2021 Volvo XC40 vs 2022 Toyota RAV4

The 2021 Volvo XC40 had a traditional SUV styling, featuring a tall, flat roof and an upright rear hatch. It seamlessly fit into the Volvo lineup with its “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and simple oval grille. Gasoline models offered a white contrasting roof for a retro look. The XC40 Recharge, the electric variant, was distinguished by a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, and model-specific alloy wheels. It also featured a gloss black roof and mirror caps, a different rear bumper, and a unique Sage Green Metallic color. The interior was minimalist yet premium, with high-quality materials like Nappa leather and Nubuck textile, and a coherent design that melded elements like the portrait-oriented touchscreen and air vents into a pleasing whole.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4, a mature crossover SUV, evolved from its original 1996 model. The latest iteration, part of a 2019 redesign, often topped the SUV sales charts in the U.S. Its exterior styling, while fitting the general crossover design, had angular flourishes in the wheel arches and crisp lines contrasting with organic body-side bends. The expressive headlights, snub-nosed grille, and grinning lower fascia openings created a playful yet aggressive look. Inside, the RAV4 featured a layered dash with contrasting textures and colors, anchored by an uncomplicated center stack. The touchscreen interface was positioned for minimal driver distraction, and the interior design included distinctive cues like a circuit-board-inspired geometric pattern.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup. The base FWD T4 had a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. The AWD T5 variant upped the ante with 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The electric XC40 Recharge, sharing its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featured dual electric motors for AWD, delivering a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft. It had a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack, with 75 kWh usable capacity, enabling a 0-60 mph sprint in 4.7 seconds. The T5 and T4 models achieved 0-60 mph in 6.1 and 8.1 seconds, respectively. All versions were electronically limited to 112 mph. The Recharge emphasized quiet and comfort, offering excellent ride quality even on rough roads, and featured one-pedal driving using regenerative braking. It also had a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 offered three powertrains. The gasoline-only model had a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. FWD models achieved 27-28 mpg city/35 mpg highway/30 mpg combined, while AWD models had slightly lower fuel economy. The RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter engine with an electric motor for 217 hp, achieving 41 mpg city/38 mpg highway/40 mpg combined. The RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid, with a 2.5-liter engine and an 18.1-kWh battery pack, produced 302 hp and could run up to 42 miles on electricity alone, with an efficiency rating of 94 MPGe combined. The gasoline Adventure AWD model provided smooth power delivery and good punch on the highway, with a familiar eight-speed transmission. The RAV4 retained car-like handling, with a four-wheel independent suspension and AWD models featuring Multi-Terrain Select and dynamic torque vectoring.

The 2021 Volvo XC40, both in gasoline and electric variants, offered the same passenger and cargo space. However, it was less spacious compared to competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E, with less legroom and headroom, and a smaller cargo area. The frunk was also small due to powertrain hardware. Despite this, Volvo included clever storage solutions like a removable trash bin in the center console, a bag hook in the glovebox door, and extra-large door bins by moving the Harman Kardon system's speakers to the dashboard. A wireless charging pad was optional, but second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4, classified as a small SUV, offered up to 37.5 cubic feet of luggage space behind the second row, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the second row folded flat. It had a healthy payload capacity of 1,050-1,230 pounds, depending on configuration. Towing capacities varied, with Adventure and TRD Off-Road models capable of towing up to 3,500 pounds. Inside, the RAV4 was roomy and comfortable for four, with plenty of space in the front row and adequate storage options. The second-row middle seat was less comfortable but manageable for short trips.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, integrating Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity, with a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge also had OTA update capability for software-controlled vehicle functions. It lacked a start button, allowing drivers to simply shift out of park with the key fob on their person.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 offered a range of technology features across its trims. Base models included a 7-inch touchscreen, six-speaker audio, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM, Safety Connect, Service Connect, and Wi-Fi Connect. Higher trims upgraded to a 9-inch touchscreen and an 11-speaker JBL audio system with navigation. The RAV4 Prime featured five USB ports, two auxiliary power outlets, an available 120-volt AC power outlet, blue ambient illumination, a Qi-compatible wireless charging pad, a bird’s-eye view camera system, and a 10-inch head-up display.

The gasoline 2021 Volvo XC40 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, rear parking sensors, hill-start assist, and hill-descent control. Optional features included traffic-sign recognition, reverse automatic emergency braking, a driver-alertness monitor, run-off road mitigation, oncoming lane mitigation, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist system. The Recharge model had a scalable sensor suite for future driver aids.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 came with Toyota’s Star Safety System, including enhanced vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock braking, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and smart stop technology. It also had LATCH child-seat anchors, child-guard locks, Safety Connect, and eight airbags. Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 was standard, featuring a pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, lane-tracing assist, and road sign assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front and rear parking assist. The RAV4 was an IIHS Top Safety Pick, with the RAV4 Prime earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating. The NHTSA awarded the RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid five-star ratings.