Toyota RAV4 vs Ssangyong Torres

What's the difference?

The Toyota RAV4 is arguably Australia’s darling and has been for years. It’s long set the benchmark in the mid-size SUV segment - a position rivals like the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage and Mazda CX-5 would love to occupy.

It’s also been close to a decade since we’ve seen anything new from the RAV4, so expectations for this sixth-generation update are understandably high. For this family review, we’re testing the flagship Cruiser Hybrid 2WD, which brings the most features and the biggest price tag in the line-up.

On paper, it promises meaningful upgrades, particularly in technology and refinement, while holding onto the practicality and efficiency that made it so popular in the first place.

But with stronger competition and rising expectations in this segment, the question is no longer whether the RAV4 is good, it’s whether it’s done enough to stay at the top.

The Torres is the first model SsangYong has launched since it changed ownership and changed names to KGM SsangYong.

The new model hits the over-saturated mid-sized SUV segment but it's fresh styling and practical cabin space might be what sets it apart.

We're family-testing the mid-spec Adventure grade to see if its lives up to its name.