2021 Toyota Venza vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV was nearly indistinguishable from its non-hybrid counterparts, save for a subtle “P400e” badge on the tailgate. Land Rover cleverly integrated the charging port into the grille, maintaining the SUV's sleek design without any extraneous details. This approach was appreciated by those who valued aesthetics, as the powertrain already added a significant $4,750 to the price. The test vehicle, priced at $93,200 with options, featured a striking Firenze Red paint, black roof, and 21-inch aluminum wheels, enhancing its inherent good looks. Inside, the cabin was adorned with high-quality materials, reflecting the vehicle's premium price tag.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Venza, though shorter and closer to the ground than the RAV4, was often mistaken for a Lexus due to its refined design. Critics noted its resemblance to the Lexus LF-1 Limitless concept, especially in its elongated profile and grille. The Venza was available in three trims—LE, XLE, and Limited—and offered seven paint colors. Standard features included LED headlights, dual chrome-tipped exhaust, and 18-inch alloy wheels. The interior boasted a wireless charging pad, dual-zone climate control, and an 8-inch infotainment screen, with higher trims offering additional luxuries like a 12.3-inch screen and a Star Gaze panoramic roof.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with a 141-hp electric motor and a 13-kWh battery, producing a total of 398 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. Despite Land Rover's claim of a 31-mile all-electric range, the test vehicle struggled to stay in EV mode, often defaulting to its gas-electric hybrid mode. The SUV averaged 25.5 mpg over a 60-mile loop, a modest improvement over previous models. The Range Rover Sport PHEV offered quick acceleration, adaptive air suspension, and various driving modes, making it both athletic and comfortable. However, the regenerative brakes were grabby, and the EV mode's unreliability and long charging times were sources of frustration.

The 2021 Toyota Venza featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with a lithium-ion battery pack and electric motors, delivering a combined 219 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque. While not the most powerful in its class, the Venza's acceleration was smooth and sufficient for everyday driving. The eCVT transmission was noisy during acceleration, but the cabin quieted down at cruising speeds. The Venza excelled in fuel economy, achieving an EPA-estimated 40 mpg on the highway, 37 mpg in the city, and 39 mpg combined, outperforming competitors like the Murano, Passport, and Blazer. The AWD system provided confident handling, and Toyota backed the hybrid powertrain with a robust warranty.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV's higher price tag came with a compromise in cargo space. The battery's placement under the raised cargo floor reduced the already tight 27.5-cubic-foot space behind the back seat. Despite this, the SUV comfortably seated five people, with excellent front-seat comfort and a tall riding position for rear-seat passengers. The test vehicle's 4-zone automatic climate control and panoramic glass roof added to the interior's appeal, though practical storage was limited.

The 2021 Toyota Venza, known for its practicality, offered a unique cabin design with premium appointments, especially in the center stack. The deep center console featured resizable cup holders, a traditional stick shifter, and various control buttons. The front seats were accommodating, and the rear seats provided comfort for two adults. The Venza had more headroom than the RAV4 and nearly equal shoulder and hip room, offering a spacious feel. However, its cargo space was around 60 percent of the RAV4's, with a maximum of 55.1 cubic feet. Despite this, the cargo space was sufficient for daily use, and the quick-flip releases on the rear seatbacks made arranging the space easy.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport's InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system was complex and could be frustrating to use. Even after spending time with the owner's manual, accessing specific features was sometimes challenging, and the system occasionally behaved unexpectedly. The lack of haptic feedback from the touchscreen added to the difficulty. While the technology was necessary to manage the vehicle's complexity, it could be a source of befuddlement for drivers.

The 2021 Toyota Venza's infotainment system varied by trim, with the LE and XLE featuring an 8-inch screen and the Limited a 12.3-inch touchscreen. The Entune system, though improved, was not the best in the industry, requiring multiple menu trips for simple tasks. However, the Venza came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a Wi-Fi hot spot. The Limited trim included a nine-speaker JBL premium audio system and dynamic navigation. Toyota also provided connected services like Safety Connect, Remote Connect, and Service Connect, enhancing the vehicle's technological offerings.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came equipped with numerous advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), including a new steering-assist system. However, the SUV's higher center of gravity and adaptive air suspension could cause head-toss, making smooth driving essential. The lane-keeping assist system was abrupt, leading the reviewer to disable it. Crash-test ratings were unavailable, but the vehicle's nearly 5,500-pound weight provided a sense of security in collisions.

The 2021 Toyota Venza included the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite across all trims, featuring eight airbags, a rearview camera, hill start assist, and more. The suite added a pre-collision warning system, lane-departure alert, lane-tracing assist, adaptive cruise control, and road sign assist. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was standard, with an upgrade to automatic braking available. The Venza's safety features performed as expected, though the lane-keeping assist kept the SUV slightly to the right within the lane.