Toyota Small SUV Models Comparison
Toyota Small SUV Comparison at a Glance
- 7 models and variants make up the Toyota small SUV stable: Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, C-HR, RAV4, RAV4 PHEV, bZ, and bZ Woodland.
- Gas, hybrid, PHEV, and EV options let you choose your preferred power source.
- Daily practicality, comfort, and style blend together in these compact and crossover sport-utes.
- Smallest SUV goes to the Corolla Cross, while the off-road-ready bZ Woodland is the largest of the bunch.
Side-By-Side Toyota Compact SUV Comparison: Specs & Dimensions
| Toyota Corolla Cross | Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid | Toyota C-HR | Toyota RAV4 | Toyota RAV4 PHEV | Toyota bZ | Toyota bZ Woodland | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | Gas | Hybrid | Electric | Hybrid | Plug-in hybrid | Electric | Electric |
| Drivetrain | FWD / AWD | AWD | AWD | FWD / AWD | AWD |
|
AWD |
| Engine | 2.0L 4-cyl | - | 2.5L 4-cyl | 2.5L 4-cyl | - | - | |
| Motors | - | 3 | 2 | 2 (FWD) / 3 (AWD) | 3 | 1 (FWD) / 2 (AWD) | 2 |
| Horsepower | 169 | 196 | 338 | 226 (FWD) / 236 (AWD) | 324 |
|
375 |
| Transmission | CVT | eCVT | Direct-drive | eCVT | eCVT | Direct-drive | Direct-drive |
| Max. EPA-Est. Gas / Hybrid / EV Range | 397 mi | 445 mi | 287 mi | 624 mi | 580 mi | 314 mi | 260 mi |
| Length | 176.1 in | 176.8 in | 177.9 in | 181 - 182 in | 182 in | 184.6 in | 190.2 in |
| Body Width | 71.9 in | 71.9 in | 73.6 in | 73 - 74 in | 74 in | 73.2 in | |
| Height | 64.9 in | 64.9 in | 63.8 in | 66.5 in | 65.4 - 66.4 in | 65 in | 65.9 in |
| Seats | 5 | ||||||
| Max. Passenger Volume | 94.9 cu ft | 93.6 cu ft | 98.9 cu ft | 101.3 cu ft | 95.7 cu ft | 95.9 cu ft | |
| Legroom (1st / 2nd Row) | 42.9 / 32 in | 42.1 / 32.2 in | 41 / 37.8 in | 42.1 / 35.3 in | |||
| Max. Headroom (1st / 2nd Row) | 39.5 / 39.1 in | 39.1 / 37.5 in | 37.9 / 39.5 in | 38.6 / 37.1 in | 38.6 / 38.4 in | ||
| Shoulder Room (1st 2nd Row) | 52.7 / 52.4 in | 58 / 54.6 in | 57 / 56.4 in | 57.8 / 56 in | |||
| Hip Room (1st / 2nd Row) | 52.6 / 43.8 in | 54.5 / 44.8 in | 55.3 / 49.6 in | 54.4 / 44.8 in | |||
| Max. Cargo Volume | 46.9 cu ft | 44 cu ft | 59.5 cu ft | 70.4 cu ft | 63.6 cu ft | 56.9 cu ft | 74.3 cu ft |
Toyota Small SUV Models: Which Will You Choose?
Now that you've had a look at performance and size highlights throughout the Toyota small SUV lineup, join the DARCARS Toyota of Frederick team as we explore each further. See some of their key differentiators, along with the pros and cons of small sport-utes below, then visit us in Frederick, MD, to test-drive your favorites.
Corolla Cross
The Corolla Cross builds on everything you love about the Corolla Sedan with a more commanding road presence. It's a balanced, versatile SUV with available AWD and agile driving dimensions – it is the smallest of the Toyota sport-utes after all.
Best for drivers who want a traditional gas vehicle with city maneuverability, stylish design, and surprisingly high MPG ratings.
Corolla Cross Hybrid
The Corolla Cross Hybrid takes the same basic framework for the Corolla Cross and adds a healthy dose of electrification, thanks to three hybrid motors. These models come standard with AWD, giving you road-gripping traction for life in Maryland. Thanks to hybrid-assisted performance, you'll get more overall driving range and power from the electrified Corolla Cross Hybrid than its gas counterpart.
Best for drivers who want to test out automotive electrification without going all in on something that requires external charging.
RAV4
The RAV4 got a top-to-bottom refresh for 2026, as Toyota dropped the gas-only version. The automaker also revamped the Toyota RAV4 interior tech and exterior design. The result is a sleek, modern SUV with exceptional fuel efficiency. With three model themes (Core, Rugged, and Sport) across six trims, you can find an iteration that suits your driving preferences.
Best for drivers who want exceptional hybrid range and the choice to prioritize daily practicality, rugged adventure, sporty handling, or luxurious comfort.
RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid
The bold RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid is as comfortable commuting around town as it is heading off the beaten path, thanks to 54 miles of electric-only range, standard AWD, and 324 combined horsepower. Plus, it can go from zero to 60 mph in just 5.4 seconds, shattering the notion that hybrid drivers don't have as much fun. Like its mild-hybrid sibling, you can find Core, Rugged, and Sport editions among its trims.
Best for drivers who want a blend of gas and EV performance with serious power that's still plenty capable of tackling daily life.
bZ
The Toyota bZ (formerly known as the bZ4X) is the second of the all-electric Toyota small SUV models. While this model comes in FWD and AWD versions, the entry-level XSE also has an FWD Plus setup. This unique system delivers more horsepower than the regular front-wheel-drive XSE and the longest range in the bZ family: an EPA-estimated 314 miles.
Best for drivers who want drivetrain, performance, and range choices when selecting their next futuristic EV SUV.
bZ Woodland
This stretched version of the bZ ups the ante with additional horsepower and outdoorsy capability. While nearly identical in height and width, it's 5.6 inches longer than its smaller sibling, giving you more cargo space and rear legroom. Plus, its stronger EV powertrain lets you tow up to 3,500 pounds, while its higher 8.4-inch ground clearance is ready to take on camping trips at Gambrill State Park.
Best for drivers who want an eco-conscious EV without sacrificing rugged utility and capable towing strength.
C-HR
The Toyota C-HR is the second smallest in the brand's overall SUV lineup, though it's the smallest of the EV sport-utes. Its sharp, angular exterior, sloping roofline, and dark accents perfectly embody its sporty performance – it has more horsepower than the larger bZ and makes the 0-60 mph sprint in a mere 4.9 seconds.
Best for drivers who want striking coupe styling, SUV space, and quick, sport EV performance.
Pros & Cons of Compact & Crossover SUVs
Pros
- Excellent fuel efficiency
- Balanced maneuverability and cabin space
- Light off-roading capability and towing potential
Cons
- Fewer seats than three-row SUVs
- Less strength and cargo space than larger models
Test-Drive a New Toyota Small SUV in Frederick, MD
Smitten with the fuel economy, versatile performance, agile dimensions, and comfortable cabins of these models? Contact DARCARS Toyota of Frederick to schedule a test drive of any small Toyota SUV in Frederick, MD.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the smallest Toyota SUV called?
The smallest Toyota SUVs are the Corolla Cross and Corolla Cross Hybrid, followed closely by the C-HR EV.
Is the Toyota RAV4 a small or midsize SUV?
At up to 182 inches long, the RAV4 and RAV4 PHEV are classified as small (compact) SUVs.
Which Toyota SUV is smaller than the RAV4?
The Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, and C-HR are all smaller than the RAV4.