2019 Toyota RAV4 vs 2020 Jeep Wrangler

In 2019, the Toyota RAV4 grabbed attention with its aggressive and futuristic design, clearly modeled after the Toyota Tacoma pickup. Its big, chunky frame and sharp edges gave it an air of strength, visible from its sturdy side-profile design to the rear, where the taillights seemed inspired by Toyota’s luxury brand Lexus. However, its aesthetics stirred mixed feelings among people. A character line breaking up the rear C-pillar was a standard design element seen in new vehicles, but it didn’t always come across as visually appealing for the RAV4.

Half of the RAV4’s color schemes had matching roofs, but seven options featured contrasting colors, either gray or black. This two-tone appearance made more sense for some, but in monotone color schemes, it created unnecessary design clutter that detracted from the vehicle's overall elegance.

Inside, the RAV4's cabin starkly contrasted its external ruggedness with a simple and elegant interior design. The floating touchscreen centralized many features, and other controls were seamlessly integrated into a "pod" from the center dash to the cupholders. The LE trim came standard with steel 17-inch wheels with plastic covers, LED headlights, daytime running lights, power side mirrors, and low-profile black roof rails, concluding with privacy-tinted windows—standard features not always seen in base trims.

The XLE trim, the recommended choice by CarGurus, added features like 17-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels, automatic high beams, integrated fog lights, color-keyed side mirrors with turn-signal indicators, a power moonroof, push-button start, sport bucket seats, and dual-zone climate control. Moving to the XLE Premium added 19-inch alloy wheels and SofTex leatherette seats, while the Adventure trim offered a more rugged approach focused on features conducive to off-road conditions. The Limited trim was top-tier, prioritizing upscale elements, including chrome-finished alloy wheels, a unique grille design, heated front seats, navigation, and more.

Conversely, the 2020 Jeep Wrangler's unique DNA was evident in its design. Unmistakable on the road, the Wrangler had circular headlights, a seven-slat grille, and an undeniably boxy styling. The capabilities of folding down the windshield and removing the doors further emphasized its rugged, industrial appearance. The removable top options highlighted its versatility, making it appear more like an adventurous utility vehicle.

Inside, Jeep invested considerably to keep the Wrangler Unlimited’s interior fresh. However, the necessity to work around its packaging meant it couldn’t feature the same flowing dash designs other crossovers had. Instead, it leaned into a retro look with circular climate vents and gauges. As such, the Wrangler Unlimited made an impression with its practical and utility-driven cabin design.

Trim options for the Wrangler Unlimited ranged from the sparely-equipped Sport to the off-road majestic Rubicon, with options such as power windows, air conditioning, and advanced technology packages enriching the offerings of intermediary trims like the Sport S and Sahara. Special editions enhanced its distinct styling, with features like the unique safari-inspired Black and Tan edition.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 came with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine across all trims, delivering 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain was paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive (AWD). The AWD had two offerings: a base AWD found in most trims and a more advanced torque-vectoring AWD, available in the Adventure and Limited trims. The torque-vectoring AWD was described as sophisticated, actively distributing power in real time to the wheels needing it most. Our XLE test model with base AWD still provided Snow, Sand & Mud, and Rock & Dirt modes, showing Toyota's effort to recapture some rugged capabilities.

The drive modes and advanced AWD provided some off-road capability, though the engine felt underpowered during stop-and-go traffic due to its lack of low-end torque. The ride quality was generally good, soaking bumps effectively but feeling heavy in the rear with noticeable body roll in fast corners. Fuel economy stood out: the front-wheel-drive RAV4 offered 26 mpg city, 35 highway, and 30 combined. Our all-wheel-drive test car delivered 27 mpg city, 34 highway, and 29.3 observed combined, while torque-vectoring AWD returned 25 mpg city, 33 highway, and 28 combined.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited featured a base 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission. Alternative powertrains included a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine delivering 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. New for 2020 was a 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel, making 260 hp and an impressive 442 lb-ft of torque.

The diesel engine shone at both lower speeds and highway speeds with its ample torque, making it a better choice for off-road precision and power. The Wrangler's on-road experience included plenty of road noise, especially at highway speeds, and a wandering tendency due to its off-road-oriented tires and suspension. But this vehicle's real prowess was on trails, excelling in navigating rocks, ruts, with front and rear locking differentials and a disconnecting front sway bar enhancing its off-road capabilities.

Fuel economy for the diesel engine was 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined. The turbocharged 4-cylinder offered 21 mpg city, 22 highway, and 21 combined, with actual observed figures closer to 22 mpg during a week of spirited driving. Diesel fuel's cost and availability posed certain considerations especially with the diesel engine being a $4,000 option.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4’s cabin aimed for a clean, upscale, and practical look with spacious seating and abundant cargo space. The center stack pod was designed efficiently with climate controls, drive-mode buttons, and a compact shifter. Additional storage included a deep center console bin and a tray in the passenger dash.

With the rear seats up, the RAV4 had 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet when the rear bench was folded. Although down slightly from 2018, it still outperformed the Mazda CX-5 and Jeep Cherokee, lagging only behind the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester, which each offered around 75 cubic feet. Functionality in the RAV4 extended to numerous storage spaces in the front row, including deep bins in the doors and a convenient tray above the glovebox.

In contrast, the 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited honed in on rugged utility with doors that could be removed and a windshield that could be folded down. The Wrangler's key feature remained its droppable and removable roof available in multiple variations such as the basic soft top and the upgraded hardtop options. This made the Wrangler versatile yet demanded some physical effort, especially with the hardtop. Inside, the design was basic but practical, with a focus on utility over luxury.

In terms of cargo space, the Wrangler Unlimited had about 72 cubic feet with the rear bench lowered, which fell short of less-capable SUVs like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. But it compensated by offering capabilities that other SUVs couldn’t match. The unique design and practical storage solutions inside the Wrangler, including under-seat and center console storage, reflected its rugged appeal.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 introduced the latest Entune 3.0 infotainment system across its trims, starting with a standard 7-inch touchscreen on the LE trim. This user-friendly system included Apple CarPlay, although Android Auto was notably absent. Bluetooth connectivity, a USB port, and a WiFi hotspot were other standard features.

In the XLE trim, 5 USB ports were distributed across the cabin, maintaining tech consistency up through the XLE Premium. The Adventure trim added more sophisticated options like a panoramic reversing camera and a 7-inch instrument panel. The Limited trim offered an optional JBL premium stereo alongside the 8-inch Entune infotainment screen. The system’s hard dials for volume and tuner functions were lauded for ease of use.

For the 2020 Jeep Wrangler, technology began modestly with the Sport and Sport S trims featuring a 5-inch touchscreen system, which included Bluetooth and USB connectivity. The more advanced 7-inch touchscreen system was standard in the Rubicon and Sahara, featuring robust Uconnect functionalities, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The highest level of tech came with the 8.4-inch Uconnect system available on the Sahara and Rubicon, adding features like navigation, HD Radio, real-time traffic and weather updates, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. This package also included an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, automatic high beams, and an Alpine premium audio system that provided high-quality sound even at highway speeds.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 was robust in safety. Standard features covered a full array of airbags, a reversing camera, traction control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 bundled advanced technologies like forward-collision warning and avoidance, lane-departure warning, automatic high-beams, and dynamic radar cruise control. Adding to this were traffic-sign detection and Lane-Tracing Assist, significantly enhancing driving safety.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler provided standard safety elements including airbags, electronic roll mitigation, and a backup camera smartly positioned on the external spare tire hub. Additional safety options were highly recommended: a basic package for $895 added rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-path detection. For $795, the Advanced Safety Group included adaptive cruise control and full-speed forward-collision warning. Our test model also featured automatic high beams.