The customers of the Toyota dealer near Tustin can’t get enough crossover SUVs, especially those that roll out of Toyota’s lines. The Toyota RAV4 and Highlander are two of the most popular vehicles to make it at Tustin car dealerships.
It isn’t surprising either since both of these crossover SUVs provide recognizable styling and features. However, be that as it may, some buyers at Toyota dealer near Tustin believe that the RAV4’s comfort is weirdly better than the larger, more expensive Highlander.
Besides consumers stating this, there are also industry analysts who were also shocked to discover that the compact crossover is the more comfortable model. As a result, it looks like it all comes down to the class-leading seating in the best-selling Toyota RAV4.
The Toyota Crossovers SUVs Are At War
So, since this looks like a battle between the most popular Toyota crossover SUVs, the Toyota dealer near Tustin decided that it would be best to evaluate each vehicles’ performance, reliability, and safety. And when it came to comfort, the smaller RAV4 was evidently the overall winner.
For years, Toyota has had a reputation for using quality materials in its interiors and has been offering comfortable vehicles since the first Corona (that is, the car model, not the virus) reached U.S. showrooms in 1965.
So, the 2021 Highlander is no exception. This midsize crossover SUV vehicle was redesigned in 2020 and can easily accommodate eight occupants. Inside the Highlander, you are welcomed by a spacious cabin that provides three rows of seating.
Based on information from Toyota, the optional captain’s chairs can be substituted for the rear bench seat, but that reduces seating capacity to seven passengers.
If you love your creature comforts, then you will appreciate the Highlander’s first two rows, which are heated, and the front passenger and driver have power-adjustable seats. There is plenty of room for passengers occupying both rows, and they can also take advantage of the legroom. Cloth upholstery comes standard; however, you can opt for a leather upgrade in the higher trim levels.
Nevertheless, no one can deny that the third row of seating is slightly cramped and better suited for young children. Therefore, it would be very difficult to convince adult passengers they should feel comfortable in the rear with its limited headroom and restricted space to stretch out.
The 2021 Toyota RAV4
On the other hand, the smaller 2021 Toyota RAV4 seats five adult passengers with ease. Also, the compact crossover SUV has ample space in both rows. Although the RAV4 does not have third-row seating as the larger Highlander, there is a lot of cargo room.
U.S. News found the Toyota RAV4 more comfortable. “Both SUVs feature comfortable seats, but the RAV4 bests the Highlander in this category with its ample passenger room,” the publication wrote“The Highlander’s small third-row seats knock it down to the second place.”
The publication also went on to mention that the interior quality is better in the RAV4. The lower trim Highlander gets slightly hurt with the cheap plastics that are used throughout its cabin. It is only on the higher trims that Toyota uses real leather upholstery, wood accents, and softer materials.
There is a significant difference in the 2021 RAV4’s interior quality. For instance, soft-touch materials and high-end plastics are regularly used in all models regardless of the trim level. Additionally, seating features include ventilation in the front, and heat controls are available for maximum comfort. The driver also gets a power-adjustable seat.
The RAV4’s upper trim levels consist of synthetic leather, and there is an available option of adding distinct stitching. The interior’s upscale feel improves the cabin’s stylistic design.
The 2021 Toyota Highlander
The 2021 Toyota Highlander is currently in its fourth generation, and it is also a top seller. It comes with a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine that is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. If fuel economy is a high priority for you, the hybrid model is the vehicle for you with an EPA-estimated combine rating of 36 mpg. Besides this, the Highlander’s incredible reliability rating and outstanding resale value could be of interest to you as well.
Both models are available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The vehicle’s handling is precise, especially in the higher trims that feature torque vectoring across the rear axle. The Highlander has the capability of towing 5,000 pounds gas-powered and 3,500 pounds with the hybrid drivetrain.
There is a three-passenger bench in the middle row of the base and LE models. The other vehicles in the lineup have captain’s chairs. The third row comes as standard, even though the space is tight there. The Highlander has a lot of storage cubbies in the cabin, but cargo space is average for its class.
Which Toyota SUV Offers The Best Value?
The 2021 Toyota Highlander begins at around $34,000. There are six trims available, and the price slowly increases depending on the model and options. For instance, the top-of-the-line Highlander Platinum is about $50,000 with an MRSP of $46,000.
The 2021 Toyota RAV4 is also available in six trim levels but has a more affordable starting price of $26,000. The RAV TRD Off-Road is this model’s top trim with an MRSP of $35,000, and you have to pay an additional $1,400 for an all-wheel drive.
Both vehicles are phenomenal, and choosing between the two is like choosing between your own children. However, U.S. News chose the 2021 Toyota RAV4 over the 2021 Toyota Highlander. Furthermore, they ranked the RAV4 as one of the best compact SUVs on the market. The publication discovered that the RAV4 has a better, sportier ride with more economical gas mileage. And the comfortable seating gave the RAV4 the edge to be placed over the top.
Nevertheless, you really can’t go wrong with either vehicle. If you are looking for an affordable crossover SUV, why don’t you give the Toyota dealer near Tustin a call today?