A roomy, efficient crossover with a powerful hybrid powertrain that offers standard all-wheel drive. The trim selection in this 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid features a new XLE Premium, nestled between lower-priced XSE and top-of-the-line Platinum.
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The 2021 Toyota Venza is a new crossover with a hybrid powertrain that is only available for purchase. It comes only in three trim levels but is available with seating for five and standard all-wheel drive.
There are differences between these two hybrid crossovers, and you should consider them when making your decision. To make your decision easier, please examine the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs. 2021 Toyota Venza. Let us compare 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs. 2021 Toyota Venza.
2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs. 2021 Toyota Venza:
Fuel-Efficient Hybrid Powertrains
The same powertrain is used in these two Toyota hybrids. The vehicles are equipped with two 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines, electric motors, and continuously variable automatic transmissions.
Combined net horsepower (horsepower added minus horsepower consumed) comes in at 219. This means the drive is dynamic, but not overtly sporty. Fuel economy and comfort are the main priorities for anyone considering the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs. 2021 Toyota Venza.
With hybrids, fuel economy is a major consideration, and these crossovers diverge from one another on that front. EPA estimates Venza gets 40 mpg in the city, 37 mpg on the highway, and 39 mpg combined. In the city, the RAV4 Hybrid gets 41 mpg. On the highway, it gets 38 mpg, and in the aggregate, 40 mpg.
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Available Trims
There are three trim options with the Venza. In addition to heated outside mirrors, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, fabric seats, an 8-way power driver’s seat, and an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, the LE also has an inside vanity mirror and illuminated mirrors on both driver and passenger sides.
The XLE offers added wood interior and silver roof rail upgrades. For the Limited, this feature pack includes a heated steering wheel, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a bird’s-eye camera.
The RAV4 Hybrid has five different trim levels. The infotainment touchscreen in the center of the roof is black, and the roof rails are black. The XLE comes standard with heated side mirrors, variable wipers, and an 8-way power driver’s seat.
A moonroof, power liftgate, and a leather-trimmed steering wheel are part of the XLE Premium package. An 8-inch infotainment touchscreen is part of the XSE package. The Limited will be adding LED puddle lights and a high-quality audio system. More selection is offered in the RAV4.
Ride and Comfort
In the crossover category, versatility is important because crossovers can transport people and cargo while providing a comfortable and safe ride for passengers. It should be possible to enjoy a quiet, comfortable ride even when nobody is in the rear.
The Venza handles confidently and more smoothly than the RAV4 Hybrid, but the Venza offers a more refined and courteous ride. To passengers, it’s less jarring to sit behind the wheel instead of sitting on the vehicle. Because of the quieter ride, the interior of the Venza makes it a more welcoming space, even while driving at highway speeds.
Price
The Venza pricing is set at $32,470 for the base LE model. For $36,000, you can purchase the base XLE model, which comes in at $39,800.
The price is reasonable, and the vehicle comes standard with plenty of useful features even on the base trim. It doesn’t feel like you’ve made any sacrifices to keep costs down even if you choose the LE.
The starting price for the RAV4 Hybrid is $28,650, and that makes it an easier target for first-time car buyers. XLE: $29,945. XLE Premium: $32,650. The remaining RAV4 models include the XSE for $34,600 and the Limited for $37,810. In addition to trims in a variety of designs, the RAV4 Hybrid makes vehicle-specific trims available at lower prices than any other model.
Passenger Seats
Even though the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs. the 2021 Toyota Venza has seating for five people, the seating in each of these vehicles is not identical. A lot of the variation is due to what the outside appearance displays.
In contrast to its more modern styling, the RAV4 features a boxy, squared-off appearance. The Venza intends to create a sleeker, more upscale appearance while keeping the coupe-like roofline.
Passengers seated in the rear seats might have a problem with that. For rear passengers, there are 39.5 inches of headroom and 37.8 inches of legroom in the RAV4. The rear legroom and headroom are equal in the Venza, but in trims equipped with the panoramic roof, the rear headroom is reduced to 36.9 inches.
Luxury Features
In Toyota’s lineup, the Venza sits between the RAV4 Hybrid and the Prius. Both 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs. 2021 Toyota Venza are crossovers that utilize a combination of conventional and hybrid powertrains, but the Venza is intended for those customers who seek a more upscale vehicle.
This vehicle offers an 8-way power driver’s seat, leather-trimmed steering wheel, and a wide range of standard features, such as all-weather floor mats, keyless ignition, and smart stop technology. The downside is that it is priced significantly higher than the competition.
Toyota RAV4 trims with manual seats, a urethane steering wheel, and more hard plastics as standard features have more pronounced trims over standard trim levels. This has less of an upscale feel to it, but it’s also an option that’s more affordable. While the RAV4 has its advantages, the Venza offers more alluring and comfy interior accommodations.
Cargo Volume
The advantage of a crossover is that it can carry many people and tons of cargo. The rear seats of the RAV4 Hybrid have 37.6 cubic feet of storage space, and the front seats have 69.8 cubic feet. It has a maximum weight capacity of 1,750 pounds and offers roof rails for additional baggage securing.
In comparison to the RAV4 Hybrid, the Venza has a lower back seat capacity of up to 28.8 cubic feet with 55.1 cubic feet of space available behind the front seats. This car is not recommended for towing.
Infotainment System
Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 6-speaker audio system are included in the RAV4 Hybrid’s infotainment system. The XSE and XLE systems are the standard equipment models with 8-inch touchscreens. For an extra cost, you can add an 11-speaker JBL audio system to the Limited.
The 8-inch touchscreen on the base Venza system puts it ahead of the RAV4 Hybrid. On the LE and XLE, the vehicle is equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen with a 9-speaker JBL audio system, which is standard equipment. But the Limited Edition vehicle receives its additional setup, which consists of a 12.3-inch touchscreen with a 12-speaker audio system and a head-up display.
Safety Features
Because the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs. 2021 Toyota Venza comes standard with the Safety Sense 2.0 feature, it’s called Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.0. It incorporates a system with a preceding-collision feature, as well as pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, lane tracing assistance, automatic high beams, dynamic radar cruise control, and road sign assistance. Both vehicles received the highest crash-test scores. That’s where the difference lies.
The Venza has a rear cross-traffic alert feature for the blind spot monitor. Ranging from base trim to the rest of the lineup, this is an option on the Hybrid trim only. All Venza trims except the base model have front and rear parking assist as standard features. With the RAV4 Hybrid, only the Limited version has standard equipment.
2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs. the 2021 Toyota Venza: Here Is Our Verdict
While both models are nearly identical, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is slightly better due to its Hybrid capabilities. This model gets better fuel economy, offers a wider range of optional equipment, and is an ideal choice if you want to tow or transport cargo.
Despite having a better interior, larger infotainment screen, and a smoother ride, the Venza will be out of reach for some buyers because of its significantly higher price. Additionally, it limits your options by limiting the range of trims that you can select. While it is a viable option, the RAV4 Hybrid is the clear winner.
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Max Anthony
Max is a gizmo-savvy guy, who has a tendency to get pulled into the nitty gritty details of technology and cars. He attended UT Austin, where he studied Information Science. He’s married and has three kids, one dog and a GMC truck and a Porsche 911. With a large family, he still finds time to share tips and tricks on cars, trucks and more.
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