2021 Toyota Venza vs. 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

2021 Toyota Venza XLE ・ Photo by Toyota

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is a five-person crossover with a roomy interior, standard all-wheel drive, and a fuel-efficient powertrain. It’s available in five trims, included a new XLE Premium in the middle of the lineup. The 2021 Toyota Venza is an all-new crossover available only with a hybrid powertrain. Like the RAV4 Hybrid, it has seating for five and standard all-wheel drive but is only available in three trims.

While these two hybrid crossovers are similar, there are differences between the two that will help you decide which is best for you. Let’s take a closer look at the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and the 2021 Toyota Venza so you can decide which one to park in your driveway.

Fuel-Efficient Hybrid Powertrains

These two Toyota hybrids share the same powertrain. Both have 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines combined with electric motors paired to continuously variable automatic transmissions. This delivers 219 combined net horsepower, making for a responsive if not sporty drive experience. Whether you choose the Venza or the RAV4 Hybrid, the focus is on comfort and fuel economy, not performance.

Since these are hybrids, fuel economy is a priority, and it’s where these crossovers diverge. The Venza gets an EPA-estimated 40 mpg in the city, 37 mpg on the highway, and 39 mpg combined. The RAV4 Hybrid gets 41 mpg in the city, 38 mpg on the highway, and 40 mpg combined.

: 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Photo by Toyota

A Wide Range of Available Trims

The Venza offers three trims. The LE has heated outside mirrors, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, fabric seats, an 8-way power driver’s seat, and an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen. The XLE adds on silver roof rails and wood interior accents. The Limited adds a bird’s eye camera, a heated steering wheel, and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen.

The RAV4 Hybrid offers five trims. The LE has black roof rails and a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen. The XLE adds heated side mirrors, variable wipers, and an 8-way power driver’s seat. The XLE Premium gets a moonroof, power liftgate, and a leather-trimmed steering wheel. The XSE adds a digital instrument cluster and an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen. The Limited adds puddle lights and premium audio. The RAV4 offers more choices.

: 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Photo by Toyota

Which Offers a Smoother Ride?

crossovers are versatile vehicles with the ability to handle people and cargo while consistently providing an enjoyable ride for passengers. Even though there may not always be anyone sitting in the rear seat, these vehicles need to deliver a comfortable, quiet ride for those times when people are the priority.

While both the Toyota Venza and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid handle well with confident controlled steering, the Venza provides a smoother, more well-mannered ride. It’s more relaxing to sit behind the wheel and less jarring for passengers over the bumps. The Venza is also quieter, making the interior a more welcoming space that allows for easy conversation, even at highway speeds.

: 2021 Toyota Venza

Photo by Toyota

One Is Easier on the Budget

Pricing for the Venza starts at $32,470 for the base LE. The XLE comes in at $36,000, and the top Limited trim is priced from $39,800. It’s affordably priced and comes with plenty of standard equipment even on the base trim. You won’t feel like you sacrificed to save money, even if you go with the LE.

The RAV4 Hybrid starts at $28,650 for the LE, which gives it a more affordable point of entry. The XLE is priced from $29,945 while the XLE Premium starts at $32,650. Rounding out the RAV4 lineup are the XSE at $34,600 and Limited at $37,810. The RAV4 Hybrid offers a wider range of trims at more affordable starting prices.

: 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Photo by Toyota

Differences in Rear Seat Headroom

There’s seating for five people in both the Toyota Venza and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, but that seating is not created equal. A large part of the difference is due to what you see on the outside. The RAV4 has a more traditional SUV look with a squared off roofline. The Venza aims for a sleeker, more upscale vibe and has a sloped roofline reminiscent of a coupe.

That can be an issue for passengers in the rear seats. There’s 39.5 inches of headroom and 37.8 inches of legroom for rear passengers in the RAV4. While rear legroom is the same in the Venza, rear headroom drops to 36.9 inches in trims equipped with the fixed panoramic roof.

: 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Photo by Toyota

A Question of Luxury

The Venza sits about the RAV4 Hybrid in Toyota’s lineup. Both are crossovers with hybrid powertrains, but the Venza targets those looking for a more upscale experience. It has a wider range of standard features including an 8-way power driver’s seat, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, and more soft-touch surfaces that give the interior a premium feel. The downside is that it comes in with a high price.

Base trims of the Toyota RAV4 have manual seats, a urethane steering wheel, and more hard plastics throughout the interior. It lacks the upscale appeal of the Venza, but it’s a more affordable option. Although the RAV4 scores points for its pricing, the Venza wins for its more attractive and comfortable interior.

: 2021 Toyota Venza

Photo by Toyota

Which Holds More Cargo?

A large part of a crossover’s appeal lies in its ability to easily carry people and cargo. The RAV4 Hybrid has 37.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats with 69.8 cubic feet behind the front seats. It’s also has as tow rating of up to 1,750 pounds and has available roof rails for securing additional belongings.

The Venza has up to 28.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats with 55.1 cubic feet behind the front seats, which is significantly less than the RAV4 Hybrid. It’s also not rated for towing. If cargo is a priority, then there’s a clear winner.

: 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Photo by Toyota

Fully-Featured Infotainment

Infotainment in the RAV4 Hybrid includes a standard 7.0-inch touchscreen with AM/FM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 6-speaker audio system. Standard on the XSE and available on the XLE is an upgraded system with an 8-inch touchscreen. The top Limited adds an 11-speaker JBL audio system to the mix as a standard feature.

The base system in the Venza has an 8-inch touchscreen, which immediately gives it an edge over the RAV4 Hybrid. This system is standard on the LE and XLE, while the Limited gets its own premium setup that includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen with a 9-speaker JBL audio system. The larger screens available across the Venza lineup give it the win.

: 2021 Toyota Venza

Photo by Toyota

Impressive Standard Safety

Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.0 is standard on both the RAV4 Hybrid and the Venza. It includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane tracing assist, automatic high beams, full-speed dynamic radar cruise control, and road sign assist. Both also received top marks in crash tests. The difference is in optional features.

A blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert is standard on the Venza. This is optional on the base trim of the RAV4 Hybrid and standard across the rest of the lineup. The Venza also has front and rear parking assist as a standard feature on all but the base trim. On the RAV4 Hybrid, it’s only standard on the Limited.

: 2021 Toyota Venza

Photo by Toyota

And the Winner Is…

It’s a close one, but the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid comes out just ahead of the 2021 Toyota Venza. It gets slightly better fuel economy, has more trims with more affordable pricing, and is a better option if you plan to carry cargo or want to be able to tow a little extra when you have a full load of passengers.

The Venza wins for its superior interior quality, larger infotainment screen, and smoother ride, but that comes at a price that may put it out of reach for some shoppers. It also has a smaller range of trims that limits your choices. It’s a great option, but the RAV4 Hybrid still comes out ahead.

: 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Photo by Toyota