Toyota RAV4 vs Cadillac XT4

The 2020 Cadillac XT4, with its Premium Luxury trim, presented a sophisticated yet sporty appearance. It featured front-wheel drive, Silver Radiant metallic paint, and 20-inch aluminum wheels, contributing to its visual appeal. The XT4's design was crisp and tailored, with a notable front overhang due to its front-drive platform. Inside, the cabin was mostly pleasant, using competitive quality materials, though some elements like the plain black trim around the power window controls seemed out of place for a luxury vehicle. Despite these minor missteps, the XT4 maintained a stylish and comfortable interior.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 embraced a rugged SUV aesthetic, with boxy fender flares, chiseled taillights, and a scowling front end, setting it apart from previous generations and other compact crossovers. While the exterior was aggressive, the RAV4's underpinnings were based on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, shared with other Toyota models. This platform provided a solid foundation, though the RAV4's mechanical components were more akin to a Camry than a 4Runner. The RAV4 offered options like the Adventure model with a retro look and the TRD Off-Road with off-road enhancements, adding to its appeal.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided a lively driving experience, with torque available from 1,500 to 4,000 rpm. A nine-speed automatic transmission was standard, offering smooth shifts, though it hesitated to downshift in Tour mode. The XT4's ride and handling were mixed, with good steering effort in Tour mode but an artificially heavy sensation in Sport mode. The oversized wheels provided impressive grip, but the suspension struggled with speed humps and smaller bumps, affecting ride comfort.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 featured a "Dynamic Force" 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. This engine achieved 40% thermal efficiency, a level typically found in racing engines, and was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. However, the transmission hesitated to shift, and the steering lacked feel, making the driving experience less dynamic. The RAV4 excelled on the highway, with low cabin noise and a suspension that absorbed road imperfections well. Off-road, the RAV4 Adventure and TRD Off-Road models offered enhanced capability with a torque-vectoring rear axle and 8.6 inches of ground clearance.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 provided a comfortable interior for the driver and front passenger, with soft leather, padded armrests, and heated, ventilated, and massaging seats. The rear passenger compartment felt roomier than many small SUVs, though the rear seat cushion lacked support. The XT4's air conditioning system was highly effective, quickly cooling the cabin during a heatwave. The interior featured a clean, minimalistic design with ample storage space, including umbrella holders and a wireless smartphone charger. However, cargo space was limited, with 22.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 48.9 cubic feet with the seat folded.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 offered a tall, upright roof, providing competitive headroom and good outward visibility. While the front seats were comfortable, the rear seats had flat, hard cushions, making long trips less appealing. The RAV4's cargo space was above average at 37.6 cubic feet with the rear seats in place, though still behind the Honda CR-V. The interior featured oversized knobs and easy-to-use controls, but storage space on the console was limited. The RAV4's design emulated old-school SUVs, with a larger shift lever and vehicle controls, but lacked large cupholders and loose change storage.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 featured the latest version of the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) system, which was more user-friendly than previous iterations. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, and Bluetooth pairing for two devices. The 8-inch touchscreen was complemented by intuitive controls on the center console and steering wheel, as well as a voice-recognition system. However, the screen could have been larger, and integrating the climate system with voice commands would have been beneficial. The optional 13-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround audio system provided a satisfying listening experience.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Most trims featured a 7-inch touchscreen, while the Limited model had an 8-inch screen, and the RAV4 Prime offered a 9-inch screen. The infotainment system was easy to use, with well-positioned graphics and shortcut buttons for key functions. However, it lacked flashiness, and the gasoline RAV4 did not include a head-up display. The RAV4's infotainment system provided a simple interface, making in-car technology less of a chore for users.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 came with standard safety features like forward-collision warning, front pedestrian braking, and low-speed automatic emergency braking. It also included a rear-seat reminder, Teen Driver technology, and two years of automatic collision notification. Premium Luxury and Sport trims added blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning. The Driver Awareness Package offered additional features like lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assistance. The XT4 received a 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA, though the IIHS had not completed all testing.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention. It received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 bundle included features like forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. Higher trims offered blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and park assist. The RAV4's safety features were comparable to competitors like the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester.