2019 Toyota RAV4 vs 2020 Toyota Highlander

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 simple and elegant, with a floating touchscreen and a well-organized control pod.

In contrast, the 2020 Toyota Highlander had a more understated exterior, with slanted tailgate glass and exaggerated creases on the body panels. The trapezoidal theme was evident in various elements, including the tailgate's license plate cutout and the grille. The Highlander featured projector-beam LED headlights across all trims, with higher trims boasting prettier LED running lamps and large 20-inch alloy wheels. The interior of the Highlander was where it truly shone, with quality fit and finish, silver-painted accents, and a multi-layered dash. The Limited trim offered a three-tone interior with padded surfaces and rich textures, rivaling the interiors of competitors like the Kia Telluride.

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 directed 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 base AWD provided various drive modes, while the torque-vectoring AWD enhanced off-road capabilities. Despite decent highway acceleration, the engine lacked low-end power, resulting in sluggish performance in stop-and-go traffic. The RAV4's ride quality was generally good, though it exhibited some body roll and twitchy steering. Fuel efficiency was impressive, with the AWD model achieving a combined consumption of 8.0 L/100 km.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. This engine, shared with the Lexus RX, provided smooth and quiet performance. The eight-speed automatic transmission made full use of the engine's power, though it required a heavy foot for kickdown. The Highlander's steering was loose, and the suspension was soft, resulting in a floaty ride. However, it offered a comfortable and isolating driving experience, ideal for long road trips. The Limited and Platinum trims included AWD with torque vectoring and selectable driving modes. Fuel efficiency was commendable, with the AWD model achieving a combined consumption of 10.3 L/100 km.

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

The 2020 Toyota Highlander accommodated up to eight passengers, with versatile second-row seats offering generous legroom and easy access to the third row. The Highlander provided 453 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,378 litres with both rows folded. It featured eight cupholders, four bottle holders, and two shelves integrated into the dash. The controls were simple and legible, with a standard touchscreen and intuitive infotainment interface.

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 an optional JBL audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with real dials for volume and tuning.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander, despite being a new model, had an outdated infotainment system. The 12.3-inch touchscreen on the Platinum trim was limited in functionality, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The Highlander featured a 10-inch head-up display and a 7-inch instrument cluster display. The semi-automated driving system and JBL audio system were notable features, along with standard adaptive cruise control and automatic high beams.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 included standard safety features such as front- and side-impact airbags, a backup camera, and traction control. Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 was also standard, offering forward-collision warning, emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were included as well.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, featuring automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Highlander received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a 2020 Top Safety Pick from the IIHS.