2021 Toyota Venza vs 2020 Toyota 4Runner

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner had a timeless design characterized by tall slab sides, a high beltline, short overhangs, and a near-vertical front fascia. Its utilitarian attitude was reminiscent of an XJ Jeep Cherokee, with flared wheel wells designed to accommodate bulky off-road tires and short overhangs for tackling steep pitches. The hood scoop, a visual cue for the off-road-focused TRD trim, was one of the few non-functional elements. The front end featured small, angular headlights, and the grille varied by trim, with body-color bars on most trims and blacked-out accents on the TRD Pro. The trim lineup included SR5, SR5 Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, TRD Pro, and Limited, with special editions like Nightshade and Venture adding unique aesthetics and off-road capabilities.

Our test model, a Limited trim, aimed at comfort rather than capability, featured leather upholstery and an 8-inch touchscreen. Despite the chrome and leather, the 4Runner's utilitarian DNA was evident, with plenty of plastic and a seating position designed for off-roading rather than highway cruising. The optional third row of seats in non-TRD and non-Venture trims was best suited for short and occasional use, lacking the spaciousness and comfort of competitors like the Subaru Ascent or Chevrolet Traverse.

The 2021 Toyota Venza, on the other hand, was five to six inches shorter than the RAV4 and about one inch closer to the ground, with a similar wheelbase. Critics noted its resemblance to a Lexus, with a design more akin to the Lexus LF-1 Limitless concept than any Toyota SUV. The Venza was available in three trims: LE, XLE, and Limited, with seven paint color options. Standard features included a dual chrome-tipped exhaust, LED headlights and taillights, automatic high beams, puddle lights, and 18-inch alloy wheels. The base LE model came with a wireless charging pad, 4.2-inch driver’s information display, leather-trimmed steering wheel, Bluetooth, dual-zone automatic climate control, fabric-trimmed seats, and an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen.

Upgrading to the XLE added black bumper garnishes, silver roof rails, 19-inch alloy wheels, LED projector headlights, gloss black exterior elements, and a 7-inch driver information display. The top-tier Limited trim featured a digital rearview mirror with Homelink, illuminated footwells, a backup camera washer, and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. The Star Gaze panoramic roof, with electrochromic glazing technology, was an optional feature on the Limited trim. Our test model was a fully loaded Venza Limited, showcasing the model's premium appointments and refined styling.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner featured a 4-liter V6 engine with a 5-speed automatic transmission, delivering 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. This engine was designed for durability and off-road capability rather than fuel efficiency, with an EPA estimate of 16 mpg city, 19 highway, and 17 combined. The 4Runner's towing capacity was up to 5,000 pounds. Its body-on-frame construction and advanced traction systems like Toyota’s CRAWL control and Multi-Terrain Select made it a formidable off-road vehicle. However, on-road performance was less impressive, with significant body roll in corners and vague steering.

The 2021 Toyota Venza came standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with a lithium-ion battery pack and electric motors, resulting in a combined 219 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid system, with an electronically-controlled continuously-variable transmission (eCVT), provided smooth acceleration and impressive fuel economy, achieving an EPA-estimated 40 mpg highway, 37 mpg city, and 39 mpg combined. The Venza's handling was confident and typical of a Toyota, with a comfortable ride and responsive steering. Despite some engine and road noise, the Venza's performance was well-suited for its target audience.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner offered excellent outward visibility and a relatively tight turning radius of 18 feet, 7 inches. The interior featured large, chunky knobs for HVAC and stereo controls, and an 8-inch touchscreen. The tall seating position provided a commanding view of the road, but climbing in and out could be challenging without power-retractable running boards. The optional third row of seats was narrow and thin, best suited for short and occasional use.

The 2021 Toyota Venza's interior was practical and well-appointed, with premium materials and a unique design. The center stack featured piano black capacitive buttons for climate and infotainment controls, and the deep center console included resizable cup holders, a traditional stick shifter, drive mode buttons, and a wireless charging pad. The front seats were comfortable, and the rear seats could accommodate two adults comfortably. The Venza offered nearly the same passenger volume as the RAV4 but had less cargo space, with a maximum of 55.1 cubic feet. The quick-flip releases on the 60/40 split-folding rear seatbacks made arranging the cargo space easy.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The system included Bluetooth connectivity, a single USB media port, and various subscription services like Sirius XM Radio, Safety Connect, and WiFi Connect. Higher trims offered a JBL stereo and onboard navigation, though the navigation system was less user-friendly than smartphone alternatives.

The 2021 Toyota Venza's LE and XLE trims had an 8-inch infotainment system, while the Limited trim featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen. The Entune system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, AM/FM/HD Radio, Bluetooth, and a six-speaker audio system. A Wi-Fi hot spot, nine-speaker JBL premium audio system, and various Toyota connected services were also available. The larger screen offered dynamic navigation with cloud-based route guidance.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, and automatic high beams. It also had eight standard airbags. The NHTSA awarded it four out of five stars overall, with three stars in the rollover test. The IIHS gave it a Good rating in most crash tests but a Marginal rating in the small overlap front: driver-side test.

The 2021 Toyota Venza featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included a pre-collision warning system with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, and road sign assist. It also had eight airbags, a rearview camera, hill start assist, parking distance sensors, tire pressure monitoring, and adjustable front seatbelt anchors. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was standard, with an upgrade to automatic braking available on higher trims.