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Toyota RAV4 vs Volkswagen Tiguan

2026 Toyota RAV4 vs 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan — two small SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Toyota RAV4

2026 Toyota RAV4

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS2 – 4Volkswagen Tiguan wins 4 of 6 categories
Volkswagen Tiguan

2026 Volkswagen Tiguan

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WD

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The short version

The Toyota RAV4 is more fuel-efficient: 43 vs 29 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $750 a year less in fuel for the Toyota RAV4 (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Volkswagen Tiguan is the bigger car, about 3 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Volkswagen Tiguan has had fewer recall campaigns (38 vs 50).

The two cars

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 is a small SUV offered with a 2.5L 4-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 181 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,746 lb (Le 4dr SUV).

The 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan is a small SUV offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 184 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 110-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,810 lb.

Buying used? The 2022 RAV4 and the 2023 Tiguan have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2019 RAV4 and the 2018 Tiguan.

Basics

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Hybrid
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5L 4-cyl
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

43 MPG
Best combined MPG
29 MPG
47 city
City / highway MPG (best)
26 city
$1,550
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$2,300

Performance & space

186 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
268 hp
5
Seats (most)
5
181.1 in
Length
184.3 in
72.8 in
Width
72.8 in
66.5 in
Height
66.5 in
3,746 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
3,810 lb

Safety & reliability

13
Driver-assist features standard
13
2
Recalls (2026)
0
50
Recalls, all years since 2005
38
42
Owner complaints (latest year)
37

Interest

45,921
Wikipedia views, 30 days
18,200

Buying used

2022
Best used year
2023
2019
Year to avoid
2018

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Toyota RAV4 if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (43 vs 29 MPG)
  • You want something easier to park (3 in shorter)
  • You want a hybrid or electric option

Choose the Volkswagen Tiguan if…

  • You want more power (up to 268 vs 186 hp)
  • You want more room (3 in longer)
  • You put reliability history first (38 vs 50 recalls since 2005)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Toyota RAV4

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 43 MPG combined — 42% better than the average 2026 small SUV (30.2 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

2026 Volkswagen Tiguan

  • Strong performanceUp to 268 hp, versus about 190 hp for similar 2026 models.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Full 2026 Toyota RAV4 specs →Full 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →