2021 Jeep Wrangler vs 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid had a complete redesign in 2019, moving away from its previous soft-roader styling to a tougher, more angular look. Its front fascia bore a resemblance to Toyota’s 4Runner, featuring stacked, trapezoidal apertures and a perforated grille that gave it a mean, mechanical appearance. Dark trim around the wheel wells and doorsills added to its rugged aesthetic, suggesting that the RAV4 Hybrid was more than just a fuel-efficient grocery-getter; it was also capable of off-road adventures. Inside, the RAV4 Hybrid offered a simple and functional design with tasteful shiny trim. While it lacked luxury features like leather upholstery, the base fabric seats were comfortable, and the interior materials were of good quality, though not quite as nice as some competitors like the Honda CR-V Hybrid.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited maintained its iconic styling, recognizable by its circular headlights, seven-slat grille, exposed bolts and hinges, and protruding bumpers and fenders. Depending on the trim level, the Wrangler could have different looks, with options for painted or exposed fenders, soft tops or hardtops, and other individual styling touches. Inside, the Wrangler was not as comfortable as car-based SUVs, with upright seating, limited legroom, and somewhat awkward seat adjustments. However, for the right type of driver, these features added to its charm. The Wrangler Unlimited was available in several trims, including the Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and Rubicon, each offering varying levels of comfort and off-road capability.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter, 176-horsepower four-cylinder gasoline engine with two electric motors, resulting in a total output of 219 horsepower. Its most impressive specification was its combined EPA fuel economy rating of 40 miles per gallon, a figure that was consistently achievable in real-world driving. The RAV4 Hybrid’s powertrain was cleverly designed, with the first electric motor delivering up to 118 hp to the front wheels and the second motor providing 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. The hybrid system provided plenty of instantaneous electric power, making the RAV4 Hybrid quicker to accelerate than its non-hybrid counterpart. It also offered smooth regenerative braking and the ability to tow up to 1,750 pounds.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a variety of powertrains, including a standard 3.6-liter V6 with 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, available with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. Other powertrain options included a mild-hybrid eTorque variant of the 3.6-liter V6, a 270-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 producing 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. The Wrangler also introduced a plug-in hybrid variant, the Wrangler 4xe, with 275 hp and up to 22 miles of electric range. For those seeking extreme power, the Rubicon 392 featured a 6.4-liter V8 engine with 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, turning the Wrangler into an off-road supercar. The Rubicon 392 also included beefed-up frame-rails, a 2-inch lift with Fox shock absorbers, and upgraded brakes, making it highly capable on challenging trails.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid featured excellent ergonomics, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen (an optional 8-inch screen) positioned prominently atop the center dashboard. The center console provided space for a cell phone, two cupholders, and a large storage bin under the armrest. While the cabin could be quieter, the RAV4 Hybrid’s electric drive mitigated engine noise, making it more pleasant on long trips. The rear seat offered impressive legroom, comfortably accommodating three adults, and 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 Jeep Wrangler offered multiple top options, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top, a premium black cloth soft top, and a classic-looking tan soft top. The Freedom top was a three-piece hardtop with removable panels, available in black or body color. The Sky one-touch power top, featured on the Rubicon 392, allowed for easy open-air driving. Inside, the Wrangler’s cabin was functional, with a small center console bin, glovebox, and in-door cargo nets. The Wrangler Unlimited provided 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, though the wheel-wells and roll-bars could make it harder to fit larger items.

For the first time in 2020, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered Android Auto, joining Apple CarPlay and SiriusXM Radio as standard features. These technologies provided excellent infotainment options, surpassing Toyota’s proprietary Entune multimedia software. The RAV4 Hybrid also offered WiFi Connect with a 3-month, 2GB trial. The vehicle included a USB-A port on the dash and additional USB-A charging ports in higher trims. The RAV4 Hybrid featured “Predictive Efficient Drive,” which improved the hybrid system’s efficiency by using data from multiple sources. Drivers could select different drive modes, including “Eco,” “Sport,” and “Trail,” to optimize performance.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler Sport came with a basic 5-inch screen, but higher trims offered a 7-inch or 8.4-inch Uconnect screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger screens had crisp graphics and intuitive layouts, complemented by radio toggles on the back of the steering wheel. The Rubicon 392 featured a color TFT screen in the instrument panel and a clever off-road camera nestled between the front grille slats, providing a clear view of the trail ahead.

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, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams, lane-tracing assist, and road-sign assist. The RAV4 Hybrid also included a 1-year trial of Safety Connect. Optional 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered optional modern driver-assistance features, including forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring. However, lane-departure warning was not available. The Wrangler included a backup camera with dynamic guidelines and a live tire-pressure monitoring system, useful for off-roading. The Wrangler’s safety features were basic compared to other vehicles in its class.