Toyota is a pioneer in the world of SUVs. It has long topped the sales charts with its Rav4. But the Japanese have to face competitors that are much cheaper and not inferior in performance. Comparing the Rav4 and Ford will help to understand which of the two cars is better.
Comparing the RAV4 and the Ford: Kuga review - the SUV from Ford. The company has redesigned the vehicle in all key areas to give it a chance to take over the top spot in the competitive sector. The Rav 4 as the leader of its market segment is doing great. But to understand who is better, one should analyse the technical specifications, interior design as well as handling and comfort.
Prices and equipment
The equipment package is good even in the standard model. Every RAV4 is equipped with cruise control, auxiliary systems, a rear-view camera and a full range of smartphone connectivity features (Android Auto and Apple). The Kuga is based on Ford's C2 platform. The car's strengths are its handling and handling thanks to the front suspension with McPherson struts and multi-link rear suspension, which provide comfort and manoeuvrability. The Titanium package adds lane assist, LED headlights, wireless phone charging and keyless entry to the standard satellite navigation, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Interiors The interior of the Rav 4 has some cheap-looking materials inside, but the build quality is good. The display on the dashboard looks dated and is uncomfortable to use. But the Toyota does a great job with the standard things you do every day, like changing the air conditioning settings. The large buttons are well placed and easy to use while driving. Kuga's interior, which you can see in the photo, is similar to that of the Focus. The large central touchscreen on the dashboard and even the smaller elements like the gear lever and starter button will be familiar to anyone who has driven a Focus. The quality of the interior in the Kuga is good, with the quality of materials matching that of its rival. The Toyota seems slightly better made, but with a more flamboyant design.
Comfort
The RAV4's boot floor is a little high, but there's still plenty of space - at 580 litres. It's bigger than the Kuga and superior to the Ford when it comes to overall space when the seats are folded down.
Legroom and headroom in the rear is excellent, and even taller people will be able to sit comfortably thanks to the RAV4's special shape and high roofline. The backrests of the Toyota's rear seats recline quite a bit, so check whether the passengers will be comfortable. This will also give you an idea of whether this car is worth buying. The driving position is good, with plenty of adjustments and comfortable front seats. The standard parking sensors and reversing camera are useful for manoeuvring in tight spaces, but the rear visibility could be better. The Kuga's boot space is between 475 and 526 litres thanks to the sliding rear seat, which adds extra practicality and comfort. The RAV4 is one of the most practical models in the family SUV class, but the Ford is as versatile as they come. Access to the boot is convenient. There's room for 3 or even 4 large suitcases.
A side note! There's plenty of room in the rear for adults, but the Kuga is inferior to its rival. The Toyota has more space.
Dynamism and handling In everyday driving, Kuga is assertive and easy to drive, as the driver rarely has to change down gears to accelerate, for example when leaving town or the countryside. Using the gearbox is effortless, as the six-speed gearbox is superb in action. Gear shifting is precise and it seems to be one of the best gearboxes in any mid-sized SUV.
Fact! The Kuga handles well for an SUV. There's a little body roll, but it's well controlled and the car also has plenty of grip.
Admittedly, the Ford doesn't ride as smoothly as the Toyota. On rough roads, there is a slight vibration, but the dampers do their job well, especially at high speeds. As for the mild-hybrid system, it is only noticeable in traffic jams. When the engine is running, it's quite quiet. There is a slight background rattle. It starts to sound harsh only when revs are increased. But don't get too hard on revs, as there is a noticeable drop in power after 3500rpm. This is characteristic of both cars reviewed in this review step by step, though in Toyota it's due to the CVT box rather than the engine itself.
The RAV4 is surprisingly good to drive for an SUV. It's not as sporty as the Kuga. It has a slight body roll while driving. The steering is also a little less precise.
Fact! Roughness of the road is perceptible in Toyota, but it doesn't make you feel serious discomfort, and on the highway the car moves very smoothly. The high seating position behind the wheel makes the car seem larger than its competitor.
The electric motor makes it perform best in urban areas. The low noise level is very relaxing. It is also quiet while waiting in traffic. When the 2.5-litre engine comes on, it seems a little noisy. The Toyota is quite fast, so you pick up speed in seconds and can drop the throttle.
Technical specifications
The Toyota has a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine without a turbocharger with an electric motor. Like all other Toyota hybrids, it sends power to the wheels via a continuously variable transmission. This means that it has no gears, but instead has a continuous change in gear ratio. In normal use, it's not much different from any other automatic gearbox. But this feature becomes more apparent when you need more power, because it keeps the engine at certain revs.
The engine and electric motor combine to produce 215bhp, which is excellent. Like the Kuga, the RAV4 has front-wheel drive only, but most owners will appreciate the fuel economy and won't miss the all-wheel drive. Under the body of the car is the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, which also underpins the models: C-HR; Corolla; Prius. The RAV4 features McPherson struts at the front and double wishbones at the rear. It's a sophisticated layout that offers great driving and handling benefits. The Kuga can be equipped with a 2.0-litre diesel engine with mild-hybrid technology. This system recuperates energy when braking, storing it and using it to improve efficiency. Ford calls this a hybrid variant, but it's still a long way from the RAV4 as it can't run on electricity alone. In normal mode, the Kuga behaves much the same as any other diesel-powered car. A six-speed manual gearbox is responsible for propulsion and the engine produces 148bhp. Torque is 370 Nm, so the Kuga is quite a powerful car. To see how fast the car accelerates when it takes off can be seen in the video.
Overall, the Rav4 is more appealing to drivers than the Kuga. If you focus on performance, driving and safety, it takes a well-deserved 1st place. It is the Japanese model that represents the best value for money. Nevertheless, the Kuga is capable of competing with this model.
