The compact Toyota SUV that's growing faster than the RAV4

Published Jul 31, 2026, 10:15 AM EDT Adam Gray, a seasoned automotive journalist and content creator from the UK, joined the How-To Geek editorial team in January 2025. As an automotive journalist for How-To Geek, Adam breaks first-to-report news on the latest in automotive tech, as well as penning automotive features and reviews. Adam is also a contributor to one of How-To Geek's sister sites, TopSpeed, where he uses his media accrediation with manufacturers' press offices to gain access to the latest vehicles for subsequent review. Prior to joining How-To Geek, Adam worked on a freelance basis, contributing automotive content to a variety of business and lifestyle publications. His experience also includes time spent serving as senior editorial & auction content manager for SBX Cars, automotive content writer for Supercar Blondie, motoring editor for Portfolio North, and motoring editor - North East for Reach plc. When he's not putting the latest vehicle through its paces or testing out its tech, Adam can be found at his local ice rink playing ice hockey or at the Riverside Stadium supporting his beloved Middlesbrough FC. Adam also enjoys spending quality time with his three children: Ellie, Oscar, and Heidi. For years, the Toyota RAV4 has been the default choice for buyers shopping for a compact SUV. Its combination of practicality, efficiency, and dependability has helped it become one of America's best-selling vehicles, making it the benchmark that almost every rival has tried to beat. But a quieter success story has been unfolding within Toyota's own lineup. Since arriving in the U.S. for the 2022 model year, the Corolla Cross has steadily attracted more buyers, posting sales growth that has outpaced the RAV4 for three consecutive years. That momentum isn't difficult to explain. The Corolla Cross delivers much of what buyers like about the RAV4 in a smaller, more affordable package, while offering both gas and hybrid powertrains. As more drivers gravitate toward compact, city-friendly SUVs, it's becoming one of Toyota's biggest success stories. Buyers are changing what they want from an SUV Smaller crossovers are becoming the sweet spot for everyday driving Credit: Toyota The SUV market continues to evolve as buyers rethink what they actually need from their next vehicle. While midsize SUVs remain popular, many shoppers are now choosing smaller models that are easier to drive, simpler to park, and more affordable to own. Industry data reflects that shift. Research from Cox Automotive and Statista shows compact and subcompact SUVs continue to gain market share as buyers prioritize efficiency and practicality over outright size. That trend has created the perfect environment for models like the Corolla Cross. It offers the elevated driving position and versatility buyers expect from an SUV without the extra bulk of larger alternatives, making it a natural fit for commuters, small families, and city drivers alike. The Corolla Cross is quietly becoming one of Toyota's biggest success stories Sales have climbed every year since its U.S. debut Credit: Toyota Introduced for the 2022 model year, the Corolla Cross was designed to bridge the gap between the Corolla sedan and the larger RAV4. It combines the familiar Corolla name with the practicality of a compact crossover, giving buyers a more affordable alternative without sacrificing Toyota's reputation for quality and reliability. That formula has resonated with buyers. Toyota sold 71,100 Corolla Cross models in 2023, a 25.5 percent increase over its launch year. Sales climbed again to 93,021 units in 2024, before reaching 99,798 in 2025. The RAV4 still outsells the Corolla Cross by a considerable margin, but its growth has slowed. While RAV4 sales increased by 8.8 percent in 2023, 9.3 percent in 2024, and just 0.9 percent in 2025, the Corolla Cross recorded stronger year-on-year growth in all three years. The trend has continued into 2026. Toyota's June sales figures show Corolla Cross deliveries rising 27 percent compared with the same month in 2025, while RAV4 sales declined by 12.1 percent over the same period. Why buyers are choosing the Corolla Cross Affordable pricing and everyday usability make a compelling combination Credit: Toyota The Corolla Cross succeeds because it focuses on what most SUV buyers actually want. It starts from around $25,000, making it significantly more affordable than the RAV4, while still offering the practicality, safety, and reliability Toyota is known for. Its compact dimensions are another advantage. At just over 176 inches long, the Corolla Cross is noticeably easier to maneuver through busy streets and into tight parking spaces than its larger sibling. Yet it still provides enough passenger and cargo space for everyday family life. Base Trim Engine 2.0L Inline 4 Base Trim Transmission CVT Base Trim Drivetrain Front-Wheel Drive Base Trim Horsepower 169 HP @6600 RPM Base Trim Torque 151 lb.-ft. @ 4400 RPM Make Toyota Model Corolla Cross Segment Subcompact SUV Toyota also gives buyers plenty of choice. The standard model is powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, while the hybrid pairs the same engine with Toyota's fifth-generation hybrid system for improved performance and fuel economy. With both petrol and hybrid options available, buyers can choose the powertrain that best suits their needs without moving up to a larger, more expensive SUV. Small SUV, big technology The Corolla Cross delivers more than its price suggests One reason the Corolla Cross has gained so much momentum is that it doesn't feel like an entry-level SUV. Every model comes well-equipped, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Toyota's latest infotainment system, USB-C connectivity, and a clean, practical cabin designed for everyday use. Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 is standard across the range, bundling features such as Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Lane Tracing Assist, Automatic High Beams, and Proactive Driving Assist. The Corolla Cross has also earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS, reinforcing its strong safety credentials. Higher trims add features typically associated with more expensive SUVs, including a 10.5-inch touchscreen, dual-zone climate control, a power tailgate, wireless phone charging, ambient lighting, and a JBL premium audio system. Combined with Toyota's reputation for reliability, the result is a compact crossover that feels far more premium than its price tag suggests. Corolla Cross vs. RAV4 The smaller SUV makes a strong case for itself Credit: Toyota The RAV4 remains the more capable and spacious SUV, offering stronger hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, greater cargo capacity, and more rear passenger room. For larger families or buyers who regularly travel long distances, it continues to be Toyota's flagship compact SUV. The Corolla Cross, however, better reflects how many people use their vehicles today. It costs thousands less to buy, is easier to park and maneuver, and still offers enough space for everyday errands, commuting, and weekend trips. Buyers also have the choice between a conventional petrol engine or an efficient hybrid, with the latter delivering fuel economy that comes remarkably close to the RAV4 Hybrid. For many shoppers, those advantages outweigh the RAV4's extra size. As consumer preferences continue to shift toward smaller, more affordable crossovers, the Corolla Cross is proving that bigger isn't always better—and its sales growth suggests an increasing number of buyers agree. Toyota's SUV strategy is paying off The Corolla Cross is helping reshape the brand's future Credit: Toyota Toyota's SUV lineup is one of the broadest in the industry, spanning everything from the Corolla Cross and RAV4 to the Highlander, Land Cruiser, 4Runner, and Grand Highlander. Together, they have helped the brand remain one of America's strongest SUV manufacturers. Sales figures underline just how important crossovers have become. Toyota sold nearly 978,000 SUVs in the U.S. during 2025, comfortably outnumbering its passenger car sales. As buyers continue to favor practical, fuel-efficient crossovers, smaller models are becoming an increasingly important part of that success. The Corolla Cross fits that trend perfectly. It offers the practicality buyers expect from an SUV without the higher purchase price, larger footprint, or greater running costs of bigger models. With petrol and hybrid options available, it appeals to a broad audience—and its rapid sales growth suggests Toyota got the formula exactly right. The RAV4 isn't going anywhere, but the Corolla Cross has established itself as one of the brand's most important vehicles. If current trends continue, it could become one of Toyota's defining success stories of the decade.