2021 Jeep Wrangler vs 2020 Toyota RAV4

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 had a bold and angular redesign in 2019, giving it a tougher appearance while maintaining its reputation for durability. The Adventure trim improved off-roading capabilities with a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, multiple driving modes, and 8.6 inches of ground clearance. The new TRD Off-Road trim for 2020 took things further with matte-black 18-inch alloy wheels, all-terrain tires, and a TRD suspension setup, providing a versatile ride on various surfaces. The TRD Off-Road was distinguishable by its wheels, tires, and badges, and featured a Lunar Rock gray paint with a white roof, which hid dirt well. Inside, it had TRD logos, rubber floor mats, and a rubber cargo mat, contrasting with some inexpensive-looking plastic.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler retained its iconic styling with circular headlights, a seven-slat grille, and exposed bolts and hinges. Depending on the trim level, it could have painted or exposed fenders, a soft top or hardtop, and other unique touches. The Wrangler was not as comfortable as car-based SUVs, with upright seating, limited legroom, and somewhat awkward seat adjustments. However, for the right driver, these were charming features. The Wrangler Unlimited came in various trims, including Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and Rubicon, with special editions like Willys, 80th Anniversary, Freedom, Islander, and High Altitude. The Sport trim was basic, while the Sport S added some creature comforts. The Sahara was more street-oriented, and the Rubicon was ideal for off-roading enthusiasts.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 featured a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The RAV4 Hybrid model delivered 219 horsepower and up to 40 mpg in combined driving but was not available in the TRD Off-Road trim. The non-turbo, non-hybrid powertrain provided good performance, especially in Sport mode, though a turbocharged engine would have been preferable at high altitudes. The 8-speed automatic transmission generally worked well but occasionally struggled with gear selection. The TRD Off-Road model had a torque-vectoring AWD system, multi-terrain select settings, and 8.6 inches of ground clearance, making it capable on various terrains. The RAV4 averaged 23.4 mpg, below the EPA estimate of 27 mpg, but performed well in urban settings and off-road trails.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a range of powertrains, including a standard 3.6-liter V6 with 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, available with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. Other options included a mild-hybrid eTorque variant, a 270-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. The Wrangler had three 4WD systems: Command-Trac, Select-Trac, and Rock-Trac, with the Rubicon featuring front-and-rear locking differentials and a disconnecting front sway bar. The Rubicon 392 had a 6.4-liter V8 engine with 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, turning it into an off-road supercar. The 392 also had beefed-up frame-rails, a 2-inch lift with Fox shock absorbers, and upgraded brakes, along with a dual-mode performance exhaust.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 had easy ingress and egress, with a low and sporty driving position in an 8-way adjustable driver's seat. The front passenger seat lacked height adjustment but provided good thigh support. The TRD Off-Road trim featured SofTex upholstery, which could trap sweat, but the Weather Package added heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The rear seat offered generous legroom, and interior storage was ample, with a dashboard shelf and 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat, expandable to 69.8 cu-ft. The test vehicle also had a robust roof rack and an optional hands-free power liftgate.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered various top options, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top, a premium black cloth soft top, and a classic tan soft top. The Freedom top was a three-piece hardtop with removable panels, available in black or body color, with optional insulation. The Rubicon 392 featured the Sky one-touch power top, a power-retractable canvas panel that operated at speeds up to 60 mph. The Wrangler's cabin was functional, with a small center console bin, glovebox, and in-door cargo nets, along with drain plugs for easy cleaning. The Wrangler Unlimited provided 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 72.4 cu-ft with the seats folded.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4's technology was user-friendly and useful. Depending on the trim, it came with a 7- or 8-inch touchscreen display, with the 8-inch system standard in the TRD Off-Road. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, and multiple connected services packages. A 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was free for 3 months or 2GB of data. The system had menu shortcut buttons, stereo volume and tuning knobs, and separate climate controls. Upgrades included an embedded navigation system and a JBL premium sound system. The TRD Off-Road's voice-recognition technology was impressive, and the optional Technology Package added wireless smartphone charging, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and a digital rear-view mirror.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler Sport came with a basic 5-inch screen, but the 7-inch Uconnect screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was recommended. The 7-inch screen was optional on the Sport S and standard on other trims, with an optional 8.4-inch Uconnect screen. Both larger screens had crisp graphics and intuitive layouts, with radio toggles on the back of the steering wheel. The Rubicon 392 featured a color TFT screen in the instrument panel and an off-road camera nestled between the front grille slats, providing a clear view of the trail ahead and equipped with its own washer-sprayer.

The 2020 RAV4 included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0), featuring advanced driving assist safety features like 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. Toyota also offered a free 1-year subscription to Safety Connect services, including automatic collision notification, an activated SOS emergency assistance button, and enhanced roadside assistance. The RAV4 received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, but only with full LED, curve adaptive headlights.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler had optional modern driver-assistance features like forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring. However, lane-departure warning was not available. The Wrangler came with a backup camera with dynamic guidelines and a live tire-pressure monitoring system, useful for off-roading. The Wrangler's safety features were basic, especially in the base configuration.