Toyota GR86 vs Toyota RAV4

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

Toyota GR86 in South Africa

Toyota GR86

2.4 Automatic Petrol 6-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 799,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 173 kW 🔧 250 Nm ⛽ 10.9 km/l
VS
Toyota RAV4 in South Africa

Toyota RAV4

2.5 HEV GR-S CVT Hybrid CVT Current
ZAR 941,800 ex-showroom
⚡ 137 kW 🔧 221 Nm ⛽ 21.3 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Toyota GR86 vs Toyota RAV4: the short answer

RAV4 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while GR86 remains close.

RAV4 starts ZAR 139,900 cheaper GR86 from ZAR 749,900 · RAV4 from ZAR 610,000

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification GR86 RAV4
Maximum Power GR86173 kW @ 7000 rpm RAV4137 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque GR86250 Nm @ 3700 rpm RAV4221 Nm
Engine Size GR862387 cc RAV42500 cc
Combined Fuel Economy GR8610.9 km/l RAV421.3 km/l
Ground Clearance GR86130 mm RAV4186 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

Independent editorial assessment

Hagalu editorial ratings

When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.

Toyota GR86

2.4 Automatic

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

Toyota RAV4

2.5 HEV GR-S CVT

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

GR86

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Performance
Specification evidence leader

RAV4

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Efficiency Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

GR86

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

RAV4

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec GR86 RAV4
360 Degree Camera Not Available Display Audio/ Panoramic View Monitor
Adaptive Cruise Control Not Available Standard Adaptive, All Speed
Adaptive Cruise Control Not Available Standard Adaptive, All Speed
Around View Monitor Not Available Display Audio/ Panoramic View Monitor
Autonomous Emergency Braking Not Available Standard
Auto Lights Standard -
Auto Wipers Standard Auto, Rainsensing
Blind Spot Monitoring Not Available Standard Safe Exit Assist
Blind Spot Warning Not Available Standard Safe Exit Assist
Cruise Control Standard Standard Adaptive, All Speed
Driver Fatigue Alert Not Available Yes
Emergency Braking Not Available -
EV Mode Not Available -
Lane Departure Warning Not Available Standard Lane Trace Assist
Lane Keep Assist Not Available Standard Lane Trace Assist
Parking Distance Sensors Rear -
Parking Sensor Rear -
Parking Sensors Rear Intelligent Clearance Sonar
Pre-Collision System Not Available -
Rain Sensor Wipers Standard -
Rear View Camera Standard Display Audio/ Panoramic View Monitor
Rear Cross Traffic Alert Not Available Yes
Rear View Camera Standard -
Reverse Camera Standard Display Audio/ Panoramic View Monitor
Reverse Camera Type Standard -
Reversing Camera Standard -
Surround View Camera Not Available Display Audio/ Panoramic View Monitor
Traffic Sign Recognition Not Available Standard
Rear Parking Sensors Rear Intelligent Clearance Sonar
Auto Highbeam Not Available Not Available
Park Assist Not Available Not Available
Forward Collision Warning Not Available Standard
Spec GR86 RAV4
4WD Engagement Not Applicable Permanent electric all-wheel drive
4WD Hi Range Not Applicable Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range Not Applicable Not Applicable
4WD Selector Not Applicable Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles Standard Standard
Axle Layout RWD AWD E-FOUR
Differential Lock Not Applicable Electronic AWD Control
Differential Type Front Not Available -
Differential Type Rear Not Available -
Drivetrain RWD AWD E-FOUR
Drivetrain Layout Rear Wheel Drive AWD E-FOUR
Engine Position Front Longitudinal -
Front Differential Lock Not Applicable Not Applicable
Number of Gears 4 Not Applicable
Gear Shift Type 6-Speed Automatic with Paddle Shifters Automatic
Gearbox 6-Speed Automatic with Paddle Shifters CVT
Gearbox Type 6-Speed Automatic with Paddle Shifters CVT
LSD Available Torsen LSD Standard Front + Rear,
Low Range Not Applicable Not Applicable
Low Range Ratio Not Applicable Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters Standard Standard
Rear Differential Lock Not Applicable Not Applicable
Transfer Case Not Applicable Not Applicable
Transfer Case Guard Not Available -
Transmission Speeds 4 Not Applicable
Transmission Type Automatic CVT
Final Drive Ratio Not Applicable Not Applicable
Clutch Type Not Applicable Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator Not Applicable Not Applicable

In depth: how these cars differ

This GR86 and RAV4 comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: GR86 67 vs RAV4 56.

Efficiency index: GR86 45 vs RAV4 84.

Safety-equipment index: GR86 96 vs RAV4 94.

Practicality index: GR86 46 vs RAV4 68.

Ownership-cover index: GR86 43 vs RAV4 not separately scored.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

RAV4 leads by 14 points

RAV4 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while GR86 remains close.

Evidence leader 75 /100
Lead 14 points
Data 74% source coverage
75
#1 Evidence leader

RAV4

74% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 94 Check Performance 56
Performance 56
Efficiency 84
Safety 94
Practicality 68
Leads by 14 points
61
#2

GR86

87% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 96 Check Ownership 43
Performance 67
Efficiency 45
Safety 96
Practicality 46
Ownership 43
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance GR86 +11 Efficiency RAV4 +39 Safety GR86 +2 Practicality RAV4 +22

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

RAV4

Performance 56/100
Efficiency 84/100
Safety 94/100
Practicality 68/100

GR86

Performance 67/100
Efficiency 45/100
Safety 96/100
Practicality 46/100
Ownership 43/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Toyota RAV4 leads the specification evidence index with 75 pts vs 61 pts for GR86

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, RAV4 leads. However, GR86 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

GR86 vs RAV4 questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.