2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid had a rugged and angular design, a departure from its previous soft-roader styling. Its front fascia, reminiscent of the Toyota 4Runner, featured stacked, trapezoidal apertures and a perforated grille, giving it a mean and mechanical look. Dark trim around the wheel wells and doorsills suggested it was more than just a grocery-getter, hinting at off-road capabilities. The interior was simple and functional, with tasteful shiny bits of trim. While leather upholstery was unavailable, the Softex seats and interior materials were of good quality, though not quite as nice as some competitors like the Honda CR-V Hybrid.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited, despite being fully loaded, looked similar to a standard rental car RAV4. It lacked the larger wheels found on the non-hybrid RAV4 Limited and did not offer an Adventure trim level. The electronic AWD system was not up to the task of more rugged adventures. Inside, the RAV4 Hybrid was stylish and practical, with a mix of impressive materials and glossy hard plastics. However, a rattle from the license plate vibrating on the tailgate was noted. The interior was functional, with clear instrumentation and well-placed controls, but the quality was hit-and-miss.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter, 176-horsepower four-cylinder gasoline engine with two electric motors, producing a total of 219 horsepower. It boasted an impressive combined EPA fuel economy rating of 40 miles per gallon, which was consistently achievable in real-world testing. The hybrid system provided plenty of instantaneous electric power, making it quicker to accelerate than the non-hybrid model. The regenerative braking was smooth, and the electric motor assist was nearly seamless. The RAV4 Hybrid could tow up to 1,750 pounds and had a light steering and soft suspension, making it easy to drive.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid also featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine paired with front and rear electric motors, generating 219 horsepower. The front electric motor produced 149 pound-feet of torque, while the rear motor generated 89 lb-ft. The RAV4 Hybrid offered several driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, Trail, and EV. The EPA rated it at 40 mpg in combined driving, and it averaged 39.7 mpg in testing. The continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) operated transparently, and the regenerative braking system was smooth. The steering was nicely weighted, and the suspension design maximized ride and handling qualities. However, the tires provided low levels of grip, affecting cornering performance.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid had excellent ergonomics, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen (an 8-inch screen was optional) positioned prominently atop the center dashboard. The climate controls were simple and well thought out, and the center console had ample storage space. The rear seat offered impressive legroom, and the cargo compartment was capacious, with 37.6 cubic feet of trunk capacity and 98.9 cubic feet of passenger volume. The hybrid hardware did not intrude on interior or cargo space.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid provided comfort with an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a heated steering wheel, and heated and ventilated front cushions. The rear seat offered decent legroom and excellent foot space, with a reclining backrest and air conditioning vents. The dashboard was well-arranged, with oversized climate control knobs and useful stereo knobs. Storage was accommodating, with useful shelves and a roomy 37.5 cubic-foot cargo area. Folding the rear seats down increased the cargo space to 69.8 cubic feet.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid introduced Android Auto, joining Apple CarPlay and SiriusXM Radio as standard features. The 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, and drivers could select different drive modes, including Eco, Sport, and Trail.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered infotainment systems with either a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen display, supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The top-shelf system included an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system, dynamic navigation, and voice recognition. The 8-inch display was user-friendly, with shortcut buttons and stereo knobs. The RAV4 Hybrid also featured impressive camera-based technology, including a 360-degree surround-view camera system and a rearview camera mirror.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included a pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, lane-tracing assist, and road-sign assist. It also included a 1-year trial of Safety Connect. The RAV4 Hybrid received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid also featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and lane-centering assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning were standard on all but the Hybrid LE trim level. The RAV4 Hybrid received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and top marks from the IIHS, except for its headlights.