2023 Toyota RAV4 vs 2023 Toyota Venza

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 was presented to buyers in six trim levels, offering a broad spectrum from the sub-$30K RAV4 LE to the more luxurious RAV4 Limited, renowned for its ventilated seats. Two of the trims, the Adventure and TRD Off-Road, catered specifically to off-road enthusiasts, although they differed significantly in their capabilities. The 2023 RAV4 retained the design language introduced in 2019, particularly on the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims, identified by their two-part front fascia.

Our tests focused on the Adventure trim, which featured a more aggressive grille design and repositioned the Toyota badge downwards. The blacked-out wheels and faux skid plate contributed to its rugged aesthetics, but only the TRD Off-Road version got a real skid plate. The Adventure trim included bold black cladding around the wheel arches, although it was more oriented towards appearance than functionality. Inside, the Adventure trim was distinguished by orange interior accents. The seats bore a central stripe and contrast stitching, while orange plastic borders enhanced the otherwise basic center console.

Our RAV4 came with a frameless rearview mirror, offering a touch of sophistication amidst a fairly standard interior. Shoppers seeking a touch of luxury were directed towards the Toyota Venza, which shared the same platform but offered a more car-like and premium experience. The RAV4’s trim variations featured a range of upholstery options, from fabric seats in the LE and XLE trims to synthetic leather (SofTex) in the XLE Premium. The highest trims provided heated and ventilated power-adjustable front seats, with heated rear seats and steering wheel available through option packages. Dual-zone climate control was standard across all trims except the base LE.

Contrastingly, the 2023 Toyota Venza offered a midsize crossover SUV package with a sleek and sculpted design. Unlike the traditionally boxy SUVs, the Venza’s design exuded elegance, often mistaken for a Lexus. Its rear roofline tapered sharply to the taillights, managing to avoid the weak appearance typical of some coupe-like SUVs. The Venza's curves harmonized seamlessly, giving it a more Mazda-like aesthetic and avoiding the awkward side bulges common in other Toyota SUVs.

Inside, the Venza borrowed heavily from the Toyota RAV4, but with significant upgrades. It featured a similar dashboard and center stack, but with higher-quality materials and better integration of temperature control buttons instead of large dials. The Venza’s interior approached Lexus-level luxury, with more soft-touch surfaces and substantial materials surpassing the typical vinyl-like coverings of its more affordable counterparts. Overall, the 2023 Venza stood out as one of Toyota's best-looking vehicles, both inside and out, offering a sense of grace and cohesiveness missing in other models.

For the 2023 Toyota RAV4, the standard powertrain included a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. This engine was mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, a preferable choice over the CVT found in some competitors like the Honda CR-V. Despite this, the drivetrain did not deliver thrilling performance, falling closer to "unobjectionable" rather than "exciting." However, what it lacked in speed, it compensated for in noise, remaining audible without reaching the loudness of some competitors like the Subaru Forester.

The Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims defaulted to all-wheel drive (AWD), which was an option for other trims. AWD-equipped RAV4s included a Snow Mode, while hybrids were exclusively AWD. The Adventure trim's performance elements included 19-inch wheels with all-season tires and standard suspension components. In contrast, the TRD Off-Road featured 18-inch wheels with Falken All-Terrain tires, TRD-tuned suspension, unique shocks, and jounce bumpers, better positioning it for true off-road activities.

The 2023 Toyota Venza, on the other hand, utilized a hybrid powertrain similar to the RAV4 Hybrid. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, combined with electric motors and a nickel-metal hydride battery, produced a total of 219 horsepower. Power was delivered to the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT) while the rear wheels were driven by a separate electric motor, ensuring AWD functionality.

Initial acceleration in the Venza was provided by the electric motors, which kicked in instantaneously while the gasoline engine joined seamlessly. The Venza could reach 60 mph in 7.5 seconds—a respectable time for its class. The braking system mirrored the drivetrain's two-part design, starting with regenerative braking and transitioning imperceptibly to physical pads when necessary. This translated into a driving experience akin to that of an internal combustion vehicle.

Unlike the RAV4's rugged nature, the Venza prioritized comfort over sporty handling. It offered a smooth ride with adequate handling, aimed at providing a serene driving experience. The steering was light with minimal feedback, aligning with the vehicle’s easygoing personality. Maneuverability was a weak point, with a larger turning radius necessitating multiple-point turns in tighter spaces.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 was designed to seat five passengers. With the moonroof, it offered 37.7 inches of headroom in the front row and 39.5 inches in the rear, which trailed competitors like the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester in front-row headroom but offered more for rear passengers. Legroom measured 41 inches in the front and 37.8 inches in the back, comparing favorably in the front but losing to competitors in the rear. The narrower back seat added another downside compared to its rivals, emphasizing the importance of passenger size preferences.

Storage options in the RAV4 were ample, featuring a shelf above the glove compartment and generous door pockets. Front-row center cupholders and a lever-style gear shifter added to the interior’s functionality. Cargo space was significant, offering 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the seats down, surpassing rivals like the Mazda CX-5 but falling short of the Honda CR-V.

The 2023 Toyota Venza provided a spacious front seating area, enhanced by large windows and a panoramic sunroof. The Star Gaze roof featured a unique button to turn the glass opaque, adding a high-tech touch, although the fabric shade was more effective at sun-blocking. The Venza offered excellent forward visibility, though rear visibility was limited by the roof pillar and the common SUV design drawback of restricted rear views. Standard features included a power-adjustable driver's seat and three-spoke steering wheel, with a power-adjustable passenger seat reserved for the Limited trim.

In the rear, the Venza accommodated average-sized adults comfortably, with limited headroom being the primary constraint due to the abundance of leg and foot room. The high-quality materials extended to the rear seats, enhancing passenger comfort. However, cargo capacity was a notable shortcoming, with just 28.8 cubic feet behind the seats, significantly less than competitors like the Honda Passport and Jeep Grand Cherokee. Towing wasn’t an option for the Venza, further limiting its utility in terms of cargo capacity. However, the Venza excelled in small item storage, featuring a wireless phone charger, ample cupholders, and spacious door pockets.

For 2023, the Toyota RAV4 introduced a new infotainment system, modernizing its tech offerings with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The RAV4’s screen sizes varied by trim, ranging from a standard 8.0-inch touchscreen to a 10.5-inch version in the Limited and TRD Off-Road trims. The system supported over-the-air (OTA) updates and included voice command functionality.

Our Adventure trim tester came with the upgraded multimedia package, priced at an additional $3,490, which featured the larger 10.5-inch screen and an 11-speaker JBL Premium audio system instead of the base six-speaker setup. All RAV4s included a standard 7-inch driver information display, with the Limited trim offering a larger 12.3-inch version optional on the TRD Off-Road but not available on Adventure or other trims.

The 2023 Toyota Venza also offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a wireless charging pad. The base LE featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, while the XLE and higher trims upgraded to a 12.3-inch display. The new system delivered sharp graphics, quick responses, and a logical menu structure, addressing past shortcomings in Toyota’s infotainment offerings.

A Wi-Fi connection was available for a 30-day trial, providing remote vehicle monitoring and control via a smartphone app, as well as maintenance reminders and enhanced roadside assistance. The top Venza Limited included a one-year trial subscription to Drive Connect services, offering virtual navigation assistance using Google map data. The base audio setup included six speakers with satellite radio for a three-month trial, while the nine-speaker JBL premium audio system came standard on the Limited and was optional on the XLE.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam LED headlights, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was standard from the XLE trim upward and optional on the base LE.

The 2023 model benefited from Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, upgrading from the previous year’s TSS 2.0. This included Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, enabling adaptive cruise control at speeds below 20 mph. The RAV4 achieved high marks from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), earning a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award due to its strong performance in crash tests. The previous year's model was also a Top Safety Pick.

Similarly, the 2023 Toyota Venza excelled in safety evaluations. In NHTSA testing, it scored five stars in overall and side crash protection, and four stars in frontal and rollover protection. The IIHS awarded it the highest "Good" rating in most categories, with an "Acceptable" score in the new side impact test, earning it a Top Safety Pick designation.

The Venza included the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ suite across all trims, featuring adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure assist, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and traffic sign recognition. Midrange XLE trims added parking sensors and automatic emergency braking in reverse, while the Limited trim offered a surround-view camera system, head-up display, and digital rearview mirror. These advanced features performed effectively during our evaluation, with the adaptive cruise control offering smooth and reliable speed adjustments.