2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs 2021 Toyota Sequoia

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid presented a bold departure from its predecessors with a rugged and angular design reminiscent of the Toyota 4Runner. Its front fascia featured stacked, trapezoidal apertures and a perforated grille, giving it a robust and mechanical appearance. The dark trim around the wheel wells and doorsills suggested that the RAV4 Hybrid was more than just a fuel-efficient vehicle; it was also capable of off-road adventures. Available in four trims—LE, XLE, XSE, and Limited—the RAV4 Hybrid offered 17-inch wheels on lower trims and 18-inch wheels on the XSE and Limited, enhancing its aggressive stance. Inside, the RAV4 Hybrid boasted a simple yet functional design with tasteful shiny trim. While it lacked luxury features like leather upholstery, the Softex material and fabric seats were comfortable and visually appealing. The interior materials were of good quality, though not quite as refined as some competitors like the Honda CR-V Hybrid.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Sequoia, despite its 2018 facelift, showed its age with a design dating back to 2007. The subtle updates, such as the lines connecting the grille to the headlights, were overshadowed by the Sequoia's imposing silhouette. Inside, the Sequoia's massive, multi-tiered center dash design felt dated, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen that appeared small against the expansive dash. The front seats, though bulky, left tall drivers feeling cramped, especially with the optional sunroof. However, the second-row seats offered ample headroom and legroom, and all seats were comfortable and supportive. The Sequoia was available in several trims, including the SR5, TRD Sport, Limited, Nightshade Edition, TRD Pro, and Platinum, each offering various features and enhancements. The Nightshade Edition, for instance, featured black 20-inch wheels, black leather upholstery, and LED fog lights with dark chrome surrounds. The TRD Pro was designed for off-road use, while the Platinum trim added luxury features like heated-and-ventilated front seats and a larger touchscreen.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid delivered a commendable performance with its 219 horsepower, 16 more than the standard version, and an impressive combined EPA fuel economy rating of 40 miles per gallon. This fuel efficiency was consistently achievable in real-world testing, making it a standout in its class. The RAV4 Hybrid's powertrain combined a 2.5-liter, 176-horsepower four-cylinder gasoline engine with two electric motors, providing all-wheel drive without the need for a heavy driveshaft. This setup allowed the RAV4 Hybrid to weigh only about 200 pounds more than the non-hybrid model, benefiting both handling and fuel economy. The hybrid system provided ample electric power, making the RAV4 Hybrid quicker to accelerate than its non-hybrid counterpart. It also offered smooth regenerative braking and the ability to tow up to 1,750 pounds.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia, on the other hand, came standard with a 5.7-liter V8 engine producing 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, provided strong acceleration despite the Sequoia's weight of up to 6,000 pounds. The Sequoia's driving dynamics resembled those of a truck, with a soft suspension and powerful brakes. While it offered a towing capacity of up to 7,400 pounds, it fell short compared to competitors like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe. The Sequoia's wide stance helped it settle in corners despite some body roll, and its brakes, though strong, could be touchy.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid featured excellent ergonomics with a standard 7-inch touchscreen (an optional 8-inch screen was available) positioned prominently on the dashboard. The center console provided ample space for a cell phone, cupholders, and a storage bin. While the cabin could be quieter, the RAV4 Hybrid's electric drive mitigated engine noise. The rear seat offered impressive legroom, accommodating three adults comfortably, and the cargo area provided 37.6 cubic feet of space, matching the standard RAV4's capacity.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia boasted a spacious cabin with nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and over 66 cubic feet with the third row folded. With all rear seats folded, it offered an impressive 120 cubic feet of cargo space. The Sequoia's power-retractable rear window was a convenient feature for accessing items without fully opening the hatch. While the front-row space could have been better utilized, the Sequoia offered deep in-door pockets, a massive center console, and multiple cupholders. Despite its age, the Sequoia provided ample storage options, though newer SUVs excelled in maximizing space.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid introduced Android Auto alongside Apple CarPlay, providing excellent infotainment technology. All trims received SiriusXM Radio with a 3-month free trial. While Toyota's Entune multimedia software was available, most users preferred using Google Maps or Apple Maps. The RAV4 Hybrid also offered WiFi Connect with a 3-month, 2GB trial. The vehicle featured multiple USB-A ports for charging, though USB-C was not available. The RAV4 Hybrid's technology included "Predictive Efficient Drive," optimizing battery efficiency, and various drive modes for different driving conditions.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a WiFi hotspot. Our test model had a larger 9-inch screen, though it still felt small on the large dash. The Sequoia's infotainment system, while dated, was user-friendly with simple menu navigation and large hard buttons. The digital trip computer was small compared to modern fully-digital instrument panels but remained easy to use.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including features like a pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and more. It also offered a 1-year trial of Safety Connect. The RAV4 Hybrid received a five-star rating from the NHTSA, with four stars in the frontal crash test, five in the side crash test, and four in the rollover test. It had two safety recalls related to engine coolant and suspension issues.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia featured Toyota Safety Sense-P, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and more. It also came standard with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. While it lacked advanced features like lane-keeping assist, it provided a comprehensive suite of safety features. The Sequoia scored four out of five stars in the NHTSA's rollover test but had not been rated in further crash tests.