2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs 2020 Toyota Highlander

In 2020, the Toyota Highlander received a styling update that left it close to its predecessor yet significantly more refined. The tailgate glass was slanted a few more degrees, and the body panels featured exaggerated creases that delineated wide arcs around the fenders. The signature Toyota theme carried a trapezoidal shape characterizing various aspects, from the tailgate's license plate cutout to the slimmer headlights and the grille. Every trim except the base L came with projector-beam LED headlights and fog lights, with the upper trims Limited and Platinum flaunting prettier LED running lamps. Notably, the 20-inch wheels on these top trims added grandeur. New paint options, like the Blueprint on the Limited trim, were highlighted as the most attractive part of the vehicle. However, some found the overall design to lack excitement despite not being off-putting.

The Highlander’s interior mirrored Toyota’s dedication to quality and finish. Silver-painted accents adorned the armrests, steering wheel, and gear selector. The dashboard featured an 8-inch touchscreen and climate controls framed in polished black plastic, creating a floating effect. This cohesive design extended to every trim level, with the Limited showcasing a sophisticated three-tone interior of brown, beige, and black. Padded surfaces and rich textures were prevalent except for the middle door panels. Compared to competitors like the Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot, the Highlander’s interior stood out, rivaled only by the Kia Telluride for its meticulous detail and quality. The Platinum trim upped the luxury with diamond-quilted seat backrests.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited, while nearly fully loaded, did not immediately communicate its higher-end positioning. The exterior called for larger wheels akin to its non-hybrid counterparts, and the absence of an Adventure trim for the hybrid version was noted due to the limitations of its AWD system. The RAV4 Hybrid managed a tough appearance for a compact crossover but could benefit from bolder wheels.

Inside, the RAV4 Hybrid was a blend of stylish and practical elements. The quality varied, with some glossy hard plastics commonplace in compact SUVs. A noticeable rattle was traced to the license plate vibration on the tailgate, impacting perceived quality. Nevertheless, it provided a functional and user-friendly experience, graced with useful materials despite some shortcomings.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander showcased a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine available in FWD and AWD configurations. It produced an impressive 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, ensuring brisk acceleration and smooth performance derived from its Lexus RX counterpart. The eight-speed automatic transmission effectively utilized the engine's output, although it required a significant throttle push for downshifts. Despite these strengths, the Highlander had a loose steering setup and a soft suspension that contributed to buoyancy at speed, likened to an older Buick. The driving experience emphasized comfort through muted inputs and outputs, promoting relaxed long-distance journeys. Torque vectoring on AWD models and selectable driving modes provided finer control, though the default driving experience felt more refined than dynamic. Fuel efficiency was commendable, achieving 21 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined for FWD, slightly lower for AWD.

On the other hand, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid brought a hybrid powertrain combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with front and rear electric motors, delivering a combined 219 horsepower. This setup made the RAV4 Hybrid feel lively, albeit with a less pleasant engine sound under stress. The hybrid achieved an impressive EPA rating of 40 mpg combined, closely matched by real-world tests averaging 39.7 mpg. The continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) operated seamlessly, and regenerative braking was well-executed. Steering was well-weighted, and despite the lackluster grip of the all-season tires, the RAV4 Hybrid handled agreeably with its MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension. While the RAV4's driving dynamics favored stability and comfort, its performance in tighter traffic revealed some inconsistencies, particularly with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander excelled in accommodating occupants and cargo with its versatile seating configurations. It could seat eight or seven with the second-row captain's chairs, offered as standard on Limited and Platinum trims and an option on the XLE. The Platinum trim exclusively featured captain's chairs, whereas the L and LE trims had a bench-only configuration. The second row's ample legroom and adjustability for fore/aft and reclining positions added versatility, accessing the third row easily for individuals under six feet. The wide-opening rear doors facilitated ingress and egress, particularly beneficial for anyone with mobility issues. The Highlander boasted 16 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 48 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and further to 84 cubic feet when both the second and third rows were down. Added amenities in upper trims included a 120-volt outlet, side window shades, and heated second-row seats.

Conversely, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid focused on comfort and practicality within its compact crossover confines. The driver's seat had an eight-way power adjustment, and front seats featured heating and ventilation. The rear seats offered decent space for adults, with leg support and air conditioning vents improving overall comfort, alongside heated rear cushions. The dashboard layout was intuitive, and the oversized climate and stereo knobs were functional. Storage was cleverly designed, with useful shelves and adequate space for small items. Cargo capacity was competitive, offering 37.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 69.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. Despite offering ample storage and user-friendly features, the RAV4 Hybrid’s cargo area was somewhat impeded by the bulky all-weather mat and subwoofer placement.

While the 2020 Toyota Highlander flaunted a new design, its infotainment system lagged behind expectations. The maps fell short in detail, and the absence of onboard apps necessitating a connected phone added to the inconvenience. The 12.3-inch touchscreen, optional on Limited and standard on Platinum trims, shared display space with climate controls and other information, reducing usable screen area. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration, yet the overall system lacked user-friendly structure compared to rivals like GM and Hyundai. Saving graces included the 10-inch head-up display and a 7-inch instrument cluster display, both offering crisp visuals. The semi-automated driving features and adaptive cruise control were well-executed, and the optional JBL audio system, though decent, was not exceptional.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered multiple infotainment systems, with 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen displays. All versions supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, with a three-month SiriusXM trial. The top-tier infotainment in the test vehicle included an 11-speaker JBL audio system, dynamic navigation, and voice recognition, though it struggled with certain commands like climate control adjustments. Camera-based technology upgrades were impressive, featuring a 360-degree surround-view system and rearview camera mirror. Compared to the Highlander, the RAV4 Hybrid's technology suite was more user-friendly and responsive, solidifying its appeal for tech-savvy consumers.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 as standard, featuring automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Additional features like blind-spot monitoring and rear emergency braking were optional. Notably, a driver's knee airbag and passenger cushion airbag were standard. The Highlander received a 2020Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS, securing top ratings in all crash tests and for its emergency braking systems.

Similarly, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 across all trims, comprising adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keep and centering assists. It also featured automatic high beams and road-sign recognition. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning, with rear automatic braking available exclusively on the Hybrid Limited. TSS 2.0 generally performed well, despite some quirks with lane-centering assistance and adaptive cruise control in dense traffic. The RAV4 Hybrid earned a five-star safety rating from NHTSA and top marks from IIHS, barring the headlight evaluation.