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The Toyota RAV4 is the top dog in the small SUV vehicle segment. Many small SUVs are getting major redesigns for the 2023 model year, including the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage. Is the Toyota RAV4 larger than the redesigned Kia Sportage?

Is the Toyota RAV4 bigger than the Kia Sportage?

The Toyota RAV4 is 181 inches long, 73 inches wide, and 67 inches tall. The Kia Sportage is 184 inches long, 73 inches wide, and 65 inches tall after its redesign. The Sportage is longer than the RAV4, but the RAV4 is slightly taller. So, Kia’s small SUV’s dimensions are now very similar to the dimensions of the most popular small SUV.

Three Toyota RAV4 small SUVs are parked.
Three Toyota RAV4 small SUVs are parked | Toyota

The Toyota RAV4 hasn’t undergone any drastic changes in recent years in terms of its design language. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The Sportage’s redesign, on the other hand, is entirely necessary for the small SUV to compete in its vehicle segment. If Kia didn’t redesign its small SUV for 2023, it would easily be overshadowed by competitors.

The Kia Sportage redesign comes a year after the success of the Hyundai Tucson’s redesign. The Tucson is the Sportage’s South Korean cousin. Aside from the Sportage’s huge (no pun intended) change in size, the 2023 model year also completely changes the small SUV’s exterior design. Like the Tucson, the Sportage now has a distinct futuristic exterior. The interior is more refined and features better standard tech. Car and Driver praises its roomy cabin and smooth ride.

Are Toyota RAV4s long-lasting?

Few small SUVs can compete with the Toyota RAV4 when it comes to longevity. The RAV4 can easily last for 200,000-250,000 miles when well-maintained. A new RAV4 can last for over 14 years. The average new vehicle ownership period is only about eight years.

The Toyota RAV4 is one of the best small family SUVs to buy. Its fuel efficiency and practicality make it a pleasure to own. If you’re looking for a small family SUV that gets even more driving range, the RAV4 Hybrid is the way to go. The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid can travel for over 572 miles on a full tank of gas.

2022 Toyota RAV4 vs. 2023 Kia Sportage

A green 2023 Kia Sportage small SUV is driving on a road surrounded by leaves.
The 2023 Kia Sportage | Kia

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 starts at $26,975. It uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine to make 203 horsepower. The small SUV achieves 27 miles per gallon in the city and 35 miles per gallon on the highway. The 2023 Kia Sportage starts at $25,990. It uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine to make 187 horsepower. The Sportage gets 25 miles per gallon in the city and 32 miles per gallon on the highway.

The Kia Sportage is more affordable than the RAV4, but the RAV4 is more powerful. The Toyota RAV4 also gets slightly better gas mileage. The RAV4 has a longer history of dependability, so it’s the better buy. That being said, the Kia Sportage could make major waves in the small SUV segment in 2023.

Read more about the Kia Sportage in the next article below.

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