The Toyota RAV4 was the best-selling SUV in the United States in 2023. Toyota reported nearly 435,000 U.S. RAV4 sales that year, making it the country’s top-selling vehicle outside the pickup-truck category.
Introduced in Japan and Europe in 1994, the RAV4 helped popularize the modern compact crossover SUV. Its name comes from “Recreational Active Vehicle with 4-wheel drive,” although many versions have also been sold with front-wheel drive. The model combines a relatively car-like ride with SUV-style seating and cargo space.
The RAV4’s 2023 result is sometimes confused with overall U.S. vehicle rankings. Ford’s F-Series remained the leading pickup line, while the RAV4 led among non-pickup vehicles. It also competed closely with models such as the Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue and Toyota Highlander, but those are separate nameplates and do not change the answer.
The fifth-generation RAV4, introduced for 2019, uses Toyota’s TNGA-K platform. In the United States, Toyota offered gasoline, hybrid and plug-in-hybrid versions, with the latter marketed as the RAV4 Prime.