Latest news with #RAV4
The Citizen
4 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Hilux named world's best-selling bakkie, SA among top markets
Having taken first place with the previous-generation RAV4 as the world's best-selling vehicle of 2024, Toyota has also ranked top as the best-selling bakkie manufacturer over the past 12 months. Global top 10 The Citizen reports that, according to a six-month market study by renowned automotive analyst Felipe Munoz, the Hilux ranked above the Ford F-150 as the world's best-seller with sales of 618 200 versus 594 100. Admittedly sold in more markets compared to the F-150's North American focus, the Hilux finished as one of three Toyota products within the global top 10. Its US counterpart, the Tacoma, placed eighth with 215 600 units sold, while the full-size Tundra ranked ninth on 179 400. The Blue Oval also secured three places within the top 10, with the Ranger in fourth (386 900) and the F-250 10th (167 300). General Motors filled the third and sixth spots with the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (418 300) and its upscale twin, the GMC Sierra 1500 (267 500), respectively. Stellantis followed in fifth with the Ram 1500 (282 300), and Isuzu took seventh with the D-Max (262 200). View this post on Instagram A post shared by Felipe Munoz | Automotive (@carindustryanalysis) South Africa ranked In a separate ranking of the biggest non-US market bakkies, South Africa featured in the top 10 for no fewer than six mainstream global models. These include the Hilux (4th), D-Max (4th), Ranger (5th), Nissan Navara (7th), Volkswagen Amarok (4th) and Peugeot Landtrek. Most likely a result of their local production — with Landtrek manufacturing set to start next year — the report excludes Chinese brands and the ageing Mahindra Pik Up, which is sold in fewer international markets. So far this year, South Africa's perennial top three — the Hilux, Ranger and D-Max — again feature among the 10 best-selling vehicles for the first half of 2025, with the Hilux remaining at number one overall, followed by the Ranger in second and the Isuzu fifth. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Felipe Munoz | Automotive (@carindustryanalysis)
The Citizen
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Toyota and Ford dominate 2024's world's best-selling bakkie list
In an even split within the top 10, both brands featured three products apiece. Arch rivals Toyota and Ford occupy a total of six places within the top 10 best-selling bakkies lists of 2024. Image: Jaco van der Merwe Having taken first place with the previous generation RAV4 as the world's best-selling vehicle of 2024, Toyota has also ranked top as the best-selling bakkie manufacturer of the past 12 months. Global top 10 According to a six-month and 153 market research by renowned automotive analyst Felipe Munoz, the Hilux ranked above the Ford F-150 as the world's best-seller with sales of 618 200 versus 594 100. ALSO READ: Now 'replaced' Toyota named world's best selling car of 2024 Admittedly sold in more markets compared to the F-150's core of North America, the Hilux finished as one of three Toyota products within the top 10, its Stateside twin, the Tacoma, and full-size Tundra placing eighth on 215 600 and ninth on 179 400 respectively. Equally, the Blue Oval also filled three slots within the top 10, with the Ranger placing fourth on 386 900 and the F-250 tenth on 167 300. Out of the remainder of the first 10, General Motors occupied third and sixth positions with the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (418 300) and its upscale twin, the GMC Sierra 1500 (267 500), with Stellantis placing fifth on 282 300 with the Ram 1500 and Isuzu seventh on 262 200 with the D-Max. South Africa ranked In a separate report of the biggest non-US market bakkies, South Africa ranked in the top 10 of no less than six mainstream global products. These include the Hilux (4th), D-Max (4th), Ranger (5th), Nissan Navara (7th), Volkswagen Amarok (4th) and Peugeot Landtrek. Most likely as a result of all being locally produced, with production of the Landtrek supposed to start next year, the report doesn't mention any Chinese products, or the dated Mahindra Pik Up sold in fewer global markets. So far this year, South Africa's perennial top three, the Hilux, Ranger and D-Max, once again feature within the top 10 best-selling vehicles for the first half of the year, the former keeping its position at number one overall, followed by the Ranger at number two and the Isuzu at number five. NOW READ: South Africa's top 20 mid-year best-sellers of 2025 revealed
The Citizen
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Toyota's 2027 small bakkie could be Corolla Cross or RAV4 based
Still unnamed junior sibling of the Hilux will be a unibody offering and possibly offer only hybrid powerplants. Toyota's much rumoured small bakkie, said to be based on the Corolla Cross, remains on track for arrival in 2027 despite little still being known. First mentioned in 2022 by senior Toyota executives in United States as becoming its entry-level bakkie below the Stateside sibling of the Hilux, the Tacoma, the still unnamed model has also been rumoured as possibly being based on the underpinnings of the RAV4 with power coming solely from hybrid powertrains. 'If there's a customer that needs a rugged, smaller body-on-frame vehicle, we can consider that, but if it's more for urban use and less extreme off-road, then it would make more sense to use the TNGA unibody platform,' Toyota Group North America Vice-President of Product Planning and Strategy, Cooper Ericksen, told MotorTrend at the time. A departure from the Hilux Champ/Hilux Rangga that uses the current Hilux and Fortuner's IMV 0 platform, the 'Corolla Cross bakkie' as it has been unofficially dubbed, will either use the TNGA-C platform, or, should it be based on the RAV4, the larger TNGA-K that also underpins the Camry as well as certain current Lexus models. Therefore, becoming a unibody product similar to the Ford Maverick, Honda Ridgeline and Hyundai Santa Cruz in the States, as well as the Ram Rampage, Chevrolet Montana and Fiat Toro in Brazil, a trademark submission for the Stout name is known to have been in Argentina where production could take place for Latin American markets. Supposedly previewed by the electric EPU Concept shown at the Tokyo Mobility Show two years ago, the most recent report alleged that Brazil has been given the go ahead at the Sorocaba Plant in the state of São Paulo for the commencing of production. According to the newest findings by Automotive News, a small bakkie still remains part of Toyota's plans, with 2027 still being mentioned as the year of the reveal. Despite the comparison with the Corolla Cross, whose biggest powertrain displaces 2.0-litres with and without hybrid assistance depending, the supposed link-up with the RAV4 could yield a maximum of 2.5-litres, as well as a plug-in hybrid option. Showcased back in May, the new sixth generation RAV4 makes exclusive use of hybrid propulsion, with respective outputs of 166 kW and 174 kW, and 235 kW for the plug-in hybrid. By comparison, the smash-hit Maverick can be had with either a conventional 2.0-litre EcoBoost petrol or a self-charging 2.5-litre hybrid, while the Santa Cruz omits electrification completely by offering its own 2.5-litre unit with or without turbocharging. Completely the opposite is the Ridgeline, which uses a normally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 as its only option. Given the gradual emergence of rumours and speculative reports over the last three years, expect more to become apparent heading into 2026. NOW READ: Toyota Corolla Cross now rumoured to underpin new small bakkie
Auto Blog
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
2026 Toyota RAV4 Vs. 2026 Honda CR-V: 5 Major Differences
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. View post: These Are the Slowest-Selling Cars In the U.S. Right Now The compact crossover war is about to heat up The immensely popular compact crossover segment has seen a lot of action in recent months. Toyota unveiled the all-new RAV4 and Mazda finally showed us the all-new CX-5. We've already compared these two, but the RAV4's biggest competitor on the sales charts doesn't come from Mazda—it comes from Honda with the CR-V. Ahead of the RAV4's arrival, let's take a look at the most significant differences between it and the CR-V. 1. Honda Plays It Safe, Toyota Looks Sharper The CR-V has never been an excitingly styled crossover, not that it needs to be. Many buyers appreciate neat, inoffensive styling, and the latest CR-V looks good without being polarizing in any way. Models like the Sport Hybrid and TrailSport Hybrid do appeal more with their larger wheels and sportier details, though. Toyota has taken a bolder approach with the RAV4. Its wraparound headlights and tall hood look aggressive, while options like a black roof and more visual distinction between the trims work well. The GR Sport, for instance, gets a functional Matrix grille and front/rear wing-type spoilers. At 184.8 inches in length, the CR-V is longer than the RAV4 (up to 181.8 inches), although the top RAV4 trims are marginally wider and most are taller than the Honda. Both these SUVs look good, but we'd give the edge to the newer RAV4. 2. RAV4 Goes Hybrid-Only, Honda Still Offers Gas-Only Power Source: Toyota Perhaps the biggest difference between the two is that the CR-V still comes with a non-hybrid powertrain as standard. It's a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque, and it directs power to the front or all four wheels. Above this is a CR-V Hybrid with 204 hp combined and an EPA rating of up to 40 mpg combined. The RAV4 range now starts with a conventional hybrid using a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. It produces 226 hp with FWD or 236 hp with AWD, so it's comfortably more powerful than the base CR-V. The big news is the upgraded plug-in hybrid RAV4, which also uses a 2.5-liter four-pot but now makes 320 hp. Not only is the RAV4 PHEV quicker than any CR-V, but it can be driven for up to 50 miles on electric power alone. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. In terms of performance, it looks like an easy win for the 2026 RAV4. 3. Only The CR-V Has A Plug-In Hydrogen Model The CR-V does have one trick up its sleeve and it comes in the form of the e:FCEV derivative, or what Honda calls America's first plug-in hydrogen fuel cell EV. This CR-V is equipped with an electric motor producing 174 hp and 229 lb-ft of torque. It has a much smaller battery than a normal EV at 17.1 kWh, but that's because there are two hydrogen tanks, giving this CR-V a range of up to 270 miles. It also takes very little time to refill the hydrogen tanks, a distinct advantage over a normal EV. Unfortunately, the CR-V e:FCEV is only sold in California, and while it's a great showcase for hydrogen powertrains, it's not available widely enough to give the CR-V range a significant advantage over the RAV4, which has no equivalent powertrain. 4. The RAV4 Can Tow More Source: Toyota If you need to do any serious towing, you'll need a pickup truck or a bigger SUV. However, there's a clear leader here in terms of towing. The CR-V can tow up to 1,000 lbs in hybrid guise or 1,500 lbs for the non-hybrid model. For all RAV4 FWD variants and the LE AWD, the towing capacity is 1,750 lbs. On several AWD models, that rises significantly to 3,500 lbs. Items like pop-up campers, single-horse trailers, and larger U-Haul trailers will all benefit from the superior towing capacity of the Toyota. 5. Bigger Displays In RAV4 Few things demonstrate the gap in age between two similar vehicles as well as the infotainment interfaces. While the Honda is still competitive in this regard, the new RAV4 has already moved the game along. In the CR-V, all models get a nine-inch touchscreen. A seven-inch TFT meter display is equipped to lower trims, while pricier ones have a 10.2-inch fully digital instrument cluster. In the new RAV4, a 10.5-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster are standard, and you can upgrade to a larger 12.9-inch touchscreen, too. Both have wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the base sound system in the Toyota has six speakers, as opposed to the Honda's four. A nine-speaker JBL sound system is available for the RAV4, while the top CR-V trim has a 12-speaker sound system. The 2026 RAV4 has Toyota's latest Arene software, which includes a more responsive voice assistant. Honda, meanwhile, offers Google built-in, but only for the top CR-V trim. Once we've driven the RAV4, we can make a final call on whether its fresh infotainment system is actually easier to use than the Honda's. Final Thoughts Source: Toyota/Honda While we expect the CR-V to remain popular when the RAV4 arrives later this year, the Toyota appears to have a clear edge in the powertrain department. Whether you're after efficient electric-only driving, maximum performance, or decent towing, the RAV4 leads in all areas. Toyota has also given the RAV4 an attractive design update, inside and out, and it includes a rugged Woodland trim to match the CR-V TrailSport. Not reflected in this on-paper comparison are the CR-V's excellent road manners and spacious cabin, but we can only cast judgment on how they match up once the RAV4 arrives. Pricing will also play a crucial role, but we don't know how much the 2026 RAV4 will cost yet, and the Honda starts at $30,920. The Honda CR-V will undoubtedly have its hands full when the new RAV4 arrives. About the Author Karl Furlong View Profile
Car and Driver
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
These 7 New Family Cars Will Hit the Market Within the Next Year
While a few minivans still remain on sale, the SUV has supplanted the minivan as the de facto American family car. There are dozens of models to choose from, but if you're in the market for a new car to haul the kids to school, carry their baseball equipment to tournaments, and embark on memory-making road trips, you might want to hold off for a little bit, as a host of new family-friendly SUVs are set to go on sale within the next year. From the hybrid-only 2026 Toyota RAV4 to the glamorous three-row 2026 Hyundai Palisade, there will be plenty of fresh rides to pick from in the coming months. Scroll through for details.
