2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs 2021 Honda HR-V

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid had a bold and rugged design, a significant departure from its previous soft-roader styling. Redesigned in 2019, it featured a tougher, more angular look, especially in the front fascia, reminiscent of the Toyota 4Runner. The stacked, trapezoidal apertures and perforated grille gave it a mechanical appearance, complemented by dark trim around the wheel wells and doorsills, suggesting it was more than just a grocery-getter but also capable of off-road adventures. The interior was simple and functional, with tasteful shiny trim. While leather upholstery was unavailable, the Softex seats and other materials were of good quality, though not as luxurious as some competitors.

The 2021 Honda HR-V, in contrast, had a softer, friendlier appearance compared to Honda’s larger SUVs. Its distinctive styling included upper and lower window lines converging near the taillights, housing the rear door handles. Most trims featured 17-inch alloy wheels, with the Sport model boasting matte-black 18-inch wheels and blacked-out trim. The interior was plain but functional, with good material quality and fit and finish. Higher trims offered features like push-button start, automatic climate control, a moonroof, and heated front seats, with leather upholstery available on the EX-L model.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid boasted a combined 219 horsepower, 16 more than the standard version, and an impressive EPA fuel economy rating of 40 miles per gallon. This fuel efficiency was consistently achievable in real-world testing. The hybrid powertrain combined a 2.5-liter, 176-horsepower four-cylinder gasoline engine with two electric motors, delivering power to all four wheels. The first electric motor, inside the hybrid transaxle, provided up to 118 hp to the front wheels, while the second motor, under the cargo floor, offered 54 hp to the rear wheels. This setup eliminated the need for a heavy driveshaft, making the RAV4 Hybrid only about 200 pounds heavier than the non-hybrid model, benefiting both handling and fuel economy. The hybrid system provided smooth regenerative braking and seamless electric motor assist, making it quicker to accelerate than the non-hybrid model. It could also tow up to 1,750 pounds with optional accessories.

The 2021 Honda HR-V featured a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine producing 141 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). While AWD was available, FWD was standard. The powertrain remained unchanged from previous models, resulting in underwhelming highway performance and an ineffective CVT. Competitors offered more powerful engine options. However, the HR-V’s chassis provided a rewarding driving experience on twisty roads, living up to Honda’s reputation for fun cars. The ride quality was decent, but the HR-V’s AWD system was not designed for rough terrain, and it lacked towing capability.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid had excellent ergonomics, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen (optional 8-inch) prominently positioned atop the dashboard, flanked by hard buttons and knobs for volume and tuning. Climate controls were simple and well-placed. The center console offered space for a cell phone, two cupholders, and a large storage bin. The cabin was comfortable for long trips, with a particularly spacious rear seat and impressive legroom. The cargo area provided 37.6 cubic feet of space, with no compromise in interior or cargo space due to the hybrid hardware.

The 2021 Honda HR-V excelled in cargo space for its size, thanks to the “Magic Seat” 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat, offering 58.8 cubic feet of cargo space (57.6 for AWD models) when folded down. With the seat up, it provided 24.3 cubic feet (23.2 with AWD). These figures surpassed many competitors. The HR-V also offered ample rear-seat legroom, leading the segment, though front-seat legroom and headroom were average. The interior featured sensibly-designed controls, including large knobs for climate control and an audio volume knob. The narrow center console was dominated by a large shift lever, making it simple and easy to use.

For the first time in 2020, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid included Android Auto, joining Apple CarPlay and SiriusXM Radio as standard features. These provided excellent infotainment technology, surpassing Toyota’s proprietary Entune software. The RAV4 Hybrid also offered WiFi Connect with a 3-month trial. USB-A ports were conveniently located, though USB-C was unavailable. The vehicle featured standard Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility, and a new “Predictive Efficient Drive” system to optimize battery efficiency. Drivers could select “Eco,” “Sport,” or “Trail” modes to adjust performance.

The base 2021 Honda HR-V LX came with standard Bluetooth, a 5-inch display screen, and a four-speaker audio system. Upgrading to the Sport trim level added a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, while EX and EX-L models included SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system was plain but functional, with two USB ports located in a convenient cubbyhole. However, the 7-inch touchscreen was small compared to competitors, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not standard across all trims.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included a pre-collision system with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, full-speed range dynamic radar adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams, lane-tracing assist, and road-sign assist. It also included a 1-year trial of Safety Connect. Optional 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, 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 in 2020.

The 2021 Honda HR-V received top “Good” scores in all IIHS crash tests and a “Superior” rating for its optional front-crash prevention tech. However, it got “Marginal” and “Poor” headlight ratings and an “Acceptable” rating for LATCH child-seat anchor ease of use. The NHTSA gave the HR-V a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in side crash testing and four stars in frontal and rollover crash testing. Honda Sensing safety features were available only on the EX and EX-L trims, including forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, Road Departure Mitigation, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, and Honda’s LaneWatch.