The Toyota SUV That Outsells Lexus’ Entire Lineup

This SUV isn’t just popular, it’s a sales phenomenon. Year after year, it dominates its segment, moving more units than some brands sell across their entire lineup. Its appeal comes from a winning mix of practicality, reliability, and value that resonates with an incredibly broad range of buyers.

From daily commuting to weekend road trips, it delivers the versatility drivers need. A comfortable cabin, generous cargo space, and a choice of efficient powertrains make it easy to tailor to different lifestyles. Toyota’s reputation for durability only adds to its long-term appeal, keeping resale values high.

While luxury SUVs might offer flashier features or higher performance, few vehicles can match this model’s all-around competence and mass-market success. It’s the rare kind of car that’s as common in suburban driveways as it is on rugged trails, and that’s exactly why it continues to outsell entire luxury lineups.

Toyota’s RAV4 is the Best-Selling SUV in the United States

There is no denying the popularity of the Lexus brand, with most of their vehicles offering affordable alternatives to other luxury options while delivering the same level of comfort. However, a single Toyota model manages to outsell the entirety of the Lexus brand, taking its place as the best-selling SUV in the United States multiple years in a row.

RAV4 Sales vs Lexus Sales (2025 YTD)

In the luxury space, Lexus is easily one of the biggest players. They outsell their rivals by quite a large margin. The Lexus RX and the NX take first and second, respectively, when it comes to the best-selling luxury vehicles. Despite having quite a large lead over the rest of its competition, the Toyota RAV4 manages to outsell the entirety of Lexus’ lineup combined.

Toyota has found a recipe that is so successful that few of its rivals manage to even compete. It has held the spot as the best-selling SUV in the United States since 2017. Last year it even managed to dethrone the Ford F-150 to become the best-selling vehicle in the country. The only other SUV that manages to come close is Honda’s CR-V, which is still tens of thousands behind the RAV4. This is despite Toyota seeing a 3.6 percent decrease in sales compared to last year.

A Diverse Lineup Helps the RAV4 Sell

The Toyota RAV4 comes in a number of different forms, with there being a gas-only, a hybrid, and a plug-in hybrid on offer. This diversity helps make the RAV4 one of the most versatile nameplates out there, catering to a number of different buyers. A total of 111,526 RAV4s sold so far in 2025 were hybrids and 17,074 were plug-in hybrids. This means that half of all RAV4 sales in 2025 so far come from electrified models.

We think that the plug-in hybrid model is a bit niche, hence why it has the lowest sales, and that the regular hybrid is the best value version of the crossover. We also think that the XLE Premium trim is the trim of choice, whether you go with the gas-only model or the hybrid, offering fantastic features like faux-leather upholstery, keyless entry, a moonroof, and blind-spot monitoring, among other things.

The Upcoming 2026 Model Could Bolster Sales

As mentioned above, the RAV4 has actually seen a decline in sales compared to last year. This is likely because it is getting a little long in the tooth, with other compact crossovers feeling a little bit more modern. However, Toyota unveiled their 2026 model, going all in on hybrid power. It comes with a ton of interior and exterior upgrades that Toyota hopes will only increase its popularity.

The RAV4 is Sturdy, Comfortable, and Exceptionally Efficient in Any Form

Toyota has built the RAV4 on a reputation for reliability and simplicity. It is meant to be a vehicle that you get into every morning and start without issues, taking you from point A to point B without any fuss. While it might be a little dull, its consistency is a part of what makes it so successful. Its like going to McDonalds, you know the Big Mac is going to be the same every time, which is what makes it good.

2025 Performance Specifications

Under the hood of every RAV4 is a proven four-cylinder engine that is known for its reliability. The hybrid model adds three electric motors to the mix, with the plug-in hybrid getting more powerful versions of the electric motors. The gas-only model gets a standard eight-speed automatic while the hybrids get a CVT instead. All-wheel drive is optional on the gas model and standard in the hybrids.

No matter which model you choose, the RAV4 is never going to feel sporty. It may be pretty quick off the line in hybrid or plug-in hybrid guise, but the handling and ride are exceptionally soft. This does mean that while the Toyota isn’t particularly exciting, it is very comfortable. The crossover doesn’t try to be anything that its not, it is simple and comfortable transportation, and we respect that.

Fuel Economy and Range

If you’re running on gas power, the hybrid is the most efficient model. A crossover of this size coming close to breaking 40 miles per gallon combined is exceptional to say the least. The gas-only model isn’t bad either, sitting near the top of its class. When you’re not running on electric power, the plug-in hybrid is also impressively efficient, sticking close to the figures achieved by the regular hybrid.

The PHEV also comes equipped with an 18.1-kWh battery pack, allowing for a total of 42 miles of all-electric range. That means it offers more electric range than most PHEVs on the market. When plugged into a 240-volt outlet, Toyota says the battery will fully charge in as little as two and a half hours.

Safety and Driver Assist Features

• Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
• Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
• Panoramic View Monitor with Perimeter Scan
• Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking
• Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control

A big part of the success of the RAV4 is that Toyota includes so many advanced safety and driver assist features in the crossover as standard. Many of them form a part of Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.5 package. Things like collision detection and avoidance systems and advanced radar cruise control are all standard features. Parking assist and the 360-degree camera are the main non-standard features available.

The RAV4 also performs exceptionally in crash and safety testing. The NHTSA has given the crossover five stars out of five for safety.

Toyota’s RAV4 Is Comfortable, Practical, and Loaded With Features

Toyota is all about value for money, and this is a big reason why the RAV4 sells so well. While it doesn’t try and be fancy nor sporty on the inside, it is an easy-to-use SUV that offers tons of space on the inside. Some may look at the RAV4 and feel that it is a little mundane, but that commonality is why it performs so well. The average car buyer wants something simple and easy to use.

Interior Dimensions and Comfort

Toyota finds the perfect sweet spot when it comes to space in the front seats, rear seats, and cargo hold. Those at the helm are treated best, with plenty of space to stretch out. If you find yourself in the backseat, you still have enough legroom to be comfortable on long journeys. The slightly smaller rear quarters means that the RAV4 can offer you more space in the cargo hold than most of its rivals. Fold the rear seats down, and you can increase cargo space to 69.8 cubic feet.

As mentioned a couple of times, the RAV4 doesn’t try and be flashy, even in its most expensive trims. It focuses on practicality, something that the average buyer values quite highly. This doesn’t mean that it skimps on features, though. Faux-leather upholstery is available, as is a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heating and ventilation in the front seats, dual-zone climate control, and ambient interior lighting.

Infotainment and Technology

If you go for the LE or the XLE trims, then you get the standard eight-inch infotainment screen, which rises up above the dashboard. Every other trim benefits from a larger 10.5-inch unit instead. Things like a 4G mobile hotspot and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are on offer. Top trims also come with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster.

There are multiple USB and USB-C ports available the cabin, and you can also equip your RAV4 with a wireless smartphone charging pad. A digital rearview mirror is also among the options available. Base models come with a pretty wimpy six-speaker sound system, but you can upgrade to a much better 11-speaker JBL system instead.