At first blush, it might seem like comparing the 2023 Toyota Camry and the 2023 Toyota RAV4 would be neither fair nor useful. But when you look closer, you'll realize that the comparison is fairer and more on point than a first glance suggests. For one thing, both 5-seat vehicles are among the most popular in the United States. Even more importantly, both models have very similar prices. And, of course, both come from one of America's most purchased brands. So, comparing the 2023 Toyota Camry—a midsize sedan—and the 2023 Toyota RAV4—a compact crossover SUV—is likely to answer many pertinent questions for a lot of inquiring car buyers.
When examining the tale of the tape, the Camry appears to be larger than the RAV4 by a substantial margin. It's more than 11 inches longer than the RAV4 and rides on a wheelbase that is more than 5 inches longer than its crossover sibling. On the other hand, the RAV4 is about half an inch wider and, crucially, 10 inches taller than the Camry. And those dimensions have spurred many Americans to turn their backs on sedans like the Camry to purchase crossovers like the RAV4.
The RAV4's interior space benefits significantly from its tall roof. And its ride height makes it easier to get in and out of than the lower Camry sedan. In passenger volume, the Camry and RAV4 are within a couple of cubic feet of each other. Both will accommodate five occupants comfortably, with two in single seats in front and three on a bench seat in the rear. Regarding cargo space, the RAV4 blows the Camry out of the water—another reason for the decided shift to crossover SUVs.
For 2023, Toyota equips the Camry with one of three powertrains: a normally aspirated 4-cylinder engine, a potent V6, and a fuel-efficient hybrid. The RAV4 counters this with a conventional 4-cylinder engine, a hybrid, and a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain. Toyota builds the Camry and RAV4 on front-wheel-drive-oriented platforms, but both models offer all-wheel drive (AWD).
As detailed later, the 2023 Toyota Camry and the 2023 Toyota RAV4 have comparable pricing. Perhaps surprisingly, the compact RAV4 has a higher starting suggested list price than the midsize Camry. That, too, reflects the direction of the market.
So, while comparing the Camry and RAV4 might seem unfair and unnecessary on its face, there are plenty of reasons to examine both these important models in the context of comparison. The following is an incisive and revealing look at the 2023 Toyota Camry compared to the 2023 Toyota RAV4.
2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid SE
The 2023 Toyota Camry greets shoppers with a dazzling array of three powertrains and 18 standard configurations. While many are bread-and-butter 4-cylinder-powered models, the Camry is increasingly spreading its enthusiast wings. The most potent Camrys have V6 engines and come in XLE, XSE, and TRD trims. Toyota makes the stalwart 4-cylinder-powered Camrys available in LE, XLE, SE, SE Nightshade, and XSE trims—all with standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional AWD. The Camry Hybrid models sit between the V6 trims and the more basic 4-cylinder models in available horsepower. The FWD, hybrid-powered Camry comes in LE, XLE, SE, SE Nightshade, and XSE grades.
The entry-level 4-cylinder LE and Hybrid LE target value-oriented shoppers. The Camry XLE trims emphasize comfort, convenience, and luxury, with upgraded interiors filled with features. The XSEs stress sporty design. And the Camry TRD delivers the most enthusiast appeal.
The Camry LE is the least expensive trim in the lineup, with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $27,315, including the $1,095 destination charge. The Camry Hybrid LE is the least costly gas-electric hybrid trim, with an MSRP of $29,450. The Camry TRD is the lowest-priced V6 model, with a suggested base price of $34,380. The Camry XSE Hybrid, which demonstrates Toyota's stance that a hybrid can be a fun-to-drive vehicle, sits at the top of the five hybrid trims with a base price of $34,890. The XSE V6 is the most expensive Camry in terms of its base price. It has an MSRP of $37,740. All prices include the destination charge.
The RAV4 rivals the Camry in the number of trims and variations. As one of the best-selling models in the nation, the RAV4 has the sales volume to justify a wide variety of versions, and Toyota takes full advantage of that. The conventionally powered 2023 Toyota RAV4 has six trims: LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Adventure, Limited, and TRD Off-Road. The RAV4 Hybrid offers seven trims: LE, XLE, XLE Premium, SE, XSE, Limited, and Woodland Edition. And the RAV4 Prime PHEV offers two trims: SE and XSE. The Hybrid and Prime models have AWD. Front-wheel drive is standard on the conventional RAV4 LE, XLE, XLE Premium, and Limited trims. All-wheel drive is available on those models; it is standard on the Adventure and TRD Off-Road.
The AWD Woodland Edition is a new RAV4 trim for 2023. With off-road abilities highlighted by its styling, it has an MSRP of $34,860, including the $1,335 destination charge. Toyota makes the FWD RAV4 LE the lineup's entry-level offering with an MSRP of $29,310. The 4-cylinder XLE Premium, with a base price of $33,710, significantly ups the LE's comfort and convenience level. At a base price of $38,930, the RAV4 TRD Off-Road gives buyers the choice of several all-terrain packages that improve its already impressive off-pavement abilities.
For those who don't intend to rough it, the Limited trims concentrate on delivering luxury and convenience. With FWD, the conventionally powered Limited has a base MSRP of $37,615. The RAV4 LE Hybrid ($32,060) is the least costly of the hybrid models. At the other end of the scale, the RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid bases at $43,675. And the XSE version of that surprisingly swift sub-model has a starting price of $47,585.
Advantage: Toyota Camry
2023 Toyota RAV4 Woodland Edition
The Toyota Camry does not rank among the top three models in the Midsize Car segment in the JD Power 2023 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), which assesses owner-reported problems during the third year of ownership. The Camry also does not rank among the top three models in its segment in the JD Power 2022 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS), which tracks problems experienced by owners during the first 90 days.
The 2023 Toyota Camry has the following warranty, roadside assistance, and scheduled maintenance coverage:
The Toyota RAV4 does not rank among the top three models in the Compact SUV segment in either the 2023 VDS or the 2022 IQS.
The 2023 Toyota RAV4 has the following warranty, roadside assistance, and scheduled maintenance coverage:
Advantage: Neither
By these measures, there is no discernible difference between the Toyota Camry and the Toyota RAV4 regarding vehicle dependability, initial quality, or warranty coverage.
2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid SE
Toyota gives 2023 Camry buyers several powertrain options. Its 3.5-liter V6 is the most potent, producing 301 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. With 100 hp more than the base engine, the V6 offers satisfying performance at the price of poorer fuel economy. The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid trims team a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric drive motor. The total system output of 208 hp is just 5 hp better than the base 4-cylinder engine, but the hybrid drivetrain boosts fuel economy. The Camry's base engine—a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder—delivers 203 hp and 184 pound-feet of torque.
The Camry's 4-cylinder and V6 engines team with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The hybrids use an electronic continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) designed for hybrid applications. The Hybrid SE and Hybrid XSE trims offer paddle shifters to make simulated gear changes. Most 2023 Camrys have FWD, but the 4-cylinder trims offer an AWD system as an option.
On the fuel-efficiency front, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Camry's base 2.5-liter 4-cylinder at 32 mpg in combined city/highway driving. With AWD, that rating falls to 29 mpg combined. The Hybrid LE tops the Camry lineup with a 52-mpg combined mark. The EPA rates the other hybrid trims at 46 mpg combined. The 301-hp V6 Camry will deliver an EPA-estimated 26 mpg overall. And the enthusiast-centered Camry TRD has a 25-mpg combined rating.
The 2023 Toyota RAV4 offers customers the choice of a conventional 4-cylinder engine, a hybrid system, or a plug-in hybrid that includes top performance as a bonus. The RAV4 Prime PHEV pairs a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with two electric motors for a total system output of 302 hp. The AWD-only RAV4 Prime employs an electronic CVT. The plug-in hybrid SUV is the quickest, fastest RAV4 by a significant margin. Toyota equips most of its RAV4s with a 203-hp, 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. A conventional 8-speed automatic transmission delivers power to the front or all four wheels.
The (non-plug-in) hybrid powertrain offers a power level somewhere in between. Its drivetrain consists of a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and an electric motor to drive both the front and rear wheels. The total output is 219 hp. As in the RAV4 Prime, an electronically controlled CVT and AWD get the power to the ground.
The plug-in hybrid Toyota RAV4 Prime is the most powerful of the RAV4s and delivers excellent fuel economy—38 mpg combined. The RAV4 Hybrid, with a lighter and less complicated drivetrain than the PHEV RAV4 Prime, gets 40 mpg combined. The EPA rates the conventional RAV4 at 30 mpg combined.
Advantage: Toyota Camry
2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE
Toyota is one of the most aggressive brands in equipping its vehicles with sophisticated advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) for safety across its entire lineup. Toyota fits the 2023 Camry with standard Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.5+, which includes most of the commonly installed ADAS systems offered by mass-market brands. The automaker also fits all 2023 Camry models with a rear-seat reminder system. This potentially life-saving system can alert parents they have left a child behind in the vehicle, often in a child safety seat.
In addition to the standard safety systems in TSS 2.5+, the 2023 Toyota Camry offers blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning standard on TRD, XLE, and XSE trims. Buyers can add both systems to some LE and SE trims optionally.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2023 Camry the highest-possible 5-star overall safety rating. Meanwhile, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the 2023 Camry a Top Safety Pick+ for the 2023 calendar year. This is the highest accolade the Institute gives out.
As part of the initiative described earlier, Toyota equips its 2023 RAV4 lineup with TSS 2.5—a slightly less sophisticated system than the Camry. In the 2023 Toyota RAV4, TSS 2.5 includes forward-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, and automatic emergency steering with pedestrian detection. The system also features lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control. Traffic-sign recognition and automatic high-beam headlights round out the TSS 2.5 system.
Toyota's rear-seat reminder system also comes standard on the 2023 RAV4. Blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warnings, which are standard in some competitive brands' ADAS arrays, are available optionally on the RAV4. Front and rear parking assist with automatic braking are optional on several RAV4 trims for 2023.
The NHTSA gave the 2023 Toyota RAV4 5 stars for overall safety. Upon conducting its tests, the IIHS named the 2023 RAV4 a Top Safety Pick for the 2023 calendar year.
Advantage: Toyota Camry
2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid SE
For the 2023 model year, the Toyota Camry offers buyers a new homegrown infotainment system, dubbed Toyota Audio Multimedia, representing a giant leap over the earlier system. Access and control of the base system come via a 7-inch touchscreen display mounted high in the center of the dashboard. AM/FM, Bluetooth connectivity, SiriusXM satellite radio, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and hands-free phone capability make it a full-featured system.
Beyond that, Toyota fits the up-level Camry XLE and XSE with an enhanced version called Toyota Audio Plus, featuring a 9-inch touchscreen display. Buyers can also purchase the up-level system with 800-watt JBL 9-speaker premium audio. The 2023 Toyota Camry's top-of-the-line Premium Audio with integrated navigation includes the JBL audio system plus the ability to receive over-the-air updates.
The optional Wi-Fi Connect allows Camry occupants to hook up as many as five mobile devices using 4G LTE. Remote Connect provides remote engine start and door unlock capability, vehicle status notifications, a guest driver monitor, and a vehicle finder. It is available on a free-trial basis when the owner takes delivery. Two USB ports are standard across the Camry lineup, and rear-seat USB ports are optional on some trims.
For 2023, Toyota switches the RAV4's infotainment systems to new versions of its homegrown Toyota Audio Multimedia. The systems in the RAV4 are very similar to those available in the Camry. The majority of 2023 Toyota RAV4 trims get an 8-inch touchscreen. The TRD Off-Road, Hybrid XSE, Limited, Hybrid Limited, and Prime XSE feature a 10.5-inch display. The system includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and its Bluetooth function delivers two-phone capability. Except for the display screen sizes, the systems are very similar to those used in the 2023 Camry.
Owners of previous model-year Toyotas will appreciate the speed and clarity of the new Toyota Audio Multimedia effort. They present driver and front-seat passenger with easy-to-see icons and offer a streamlined menu and page structure compared to previous Toyota systems. They're not perfect but are certainly competitive with rival models' infotainment offerings.
Advantage: Toyota RAV4
2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE
The 2023 Toyota Camry is a midsize competitor. Nevertheless, its equipment level, ride quality, and feature set give it a full-size personality. The Camry's multiple trim levels present shoppers with an abundance of pleasing choices. Toyota's interior stylists got creative with the dash design while retaining clear control placement and good functionality. A central infotainment screen is the focal point; it resides over the straightforward controls of the automatic climate system. The console between the two front seats houses a gear selector, twin cupholders, and a storage bin.
Toyota placed the Camry's instruments under a glare-defying hood immediately in front of the driver. While the cabins of earlier Camry models were full of so-so cloth and plastic, Toyota has upped its interior game significantly. Mid- and up-level Camrys offer real wood, genuine metal, and multi-toned fabric trim.
In keeping with the full-size vibe, heated leather seats are standard on all XLE and XSE trims, and ventilated front seats are optional. The sporty Camry TRD trim is the most vibrant, with a red-stitched instrument panel, red-stitched black leather shift knob, and aluminum pedals. They don't make the car go faster, but they make it feel faster.
The 2023 Camry offers 100.4 cubic feet of passenger volume, compared to the 98.9 cubic feet in the 2023 RAV4. The Camry provides 15.1 cubic feet of trunk space. The RAV4 doesn't have a trunk, but it can outhaul the Camry by a large margin due to its two-box shape and foldable seats.
The 2023 Toyota RAV4 delivers somewhat less passenger space than the Camry, but that interior space is far more flexible. With a taller roof and higher seat cushions, the RAV4 is easier to enter and exit than the Camry. Front- and rear-seat legroom, shoulder room, hip room, and headroom in the RAV4 are remarkably similar to those in the Camry.
Toyota fits the lowest RAV4 trims with manually adjusted cloth-covered seats. But synthetic leather seats and an 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat make their way into mid-level trims. The top RAV4 trims use good-looking faux leather seats, and several have special effects like the orange stitching in the off-road Adventure trim. Up-level trims like the XLE and XSE feature dual-zone automatic climate control.
The 2023 Toyota RAV4 provides a very robust 37.5 cubic feet of cargo area behind the second row of seats, compared to the Camry's 15.1 cubic-foot trunk. With the rear seatback folded, the RAV4's cargo space expands to 69.8 cubic feet. The tailgate—power-operated in some trims—provides easy access to the RAV4's substantial cargo area.
Advantage: Toyota RAV4
If you'd like to learn more about these Toyota models, be sure to read our expert review of the Toyota Camry and the 2023 Toyota RAV4. To find out how people like you rate models in this segment, check out our ratings from verified vehicle owners.
Also, please keep in mind that while the information in this article was accurate and valid on April 6, 2023, it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker's website or your local dealership.
Jack R. Nerad has reviewed cars, trucks, vans, and sport utilities for over three decades. He also managed the editorial efforts of Motor Trend magazine, JD Power, and Kelley Blue Book. Jack is currently the host of the SportsMap Radio Network program America on the Road, available on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, Stitcher, and other outlets.
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