2021 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2020 Toyota RAV4

The 2020 Toyota RAV4, following its 2019 redesign, presented a bolder and more angular appearance, enhancing its reputation for durability with a tougher look. The Trail trim, introduced the previous year, improved off-roading capabilities with a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, multiple driving modes, and downhill assist control. The TRD Off-Road package, available in 2020, further enhanced this with matte-black 18-inch alloy wheels, all-terrain tires, and a TRD suspension setup, making it suitable for a variety of surfaces. The TRD Off-Road was distinguishable by its unique wheels, tires, and badges, while the interior featured TRD logos, rubber floor mats, and a mix of quality materials.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, based on the Impreza hatchback, offered a rugged look with black body cladding, model-specific alloy wheels, and a taller ride height providing 22 centimetres of ground clearance. This design allowed the Crosstrek to mimic an SUV while maintaining the character of the Impreza. The Crosstrek's vibrant colour options, like Plasma Yellow Pearl, added to its appeal. Built on the Subaru Global Platform, it shared a refined design with other Subaru models. The interior, similar to the Impreza, was functional but plain, with some unique touches like water-repellant upholstery in the Outdoor grade. Despite its SUV-like stance, the Crosstrek maintained a car-like feel with good outward visibility.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 was equipped with a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The RAV4 Hybrid variant offered 219 horsepower and impressive fuel efficiency, but the TRD Off-Road package was not available for the hybrid. The eight-speed automatic transmission generally performed well, though it occasionally struggled with gear selection. The TRD Off-Road model featured a torque-vectoring AWD system, multi-terrain select settings, and downhill assist control, making it capable on various terrains. Despite averaging 10.0 L/100 km, which was higher than the official estimate, the RAV4 excelled in urban environments and off-road trails.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek introduced a new 2.5-litre boxer-four engine for the Outdoor and Limited trims, delivering 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The base engine remained a 2.0-litre boxer-four with 152 horsepower. The boxer engine's design provided a lower centre of gravity, enhancing handling, though the SUV-like ride height diminished some benefits. The Crosstrek offered a six-speed manual transmission with the 2.0-litre engine, while the CVT was standard on higher trims. All models featured standard AWD, with X-Mode and hill descent control enhancing off-road capability. Despite the new engine, acceleration felt similar to the base engine, with the CVT contributing to a droning sound.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 offered easy access with well-positioned seating and a sporty driving position. The driver's seat was power-adjustable, while the front passenger seat provided good support despite lacking height adjustment. The RAV4 Trail featured SofTex upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom, air conditioning vents, and USB ports. The RAV4 boasted ample interior storage, with a dashboard shelf and significant cargo space—1,062 litres behind the rear seats and 1,974 litres with them folded. Roof rails and a roof rack added to its utility.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek shared its interior dimensions with the Impreza hatchback, offering competitive passenger space but limited cargo capacity compared to rivals. With 588 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats and 1,565 litres with them folded, it lagged behind some competitors. The Crosstrek included a rear-seat reminder system and a front cubby with USB and auxiliary ports, though rear passengers lacked USB access. The driving position was higher than the Impreza's, but visibility was excellent due to large side windows. Storage was minimal, reflecting its compact car roots.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 featured a user-friendly infotainment system with a 7- or 8-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim. The system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The TRD Off-Road's 8-inch system impressed with its voice-recognition technology and ease of use, aided by physical controls for volume and climate. Upgrades included navigation and a JBL premium sound system. The RAV4 also offered wireless smartphone charging, a 360-degree camera, and a digital rear-view mirror with adjustable camera settings.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek used the Starlink infotainment system, with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen and an 8-inch version on higher trims. The system supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth, with SiriusXM on most models. A secondary screen displayed additional information, though it seemed redundant. The 8-inch touchscreen was responsive, and the Crosstrek featured large analog controls for audio and climate functions. EyeSight driver-assistance features were controlled via steering wheel buttons, enhancing usability.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering features like automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also included. The RAV4 received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, contingent on having full LED, curve adaptive headlights. Toyota provided a one-year subscription to Safety Connect services, offering collision notification and emergency assistance.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS, with high marks in crash tests and front-crash prevention. EyeSight driver-assist technology, standard on CVT-equipped models, included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Additional features like automatic high beams and reverse automatic braking were available on higher trims. The system's cameras, mounted behind the windshield, were well-protected but could be obstructed by wipers or sunlight.