Audi Q3 vs Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

The 2021 Audi Q3 stood out as a showcase of postmodern automotive styling, featuring a massive corporate grille that harmonized well with its robust and chunky exterior. This design suggested utility and dynamic handling while primarily excelling in the latter. Inside, the cabin mirrored the mechanical and modern aesthetic. The dash framed the center touchscreen, highlighting one of the Q3's best attributes. Back when this interior design was introduced in the 2019 redesign, it was quite exceptional. However, Volkswagen's non-luxury interiors have been catching up, making the Q3's interior feel modern yet no longer unique.

The 2021 Q3 was available in Premium and Premium Plus trims. The Premium trim boasted leather upholstery, 12-way power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It also included a power liftgate, four USB ports, and multiple high-tech driver-assistance features. The Premium Plus trim added remote start, pushbutton start, wireless device charging, and a hands-free power liftgate. Previously, there was also a Prestige trim, but its features had been integrated into available options, including a comprehensive $2,700 Technology Package.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited, despite its high MSRP of $42,083, didn’t immediately convey the feel of a fully-loaded model. While it performed like a tough cute-ute, larger wheels from a non-hybrid RAV4 Limited could have lent a bolder appearance. Toyota could have offered the RAV4 Hybrid in an Adventure trim, akin to its non-hybrid variant, though its electronic AWD wasn’t equipped for more rugged tasks.

Inside, the 2021 RAV4 Hybrid was stylish and practical but marred by inconsistent material quality. There were notable instances of glossy hard plastic and an annoying rattle from the tailgate area caused by the license plate. Despite these minor issues, the cabin offered functional and user-friendly features.

The 2021 Audi Q3 was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque via an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro AWD. The S-Line trim pushed those figures to 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. This more potent engine enriched the driving experience, offering lively acceleration and solid passing power, especially in Sport mode, which enhanced throttle response and transmission mapping for quicker acceleration. The Q3 featured Audi's Drive Select with various modes, including Auto, Comfort, Dynamic, and Off-Road, although the latter was best for light trails.

Nimble handling and a comfortable ride made the Q3 enjoyable to drive. The base engine, despite some turbo lag, delivered quick standstill acceleration. The balance between ride quality and driving dynamics was commendable.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid employed a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with front and rear electric motors and a lithium-ion battery, ensuring standard AWD. The total output was 219 horsepower, slightly more than the non-hybrid RAV4 but significantly less than the RAV4 Prime. The electric motors added substantial torque, making the RAV4 Hybrid feel responsive and lively. Various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, Trail, and EV, provided flexibility.

The hybrid system achieved impressive efficiency, averaging 39.7 mpg in testing, close to the EPA’s 40 mpg combined rating. The continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) operated smoothly without the common droning issues, and the regenerative braking system functioned well. While the RAV4 Hybrid handled capably on corners, the all-season tires offered limited grip on aggressive turns, making spirited driving less enjoyable.

Cargo capacity was a notable distinction between the two vehicles. The Audi Q3 offered 48 cubic feet with rear seats folded and 23.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats. Although the cargo space behind the rear seats was decent for a subcompact luxury SUV, the overall cargo space with the seats down was subpar compared to its rivals. However, the Q3 made up for it with ample passenger space. The front seats were comfortable and equipped with handy storage areas, while the rear seats provided substantial headroom and legroom, making it a feasible option for up to four adults on a road trip.

On the other hand, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid excelled in cargo capacity. It provided a roomy 37.5 cubic feet of storage behind the rear seats and 69.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The interior was designed for comfort with power-adjustable driver’s seats, a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front cushions, and reclining rear seats. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed decent legroom, foot space, and additional comfort from features like air conditioning vents and heated cushions. Storage solutions were well-thought-out, with multiple accessible areas for both front and rear occupants.

The Audi Q3 came standard with an 8.8-inch touchscreen running the MMI system, which included logical and ergonomic menu navigation. It featured Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay. Upgrading to the top system provided a 10.1-inch touchscreen with navigation, complemented by wireless charging, satellite radio, and a premium Bang & Olufsen 15-speaker audio system. The Audi Virtual Cockpit replaced the traditional instrument cluster with a customizable digital display, capable of showing the navigation map across almost the entire screen.

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid couldn’t match the Q3's technology exactly but had its own strengths. Depending on the trim, it offered either a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility, alongside a three-month trial of SiriusXM satellite radio. Higher trims included an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system, dynamic navigation, and advanced voice recognition. Safety and connectivity services like Safety Connect and WiFi Connect were also available. The 8-inch display was user-friendly, with shortcut buttons for essential functions and handy volume and tuning knobs. The dynamic voice recognition impressed with its accuracy, though it couldn’t control climate settings.

Audi Q3's safety features were extensive. It came standard with Audi Pre Sense and Pre Sense Front, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. Lane-departure warning was also standard. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, a 360-degree camera system, front-and-rear parking sensors, and self-parking assist for both parallel and perpendicular spots.

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0) on every trim level. This advanced suite included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, forward automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high beams, and road-sign recognition. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning, while rear automatic braking was exclusive to the Hybrid Limited. Despite some quirks in lane-centering and adaptive cruise control, the system generally performed well. The RAV4 Hybrid earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top marks from the IIHS, except for its headlights.