2027 Hyundai Tucson vs Toyota RAV4: Price, MPG, Towing and Safety

The Hyundai Tucson and Toyota RAV4 are two of the best-selling compact SUVs in America, and both have just changed generations: the RAV4 moved to a sixth-generation, hybrid-only design for 2026, and Hyundai revealed an all-new Tucson on October 1, 2026. This comparison uses only official numbers: manufacturer prices and specifications, EPA ratings, NHTSA and IIHS results and warranty terms. Where a 2027 figure does not exist yet, we show the current 2026 number and say so. See our 2027 Hyundai Tucson guide and 2027 Toyota RAV4 guide for each model on its own.

What Is Confirmed for the 2027 Tucson and RAV4?

2027 Tucson: Hyundai’s global reveal release confirms a new body that is longer, wider and taller, US output of 233 hp for the hybrid and 184 hp for a 1.6-liter turbo gas version with an eight-speed automatic, hybrid towing of up to 3,000 pounds (US, AWD) and a targeted 42 mpg for the FWD hybrid on 17-inch wheels. Hyundai Motor America confirmed the 2027 Tucson will be its first US model with the Pleos Connect infotainment system (12.9-inch or 17-inch center screen plus a 9.9-inch driver display). North American sales start in 2027. Not yet announced: US pricing, trims, EPA ratings and whether the plug-in hybrid comes to the US.

2027 RAV4: nothing announced. The RAV4 is absent from Toyota’s What’s New for 2027 page, so the 2026 RAV4 that Toyota launched in its October 2025 release is the reference.

Which Costs Less: Tucson or RAV4?

With 2027 prices not out, here are 2026 MSRPs from Hyundai’s pricing sheet and June 2026 hybrid release (HyundaiUSA.com now shows higher figures, such as $29,700 for the SE) and Toyota.com, excluding destination. Hyundai lists a $1,600 freight charge for the 2026 Tucson (Hyundai).

Tucson leads on starting price: the gas Tucson SE is $2,700 less than the RAV4 LE. Tucson also leads on hybrid entry price: the Tucson Hybrid SE FWD costs $950 less than the RAV4 LE hybrid. At the top, the Tucson Hybrid Limited ($41,825) is $1,475 cheaper than the RAV4 Limited ($43,300). Because the 2027 Tucson is a full redesign, expect Hyundai’s new pricing to differ from these 2026 numbers.

How Do the Tucson and RAV4 Powertrains Compare?

The 2026 Tucson offers three powertrains: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder (187 hp, 178 lb-ft, eight-speed automatic), a 1.6-liter turbo hybrid (231 hp, 271 lb-ft, six-speed automatic) and a plug-in hybrid (268 hp), per Hyundai’s 2026 specifications. The 2026 RAV4 is hybrid-only: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with Toyota’s fifth-generation hybrid system making 226 hp with FWD or 236 hp with electric AWD, plus a 324-hp plug-in hybrid.

RAV4 leads on horsepower: 236 hp for the AWD hybrid versus 231 hp for the 2026 Tucson Hybrid and 233 hp for the 2027 model. Tucson leads on published torque at 271 lb-ft; Toyota publishes only engine torque for the RAV4, so the two torque figures are not directly comparable. RAV4 leads on plug-in output with 324 hp versus 268 hp for the 2026 Tucson Plug-in Hybrid.

Which Gets Better Gas Mileage?

These are 2026 EPA ratings from FuelEconomy.gov (RAV4, Tucson). Neither 2027 model has EPA ratings yet.

RAV4 leads on fuel economy. Its FWD hybrid is rated 5 mpg higher than the best Tucson Hybrid (43 vs 38 combined), and the EPA estimates a $200 lower annual fuel cost. Compared AWD to AWD, the RAV4 LE and SE (42 mpg) still beat the Tucson Hybrid Blue (38 mpg); see the EPA’s side-by-side page. Hyundai targets up to 42 mpg for the 2027 Tucson Hybrid FWD and 40 mpg for AWD on 17-inch wheels. Those are Hyundai targets; if the EPA confirms them, the gap would shrink to 1 to 2 mpg.

Which Has More Cargo Space and Towing Capacity?

Tucson leads on cargo space with the rear seats up, by 0.9 cubic feet on 2026 figures. Hyundai’s global specification table lists 41.7 cubic feet (SAE) for the new model, but has not published a US-specific number. RAV4 leads on towing: 3,500 pounds on select AWD grades versus 3,000 pounds for the 2027 Tucson Hybrid AWD. Hyundai says that 3,000-pound rating is 1,000 pounds more than the previous Tucson Hybrid.

Which Is Safer: Tucson or RAV4?

On published results, the Tucson leads, mainly because the redesigned RAV4 has not been rated yet. NHTSA gives the 2026 Tucson and Tucson Hybrid 5-star overall ratings, with 5-star frontal and side scores and a 4-star rollover rating (NHTSA data). IIHS names the 2026 Tucson a Top Safety Pick+, with Good ratings in the small overlap, updated moderate overlap and updated side tests and Good vehicle-to-vehicle and pedestrian front crash prevention.

For the RAV4, NHTSA lists 2026 and 2027 RAV4 Hybrid entries, but all show Not Rated (2026, 2027). IIHS has no rating for the sixth-generation RAV4, and it is not on the 2026 Top Safety Pick list. The 2027 Tucson is also listed by NHTSA but not rated yet (NHTSA data); Hyundai says it is targeting 5 stars and TSP+, which is a goal, not a result.

Which Has the Better Warranty?

Tucson leads on warranty length. Hyundai lists a 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle warranty, a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and 5 years of roadside assistance (HyundaiUSA.com). Toyota lists 36 months/36,000 miles basic and 60 months/60,000 miles powertrain for the RAV4, plus 8 years/100,000 miles on hybrid components, 10 years/150,000 miles on the hybrid battery and ToyotaCare maintenance for 1 year or 10,000 miles (Toyota). The Hyundai sources used here do not list hybrid battery terms, so confirm that coverage with a dealer.

Tucson vs RAV4 Scorecard: Who Leads on What?

Should You Buy a 2026 Model or Wait for the 2027 Tucson?

If fuel economy and towing matter most, the RAV4 leads on both today. If you want the lowest price, the longest warranty or a crash-rated vehicle right now, the 2026 Tucson leads on those numbers. Shoppers who want the newest design should know the all-new Tucson is not due in North America until 2027 and has no US price yet, so a fair price comparison against the RAV4 is not possible until Hyundai publishes it.

If you are cross-shopping more hybrids, our 2027 Nissan Rogue guide covers Nissan’s new e-POWER hybrid, and our 2027 Toyota Camry guide covers Toyota’s hybrid sedan.

Morgan Reyes

Morgan Reyes is the founder and editor-in-chief of NextCarReview, which Morgan launched in August 2024. A 2022 graduate of Columbia University, Morgan is based in New York and writes and edits the site’s reviews, comparisons and buying guides. Morgan does not road-test vehicles. Every article is built from published primary data: EPA FuelEconomy.gov ratings, NHTSA crash ratings, recalls and owner complaints, IIHS results, and manufacturer specifications and pricing, with each figure cited and checked before publication. Contact: admin@nextcarreview.com

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