2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs 2021 Toyota Sequoia

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia, despite its updates, retained a design that felt dated. Introduced in 2007, the Sequoia received a facelift in 2018, which included updated headlights and grille, along with some new tech. For 2021, the addition of the Nightshade Special Edition was the primary change. The subtle design tweaks were often overshadowed by the vehicle's large silhouette. Inside, the Sequoia's interior design echoed the mid-2000s, with a massive, multi-tiered center dash and a standard 7-inch touchscreen that appeared small against the expansive dash space. The front seats, though bulky, were comfortable, but tall drivers found themselves close to the roof, especially with the optional sunroof. The second-row seats offered ample headroom and legroom, maintaining comfort throughout.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited presented a more modern and stylish appearance. Despite its fully-loaded status, it maintained a rental car-like exterior, lacking the larger wheels found on non-hybrid RAV4 Limited models. The RAV4 Hybrid's interior was functional and practical, with a mix of impressive materials and some glossy hard plastics. The test vehicle had a minor rattle from the license plate, but overall, the interior was well-designed. The dashboard was user-friendly, with oversized climate control knobs and easy-to-use infotainment systems. The RAV4 Hybrid offered decent rear-seat legroom and a comfortable driving experience, with a focus on practicality and style.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a robust 5.7-liter V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, provided strong acceleration, even for an SUV weighing up to 6,000 pounds. The Sequoia's driving dynamics resembled those of a truck, with a soft suspension and powerful brakes. It could tow up to 7,400 pounds, though it lagged behind competitors like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe in towing capacity. The Sequoia's wide stance helped manage body roll in corners, and its brakes, while strong, could be touchy.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine with front and rear electric motors, producing a total of 219 horsepower. The hybrid powertrain provided standard AWD and offered several driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, Trail, and EV. The RAV4 Hybrid's instant electric-motor torque made it feel lively, though the engine's sound was less pleasant when revving. The EPA rated it at 40 mpg in combined driving, and it averaged 39.7 mpg during testing. The CVT operated smoothly, and the regenerative braking system was effective. The RAV4 Hybrid's suspension design and Active Cornering Assist system contributed to favorable driving dynamics, though the tires limited grip in corners. Overall, it provided a comfortable and efficient driving experience.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia boasted a spacious cabin, with nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and over 66 cubic feet with the third row folded. With all rear seats down, it offered 120 cubic feet of cargo space, slightly less than the Chevrolet Tahoe but more than the Ford Expedition. The Sequoia featured a power-retractable rear window, a convenient feature for accessing items without fully opening the hatch. While the front-row space could have been better utilized, the Sequoia offered deep in-door pockets, a massive center console, and multiple storage options.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid provided comfort with an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, a heated steering wheel, and heated and ventilated front seats. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed decent legroom and reclining backrests, though the seat felt slightly low. The dashboard was well-organized, with oversized climate control knobs and easy-to-use infotainment systems. The RAV4 Hybrid offered 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Storage options included dashboard shelves, door panel bottle holders, and seatback pockets, making it a practical choice for daily use.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a WiFi hotspot. The test model had a larger 9-inch screen, though it still felt small on the large dash. The older infotainment system was user-friendly, with simple menu navigation and large hard buttons. The digital trip computer was small but easy to use, offering a straightforward experience.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered various infotainment systems, with either a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen display. All systems included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The test vehicle featured an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system, dynamic navigation, and voice recognition. The 8-inch display was mounted like a tablet, with shortcut buttons and stereo knobs for easy use. The dynamic voice recognition was generally accurate, though it struggled with some prompts. The RAV4 Hybrid also offered advanced camera-based technology, including a 360-degree surround-view camera system.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. It also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors. However, it lacked more advanced tech like lane-keeping assist. The Sequoia scored four out of five stars in the NHTSA's rollover test but had not been rated in other crash tests.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and lane-centering assist. It also included automatic high-beam headlights and a road-sign recognition system. The RAV4 Hybrid Limited added rear automatic braking. TSS 2.0 was generally effective, though the lane-centering assistance could be resistant to steering inputs. The RAV4 Hybrid earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top marks from the IIHS, except for its headlights.