2019 Toyota RAV4 vs 2020 Toyota Highlander

Comparing the look and feel of the 2019 Toyota RAV4 and the 2020 Toyota Highlander, each vehicle presented its distinctive aesthetics and stylistic features that catered to different consumer preferences.

For the 2019 Toyota RAV4, the first impression was its bold, chunky design inspired by the Toyota Tacoma pickup, featuring sharp edges that exuded a sense of aggression and futurism. This robust appearance was consistent along the side-profile and rear, where elements like the taillights seemed to take cues from Toyota’s luxury brand, Lexus. The character line breaking up the rear C-pillar was a common design trait among new vehicles, though its visual appeal in the RAV4 was debatable. The two-tone roof options, with seven variations, added to the visual interest, even though for monotone color schemes, the black strip across the rear pillar seemed unnecessary.

Inside, the cabin of the RAV4 was a blend of simplicity and elegance, contrasting its aggressive exterior. Features were centralized in a floating touch screen and a control pod spanning from the center dash to the cupholders. Trim levels for the RAV4 ranged from the base LE to the top-tier Limited. The LE offered basics like 17-inch steel wheels, LED lights, and power side mirrors. The recommended XLE trim added 17-inch alloy wheels, integrated fog lights, and dual-zone climate control. The XLE Premium and Adventure trims introduced more upscale and rugged features respectively. The Adventure trim stood out with its unique all-wheel-drive offerings and rugged design tweaks, while the Limited trim aimed for a luxurious feel with enhancements like SofTex leatherette and ambient interior lighting.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander, on the other hand, had a subtler exterior that didn’t stand out much from the side. Changes from the previous model year included a more angled tailgate glass and more pronounced body creases defining its fenders. The design incorporated Toyota's trapezoidal theme across various elements such as the tailgate, bumpers, and slimmer headlights. Higher trims like the Limited and Platinum featured big 20-inch wheels and prettier LED running lamps.

Inside, the Highlander’s cabin showcased quality fit and finish, accentuated by silver-painted highlights along the armrests, steering wheel, and gear selector. The multi-layered dash housed an 8-inch touchscreen for standard models, though higher trims like the Limited boasted a three-tone interior with rich materials and textures. The Highlander's interior was spacious with a versatile second row, offering supreme legroom and easy access to the third row, despite a few design quirks such as the bulky wireless charging pad placement in some trims.

Evaluating performance, the 2019 Toyota RAV4 and the 2020 Toyota Highlander stood out in their respective categories with distinct powertrains and capabilities.

The 2019 RAV4 was powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. This engine was offered in both front-wheel-drive and available all-wheel-drive configurations. The RAV4 had two types of all-wheel-drive systems: the base AWD found in most trims and the more advanced torque-vectoring AWD available in the Adventure and Limited trims. The latter could distribute power to the wheels that needed it most, providing enhanced off-road capability. Despite its decent highway performance, the RAV4's engine lacked low-end power, resulting in sluggishness during stop-and-go traffic and noticeable engine noise during acceleration. The ride quality was generally comfortable, although there was noticeable body roll and heaviness in the rear, making handling less refined compared to rivals like the Honda CR-V or the more athletic Mazda CX-5.

Fuel economy for the RAV4 was commendable, with front-wheel-drive models achieving 26 mpg city, 35 highway, and 30 combined. All-wheel-drive versions returned 27 mpg city and 34 highway, with the torque-vectoring AWD offering slightly lower numbers of 25 mpg city, 33 highway, and 28 combined.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander, equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivered a robust 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. This V6 offered smooth and nearly silent operation, borrowed from the Lexus RX, and provided brisk acceleration. However, the steering was loose, requiring continuous adjustments at highway speeds, and the soft suspension resulted in a floaty, buoyant ride. Despite a stiffer chassis shared with the RAV4, the Highlander’s handling was lackluster, contributing to a less confident driving experience under load.

Fuel economy for the Highlander was strong for its class, with front-wheel-drive models rated at 21 mpg city, 29 highway, and 24 combined, while all-wheel-drive versions achieved 20 mpg city, 27 highway, and 23 combined. The hybrid variant, reviewed separately, offered impressive fuel efficiency up to 36 mpg combined. The Highlander’s auto stop-start system was customizable, providing practical benefits for fuel savings.

When it came to form and function, both vehicles demonstrated a keen focus on practical interiors and cargo space, tailored to different consumer needs.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4’s cabin was designed for practicality with an upscale look. The center stack featured a pod-like design housing climate controls, a storage tray, drive-mode controls, and a compact shifter to maximize space. Storage options included a deep center console bin and a tray integrated into the passenger side of the dash. In terms of cargo capacity, the RAV4 offered 37.6 cubic feet with the rear seats up, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet when folded. Though this was slightly lower than the previous year's model, it still surpassed rivals like the Mazda CX-5 and Jeep Cherokee, though it fell short compared to the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander excelled in seating capacity and cargo versatility. It could seat eight or seven with optional second-row captain's chairs. The second-row seats were highly adjustable, offering substantial legroom and easy access to the third row. The vehicle’s ingress and egress were user-friendly, catering to families with varying needs. Cargo space was 16 cubic feet behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second, and a generous 84 cubic feet with both rows folded. Additional convenience features included six tie-down hooks, a rear 120-volt outlet for higher trims, and a thoughtfully designed center shelf for device storage.

In the technology department, each vehicle had its strengths and weaknesses.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 featured the Entune 3.0 infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen on the base LE trim, offering Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, and a WiFi hotspot. Higher trims like the Adventure and Limited added features like a panoramic reversing camera, larger 8-inch touchscreen, and an optional JBL premium stereo. The interface was simplistic and user-friendly, with real dials for volume and tuning—a rare but appreciated touch. Despite its ease of use, Android Auto was notably absent, a limitation for non-Apple users.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander’s infotainment system, despite the new model year, felt outdated. The 12.3-inch touchscreen, optional on the Limited and standard on Platinum, was hindered by a lack of detailed maps and on-board apps. While Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration were standard, the usability of the large screen was compromised by fixed sections for climate and vehicle information. However, the Highlander redeemed itself with a 10-inch head-up display and a 7-inch instrument cluster display that were clear and informative. The semi-automated driving system performed well, and the included JBL audio system, though decent, did not stand out. Standard technology included SiriusXM, HD radio, WiFi, and multiple USB ports, alongside advanced safety and communication features.

For safety, both vehicles came well-equipped with Toyota’s comprehensive safety suites.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 featured standard safety tools such as a full array of airbags, a reversing camera, traction control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 was included, offering forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, dynamic radar cruise control, traffic-sign detection, and Lane-Tracing Assist.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander also came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, inclusive of automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and rear emergency braking. Standard passive safety features were comprehensive, with additional airbags specifically designed to protect the driver and front passenger. The Highlander earned a 2020 Top Safety Pick from the IIHS for its crash test performance, though NHTSA ratings were not available.