The world of SUVs can be a tricky one to navigate. It’s a widely saturated market, with nearly every major manufacturer offering an affordable, practical option for buyers looking for their next family hauler, daily driver, or even their first ever car. When narrowing down your options, two that are sure to stick out as high value options are the Toyota RAV4 and the Mitsubishi Outlander. Need to know which one stands out ahead of the pack? Read on to find out who wins in our 2025 Toyota RAV4 vs Mitsubishi Outlander comparison.
Key Takeaways
- The RAV4 is the more practical of the two options, winning out in efficiency and cargo capacity.
- The Outlander doesn’t skimp on features, providing them in spades this year.
- These two popular models face off in a close battle that goes down to the wire in this review.
Will the 2025 Toyota RAV4 be redesigned?
Not exactly. Car and Driver reports that the RAV4 is dropping two trims for 2025, the Adventure and TRD Off-Road models. Going with them is the more advanced AWD system that those models utilized. Other than that, everything else is virtually identical to last year. Toyota doesn’t seem to want to step up with modern features.
With these changes, the trim list reads as:
- LE - $30,245
- XLE - $31,755
- XLE Premium - $34,645
- Limited - $38,550
Of these, it's the XLE Premium trim that they recommend. They like the new additions that it brings, which include fog lights, a must-have when those cold fronts settle in, bigger 19-inch wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control so both driver and passenger can ride in complete climate comfort, and finally, a leather-wrapped wheel and shift knob. Moving up a trim will get you some cozy ventilated seats, as well as a completely hands-free liftgate, and a 360-degree camera.
Is there going to be a 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander?
Yes! Edmunds reports that the Outlander will be back for 2025, and that this year’s edition is among the best offerings Mitsubishi has had in years. They report that the interior is amongst its strongest suits, coming with a third row and rather comfortable seating, all in a compact package. Complementing those features with a smooth ride and a 10 year warranty, the Outlander practically sells itself! The Outlander isn’t just back in 2025, it’s better than ever. But how does it stack against the Rav4 in a direct comparison?
Which is better, Toyota or Mitsubishi?
So if both the Rav4 and Outlander are among the best cars to own, which one should you opt for? When it comes to SUVs, some of the make or break features include fuel efficiency and cargo capacity. The U stands for Utility, after all, and picking out a model that justifies its cost is going to be among the top priorities for buyers shopping in this segment.
Some think the RAV4 is the clear winner, due only to the efficiency and cargo space comparisons. The RAV4 nets 27 MPG when driving in the city, and an astonishing 35 MPG on the highway, while the Outlander can net 24 MPG city and 31 MPG highway in comparison.
Looking at cargo capacity, the RAV4 edges to the lead. The Outlander tops out at 10.9 ft³ of storage with all seats in place, in comparison to the RAV4, which has 37.6 ft³ of space with all of the seats in place.
However, in terms of comfort and features the Outlander, well, outdoes the RAV 4. In the Outlander Hybrid, a 2.4-liter four-cylinder is assisted by a pair of electric motors for a combined 248 horsepower. It also boasts a 12.3 inch infotainment cluster and of course Apple Car Play and Android Auto linking. A six-speaker stereo is standard, but a nine-speaker Bose stereo is optional on the SE and SEL trims. It’s clear that fuel efficiency and cargo space are not the only thing to consider when choosing your next SUV. Modern features will take you into the next year with style.
Summary
So, that settles it. If you’re in the market for features, features, and more features, the Outlander is going to suit you just fine. On top of modern features the Outlander also brings comfortable seating and an updated profile that stands out in a crowd. Come see us at St. Pete Jarrett Mitsubishi to test drive your new Outlander today!