Though the two SUVs may appear to be of similar size and look, Either is made to serve different purposes. The RAV4 is an acronym for Recreational Active Vehicle 4. This was the first compact crossover SUV; it made its debut in Japan and Europe in 1994, and in North America in 1995, being launched in January 1996. The vehicle was designed for consumers wanting a vehicle that had most of the benefits of SUVs, such as increased cargo room, higher visibility, and the option of full-time four-wheel drive, along with the maneuverability and fuel economy of a compact car.
The RAV4 is therefore built with sport driving in mind and has a capacity of sitting a small family of five members. Despite having a small 2.2L engine, it packs a punch in acceleration and as well faster driving. With its smaller more compact size, it is further a lighter vehicle than the Toyota Kluger.
The Toyota Kluger also called the Toyota Highlander is a larger midsize SUV made with a greater concern for the family. Announced in April 2000 at the New York International Auto Show and arriving in late 2000 in Japan and January 2001 in North America, the Kluger (Highlander) became one of the first car-based mid-size SUV or mid-size crossovers. The Kluger (Highlander) is the crossover counterpart to the more rugged, truck-based mid-size 4Runner and became Toyota’s best-selling SUV before being surpassed by the smaller RAV4 in 2006. In Japan, the Kluger (Highlander) is exclusive to dealership network called Toyota NETZ as a larger alternative to the RAV4. Though some Highlanders have a seating capacity of five, and some have seven.
Toyota Kluger (Highlander) interior
The Kluger (Highlander) is a much heavier vehicle and significantly larger than the RAV4 and this takes a toll on its acceleration and ability to participate in fast driving. The vehicle has an option of a 2.4L engine as a base and a more powerful 3.5L V6 engine. These engines make for smoother highway driving than the RAV4. The interior is more comfortable than the smaller RAV4, and the Kluger (Highlander) is more stable during highway driving due to its larger wheel track.
The choice to be made would largely depend on the purpose for which the vehicle is to be used. Have a large family and do a lot of highway driving, then the Toyota Kluger (Highlander) is your ideal car but if you are into faster driving inside the city, as well as a smaller family or fewer occupants to haul around, then the Toyota RAV4 is the perfect car for you. All these vehicles are highly fuel economical given their VVT-i Toyota engines.