2020 Volvo XC90 vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

The 2020 Volvo XC90 showcased a pinnacle of modern Volvo design, proving that a large SUV could be as aesthetically pleasing as a sleek sedan. The R-Design trim featured blacked-out, honeycomb grille treatments, black window surrounds, mirrors, a more aggressive chin spoiler, and bright 22-inch rims, adding a touch of elegance to its already handsome figure. The "Thor's hammer" LED headlights and tall, thin, curving LED taillights were distinctive Volvo elements. The Thunder Grey Metallic paint with a blue hue contrasted beautifully with the beige-leather and aluminum interior, emphasizing the vehicle's luxurious feel. The interior boasted high-quality materials, including leather, aluminum, and optional wool fabric seats, with heavenly sculpted seats offering power-adjustable thigh extensions and optional massage.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4, on the other hand, adopted a rugged-looking exterior reminiscent of traditional SUVs, with boxy fender flares, chiseled taillights, and a scowling front end. This aggressive styling set it apart from previous RAV4 generations and other compact crossovers. The RAV4 Adventure model added a retro look with an Ice Edge roof and orange interior accents, while the TRD Off-Road featured matte black 18-inch wheels, standard LED fog lights, dark gray exterior trim, and red interior accents. The interior included large rubberized knobs and door handles, functional touches that distinguished it from other Toyota models. However, material quality did not elevate with higher trims, and the SofTex upholstery, while durable, did not match the luxury of real leather.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission. The T5 model produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, which felt insufficient for the vehicle's size. The T6 model, with a supercharger added, delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, providing better performance. The Polestar tune upgrade boosted these numbers to 330 hp and 325 lb-ft. However, the XC90's acceleration was not linear, and the engine noise was unrefined. Fuel economy was also unimpressive, with the T6 AWD rated at 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined. The T8 plug-in hybrid offered 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, with an 11.6-kWh battery providing up to 18 gas-free miles, but the added weight negated the speed benefits.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 featured a "Dynamic Force" 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The engine achieved 40% thermal efficiency, a level typically found in racing engines, and loved to rev. However, the transmission hesitated to shift, and the steering lacked feel, making for a less dynamic driving experience. The RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Prime offered more power and better fuel economy, with the Prime delivering 302 hp. On the highway, the RAV4 excelled with low cabin noise and a comfortable suspension. Off-road, the Adventure and TRD Off-Road models featured a torque-vectoring rear axle, 8.6 inches of ground clearance, and a 3,500-pound towing capacity, but lacked the suspension articulation and angles for serious off-roading.

The 2020 Volvo XC90's Sensus infotainment system initialized quickly and responded well, though all climate controls were within the touchscreen. The cabin layout was stellar, with seven seats standard and an integrated booster cushion for young children. The six-seat configuration was available on certain trims, offering generous legroom and comfort in the first and second rows, while the third row was tight. Cargo space was up to 85.7 cubic feet with the last two rows folded, and sightlines from the driver's seat were excellent.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 provided competitive headroom and good outward visibility, but legroom was behind some competitors. The front seats were comfortable, but the rear seats had flat, hard cushions. Cargo space was 37.6 cubic feet with the rear seats in place, and the wide aperture made loading easier, though the cargo area lip was higher than in some rivals. The oversized knobs and steering-wheel controls were user-friendly, but the center-console storage was limited.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 came standard with Volvo Pilot Assist, a semi-automated driving system combining adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The Bowers & Wilkins stereo was phenomenal, with 19 speakers and 1,400 watts of power. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was high-res and easy to navigate, though onboard apps were slow to load. The instrument panel could show the map between analog-style dials but lacked major reconfiguration options.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 included standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Most trims had a 7-inch touchscreen, with higher trims offering up to a 9-inch screen. The infotainment system was user-friendly but not flashy, and the gasoline RAV4 lacked a head-up display. The interface was simple, making in-car infotainment less of a chore.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 received top safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, though the latter's headlight test lowered its rating to a Top Safety Pick. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, pedestrian detection, a driver-attention monitor, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic-sign recognition. Volvo's history of safety innovations, such as the boron steel roof and curtain airbags, underscored its commitment to passenger protection.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 earned a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, road-sign recognition, and Lane Tracing Assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic emergency braking, and park assist. A 360-degree camera system was available in certain packages.