2022 Toyota RAV4

While one or two trims may be equipped to go off-road, the RAV4 is predominantly a town car. Its light, electrically assisted steering is ideal for maneuvering on tight, busy streets or grabbing that surprise parking spot before anyone else can. Unfortunately, this lightness doesn't really change when you speed up on the highway, so the wheel requires constant attention. Similarly, the brakes are quite light, too. But they aren't actually weak, so you can bring the car to a halt if you just apply the pedal hard enough.

This same town-centric design flows over into road comfort, though, meaning that most bumps and abrasions are soaked up easily by the suspension and tires. In this area, the smaller 17- and 18-inch wheels are preferable, but the 19 inches don't negatively affect it that much. The Adventure and TRD have slightly stiffer suspensions for going off-road, but they work well on tarmac, too.

Naturally, these two trims do well off the beaten path, where their smaller tires, stiffer suspensions, and AWD are ideal for dealing with rougher ground conditions.

There is a reason that the Toyota RAV4 is the top-selling SUV in the USA, and that is because it does so many things right. It isn't overly expensive, it offers competitive fuel economy, and it is extremely practical with loads of passenger and cargo space. It's not the best equipped crossover on the market, but Toyota has done a good job of keeping it updated year after year. When regarded in comparison to its chief competitors such as the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5, it holds its ground and manages to beat them in a few areas. You get loads of choice with so many models on offer, including a range of hybrid options, most notably a potent plug-in hybrid. It's not the greatest SUV on the market, though, with lackluster acceleration and unengaging driving characteristics. But it makes up for this by being capable of off-roading without too much fuss and towing impressively heavy trailers. It is definitely one of the better value-for-money compacts on the market right now, and it deserves a test drive at the very least so you can see just how much you're getting for your money.

Nissan develops slightly more budget-friendly crossovers for the American market, but this generally comes at a cost other than money. In this case, the Rogue is much more of a niche purchase, but having been newly designed for 2021, is a vastly more appealing option than ever before. The Nissan's engine is new this year; it's a 1.5-liter turbo developing 201 hp and 225 lb-ft, so is more torquey than the gas-only RAV4. The Nissan also has a larger cabin and greater maximum trunk capacity. Size isn't everything, though, but the Rogue is still plush and comfortable, and is packed with features. The latest Rogue returns up ti 33 mpg combined but lacks a hybrid option. If judged purely on merit, the Rogue edges the gas-only RAV4. However, with its Toyota badge and broad hybrid lineup, the RAV4 offers more.

Perhaps the most capable rival to the RAV4, the Honda CR-V is one of the best compact crossovers on the US market. Its 190-hp engine may not sound exciting on paper, but it allows the Honda to go from 0-60 mph quicker than the Toyota, although it isn't quite as fuel efficient as the most frugal setup on the RAV4. Still, it is smooth and quiet in comparison. The CR-V can't quite compete when it comes to towing, since it caps out at 1,500 lbs, but it can handle quite a bit more cargo thanks to its 39.2-cubic-foot trunk. But, between the two, the Toyota leads in terms of infotainment. It offers full smartphone integration at every trim level, including Wi-Fi and more speakers. If you can look past that and care more about how practically your family hauler is, then the Honda seems like the better choice, but if you want the better all-rounder, the RAV4 seems to have the better value proposition. But, with each nameplate offering different types of powertrains and comparable utility, it will likely come down to personal taste and preference.