CARVSLABFeel the physics before you buy

Matchup

Toyota Corolla Cross vs Toyota RAV4

The 2026 Corolla Cross XLE AWD against the 2026 RAV4 XLE Premium AWD, through ten physics labs and every official rating we could find.

Last checked Oct 2, 2026. Every figure links to its source.

Open this matchup in the 3D lab

2026 Toyota Corolla Cross2026 Toyota RAV4

The short answer

  • In the trims shown, the Corolla Cross costs $5,645 less: $33,305 against $38,950 for the RAV4, destination included. PublishedToyotaPublishedToyota
  • The RAV4 is rated 41 mpg combined by the EPA, 11 mpg better than the Corolla Cross (30 mpg). PublishedEPAPublishedEPA
  • At 15,000 miles a year and national average prices, the RAV4 costs about $601 a year less to run: $1,638/yr against $2,239/yr. DerivedEPADerivedEPA
  • The Corolla Cross stops from 70 mph in 172 ft, 7 ft shorter than the RAV4 (179 ft). TestedCar and DriverTestedCar and Driver

At a glance

Corolla CrossRAV4
Starting price, this trim$33,305PublishedToyota$38,950PublishedToyota
Powertrain2.0 L four-cylinder, direct and port injection · Dynamic Torque Control AWD (electronically controlled rear coupling, up to 50% rearward)2.5 L four-cylinder + three electric motors · Electronic on-demand AWD (rear motor)
0–60 mph, tested or claimed9.2 sTestedCar and Driver7.1 sTestedCar and Driver
Braking 70–0 mph, tested172 ft (52.4 m)TestedCar and Driver179 ft (54.6 m)TestedCar and Driver
EPA combined30 mpg (7.8 L/100 km)PublishedEPA41 mpg (5.7 L/100 km)PublishedEPA
Cargo behind the second row21.5 cu ft (609 L)PublishedToyota Canada37.8 cu ft (1,070 L)PublishedToyota
Large suitcases, packed4Simulatedfrom Toyota Canada6Simulatedfrom Toyota Canada
Seats5Published5PublishedKBB
Crash ratingsNHTSA 5★ overall · IIHS Top Safety PickNo safety rating yet · new for 2026

Acceleration

The RAV4 gets to 60 mph 2.1 s sooner: 7.1 s against 9.2 s.

Corolla CrossRAV4
Power169 hp (126 kW)PublishedToyota236 hp (176 kW)PublishedToyota
Torque151 lb-ft (205 Nm)PublishedToyota163 lb-ft (221 Nm)PublishedToyota
0–60 mph, tested or claimed9.2 sTestedCar and Driver7.1 sTestedCar and Driver
0–60 mph, our simulation9.2 sSimulatedfrom Toyota7.0 sSimulatedfrom Car and Driver
Passing, 50–70 mph6.0 sTestedCar and Driver5.1 sTestedCar and Driver
Quarter mile17.0 sTestedCar and Driver15.3 sTestedCar and Driver
Watch it in The Shove

Braking and stopping distance

The Corolla Cross stops from 70 mph in 172 ft, 7 ft shorter than the RAV4 (179 ft).

Corolla CrossRAV4
Braking 70–0 mph, tested172 ft (52.4 m)TestedCar and Driver179 ft (54.6 m)TestedCar and Driver
Braking 60–0 mph, tested120 ft (36.6 m)TestedMotorTrendno data
Wet road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction357 ft (108.9 m)Simulatedfrom Car and Driver370 ft (112.8 m)Simulated, estimated inputs
Dry road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction275 ft (83.7 m)Simulatedfrom Car and Driver283 ft (86.3 m)Simulated, estimated inputs
Packed snow from 30 mph, 1 s reaction166 ft (50.5 m)Simulatedfrom Car and Driver172 ft (52.3 m)Simulated, estimated inputs
Watch it in The Stop

Rollover

No meaningful gap between the Corolla Cross and the RAV4 on what we can measure here.

Corolla CrossRAV4
NHTSA rollover rating4★ · 16.4% riskTestedNHTSAno data
Sideways slide that trips it into a roll11 mph (18 km/h)Simulated, estimated inputs11 mph (18 km/h)Simulated, estimated inputs
Static stability factor (half-track ÷ CoG height)1.22Simulated, estimated inputs1.24Simulated, estimated inputs
Watch it in The Tipping Point

Efficiency and running costs

The RAV4 is rated 41 mpg combined by the EPA, 11 mpg better than the Corolla Cross (30 mpg).

Corolla CrossRAV4
EPA combined30 mpg (7.8 L/100 km)PublishedEPA41 mpg (5.7 L/100 km)PublishedEPA
Fuel or charging, 15,000 mi a year$2,239/yrDerivedEPA$1,638/yrDerivedEPA
Steady 75 mph, our simulation30 mpg (7.8 L/100 km)Simulatedfrom Car and Driver36 mpg (6.5 L/100 km)Simulatedfrom Car and Driver
Drag coefficient0.39DerivedEPA0.33Estimate
Watch it in The Invisible Wall

Grip, snow and maneuvering

The Corolla Cross turns in a 1.5 ft tighter circle: 35.4 ft against 36.9 ft.

Corolla CrossRAV4
Skidpad grip, tested0.80 gTestedCar and Driverno data
Cornering grip, our simulation0.80 gSimulatedfrom Car and Driver0.79 gSimulated, estimated inputs
Pulling away on packed snow0.26 gSimulatedfrom Car and Driver0.25 gSimulated, estimated inputs
Turning circle35.4 ft (10.8 m)PublishedToyota Canada36.9 ft (11.2 m)PublishedToyota Canada
Ground clearance8.1 in (21 cm)PublishedToyota8.1 in (21 cm)PublishedToyota Canada
TiresGoodyear Assurance Finesse 225/55R18 98V all-season · 225/55R18TestedCar and DriverAll-season touring · 235/60R18PublishedToyota Canada
Watch it in The Grip Budget

Space, luggage and fit

The RAV4 has 16.3 cu ft more cargo space behind its second row: 37.8 cu ft against 21.5 cu ft.

Corolla CrossRAV4
Seats5Published5PublishedKBB
Large suitcases, packed4Simulatedfrom Toyota Canada6Simulatedfrom Toyota Canada
Carry-ons in the space left0Simulatedfrom Toyota Canada2Simulatedfrom Toyota Canada
Cargo behind the second row21.5 cu ft (609 L)PublishedToyota Canada37.8 cu ft (1,070 L)PublishedToyota
Cargo, seats folded61.8 cu ft (1,750 L)PublishedToyota Canada70.4 cu ft (1,994 L)PublishedToyota
Towing1,500 lb (680 kg)PublishedToyota Canada3,500 lb (1,588 kg)PublishedToyota
Driver head room, 6 ft 4 in driver−0.1 in (0 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs0.0 in (0 cm)Simulatedfrom KBB
Driver head room, 5 ft 11 in driver+2.2 in (6 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs+2.3 in (6 cm)Simulatedfrom KBB
Driver head room, 5 ft 4 in driver+5.2 in (13 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs+5.3 in (14 cm)Simulatedfrom KBB
Rear head room, 5 ft 11 in passenger+1.6 in (4 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs+2.5 in (6 cm)Simulatedfrom KBB
Rear knee room, 5 ft 11 in behind 5 ft 11 in+0.5 in (1 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs+2.3 in (6 cm)Simulatedfrom KBB
Rear head and knee, 6 ft 4 in behind 6 ft 4 in−1.0 in head · −3.8 in kneeSimulated, estimated inputs−0.1 in head · −2.0 in kneeSimulatedfrom KBB
Front head room, published38.6 in (98 cm)PublishedJ.D. Power37.9 in (96 cm)PublishedKBB
Rear head room, published39.0 in (99 cm)PublishedJ.D. Power39.5 in (100 cm)PublishedKBB
Rear leg room, published32.0 in (81 cm)PublishedJ.D. Power37.8 in (96 cm)PublishedKBB
Watch it in Live In It

Cabin noise

No meaningful gap between the Corolla Cross and the RAV4 on what we can measure here.

Corolla CrossRAV4
Cabin sound at 70 mphno data69 dBAEstimateCar and Driver
Watch it in The Quiet Test

Visibility

From the driver’s seat the RAV4’s hood hides the first 17 ft of road; the Corolla Cross’s hides 19 ft.

Corolla CrossRAV4
Road hidden in front of the bumper, 5 ft 9 in driver19 ft (5.7 m)Simulated17 ft (5.1 m)Simulated, estimated inputs
Ground visible within 33 ft ahead41%Simulated50%Simulated, estimated inputs
Watch it in Can You See Me?

Headlights and night stopping

No meaningful gap between the Corolla Cross and the RAV4 on what we can measure here.

Corolla CrossRAV4
IIHS headlight ratingAcceptableTestedIIHSno data
Low beams, straight road (right edge)281 ft (85.7 m)TestedIIHSno data
Fastest you can stop inside the low beams63 mph (102 km/h)Simulatedfrom IIHSno data
High beams, straight road (right edge)445 ft (135.5 m)TestedIIHSno data
Watch it in After Dark

Crash safety

No meaningful gap between the Corolla Cross and the RAV4 on what we can measure here.

Corolla CrossRAV4
NHTSA overall5★TestedNHTSAno data
IIHS small overlap frontGoodTestedIIHSno data
IIHS moderate overlap front (updated)AcceptableTestedIIHSno data
IIHS side (updated)GoodTestedIIHSno data
IIHS award2025 Top Safety PickPublishedIIHSno data
Curb weight3,384 lb (1,535 kg)TestedCar and Driver3,865 lb (1,753 kg)PublishedKBB
Watch it in The Impact

Where each one wins

Toyota Corolla Cross

  • In the trims shown, the Corolla Cross costs $5,645 less: $33,305 against $38,950 for the RAV4, destination included. PublishedToyotaPublishedToyota
  • The Corolla Cross stops from 70 mph in 172 ft, 7 ft shorter than the RAV4 (179 ft). TestedCar and DriverTestedCar and Driver
  • The Corolla Cross turns in a 1.5 ft tighter circle: 35.4 ft against 36.9 ft. PublishedToyota CanadaPublishedToyota Canada

Toyota RAV4

Weigh them by what matters to you in the lab’s verdict

Other trims

Keep comparing

Sources

  1. Toyota: 2026 Corolla Cross and Corolla Cross Hybrid trims and starting MSRP (2026-10)
  2. Toyota: 2026 RAV4 trims and MSRP, $1,450 delivery, processing and handling (2026-09)
  3. US EPA (fueleconomy.gov): 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross AWD ratings (2026-10)
  4. US EPA (fueleconomy.gov): 2026 Toyota RAV4 ratings (2026-09)
  5. Car and Driver: Tested: 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross Aims for Mass Appeal (XLE AWD) (2021-12)
  6. Car and Driver: Tested: 2026 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (Limited AWD) (2025-10)
  7. Toyota Canada: 2026 Corolla Cross and Corolla Cross Hybrid specifications summary (dimensions, tread, weights, cargo, tanks) (2026-10)
  8. Toyota USA Newsroom: The Next Adventure Begins: 2026 RAV4 Arrives this Winter (2025-11)
  9. Toyota Canada: 2026 RAV4 Hybrid product information (dimensions, brakes, tires) (2026-01)
  10. Kelley Blue Book: 2026 Toyota RAV4 XLE Premium specs (2026-09)
  11. Toyota: 2026 Corolla Cross eBrochure: specifications (engines, ground clearance, EPA ratings) (2026-10)
  12. MotorTrend: 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross AWD XLE First Test (2022-06)
  13. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings: 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross SUV AWD (VehicleId 21648) (2026-10)
  14. US EPA: Data on cars used for testing fuel economy, MY2026 (Corolla Cross coastdown target coefficients) (2026-01)
  15. Toyota Canada: 2026 Corolla Cross Hybrid Product Information (engine, motor, battery, brakes, chassis, interior) (2025-10)
  16. J.D. Power: 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross XLE 4WD specifications (2026-10)
  17. IIHS: 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross ratings (2026-10)
  18. IIHS: Nine additional models qualify for IIHS awards (2025–26 Corolla Cross: 2025 Top Safety Pick) (2025-10)

Badges: Published figures come from the maker, a regulator or a rating agency; Tested from an independent instrumented test; Simulated are computed by our physics from those inputs (how); Estimate means no published value exists. Confirm figures with the maker or your dealer before you buy.