on worth, and neither of the fashions mentioned listed below are even the most cost effective of their vary. Very often, we seek for features to entertain and amuse us throughout the drive, make the drive extra snug and fewer hectic, assist us be higher drivers, and hold us protected when the drive goes improper.

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.

Non-obligatory extras embody stay 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 expertise, and Blue Cruise hands-free freeway driving as an choice. This truck will get a most of 5 stars in crash exams from the NHTSA, in addition to Prime Security Decide from the IIHS, the insurance coverage business rankings 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 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 flooring within the cargo house 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 measurement drives, whereas dual-zone local weather management will hold 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 protecting, and proximity warning. The RAV4 will get 5 stars from the NHTSA, in addition to a Prime Security Decide when examined in 2023. The hybrid was not particularly examined, however hybrid and ICE fashions typically get the identical rankings.

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Truck utility vs crossover practicality

Toyota

In addition to 5 seats and 4 wheels, the F-150 and RAV4 are completely completely different automobiles. However when you have got the 2 bestselling fashions within the US, there needs to be some gross sales overlap. Some merely favor a truck, even for on a regular basis driving, whereas for others a crossover is right 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 it’s also a lot much less fuel-efficient than the Toyota. In case you want a truck, the F-150 is a superb selection, though it’s getting a variety 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 economic 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 large 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 count on from Toyota, but it surely too faces very sturdy 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.