2020 Jeep Wrangler vs 2020 Toyota RAV4

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 had undergone a significant transformation with its 2019 redesign, moving away from its previous "cute 'ute" image to adopt a bolder, more angular appearance. This tougher exterior aimed to visually match the durability that the RAV4 had always been known for. The TRD Off-Road trim emphasized its rugged look with unique features like smaller and lighter matte-black 18-inch alloy wheels, all-terrain tires, and a special TRD suspension setup, resulting in a compelling appearance and practicality on various surfaces. The test version, dressed in Lunar Rock gray paint with a contrasting white roof, showcased an exterior that cleverly hid dirt. Inside, the TRD Off-Road contained TRD logos on the front-seat head restraints with rubber floor mats to prepare for dirt, all while ensuring a blend of quality construction and practicality.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler, unmistakable on the road, retained its iconic styling with circular headlights, a seven-slat grille, and a boxy design. The Wrangler stood out with its exposed hinges and bolts and a removable top, giving it a distinctive industrial look. Inside, although the Wrangler couldn't offer the flowing dash design common in many new crossovers, it embraced a retro aesthetic with circular climate vents and gauges. The Rubicon trim we explored exemplified the Wrangler’s rugged nature with mud-terrain tires, a lifted off-road suspension, and plenty of mechanical upgrades. The interior objectives remained rooted in utility, with trims offering varying degrees of sophistication while maintaining the Wrangler’s adventurous spirit.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road model came equipped with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Though a hybrid version offered higher power and fuel efficiency, it wasn't available in the TRD Off-Road trim. The engine functioned sufficiently for the class, offering a smooth and responsive drive, especially in Sport mode. An 8-speed automatic transmission handled power allocation, though it occasionally faced challenges finding the correct gear. Off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like a torque-vectoring AWD system, multi-terrain select settings, and 8.6 inches of ground clearance. The RAV4 TRD Off-Road demonstrated its prowess by tackling challenging trails with ease.

Conversely, the 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited boasted a base 3.6-liter V6 engine, delivering 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, available with a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission. A 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine offered an alternative with 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Particularly notable was the new 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel engine providing 260 horsepower and a robust 442 pound-feet of torque. This engine excelled in low-speed maneuvers and highway overtaking, despite the abrupt engine shutoff feature. On highways, the Wrangler produced substantial road noise and had a steering setup reminiscent of driving a truck. However, its true strength lay in off-road performance, easily navigating rocks and ruts using features like locking differentials and a disconnecting front sway bar. Fuel economy for the diesel engine reached up to 25 mpg combined, a considerable improvement over other engine options.

Entering the 2020 Toyota RAV4 was a smooth experience, thanks to well-positioned seating hip points. Inside, the 8-way adjustable driver's seat offered a sporty driving position, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustability. The SofTex upholstery could trap sweat, but the optional Weather Package ensured comfort with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Rear seats provided ample legroom, making it suitable for adults and children alike. Generous interior storage, particularly a handy dashboard shelf, complemented the spacious design. Cargo capacity behind the back seat stood at 37.6 cubic feet, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the seats folded, and a roof rack with crossbars extended its utility.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, available as a two-door Wrangler or the four-door Unlimited, featured a design conducive to customization. Doors could be removed, and the windshield folded down. Roof options varied, with a base soft top providing ease of retraction, and hardtops offering more protection. The Sky One-Touch roof provided a retractable cloth roof without manual labor. With the rear bench folded, the Wrangler Unlimited offered 72 cubic feet of cargo space, less than the RAV4. This highlighted the trade-off between the Wrangler’s unique attributes and the practical cargo space offered by competitors like the RAV4.

The technology in the 2020 Toyota RAV4 aimed to be user-friendly and intuitive. Depending on the trim, the RAV4 featured a 7- or 8-inch touchscreen display with built-in Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, and connected services packages. While glare on the display was an issue, the infotainment system's design made operations straightforward. Optional upgrades included a navigation system, JBL premium sound system, and advanced voice-recognition technology. The TRD Off-Road trim's Technology Package added wireless smartphone charging, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and a digital rear-view mirror, enhancing the user experience.

For the 2020 Jeep Wrangler, the Sport and Sport S trims offered a basic 5-inch touchscreen system with essential connectivity features. The Rubicon and Sahara included a 7-inch touchscreen with a more advanced Uconnect system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. These features were also accessible for the Sport S via the Technology package. The higher trims could be equipped with an 8.4-inch Uconnect system that incorporated navigation, HD Radio, real-time traffic and weather updates, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, and automatic high beams. This package also included an Alpine premium audio system, delivering impressive sound quality even at highway speeds.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, a comprehensive suite of safety features including a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, radar adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, front and rear parking assist with automated braking, and blind spot assist with rear cross-traffic alert. This suite operated smoothly, encouraging drivers to keep the features activated. Toyota also provided a free one-year subscription to Safety Connect services, offering automatic collision notification, SOS emergency assistance, and enhanced roadside assistance. The RAV4 received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though this applied only to models with the full LED, curve adaptive headlights.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler’s standard safety features included airbags, electronic roll mitigation, and a backup camera ingeniously placed on the hub of the external spare tire. Safety packages offered rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, adaptive cruise control, and full-speed forward-collision warning. These features significantly improved visibility and safety, especially considering the Wrangler's challenging sightlines. Our test model also featured automatic high beams, enhancing night driving safety.