There are tons of small SUVs that combine everyday practicality with rugged capability. The Ford Bronco Sport is one example of an SUV with the capabilities to match its adventurous aesthetics. Meanwhile, the Toyota RAV4 is America’s best-selling SUV for its well-rounded versatility and tremendous value proposition.
Let’s compare these two SUVs and find the right one for you.
2024 Ford Bronco Sport
The Ford Bronco Sport is the more road-friendly alternative to the Bronco. It delivers a more car-like driving experience, but it’s still a great off-roader, especially in the Badlands trim. This SUV also has a big personality with its retro-inspired styling in the eye-catching Heritage and Free Wheeling trims. Pricing starts at $31,390, including the destination charge.
Ford Bronco Sport Highlights:
Standard AWD: The Ford Bronco Sport comes standard with all-wheel drive on every trim, plus the Terrain Management System with G.O.A.T. (Go Over Any Type of Terrain) modes. This not only improves all-season traction but makes the Bronco Sport one of the best off-roaders in its class.
Fashionable styling: The best-seller status of the Toyota RAV4 means it tends to blend in with the crowd. However, the Ford Bronco Sport is a practical, small SUV that can be optioned with unignorable aesthetics. The retro Heritage and Free Wheeling trims are guaranteed to turn heads
Turbo engines: The standard turbocharged 3-cylinder engine puts a nice pep in the step of the Ford Bronco Sport with plentiful torque low in the rev range. It gets more exciting with the optional turbo 4-cylinder pumping out up to 250 horsepower, making it more fun to drive on- and off-road.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Bronco Sport models near you.
2024 Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 is America’s best-selling vehicle without a truck bed. This SUV is popular for good reasons. It has just about everything you could want in a compact SUV, like a spacious, comfortable cabin, good fuel economy, and Toyota’s famed reliability and resale value. It can even hold its own off-road when properly equipped. Pricing starts at $30,025, including the destination charge.
Toyota RAV4 Highlights:
More affordable: The Toyota RAV4 has a lower starting price than the Ford Bronco Sport. It’s not a huge price difference, but keep in mind that the RAV4 is a bigger, roomier SUV than the Bronco Sport. Even if you upgrade to the rugged TRD Off-Road trim, it’s still a bit cheaper than the Bronco Sport Badlands.
Better fuel economy: Despite being the bigger of the two, the Toyota RAV4 is more fuel-efficient than the Ford Bronco Sport. Its standard engine gets a combined EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of up to 30 mpg, while the Bronco Sport gets 26 mpg with the standard 3-cylinder engine and 23 mpg with the optional 4-cylinder. Also, the Toyota RAV4 has multiple hybrid options, and the Ford Bronco Sport has none.
Roomy interior: Being a slightly bigger SUV, the Toyota RAV4 has more interior space than the Ford Bronco Sport. With 37.8 inches of rear legroom and 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seats, the practicality of the RAV4 lives up to its reputation.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Toyota RAV4 models near you.
Similarities
These two SUVs have similar seating space, standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay phone integration, and rugged off-roaders in their lineups in the form of the Badlands and TRD Pro trims.
Conclusion
You may not be surprised to hear that the Toyota RAV4 is the more sensible choice. A lower starting price, better fuel economy, and more cargo room make the Toyota the one to get if you don’t mind driving what everyone else is driving. However, the Ford Bronco Sport is a smaller SUV with a bigger personality, and it’s more capable off-road while still being a practical daily commuter.
| 2024 Ford Bronco Sport | 2024 Toyota RAV4 | |
| Starting Price | $31,390 | $30,025 |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 1.5-liter turbo 3-cylinder | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 181 hp @ 6,000 rpm | 203 hp @ 6,600 rpm |
| Torque | 190 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm | 184 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic/AWD | 8-speed automatic/FWD |
| Fuel Economy | 25 city/29 highway/26 combined mpg | 27 city/35 highway/30 combined mpg |
| Also Available | 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder | AWD, conventional hybrid, plug-in hybrid |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5-Stars | 5-Stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 105.1 inches | 105.9 inches |
| Overall Length | 172.7 inches | 180.9 inches |
| Width | 74.3 inches | 73 inches |
| Height | 70.2 inches | 67 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 37.4 feet | 36.1 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 41.5 inches | 39.5 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 41.7 inches | 39.5 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 42.4 inches | 41 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 36.9 inches | 37.8 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 57.3 inches | 57.8 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 55.6 inches | 56.4 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 32.5/65.2 cubic feet | 37.6/69.8 cubic feet |
