If you know you want a five-passenger Toyota; the right model can lead you to compare the 2023 Toyota Camry and RAV4 together. The Camry is a midsize Toyota sedan that’s been a top choice for many decades. Similarly, the RAV4 is a Toyota compact SUV that is now the top-selling model in its class. Which Toyota should you drive? Let’s see what shakes out.

Should you go longer with the 2023 Toyota Camry or taller with the 2023 Toyota RAV4?

The tale of the tape doesn’t lie. The Camry is more than 11 inches longer than the RAV4 and rides on a five-inch longer wheelbase than the crossover. Conversely, the RAV4 is half an inch wider and ten inches taller than the Camry. These factors are important to our driving pleasure.

The taller roof and interior space of the Toyota RAV4 make it easier to get in and out than the lower Camry. Both Toyota vehicles comfortably fit five people with two seats up front and a three-row bench in the rear.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4’s cargo room blows the Camry out of the water

Although both of these Toyota vehicles have room for five people, and the Camry offers more passenger volume at 100.4 cu-ft compared to 98.9 cu-ft for the RAV4, the compact SUV offers much more cargo capacity. The midsize sedan only has a trunk in the rear to offer 15.1 cu-ft of cargo space. This doesn’t hold a candle to the 69.8 cu-ft of useable cargo room the Toyota SUV offers. With the seats up, the Toyota RAV4 has 37.5 cu-ft of cargo room, which is still more than double the capacity of the Camry’s trunk.

Which gets better gas mileage, Toyota RAV4 or Camry?

The base powertrain for both The Toyota midsize sedan and compact SUV makes 203 horsepower. The higher stance of the 2023 Toyota RAV4 creates an average fuel mileage of 30 mpg, which translates to 493 miles of highway driving range. The 2023 Toyota Camry offers a lower stance and better fuel mileage. The Camry returns 32 mpg and a highway driving range of 616 miles with a full tank of gas.

Should you go with the power of the 2023 Toyota Camry or the efficiency of the RAV4?

Although the base powertrain offered in these two Toyota five-seat vehicles has the same amount of power and better fuel economy numbers for the Toyota sedan, additional powertrains take us down two distinctly different paths.

The Camry midsize sedan offers a potent 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 301 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque in the TRD trim. Of course, a Camry hybrid takes the base engine and adds an electric motor to provide 208 horsepower and up to 52 mpg combined.

The RAV4 compact SUV lineup doesn’t include a strong and exciting V6 at any trim level. Instead, you’ll find a pair of hybrid powertrains to offer more power and efficiency during your drive. The regular hybrid model has two electric motors to return 219 horsepower, AWD, and 40 mpg combined. The Toyota RAV4 Prime is a plug-in hybrid that brings 38 mpg combined.

Which five-seat Toyota is more affordable?

The base model of the 2023 Toyota Camry LE has an MSRP of $27,315, while the base 2023 Toyota RAV4 LE starts a little higher at $29,310. The V6-powered XSE Camry is the most expensive version of this Toyota sedan, with a starting MSRP of $37,740, while the Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE is the most costly of the Toyota SUV models. This version of the RAV4 has a starting price of $47,585.

Should you drive the 2023 Toyota Camry or RAV4?

The Toyota Camry midsize sedan offers a more efficient base engine, slightly more passenger room, and a lower starting price than the RAV4 compact SUV. On the other hand, this compact Toyota SUV has significantly more cargo room, the benefits of AWD with the hybrid powertrains, and a higher ride height making it easy to get in and out of the vehicle. Which five-seat Toyota will you drive?