2021 Toyota Venza vs 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

At first glance, the 2021 Toyota Venza looks more like a Lexus than a typical Toyota, which is fitting, because the Venza is anything but typical. The new Venza blends a new approach to in-car technology with fresh exterior and interior design.

Like the Nissan Murano, Honda Passport, Ford Edge, and Chevrolet Blazer, the Venza is a two-row SUV meant to be more sophisticated than the family-friendly Nissan Rogue, Honda CR-V, Chevrolet Equinox, and Toyota RAV4. There is no three-row Venza option.

It also comes only with a hybrid powertrain—for better or worse—something that its competition is lacking. All-wheel drive is also standard. That's also offered by the competition, but only as a costly upgrade.

The Venza’s $32,470 starting price is slightly higher than the Murano and Blazer, but it comes with the traditionally-more-expensive hybrid powertrain. Is the hybrid worth shelling out a little more for?

A 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid pays for itself in a little more than three years. We’ll show you the math later in this review, but based on national averages, it goes from being more expensive to buy to saving you money after about 40 months of ownership.

Toyota sells the 2021 RAV4 Hybrid in LE, XLE, XLE Premium, XSE, and Limited trim levels. Pricing runs from $28,650 to $37,180, plus a $1,175 destination charge that can vary depending on your region.

The XLE Premium trim is new for the 2021 model year and adds a super chrome wheel finish, a power sunroof, SofTex leatherette upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, and more.