It’s hard to think of two compact SUVs that are as different from each other as the Jeep Wrangler and the Toyota RAV4. However, they do start at very similar prices, especially if you compare them properly by adding all-wheel drive to the Toyota. So, if you’re shopping for a compact SUV in this price bracket, here’s how the 2019 Jeep Wrangler and the 2019 Toyota RAV4 compare to each other.
Exterior styling
Fair play to Toyota. The RAV4 has never been the most attractive model in its class, but the company has definitely got it going in the right direction in recent times. It’s not as radical a design as the C-HR, but it’s modern, and it even looks like it might be a bit of an off-roader on the quiet. The Wrangler’s exterior styling simply speaks for itself and tells you all you need to know about it. There’s no doubting the Jeep is a rugged off-roader first and foremost, and that classic silhouette is one of the most recognizable and loved designs in the global auto industry. The Wrangler is about as cool as it gets, and it’s much easier to fall in love with than the slightly awkward looking RAV4.
Powertrains
There are two engine options for the Toyota RAV4, which are a 2.5-litre inline-four that develops 203 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque, and a hybrid. The gas engine sends its power to the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission, although there are two different all-wheel drive options available for the Toyota.
While there’s no full-blown hybrid option for the Wrangler at the moment, the new 2.0-litre inline-four that’s available does have a 48-volt mild hybrid system called eTorque. The standard engine is a 3.6-litre V-6 that produces 285 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque, which sends the power to all four wheels through a standard six-speed manual or an optional eight-speed automatic transmission. The optional 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine offers 270 horsepower, but the big difference is its 295 lb.-ft. of torque. Either way, the Wrangler is a much more powerful model.
Features and equipment
Although modern features such as a rearview camera are now standard with the Wrangler, it’s a much more basic, rough-and-ready vehicle than the RAV4. Hand-crank windows are positively unthinkable in the Toyota, but that’s what you get with an entry-level Wrangler. The entry-level RAV4 LE comes with a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, a single USB port, and power features. This is an area the Jeep doesn’t try too hard to compete in as it’s more of a lifestyle vehicle with a focus on proper 4×4 capability, so the Toyota has the edge.
Capability
Although there are two different all-wheel drive systems in the RAV4 lineup, neither system makes the RAV4 a genuine off-roader. All Wranglers are four-wheel-drive, and that tells you a lot about the Jeep. It’s a proper off-roader, and probably one of the most capable off-roaders around the globe when properly specified. The roof can even be removed to effectively turn the Wrangler into a convertible for the ultimate outdoor experience.
Verdict
The Toyota RAV4 is a comfortable, well-equipped, modern crossover that checks a lot of boxes for a lot of today’s buyers. The 2019 Jeep Wrangler is a very different animal altogether. It can still do most of what the Toyota can do, but it can also do a whole lot more. There are dozens of compact crossovers around like the RAV4, but there’s only one Wrangler, and it will put a much bigger smile on your face than the Toyota could ever hope to match.
For more information and to arrange a test drive in the Wrangler to experience it for yourself, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us here at Caledon Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, the number one choice Jeep dealership in Bolton, ON and the surrounding area.
