The Toyota RAV4 is the best-selling SUV in North America. We're not here to tell you that this vehicle is not interesting for consumers; that would be dishonest on our part. However, what is often overlooked is that this vehicle is often purchased without being compared to its rivals. In other words, many buyers blindly go for it, relying on its good reputation.
However, a comparison with the 2022 Kia Sportage reveals that the Toyota representative does not have the solution to everything. Even the Kia's color carrier has a few surprises in store for you.
Price
The first advantage has to do with price. In the basic configuration, if you compare the offers from each side, you'll discover a significant difference in the MSRP of the two products. At Kia, the LX version is offered at $25,995 while the LE variant at Toyota is offered at $28,509. Adding all-wheel drive, the difference is still there. Kia's SUV is priced at $27,995 while Toyota's is $30,690.
It's like that across the board when measuring equivalent models. Even at the top end, the SX Turbo version of the 2022 Sportage is priced at $40,295. At Toyota, the Limited model is $41,690.
Interest rates
And as if good news never comes alone, the interest rates offered with the two companies can't even be compared. At Toyota, they don't do any favours and the rates vary between 3.19% (purchase) and 4.99% (lease) with several variations depending on the terms.
At Kia, it's much more attractive. When you buy, it's 0% for any term of 60 months or less. For 72 months, it's 0.99%, then 1.99% for 84 months. When leasing, it's 2.99% for 36 or 48 months, 3.99% for 60 months.
Everywhere you go, you win.
The rest
In addition to these important financial advantages, you also benefit from a model that is much more interesting to drive. We have nothing against the comfort offered by the RAV4, but the Sportage's chassis makes for a much more interesting drive. And that's not counting the fact that at the top of the lineup, you get a turbocharged engine that's much more powerful than the naturally-aspirated powertrain that's offered throughout the non-hybrid RAV4 range.
And when it comes to styling, there's no comparison, because the Sportage's design is full of emotion and character. Let's just say it's greyer at Toyota.
The 2022 Sportage is waiting for you at the dealership for a test drive.
