2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs 2019 Jeep Cherokee

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee underwent a significant redesign to address the polarizing styling of its predecessor. The new front-end design adopted a more conventional look, replacing the isolated daytime running lights and fog-light-like headlights with a typical headlight-above/fog-light-below configuration. The rear also saw changes, with the license plate frame moved to the center of the rear hatch, giving it a more modern appearance. Inside, the Cherokee retained its functional and logical control layout, reminiscent of a downsized Grand Cherokee. The cabin offered plenty of storage solutions, making it practical for everyday use.

In contrast, the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid featured a complete redesign in 2019, adopting a tougher and more angular look. The front fascia, with its stacked trapezoidal apertures and perforated grille, gave it a mean and mechanical appearance. The dark trim around the wheel wells and doorsills hinted at its off-road capabilities. Inside, the RAV4 Hybrid boasted a simple and functional design with tasteful trim. While it lacked luxury features like leather upholstery, the interior materials were of good quality. The cabin was spacious, with ample legroom in the rear seat and a capacious cargo area.

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee offered a range of engines, starting with the base 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 171 pound-feet of torque. This engine was standard on the Latitude, Latitude Plus, and the FWD Limited. The 4WD Limited, Overland, and Trailhawk trims came with a 3.2-liter V6 engine, delivering 271 horsepower and 239 pound-feet of torque. A new addition for 2019 was the turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, generating 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. This engine was optional across the lineup, except for the base Latitude. The Cherokee featured a 9-speed automatic transmission and various 4WD systems, including Active Drive I, Active Drive II, and Active Drive Lock. The Trailhawk trim, with its off-road suspension and additional ground clearance, excelled in off-road conditions. The Cherokee's towing capacity reached up to 4,500 pounds with the V6 engine and 4,000 pounds with the turbocharged engine. Fuel economy varied, with the most efficient variant achieving 23 mpg city, 31 highway, and 26 combined.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, on the other hand, combined a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with two electric motors, producing a total of 219 horsepower. This hybrid powertrain delivered exceptional fuel economy, with an EPA rating of 40 mpg combined. The RAV4 Hybrid's AWD system, which used electric motors to drive the rear wheels, eliminated the need for a heavy driveshaft, improving both handling and fuel efficiency. The hybrid system provided smooth regenerative braking and seamless electric motor assist, making it quicker to accelerate than the non-hybrid model. The RAV4 Hybrid could tow up to 1,750 pounds and featured standard trailer sway control. The steering was light, and the suspension was soft, ensuring a comfortable and easy driving experience.

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee's interior featured a highly functional control layout, with deep pockets in the front doors, a tray by the shifter, and a deep center console for storage. The hands-free power liftgate, available as an option, was convenient but sometimes unreliable. However, the Cherokee's cargo space was limited, with only 25 cubic feet available and 54 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. These numbers were below average for the compact crossover class.

In contrast, the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered excellent ergonomics with a standard 7-inch touchscreen (an 8-inch screen was optional) positioned prominently on the dashboard. The climate controls were simple and well-placed, and the center console provided ample storage space. The RAV4 Hybrid's cabin was spacious, with impressive rear legroom and a large cargo area. The hybrid model did not compromise interior or cargo space, offering the same 98.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 37.6 cubic feet of trunk capacity as the standard RAV4.

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee came standard with a 7-inch Uconnect touchscreen, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims included an 8.3-inch Uconnect system with updated graphics and improved responsiveness. The touchscreen menu had a user-friendly layout with customizable screens and dock buttons for major features. Uconnect continued to set the standard for infotainment systems.

For the first time in 2020, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered Android Auto, joining Apple CarPlay and SiriusXM Radio as standard features. The RAV4 Hybrid's infotainment system included a USB-A port on the dash, with additional USB-A charging ports in higher trims. The Predictive Efficient Drive technology improved hybrid system efficiency by analyzing data from various sources. The drive mode selector allowed drivers to choose between Eco, Sport, and Trail modes, optimizing performance for different driving conditions.

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee came standard with front and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera, electronic stability control, electronic roll mitigation, hill-start assist, keyless entry with a panic button, and trailer-sway control. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, rear parking sensors, forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, rain-sensing wipers, adaptive cruise control, and a self-parking feature.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 as standard, featuring a pre-collision system with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams, lane-tracing assist, and road-sign assist. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring and front and rear parking assist with automated braking. The RAV4 Hybrid received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and had two safety recalls for engine coolant leaks and suspension issues.