Toyota HiLux vs Toyota RAV4
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars 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.
Data checked: specs 28 Aug 2026, price 6 Sep 2026
Toyota HiLux
From $33,990
Cab Chassis
Diesel
2.8L 4-cyl Turbo-Diesel
150kW
7.3 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
—
Toyota RAV4
From $45,990
SUV
Hybrid
Petrol Hybrid
143kW
4.5 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
705L
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Price Breakdown
The Toyota HiLux starts from $33,990 before on-road costs, while the Toyota RAV4 opens at $45,990. That makes the Toyota HiLux the more affordable entry point by $12,000.
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 $37,389 and $50,589 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Toyota RAV4 by roughly $3,990 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
The Toyota HiLux features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 7-inch digital dash, while the Toyota RAV4 gets a 10.5-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
Drivetrain
The Toyota HiLux uses a 2.8L 4-cyl Turbo-Diesel producing 150kW and 420Nm of torque, sent through a manual to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 10.2 seconds.
The Toyota RAV4 responds with a Petrol Hybrid making 143kW, paired to a cvt (e-cvt) driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.4 seconds.
The Toyota HiLux has the clear power advantage at 150kW vs 143kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Toyota RAV4 is 1.8s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Toyota HiLux measures 5,380mm long on a 3,085mm wheelbase, 780mm longer than the Toyota RAV4 at 4,600mm (2,690mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Toyota HiLux generally means more rear legroom.
For towing, the Toyota HiLux leads with a 2,900kg braked capacity vs 800kg. That 2,100kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.8m to 11.4m
Based on 10.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.4m 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 $2,081/year for the Toyota HiLux and $1,283/year for the Toyota RAV4. That is a $798 annual difference in favour of the Toyota RAV4.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Toyota HiLux) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Toyota RAV4). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Toyota HiLux if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need stronger towing, or prefer Toyota's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Toyota RAV4 if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Toyota's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Toyota HiLux comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (67 vs 70), taking 3 of 5 key spec rows below and coming in at a lower price. The deciding gaps: fuel economy (Toyota RAV4 ahead by 25), technology (Toyota RAV4 ahead by 19), safety (Toyota HiLux ahead by 16). The Toyota RAV4 will save you roughly $798 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, Toyota HiLux and Toyota RAV4?
The Toyota HiLux is the cheapest at $33,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Toyota RAV4 by $12,000.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Toyota RAV4 uses the least fuel at 4.5L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Toyota HiLux holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Toyota RAV4, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which can tow the most?
The Toyota HiLux has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,900kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Toyota HiLux makes the most power at 150kW. The Toyota RAV4 is quickest to 100km/h in 8.4s.
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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
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