2022 Volvo XC60 vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 was a striking departure from its predecessors, as Toyota aimed to capture the rugged appeal of traditional SUVs. This was achieved through the vehicle's bold exterior styling, which featured boxy fender flares, chiseled taillights, and a scowling front end. This design contrasted sharply with the approachable look of previous RAV4 models and stood out in a crowded compact crossover market. The aggressive styling conveyed a sense of capability beyond that of an ordinary family vehicle.

Beneath the bodywork, the RAV4 was built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, a solid foundation shared by many other Toyota models, including sedans and minivans. This platform ensured a well-engineered base but highlighted that, while the RAV4's exterior hinted at ruggedness, it didn't quite extend to its mechanical components.

Toyota offered several trims to enhance the RAV4's visual appeal. The RAV4 Adventure model added a retro touch with an Ice Edge (white) roof and orange interior accents, while the TRD Off-Road version came with matte black 18-inch wheels, standard LED fog lights, dark gray exterior trim, and red interior details. The interior featured functional, rugged elements like large rubberized knobs and door handles, adding to the vehicle's distinctive cabin environment. However, material quality didn't significantly elevate in higher trims, and leather upholstery was not available, even in the top-level RAV4 Limited trim.

In contrast, the 2022 Volvo XC60 featured subtler styling updates that enhanced its sophistication and sporty appearance. The new front fascia incorporated vertical "air blades" on either side of the grille, giving the vehicle a slightly sportier look. A redesigned rear bumper hid the tailpipes, contributing to a cleaner aesthetic, and new wheel designs were introduced across all models. Additionally, sensors for the driver-assist systems were moved behind the heated Volvo logo on the front grille to ensure functionality in cold weather.

Built on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform, shared with other Volvo models like the XC90, S90, and V90 Cross Country, the XC60 benefited from a robust and versatile base. Its interior remained largely unchanged, retaining Volvo's signature clean design with a portrait-oriented touchscreen and minimal clutter. The XC60 R-Design trim featured luxurious touches such as aluminum mesh speaker grilles and textured seats, but overall, the interior seemed more subdued compared to other Volvo models. The Inscription trim level offered upscale touches like Nappa leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 was equipped with a single engine option – the 2.5-liter "Dynamic Force" four-cylinder engine, delivering 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired exclusively with an eight-speed automatic transmission and could be configured with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional all-wheel drive (AWD). For those seeking more power, the RAV4 Hybrid produced 219 horsepower, and the RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid offered an impressive 302 horsepower.

Despite the engine's advanced thermal efficiency of 40%, akin to racing engines, the RAV4's overall road performance was less commendable. The transmission exhibited hesitation in shifting, and while the steering was responsive, it lacked the tactile feedback that driving enthusiasts desired. The Sport driving mode mainly added weight to the steering without significantly improving the driving experience. The Dynamic Force engine's eager revving and power output contrasted with the vehicle's otherwise ordinary driving dynamics, making it less appealing for those prioritizing a spirited drive.

On the highway, the RAV4 showcased its strengths. The cabin noise levels were impressively low, and the suspension effectively absorbed road imperfections, aligning with the expectations of most RAV4 users. The Adventure and TRD Off-Road models enhanced off-road capability with features like a torque-vectoring rear axle, 8.6 inches of ground clearance, and all-terrain tires. These trims also boasted a 3,500-pound towing capacity, compared to the standard RAV4's 1,500-pound capacity.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 introduced new B5 and B6 mild-hybrid powertrains, replacing the previous T5 and T6 engines, respectively. The B5 powertrain combined a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 48-volt electrical system and integrated starter generator, producing 258 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque. The B6 variant added an electric supercharger, boosting outputs to 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Both powertrains utilized an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the B5 available in FWD or AWD, and the B6 exclusively in AWD.

While the mild-hybrid powertrains delivered slightly lower outputs than their predecessors, the XC60 B5 still achieved a respectable 0-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds (6.6 seconds with FWD), and the XC60 B6 did it in 5.9 seconds. Behind the wheel, the B6 R-Design felt smooth and adequately powerful, impressing with the mild-hybrid system's seamless power delivery. The XC60 excelled in providing a comfortable and luxurious driving experience, with a quiet cabin and ride quality enhanced by the optional air suspension.

Volvo's XC60 Recharge plug-in hybrid further elevated performance with a more aggressive electrified powertrain, delivering 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. It achieved a 0-60 mph time of 5 seconds. The XC60 Polestar Engineered model added performance enhancements, increasing output to 415 horsepower and 494 pound-feet of torque, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 4.9 seconds.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4's tall, upright roofline offered ample headroom in both rows and good outward visibility, but legroom was less competitive compared to some rivals. The front seats provided great comfort with their form-fitting design, while the rear seats were flat and firm, making long road trips less appealing for rear passengers. The standard 60/40 split-folding rear seat didn't offer the sliding capability seen in competitors like the Ford Escape or Nissan Rogue. With the rear seats in place, the RAV4 offered 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space, which was above average but fell short of the segment-leading Honda CR-V. The wide aperture eased cargo loading, though the cargo area's lip was slightly higher than in the Honda.

The XC60's interior space remained consistent for the 2022 model year, maintaining its competitive stance in passenger space. The front seats provided above-average headroom, but the XC60 ranked low for rear-seat headroom, similar to the Audi Q5. Legroom was about average in both rows. The XC60's mild-hybrid models offered 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 49.8 cubic feet with them folded. Plug-in hybrid versions had slightly reduced cargo capacities of 21.1 cubic feet and 49.3 cubic feet, respectively, placing the XC60 behind most similarly sized luxury crossovers in cargo capacity. Nevertheless, the XC60 offered a commanding driving position with good forward and rearward visibility, aided by large exterior mirrors, making driving more manageable even without reliance on driver aids.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 was equipped with a range of standard technology features, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Most trim levels featured a 7-inch touchscreen, while the Limited trim came with an 8-inch screen, and the RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid offered a 9-inch screen. The vehicle also provided up to five USB ports and an optional JBL premium audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a well-positioned touchscreen and easy-to-read graphics, complemented by shortcut buttons for essential functions like navigation and audio. However, the system lacked flashiness and did not include a head-up display, except in the RAV4 Prime model. Overall, the RAV4's infotainment system offered simplicity and ease of use, making it suitable for those who preferred a straightforward interface.

The 2022 Volvo XC60, on the other hand, received a significant tech upgrade for the model year. The 9-inch touchscreen now ran on the Android Automotive operating system, accompanied by a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. Additionally, optional features included a head-up display and premium audio systems from Harman Kardon or Bowers & Wilkins. The new operating system integrated Android-specific features, such as Google Assistant for voice control and Google Maps for navigation. Android users could sync their profiles with the car, and the Google Play Store provided access to third-party apps like Spotify. The system also supported over-the-air software updates. Despite being designed primarily for Android users, the system promised full compatibility with iPhones, though without the added personalization of syncing a Google profile. The XC60's redesigned interface utilized sideways swiping for menu access, making effective use of the screen space, and the digital instrument cluster featured a map display option, with a "Calm" setting to minimize distractions.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), achieving top "Good" scores in all crash tests and a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention. However, the RAV4 missed out on the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating due to mixed headlight ratings, with some trims receiving "Marginal" or "Poor" ratings. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the RAV4 a five-star overall rating, with four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests and five stars in side crash tests. The RAV4 came with the standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic high beams, road-sign recognition, and Lane Tracing Assist. Higher trim levels added features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic emergency braking, and park assist, with a 360-degree camera system available in certain option packages.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 had not yet received crash-test ratings from the IIHS or NHTSA for the new model year, but the similar 2021 model had achieved the IIHS's highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests, and four stars in rollover tests. The XC60's standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, automatic post-collision braking, driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert. New features for 2022 included Ready to Drive Notification, which alerted the driver when vehicles ahead moved away from a stop, and Emergency Stop Assist, designed to automatically stop the car if the driver was incapacitated. Volvo's Pilot Assist driver-assistance system, combining adaptive cruise control and automated lane centering, was also available as part of an option package, though it was no longer a standout feature among competitors.