2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar presented a unique blend of style and functionality, positioned between the sleek Evoque and the robust Range Rover. Its design featured a low roof and steeply-raked windshield, giving it a distinct profile compared to the traditional upright Range Rover. The Velar maintained its SUV identity with a broad front end and intimidating presence, while its short overhangs improved off-road capabilities. The interior was luxurious, with high-quality leather and metal trim, creating a cockpit-like feel that was more suited to urban environments than rugged terrains.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, particularly in the Limited trim, offered a more practical and functional design. Despite its fully-loaded status, it maintained a modest appearance, lacking the larger wheels found on non-hybrid versions. The RAV4 Hybrid's interior was stylish and practical, with a mix of quality materials and some hard plastics. It provided a comfortable and functional space, with clear instrumentation and well-placed controls. The RAV4 Hybrid's design was more about practicality and comfort, making it a suitable choice for everyday use.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, particularly in the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, marked a shift towards performance with the introduction of a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine, producing 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain allowed the Velar to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, with a top speed of 177 mph. Despite these impressive figures, it was not the fastest in its class. The Velar's aluminum platform provided a solid and refined driving experience, but its size made it less agile on tight roads. The Velar also retained its off-road capabilities with features like the Terrain Response system and All-Terrain Progress Control.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric motors, generating a total of 219 horsepower. This setup provided standard all-wheel drive and a lively acceleration experience, although the engine noise was less pleasant. The RAV4 Hybrid excelled in fuel efficiency, achieving an EPA rating of 40 mpg in combined driving. Its continuously variable automatic transmission operated smoothly, and the regenerative braking system was effective. The RAV4 Hybrid's ride and handling were commendable, with a relatively flat cornering stance and agreeable driving dynamics, although its tires limited grip in corners.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar occupied a unique position in terms of size, being larger than small luxury SUVs but smaller than midsize counterparts. However, this did not translate to more interior space, as competitors like the Mercedes-Benz GLC offered more legroom. The Velar's cargo space was competitive, with 15.7 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. The interior design, while stylish, created a cramped feeling, and visibility was hindered by the chopped roof and tall hood. The Velar's towing capacity was respectable, with the V6 and SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition models capable of towing up to 5,511 pounds.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid provided a comfortable and practical interior, with features like an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated and ventilated front cushions. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed decent legroom and reclining backrests, although the seat felt a bit low. The RAV4 Hybrid offered ample storage options, with useful shelves and a roomy cargo area of 37.5 cubic feet, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The dashboard layout was intuitive, with oversized climate control knobs and an easy-to-use infotainment system.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, with dual 10.0-inch touchscreens handling various functions. While the system offered high-quality graphics and a sleek design, it suffered from slow response times. Additional tech features included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls. However, the system's performance lagged behind newer offerings like the Pivi Pro system in the Land Rover Defender.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered a range of infotainment systems, with our test vehicle featuring an 8-inch touchscreen and an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system. The system supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, with various connected services included. The dynamic voice recognition technology was impressive, although it had limitations. The RAV4 Hybrid also offered advanced camera-based technology, including a 360-degree surround-view camera system and a rearview camera mirror.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, as low-volume luxury vehicles were not prioritized for crash testing. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and front and rear parking aids. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were available as part of an option package. However, Land Rover's driver-assist tech offerings were less sophisticated compared to competitors.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. The RAV4 Hybrid received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top marks from the IIHS, except for its headlights. While the safety systems were generally effective, some functions behaved erratically in certain traffic conditions.