2021 Volvo XC40 vs 2020 Toyota RAV4

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 presented a bold and angular design, a departure from its traditionally cute appearance, aligning with its reputation for durability. The Adventure trim, introduced in the previous year, enhanced its off-roading capabilities with a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, multiple driving modes, and downhill assist control. The TRD Off-Road trim further elevated its ruggedness with smaller, lighter wheels, all-terrain tires, and a specialized suspension setup. Despite these enhancements, the TRD Off-Road maintained the RAV4's signature look, with subtle distinctions like unique wheels and badges. The interior featured TRD logos, rubber mats, and a mix of quality materials, contrasting with some less expensive-looking plastics.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 embraced a more traditional SUV styling, with a tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, fitting seamlessly into the Volvo lineup with signature design elements like “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights. The XC40 Recharge distinguished itself with a blanked-off grille and model-specific wheels, offering a subtle nod to its electric nature. Built on Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture, the XC40 accommodated both gasoline and electric powertrains. Inside, the XC40 boasted a minimalist design with high-quality materials, including real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery. The interior design was cohesive, with elements like the portrait-oriented touchscreen and air vents blending harmoniously.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 was equipped 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 impressive fuel efficiency, achieving up to 40 mpg in combined driving, though it was not available in the TRD Off-Road trim. The TRD Off-Road model featured a torque-vectoring AWD system, multi-terrain select settings, and 8.6 inches of ground clearance, making it adept at handling various terrains. Despite its off-road prowess, the RAV4 TRD Off-Road was also well-suited for urban environments, with features like a 360-degree surround-view camera and a JBL premium sound system. However, its fuel economy averaged 23.4 mpg, falling short of the EPA estimate.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge model at the top. The gasoline options included a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine, with the base FWD T4 producing 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, and the AWD T5 delivering 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge model, sharing its powertrain with the Polestar 2, boasted 402 hp and 486 lb-ft, with a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The Recharge accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, while the T5 and T4 achieved the same in 6.1 and 8.1 seconds, respectively. The XC40 emphasized luxury and comfort, with excellent ride quality and one-pedal driving capability. The Recharge also offered a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 provided easy access with well-positioned seating hip points and a sporty driving position. The driver's seat was 8-way adjustable, while the front passenger seat offered good thigh support despite lacking height adjustment. The RAV4 TRD Off-Road featured SofTex upholstery, with optional heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom, air conditioning vents, and USB ports. The RAV4 offered ample interior storage, with a dashboard shelf and a cargo space of 37.6 cubic feet, expandable to 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. A robust roof rack and optional hands-free power liftgate enhanced its utility.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge shared passenger and cargo space with its gasoline counterparts, though it was less spacious than competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. The XC40 offered clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin in the center console and a bag hook in the glovebox door. The Harman Kardon audio system's speakers were relocated to the dashboard, allowing for larger door bins. The storage cubby ahead of the shifter was designed to hold a phone securely, with an optional wireless charging pad and a standard USB-C port. However, second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 featured a user-friendly infotainment system with a 7- or 8-inch touchscreen display, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. The system included SiriusXM satellite radio and connected services with free trial periods. A 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was available for a limited time. The TRD Off-Road trim came with an optional Technology Package, adding wireless smartphone charging, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and a digital rear-view mirror. The voice-recognition technology was notably effective, quickly responding to commands and offering accurate navigation.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge introduced the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, featuring Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity, with a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge model offered OTA update capability, allowing for software updates without visiting a dealership. The XC40 Recharge lacked a start button, instead relying on a key fob for operation. The Polestar 2's Digital Key feature was expected to be available via OTA update, though not yet confirmed for the XC40.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering advanced safety features like Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, radar adaptive cruise control, and lane departure alert with steering assist. The RAV4 also included a free 1-year subscription to Safety Connect services, providing automatic collision notification and enhanced roadside assistance. The IIHS awarded the RAV4 a Top Safety Pick rating, contingent on models equipped with full LED, curve adaptive headlights.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. The XC40 came with standard safety features like lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included traffic-sign recognition and Volvo’s Pilot Assist driver-assistance system. The Recharge model featured Volvo’s latest sensor suite, capable of future updates for advanced driver aids.