Ford Kuga vs Toyota RAV4
Figures updated
The Ford Kuga and Toyota RAV4 are two of the UK's most popular family SUVs. We compare the Mk3 (2019–) Kuga and the Mk6 (2026–) RAV4 on price, size, boot space, performance, safety and running costs, plus how reliable each has been across 396,443 real MOT tests.
The short answer
Pick the Ford Kuga for the lower price and lower fuel costs, or the Toyota RAV4 for the bigger boot, the better MOT record and more performance.
- The Ford Kuga is the cheapest to buy new: from £33,335, £10,510 less than the Toyota RAV4.
- The Toyota RAV4 has the biggest boot: 446 litres, 34 more than the Ford Kuga.
- The Toyota RAV4 has the better MOT record. Like for like on age and mileage, the Ford Kuga fails its MOT about 13% more often.
- The Ford Kuga is the cheapest to fuel: comparing petrol versions, about £83 a year less than the Toyota RAV4 at 7,500 miles a year.
| Figure | Ford KugaMk3 (2019–), 5-door SUV | Toyota RAV4Mk6 (2026–), 5-door SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Price and practicality | ||
| Price newUK list prices, across the range | £33,335 to £44,330September 2026 price list (best) | £43,845 to £52,390September 2026 price list |
| Body | 5-door SUV | 5-door SUV |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| BootSeats up / folded | 412 litres / 1,534 | 446 litres (best) |
| Length | 4,604mm | 4,600mm |
| WidthWithout mirrors | 1,882mm | 1,855mm |
| Height | 1,679mm | 1,685mm |
| Performance | ||
| Power | 150–243 PS | 272–309 PS (best) |
| 0–62mph | 7.3–9.5 sec | 5.8–7.5 sec (best) |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP ratingTests get tougher each year | ★★★★★ (2019) | – |
| Economy and emissions | ||
| Fuel types | Diesel, Hybrid, Petrol, Plug-in hybrid | Diesel, Hybrid, Petrol, Plug-in hybrid |
| Official economyVersions of this generation | 37.2–60.1 mpg | 30.4–56.4 mpg |
| CO2 | 21–198 g/km | 22–224 g/km |
| Running costs at 7,500 miles a year | ||
| Petrol or hybrid171.4p a litre, today's UK average | £1,117 (52.3 mpg) (best) | £1,200 (48.7 mpg) |
| Diesel198.4p a litre | £1,364 (49.6 mpg) (best) | £1,436 (47.1 mpg) |
| Cheapest version to fuelWhichever fuel costs least | £1,117 (petrol) | £1,200 (petrol) |
| Car tax a yearCars registered from April 2017 | £200£640 in years 2–6 for versions listed over £40,000 | £200£640 in years 2–6 for versions listed over £40,000 |
| Reliability from real MOT tests | ||
| Reliability score | 116Well above average | 131Well above average (best) |
| Failed MOT first time (ages 3–20) | 20.8% (best) | 22.6% |
| Failed at 3 years old | 9.6% | 8.1% (best) |
| Failed at 5 years old | 15.3% | 11.7% (best) |
| Failed at 10 years old | 27.2% | 20.7% (best) |
| Most common MOT fault | Brake pads (2.9% of tests) | Wipers (2.6% of tests) |
| Fails more than average on | Nothing stands out | Nothing stands out |
| MOT tests analysed | 282,268 | 114,175 |
| About the cars | ||
| Type | Family SUV | Family SUV |
| Owners' average miles a year | 8,600 | 8,400 |
| On sale | 2019 on | 2026 on |
Green marks the better figure where the difference is more than 3%. Reliability figures cover every version of each model tested in the year. Running costs use the typical official economy of recent versions (WLTP where available); real-world economy is usually a little worse for every car.
More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
›Is the Ford Kuga or the Toyota RAV4 more reliable?
The Toyota RAV4. Like for like on age and mileage, the Ford Kuga fails its MOT about 13% more often (reliability scores 131 and 116, where 100 is average). 22.6% of Toyota RAV4s and 20.8% of Ford Kugas failed first time in 2024.
›Which is bigger, the Ford Kuga or the Toyota RAV4?
They're almost the same length (4,604mm and 4,600mm). The Toyota RAV4 has the bigger boot: 446 litres against 412.
›Which is cheaper to buy, the Ford Kuga or the Toyota RAV4?
The Ford Kuga: new prices start at £33,335, £10,510 less than the Toyota RAV4 (from £43,845). These are manufacturer list prices; dealers and brokers often sell for less.
›Which is cheaper to run, the Ford Kuga or the Toyota RAV4?
Comparing petrol versions, the Ford Kuga costs about £83 a year less to fuel at 7,500 miles (£1,117 against £1,200), using typical official economy and current UK average fuel prices.
›Should I buy the Ford Kuga or the Toyota RAV4?
Pick the Ford Kuga for the lower price and lower fuel costs, or the Toyota RAV4 for the bigger boot, the better MOT record and more performance. The comparison above sets out price, space, performance, safety, running costs and reliability side by side.
Sources: manufacturers' UK specifications and price lists and Euro NCAP (listed on each model's page); DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2024 (Open Government Licence v3.0); Vehicle Certification Agency car fuel data, © Crown copyright, VCA cannot accept liability for its accuracy; fuel prices from the GOV.UK Fuel Finder scheme. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each picture.