2021 Volvo XC90 vs 2020 Toyota RAV4

The 2020 Toyota RAV4, following its 2019 redesign, presented a bolder and more angular appearance, distinguishing itself from its traditionally cute ‘ute rivals like the Mazda CX-5 and Honda CR-V. The Adventure trim from the previous year enhanced its off-roading capabilities with a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, multiple driving modes, and downhill assist control, making it a more rugged option. The 2020 model introduced the TRD Off-Road trim, which further elevated its off-road prowess with smaller, lighter matte-black 18-inch alloy wheels, all-terrain tires, and a specialized TRD suspension setup. The TRD Off-Road trim was visually similar to the Adventure trim, with unique wheels, tires, and badges, and featured a Lunar Rock gray paint option with a white roof. Inside, the TRD Off-Road version included TRD logos, rubber floor mats, and a rubber cargo mat, contrasting with the quality construction and soft-touch materials.

The 2021 Volvo XC90, on the other hand, successfully reshaped Volvo's image with its design, maintaining traditional styling features like a boxy profile and rectangular grille while adding character with softer lines, more chrome, and distinctive LED headlights. The Inscription trim, with extra chrome trim and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the flashiest of the XC90 trims, while the R-Design offered a sportier look, and the Momentum served as the base model. The XC90 shared Volvo's Scalable Product Architecture with other models, and its interior embodied Swedish minimalism with thoughtfully arranged, high-quality materials. The matte-finish wood trim and optional wool upholstery added a natural touch, while the Orrefors crystal shifter provided a high-end feel, albeit slightly out of place in the otherwise restrained interior.

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 up to 40 mpg in combined driving, though it wasn't available with the TRD Off-Road trim. The non-turbo, non-hybrid powertrain of the test vehicle delivered satisfactory performance, especially in Sport mode, though 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 of handling challenging trails. Despite its off-road focus, the RAV4 TRD Off-Road was well-suited for urban environments, with a 360-degree camera system and a JBL premium sound system enhancing the driving experience. The test vehicle averaged 23.4 mpg, slightly below the EPA estimate of 27 mpg.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all based on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 engine was turbocharged, producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the T6 added supercharging for 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid combined the T6 engine with electric assist, delivering 400 hp and 472 lb-ft. The T5 came with FWD, with AWD optional, while AWD was standard on the T6 and T8. Despite the T8's impressive power, the small engine struggled with flexibility compared to competitors' six-cylinder or V8 engines. The XC90 offered three drive modes—Pure, Hybrid, and Power—but Pure mode was limited to low speeds. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and maintained a quiet cabin. Most models had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, though the base T5 was rated at 4,000 pounds.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 offered easy access with well-positioned seating hip points and a sporty driving position in the 8-way adjustable driver's seat. The front passenger seat lacked height adjustment but provided good support. The TRD Off-Road trim featured SofTex upholstery, which could trap sweat, but the optional Weather Package added heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The rear seat provided ample legroom for adults and children, with air conditioning vents and USB ports for convenience. Interior storage was generous, with a dashboard shelf and cargo space of 37.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the seat folded. The test vehicle included a robust roof rack and an optional hands-free power liftgate.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with second-row captain’s chairs or a bench seat. Headroom and legroom were average for the segment, with the third row being tight for adults. The seats in the second and third rows lacked support. An optional power moonroof and upright roof profile enhanced the interior's spacious feel. The Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with backrest massage, though the steering wheel wasn't power-adjustable. Storage space was limited, with a shallow center console and few console storage options. Cargo space was 11.2 cubic feet with all seats in place, 34.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded, making it one of the smaller options in the segment. A hands-free power tailgate was available.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4's technology was user-friendly, with a 7- or 8-inch touchscreen display, though the latter suffered from glare. The TRD Off-Road trim included an 8-inch system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, and connected services. A 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was free for three months or 2GB of data. The system featured menu shortcut buttons and separate climate controls. Upgrades included navigation and a JBL premium sound system. The voice-recognition technology was impressive, accurately responding to commands. The optional Technology Package added wireless smartphone charging, a 360-degree camera, and a digital rear-view mirror with adjustable camera settings.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a WiFi hotspot. Standard USB ports included two front USB-A and two rear USB-C. A 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system and head-up display were optional. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was intuitive, with a tablet-like interface, though the text and typeface made reading menus difficult while driving. The wireless charging pad was too small for most phones, and the lack of front USB-C ports was a drawback for newer phones.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including features like Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, radar adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, and blind spot assist with rear cross-traffic alert. The systems operated smoothly, encouraging drivers to keep them active. Toyota offered a free 1-year subscription to Safety Connect services, including collision notification and emergency assistance. The RAV4 received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, but only with full LED, curve adaptive headlights. It received top marks for crash protection and ADAS performance.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention tech. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. The XC90 offered extensive standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and Pilot Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with lane centering. Pilot Assist was smooth and responsive, though it struggled with highway curves.