2019 Toyota RAV4 vs 2020 Audi Q7

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 presented a bold and aggressive exterior design, drawing inspiration from the Toyota Tacoma pickup. Its chunky build and sharp edges gave it a futuristic and robust appearance, with taillights reminiscent of Toyota's luxury brand, Lexus. The design included a character line on the rear C-pillar, which was a common trait among new vehicles, though not always visually appealing. The RAV4 offered both monotone and two-tone colour options, with the latter featuring a contrasting roof that complemented the black strip across the rear pillar. Inside, the RAV4's cabin was surprisingly simple and elegant, with a floating touchscreen and a well-organized control pod.

In contrast, the 2020 Audi Q7 underwent design changes that enhanced its front and rear styling, aligning it with the flagship Q8 model. The test vehicle featured standard 21-inch wheels, and the interior adopted the high-tech dashboard and instrumentation from the Q8. The cabin was upscale and high-tech, with Okapi Brown leather and Gray/Brown Fine Grain Ash natural wood inlays. The Technik trim's standard multi-colour ambient lighting added a soothing vibe at night. Despite its three-row seating, the Q7 was best suited for five passengers, as the third row was cramped and reduced cargo space significantly.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with power routed to either the front wheels or available all-wheel drive (AWD). The RAV4 offered two AWD options: a base version and a more advanced torque-vectoring AWD, standard on the Trail and Limited trims. The XLE test model had the base AWD setup, providing Snow, Sand & Mud, and Rock & Dirt drive modes. While the engine performed adequately on highways, it lacked low-end power, making it feel sluggish in stop-and-go traffic. The RAV4's ride quality was generally good, but it exhibited some body roll and twitchy steering.

The 2020 Audi Q7 55 TFSI featured a new 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine, generating 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. It included a 48-volt mild-hybrid electrical system, enhancing fuel efficiency. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro AWD, the Q7 offered several driving modes through Audi Drive Select. The SUV accelerated from zero to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds and had a maximum tow rating of just under 3,500 kilograms. The Q7 averaged 11.2 L/100 km during a road trip, with the Technik trim's adaptive air suspension providing a comfortable ride. The Q7 excelled in both on-road agility and off-road capability, with its quiet cabin enhancing the driving experience.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4's cabin was clean and practical, offering ample cargo space and comfortable seating for both rows. The centre stack pod housed climate controls, a large tray, drive-mode controls, and a shifter. With the rear seats up, the RAV4 provided 1,064 litres of cargo space, expanding to 1,976 litres with the seats folded. The front row featured deep centre-console trays and bins, while the rear included a fold-out armrest with cupholders.

The 2020 Audi Q7, despite its three-row seating, was best used as a five-passenger vehicle. The third-row seat was cramped and reduced cargo space to 402 litres, which expanded to 1,010 litres with the third row folded. The Q7's cabin was comfortable for a family of four, with heated and ventilated front seats, four-zone climate control, and a panoramic sunroof. However, interior storage was limited, with the centre console offering minimal space due to the Audi Phone Box and other features.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 LE came with a 7-inch touchscreen running Entune 3.0, offering Apple CarPlay but not Android Auto. The XLE trim added multiple USB ports, while the Trail and Limited trims featured larger screens and optional premium audio. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with hard dials for major functions and real dials for volume and tuning.

The 2020 Audi Q7 introduced MMI Touch Response technology, combining a 10.1-inch upper touchscreen with an 8.6-inch lower touchscreen. The system included natural voice recognition, handwriting recognition, wireless Apple CarPlay, and navigation. While the interface was generally intuitive, dry fingertips occasionally caused unresponsive virtual buttons. The Technik trim featured a head-up display and a Bose premium sound system, though the latter was replaced by a Bang & Olufsen system in 2021.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which offered forward-collision warning, emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard.

The 2020 Audi Q7 featured advanced driving-assistance systems, including HD Matrix LED headlights, Emergency Assist, Turn Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Assist. However, the traffic-sign recognition system occasionally misread signs, causing issues with adaptive cruise control. The Q7 received high ratings from the IIHS, except for its "poor" headlight assessment.