2021 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2020 Toyota RAV4

The 2020 Toyota RAV4, following its 2019 redesign, showcased a bolder and more angular appearance, setting it apart from its traditionally cute and compact SUV rivals. The Adventure trim, introduced the previous year, enhanced its off-roading capabilities with a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, multiple driving modes, and downhill assist control. The new TRD Off-Road trim for 2020 took these features further with smaller, lighter matte-black 18-inch alloy wheels, all-terrain tires, and a special TRD suspension setup. The TRD Off-Road trim also featured unique visual elements like TRD logos, rubber floor mats, and a rubber cargo mat, contrasting with the otherwise high-quality interior materials.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, based on the Impreza hatchback, adopted a rugged crossover look with black body cladding, model-specific 17-inch wheels, and a taller ride height providing 8.7 inches of ground clearance. This transformation gave the Crosstrek a more SUV-like character, further enhanced by vibrant color options like Plasma Yellow Pearl. The Crosstrek's interior remained functional but somewhat plain, with the Sport trim adding water-repellant StarTex upholstery and some questionable design choices like clashing color accents and cheap-looking simulated carbon-fiber trim pieces.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 came with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The RAV4 Hybrid variant offered 219 horsepower and up to 40 mpg in combined driving, though it wasn't available in the TRD Off-Road trim. The non-turbo, non-hybrid powertrain in the test vehicle provided adequate performance, especially in Sport mode, but a turbocharged engine would have been preferable for high-altitude driving. The 8-speed automatic transmission generally performed well, though it occasionally struggled with gear selection. The TRD Off-Road model featured a torque-vectoring AWD system, multi-terrain select settings, and 8.6 inches of ground clearance, making it capable on various surfaces. Despite its off-road focus, the RAV4 TRD Off-Road handled urban environments well, though its all-terrain tires weren't ideal for fast mountain driving.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek introduced a new 2.5-liter boxer-four engine for the Sport and Limited trims, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The base and Premium trims continued with the 2.0-liter boxer-four engine, offering 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. The Crosstrek Hybrid plug-in hybrid remained available but unchanged for 2021. The boxer engine's lower profile provided a lower center of gravity, though the raised ride height negated some handling benefits. A six-speed manual transmission was standard on Base and Premium trims, with a CVT available as an option and standard on Sport and Limited trims. All trims featured standard AWD with torque vectoring and X-Mode for loose surfaces. The Crosstrek's handling was predictable, though body roll was noticeable due to the higher center of gravity. The new 2.5-liter engine offered better performance, but acceleration remained adequate with noticeable CVT droning.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 offered easy entry and exit, with a low and sporty driving position in the 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 on hot days, but the Weather Package added heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Rear-seat legroom was generous, with air conditioning vents and USB ports for passengers. The RAV4 provided 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. The test vehicle also had a robust roof rack and an optional hands-free power liftgate.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offered the same front and rear legroom as the Impreza hatchback, with slightly more rear headroom. Cargo space was 20.8 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 55.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. While competitive in passenger space, the Crosstrek lagged behind some rivals in cargo capacity. CVT-equipped models featured a rear-seat reminder to prevent leaving children or pets unattended. The front cabin included a handy cubby hole with USB and auxiliary ports, though rear-seat passengers had no USB ports. Storage space was minimal, but bottle holders in the doors were a plus. The driving position felt higher than the Impreza's, but visibility was good thanks to large side windows and a low front fascia.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 featured a user-friendly infotainment system with a 7- or 8-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim level. The 8-inch system in the TRD Off-Road trim suffered from glare but was otherwise easy to use, with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, and multiple connected services packages. A 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was free for three months or 2GB of data. The system included 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 Subaru Crosstrek used the Starlink infotainment system with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. Premium and Sport trims added WiFi, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a single-disc CD player. An 8-inch touchscreen with navigation was standard on the Limited trim and optional on lower trims. The Crosstrek also featured a second screen above the main touchscreen for additional information. The 8-inch touchscreen in the test car was easy to navigate and responsive, with large analog knobs and buttons for audio volume and climate control. Chunky buttons on the steering wheel controlled EyeSight driver-assistance features.

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

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side crash tests and four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests. The IIHS awarded the 2020 model a Top Safety Pick rating, which likely applied to the 2021 model as well. EyeSight driver-assist features included adaptive cruise control with lane centering, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, reverse automatic braking, lane-change assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The adaptive cruise control worked well but struggled with highway curves. EyeSight's cameras were protected behind the windshield but could be blocked by wipers or direct sunlight.