- With the popularity of crossover SUVs, Toyota decided to add one more, and the automaker revived the Venza name for the 2021 model year after retiring it in 2015.
- Now, it’s the vehicle that sits between the RAV4 and Highlander in the brand’s SUV lineup.
Yet, even though Toyota considers the Venza a midsize crossover, it’s surprisingly similar to the Toyota compact SUV, the RAV4. So, if you are in the market for a Toyota SUV in 2024 and torn between the Venza and the RAV4, which of them will you select?
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Between the RAV4 and the Venza, which of them is bigger and will contain more passengers and convey more load in the cargo space? Below, we take a look at both vehicles to determine which of them is the more spacious SUV to buy in Nigeria in 2024.
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Overview of the 2021 Toyota Venza
The 2021 Toyota Venza is a two-row hybrid crossover SUV that’s smaller than the three-row Highlander and largely based on the RAV4. It revives an older name for Toyota that was previously applied to a wagon, but the new Venza sheds any resemblance to those cars with its fast roofline and chromed kick near the rear windows.
Inside, the 2021 Venza will boast upscale looks with some callbacks to its RAV4 and Highlander siblings, including the dash-top infotainment screen and stubby gear shifter. Setting off this cabin will be the two-tone colour scheme that will include a contrasting centre dash bezel, centre console, and door inserts. Space will be another luxury inside the Venza with up to 36.3 cubic feet of cargo room behind the rear seats.
Toyota equips the Venza similarly to the Highlander: active safety features such as automatic emergency braking, active lane control, and adaptive cruise control are standard; an 8.0-inch touchscreen is standard on LE and XLE versions, while a 12.3-inch touchscreen is standard on Venza Limited (and optional on XLE); a 10.0-inch head-up display and 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster are equipped on XLE and Limited trims.
Overview of the 2021 Toyota RAV4
The 2021 RAV4 will remain mostly a carryover model when it rolls in, save for one huge update: a plug-in hybrid model. For 2021 it’s entirely possible the new RAV4 Prime could make a big impact in the plug-in hybrid category.
It’s not your typical plug-in hybrid, though, since it has a definite performance slant that’s new to the RAV4. With more powerful electric motors powering the rear wheels and new lithium-ion batteries, the RAV4 Prime will have an estimated combined output of 302 horsepower. That makes it the most powerful RAV4 ever.
Inside, the new-generation RAV4 brought in a more stylish cabin that included a stubby gear shifter, a more upright dash, a dash-top infotainment screen, and unique colour options. The latter is especially true with the contrast stitching and piping in the off-road-ready Adventure model. We expect some mild style changes inside the 2021 RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid, as it will gain an instrument cluster tuned for eco-friendly drivers. For the most part, though, we expect these changes to be subtle.
Under its hood, we expect the bulk of the 2021 RAV4’s powertrain options to remain the same, including its standard 2.5-litre four-cylinder with 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid model will also use a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, but the electrification pushes its power to 219 hp. The standard RAV4 will pair its engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive as standard, but all-wheel drive will be available.
The Exterior Size of the 2021 Toyota Venza and 2021 Toyota RAV4
The Venza and RAV4 are built on the same Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform. The Venza is longer than its sibling, but their exterior dimensions are otherwise very similar.
The Venza measures 186.6 inches in length, making it 5.7 inches longer than the RAV4. But their other measurements are much closer. The Venza’s height of 65.9 inches is only 1.1 inches shorter than that of the RAV4. Both measure 73 inches wide and have a 105.9-inch wheelbase.
The Performance of the 2021 Toyota Venza and 2021 Toyota RAV4
The 2021 RAV4 offers a few powertrain options, while the 2021 Venza has only a hybrid powertrain. The RAV4 boasts hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, along with a gas-powered 2.5-liter inline-four engine option. The two SUVs’ hybrid powertrains are similar. Both pair three electric motors with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and generate 219 hp.
The two both have all-wheel drive, but their systems are somewhat different. The Venza comes standard with all-wheel drive. The RAV4 Hybrid also comes standard with all-wheel drive, but the non-hybrid RAV4 doesn’t.
Thanks to its hybrid powertrain, the Venza offers great fuel efficiency: 40 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. The RAV4 Hybrid gets slightly better fuel economy. It’s rated for 41 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway.
Passenger Space in the 2021 Toyota RAV4 & 2021 Toyota Venza
Anyone would think that because Toyota labels the Venza a midsize crossover and the RAV4 a compact crossover, the Venza would be more spacious than the RAV4. But their cabins are similarly sized.
Headroom, hip room, shoulder room, and legroom are all within a couple of inches of each other. Even the overall passenger space of 98.3 versus 98.9 cubic feet is nearly identical. The RAV4 edges out the Venza in that area.
And both seat five people in two rows. However, the Venza has a large lump in the floor in front of the rear centre seat, making it less useful.
Cargo Capacity of the 2021 Toyota Venza and 2021 Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 again has the edge over the Venza, this time in cargo space. The Venza offers 28.8 cubic feet, which increases to 55.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The RAV4 boasts 37.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity, which jumps up to 69.8 cubic feet when the rear seats are down. All RAV4 models offer the same amount of cargo and passenger space.
Standard Technology Features in the 2021 Toyota Venza & 2021 Toyota RAV4
The 2021 Venza’s “upgraded standard technology” helps set it apart from the RAV4. The Venza has a standard 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen and an available 12.3-inch screen. The RAV4’s standard touchscreen is 7.0 inches, and its larger option is only 8.0 inches.
The Venza also has an available panoramic glass roof that can transform from clear to frosted. Only the RAV4 XSE Hybrid model offers a panoramic glass roof. Some other trims come with regular sunroofs.
Both SUVs include the Toyota Safety Sense suite of advanced safety features. They include pedestrian detection, road sign assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and more.
Conclusion
Both the RAV4 and Venza 2021 are great options for vehicles to purchase in 2024. The choice will depend on which of these Toyota SUVs you prefer the most.
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