2024 Toyota RAV4 vs 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 was designed to project a rugged appearance, with its aggressive front fascia and angular body cladding. Despite its tough exterior, the RAV4's performance did not match its looks, as the dual exhaust outlets suggested more power than the vehicle actually delivered. The TRD Off-Road model, which we tested, came with a base price of $38,295, plus a destination charge of $1,350. It featured Army Green paint, a digital rearview mirror, and additional technology and weather packages, bringing the total MSRP to $41,925. The RAV4's interior was utilitarian, with easy-clean surfaces and practical storage solutions, but higher trim levels offered more luxurious options.

In contrast, the 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport emphasized a sportier aesthetic within the Range Rover family. Its shorter wheelbase and chopped top gave it an athletic stance, although it appeared somewhat tall and narrow from certain angles. The SV Edition 2, which we tested, was the highest-performance model, featuring a carbon-fiber hood and 23-inch carbon-fiber wheels. The interior boasted red leather upholstery and sport seats with illuminated inserts, maintaining a minimalist design with a focus on luxury. Despite its sporty mission, the Range Rover Sport provided a comfortable and refined ride, with high-quality materials throughout the cabin.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The TRD Off-Road model featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, along with off-road suspension tuning and all-terrain tires. While the RAV4 handled off-road conditions reasonably well, it was not as capable as more dedicated off-road vehicles. The SUV's fuel economy was rated at 28 mpg combined, but our test vehicle averaged 26.6 mpg during evaluation.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered multiple powertrain options, all with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The base SE model featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with 355 horsepower, while the Dynamic SE offered a higher output of 395 hp. The Autobiography trim included a plug-in hybrid powertrain with 543 hp, and the SV Edition 2 boasted a twin-turbocharged V8 with 626 hp. The SV Edition 2 accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and reached a top speed of 180 mph. The Range Rover Sport's sport-tuned air suspension and four-wheel steering provided agile handling and a luxurious ride.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 prioritized practicality and utility, with a focus on recreational activities. The TRD Off-Road trim featured SofTex artificial leather upholstery and an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat. The interior comfortably accommodated four adults, with a spacious cargo area offering 37.6 cubic feet of space, expandable to 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, positioned between the Velar and full-size Range Rover, offered a midsize two-row, five-seater configuration. The interior provided ample headroom and legroom, with standard reclining rear seats and 20-way power-adjustable front seats. The cargo space measured 31.9 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 53 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Range Rover Sport's towing capacity was 7,716 pounds for turbo-six and V8 models.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 featured the Toyota Audio Multimedia system with an 8-inch or optional 10.5-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Various connected services were available, including Service Connect, Safety Connect, Remote Connect, and Drive Connect. The infotainment system was sophisticated but had some usability issues, such as the lack of a multi-panel Home screen and difficulty exiting Apple CarPlay.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came with a 13.7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.1-inch touchscreen for infotainment functions. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration were standard. The Pivi Pro infotainment system was responsive, with natural-language voice recognition. The SV Edition 2 featured "Body and Soul Seats" with embedded transducers for a unique audio experience, although it felt somewhat gimmicky.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 included Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, a suite of advanced driver-assistance systems. However, the base LE trim lacked blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The RAV4's safety performance was adequate, but it lost its Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS due to lower ratings in recent crash tests.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a comprehensive set of driver-assist features, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The standard 360-degree camera system and digital rearview mirror aided parking, although the parking sensors were overly sensitive. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of publication.