Nissan X-Trail vs Toyota RAV4
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Track the Nissan X-Trail & Toyota RAV4
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
The Nissan X-Trail starts from $28,490 before on-road costs, while the Toyota RAV4 opens at $28,490. Both land at the same RRP, so on-road costs and dealer deals become the real differentiator.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $31,339 and $31,339 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Toyota RAV4 by roughly $1,140 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
Drivetrain
The Nissan X-Trail uses a Petrol producing 102kW and 198Nm of torque, sent through a 6-speed manual to a 2WD layout.
The Toyota RAV4 responds with a Petrol making 107kW and 187Nm, paired to a 6-speed manual driving the front wheels.
The Toyota RAV4 has the clear power advantage at 107kW vs 102kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Nissan X-Trail measures 4,635mm long on a 2,630mm wheelbase, 65mm longer than the Toyota RAV4 at 4,570mm (2,660mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Toyota RAV4 generally means more rear legroom.
For towing, the Nissan X-Trail leads with a 1,500kg braked capacity vs 800kg. That 700kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.6m to 11.0m
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,423/year for the Nissan X-Trail and $2,195/year for the Toyota RAV4. That is a $228 annual difference in favour of the Toyota RAV4.
Estimated annual total: $2,423 (Nissan X-Trail) vs $2,195 (Toyota RAV4). The Toyota RAV4 saves you roughly $228 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 3 years / 100,000km (Nissan X-Trail) vs 3 years / 100,000km (Toyota RAV4). Both match on warranty length. Capped-price servicing: 6yr (Nissan X-Trail)—.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Nissan X-Trail if: You need stronger towing, or prefer Nissan's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Toyota RAV4 if: You prioritise performance, want lower running costs, or prefer Toyota's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Toyota RAV4 takes 2 of 3 key spec categories. The Toyota RAV4 will save you roughly $228 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Nissan X-Trail and Toyota RAV4?
The Nissan X-Trail is the cheapest at $28,490 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Toyota RAV4 uses the least fuel at 7.7L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Toyota RAV4 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which can tow the most?
The Nissan X-Trail has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Toyota RAV4 makes the most power at 107kW.
Track the cars you're comparing
Get price-drop and spec-change alerts on the models in this comparison, plus our weekly new-car rundown of launches, deals and reviews.
- Price-drop alerts on these models
- Spec-change alerts
- Weekly new-car rundown
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to receive marketing emails.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
