At a Glance
Power
146 kW
176 kW
Torque
188 Nm
221+e Nm
Fuel
4.2 l/100km
4.7 l/100km
Towing
—
1000 Kg
0-100 km/h
8.1 s
—
Engine
1987 cc
2487 cc
Choosing between the Lexus UX and the Toyota RAV4 is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Lexus UX delivers 146 kW while the Toyota RAV4 produces 176 kW. On fuel, the UX returns 4.2 l/100km while the RAV4 uses 4.7 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R947 600 for the UX and R941 800 for the RAV4. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
146 kW
176 kW
Torque
188 Nm
221+e Nm
0-100 kph
8.1 s
—
Top Speed
177 Km/h
180 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1987 cc
2487 cc
Engine Layout
inline
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
petrol-electric hybrid
petrol-electric hybrid
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
—
—
Drive Wheels
front
all
Full Time 4x4
—
✓ Standard
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
4.2 l/100km
4.7 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
43 l
55 l
CO2 Emissions
96 g/km
107 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4495 mm
4645 mm
Width
1840 mm
1880 mm
Height
1520 mm
1680 mm
Wheelbase
2640 mm
2690 mm
Ground Clearance
160 mm
186 mm
Kerb Weight
1585 Kg
1740 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Load Volume
268 l
732 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
—
1000 Kg
Load Capacity
525 l
—
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
8
7
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Heated Seats
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
7 vehicle / 8 hybrid battery
3 vehicle / 8 hybrid battery
Warranty Distance
105000 vehicle / 195000 hybrid battery K
100000 vehicle / 160000 hybrid battery K
Service Plan
—
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
—
6 services
Service Plan Distance
—
90000
Service Intervals
15000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Toyota RAV4
3 / 4 categories
Performance
RAV4
Fuel Economy
UX
Value
RAV4
Practicality
RAV4
Pros & Cons
Lexus UX
Better fuel economy (4.2 l/100km)
Less power than rival (146 kW vs 176 kW)
Higher starting price
No factory service plan
Toyota RAV4
More powerful engine (176 kW)
Lower starting price (R941 800)
Higher towing capacity (1000 Kg)
Factory service plan included
Higher fuel consumption (4.7 l/100km)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the UX or RAV4?
The UX uses 4.2 l/100km and the RAV4 uses 4.7 l/100km on the combined cycle. The UX is the more fuel-efficient choice. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the UX or RAV4?
The UX produces 146 kW and 188 Nm of torque while the RAV4 delivers 176 kW and 221+e Nm of torque. The RAV4 is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the UX and RAV4?
The UX starts from R947 600 and the RAV4 from R941 800. The RAV4 is cheaper by R5 800 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the UX or RAV4?
The UX has a braked towing capacity of 0 Kg and the RAV4 can tow 1000 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the UX or the RAV4?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.