There is perhaps no type of vehicle that makes more sense than a hybrid compact SUV. The compact SUV segment is one of the largest classes of vehicles with a massive number of choices. Plus, hybrid powertrains combine a gasoline engine and battery-fed electric motor to make eye-popping fuel economy easy and seamless. That’s what we call a win-win.
Two of the best such examples of this winning combo are the 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and 2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. Each builds on the excellent foundations of their gasoline-only models while bringing superior fuel economy as well as more power to the table. Here’s how these two overachievers compare.
2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid
You can think of the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid as an even more appealing version of the already-impressive standard Tucson. That’s because in addition to attaining fuel economy of up to 38 mpg combined, Tucson Hybrid has more power than the gasoline-only model (231 hp vs 187 hp), and all-wheel drive (AWD) is standard. Like all Hyundai vehicles, the Tucson Hybrid comes with an unbeatable warranty that includes 10 years and 100,000 miles of powertrain coverage.
For the 2025 model year, the Tucson Hybrid receives an update that gives it updated front and rear aesthetics, more tech, and a feature that new parents might just love. See below.
Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Highlights
Baby mode: This new driver-selectable mode makes for gentler acceleration, which might mean the difference between waking your new bundle of joy or enabling your baby to keep sleeping during the ride. It’s the first time we’ve heard of such a feature in a car, and we love the idea for both human and canine passengers alike.
Remote Smart Parking Assist: Want to turn your Tucson Hybrid into the world’s biggest remote-control car? This feature, exclusive to the Limited trim, allows you to slowly move the vehicle into or out of a parking space or garage while standing outside the vehicle. Now that’s a cool party trick, and one you certainly won’t find in a RAV4 Hybrid.
Panoramic screens: All Tucson Hybrid models come with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, which is larger than the RAV4 Hybrid’s optional 10.5-inch display. Even better, all but the base Blue trim get an additional 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that looks especially tech-forward.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Tucson Hybrid models for sale near you.
2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
While a hybrid version of a Tucson is relatively new, Toyota has been making a RAV4 Hybrid for many years now. What else would you expect from the brand that helped create the modern compact SUV segment with the original RAV4 in the 1990s, and the Prius Hybrid not long after? Here again, marrying two of Toyota’s best ideas is a no-brainer.
Even with an all-new Toyota RAV4 right around the corner, the 2025 RAV4 Hybrid is still a contender. In fact, the Toyota RAV4 lineup was the third best-selling vehicle of 2024. This formula simply works for countless shoppers.
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Highlights
Fuel economy: The RAV4 Hybrid achieves up to 39 mpg combined, which just edges the 38 mpg of the Tucson Hybrid.
Digital driver’s display: While its touchscreen is a bit smaller than the Tucson Hybrid’s, the RAV4 Hybrid also offers a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. It’s modern and informative.
JBL audio: The RAV4 Hybrid can be had with an 11-speaker/800-watt setup. Our ears have always been a little more partial to the JBL system than the Bose offered in the Tucson Hybrid.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the RAV4 Hybrid models for sale near you.
Similarities
Both of these 5-passenger compact SUVs achieve great fuel economy, come standard with all-wheel drive, and bring impressive technology and safety features.
Pricing
New 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$34,915 |
TBD |
|||
$37,915 |
TBD |
|||
$39,665 |
TBD |
|||
$42,745 |
TBD |
New 2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$33,695 |
$32,930 |
|||
$35,205 |
$34,310 |
|||
$36,390 |
$35,327 |
|||
$36,915 |
$36,198 |
|||
$38,095 |
$37,264 |
|||
$39,355 |
$38,737 |
|||
$42,000 |
$41,164 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid vehicles and New 2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid | 2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 1.6-liter turbo 4-cylinder + electric motor | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine + electric motor |
| Horsepower (combined) | 231 hp | 219 hp |
| Torque (combined) | 271 | NA |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic/AWD | continuously variable automatic (CVT)/AWD |
| Fuel Economy | 38 city/38 highway/38 combined mpg | 41 city/38 highway/39 combined mpg |
| Also Available | Gasoline-only, plug-in hybrid | Gasoline-only, plug-in hybrid |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | Not rated |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 108.5 inches | 105.9 inches |
| Overall Length | 182.7 inches | 180.9 inches |
| Width | 73.4 inches | 73.0 inches |
| Height | 65.6 inches | 67.0 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 38.6 feet | 36.1 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.1 inches | 37.7 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 39.5 inches | 39.5 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.4 inches | 41.0 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 41.3 inches | 37.8 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 57.6 inches | 57.8 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 56.0 inches | 56.4 inches |
| Cargo Volume seats up/down | 38.7/74.5 cubic feet | 37.6/69.8 cubic feet |
Conclusion
For all their similarities, this match feels like a young upstart vs. a grizzled veteran. The Hyundai Tucson starts at a slightly higher price but has a better warranty, more modern and class-exclusive technology, more power, and more cargo room. The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, meanwhile, is in its final year before an all-new version arrives, yet also brings its prestigious reputation for reliability and resale value in a vehicle that still achieves terrific fuel economy and has kept up with the times. For our money, we might give the edge to the Tucson Hybrid, but in a match this close, we implore you to test drive both and see which calls your name.
