Honda CR-V vs. Toyota RAV-4

People are drawn to Honda and Toyota brands due to their reputation as solid and reliable vehicles. The Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV-4 do not deviate from their brand's solidified reputation and are known as the top options in the market for crossover SUVs. Both models are of great value to consumers and provide a safe, comfortable, and reliable driving experience. They have similar prices, capabilities, and technology. So is one better than the other?

With such fierce competition between two reliable brands, choosing between the two models can be difficult.  But when making such an expensive decision, it's important to weigh your options carefully to make the right choice. We'll go over specific details of each model, plus we'll explain some of the pros and cons of the Honda CR-V vs. Toyota RAV-4 so that you can compare the two models easily. 

Honda CR-V (2023)

The current model year Honda CR-V is available in four trims–EX, Sport Hybrid, EX-L, and Sport Touring Hybrid. Its redesigned exterior and interior make driving around on adventures easy, comfortable, and luxurious. With standard features available in every trim, like a powered moonroof, ambient lighting, Apple Carplay, and Android Auto, there are a lot of features to ensure a comfortable driving experience.

The exterior has a rugged design with a large grille and a wide stance. There are optional upgrades, like roof rails and a hands-free tailgate, for going on outdoor adventures or just carrying in groceries when your hands are full easier.

Toyota RAV-4 (2023)

The Toyota RAV-4 is available in many different trims, including six gas options and seven electrified options. The gas trims include the LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Adventure, TRD-Offroad, and Limited. The hybrid trims available include the Hybrid LE, Hybrid XLE, Hybrid Woodland Edition, Hybrid XLE Premium, Hybrid SE, Hybrid XSE, and Hybrid Limited. 

Balancing sophistication with ruggedness, the RAV-4 will look at home just as much offroading on adventures as it does running around town with the family. With better suspension and a skid plate to protect the underside of the vehicle on gravel roads, you can enjoy a better, more comfortable offroad riding experience. Inside the cabin, you can expect ambient lighting, moonroofs or an optional panoramic glass roof, and an eight-inch infotainment display in the base trims.

How Do They Compare?

The Honda CR-V Has More Interior Space Than the Toyota RAV-4

The CR-V has slightly more legroom for backseat passengers, as well as more cargo room. Overall, the interior dimensions of the Honda CR-V vs. Toyota RAV-4 are larger, giving the CR-V cabin a spacious feel. 

The Toyota RAV-4 Takes Up Less Exterior Space Than the Honda CR-V

If you live in the city or plan to drive your vehicle around town, you may be wondering about the overall size. Will the RAV-4 or the Honda CR-V fit more easily into tight parking spaces? If this is a concern for you, the vehicles are roughly the same size as each other. However, the CR-V is slightly longer than the RAV-4. Of course, this can vary based on different trims. But the Toyota RAV-4 is usually the smaller option. 

The Toyota RAV-4 Has a Larger Engine Than the Honda CR-V

The standard engine for the Honda CR-V is a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 190 horsepower. The Toyota RAV-4's standard engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 203 horsepower. Overall, the engine of the Honda CR-V vs. Toyota RAV-4 is smaller.

The Gas Trims for Honda CR-V Has Better Fuel Economy Than the Gas Trims for Toyota RAV-4

Though Toyota's engine is bigger than the Honda model, the CR-V enjoys slightly better fuel efficiency. The Honda CR-V has a fuel economy of 27/32 mpg city/highway. The Toyota Rav-4 has a fuel economy of 25/32 mpg city/highway. Overall, the city performance of the Honda CR-V vs. Toyota RAV-4 is better. So, if you're looking for a car that will be driven in the city or around town often, the CR-V will perform better in this area.

The Toyota RAV-4 Has Better Hybrid Options Than the Honda CR-V

Both models come with hybrid options. However, the Toyota RAV-4's hybrid options are better. The Honda CR-V has a fuel economy that is rated 40/35 mpg. The Toyota RAV-4's fuel economy rating is a little higher at 41/38 mpg. The Toyota model also comes available with a plug-in option, which further extends its battery and mpg rating. The CR-V does not offer a plug-in option at all. 

The Toyota RAV-4 Has Better Entertainment Technology Than the Honda CR-V

The standard infotainment screen for the Toyota RAV-4 clocks in at eight inches. If you opt for one of the more expensive trims, that will bump the screen measurements up to 10.5 inches. In contrast, the Honda CR-V only has a seven-inch screen in the base models that gets bumped up to nine inches on the higher trims. While both models enjoy entertainment features, like Apple Carplay and Android Auto, only the Toyota model offers dual-device Bluetooth Connectivity. The Toyota RAV-4 also has more USB ports available than the Honda CR-V. The Toyota model has three ports, while the Honda model only has two ports. Plus, depending on the trim, more ports are added in the second row of the RAV-4. 

Deciding between these two models is difficult since they come from such trustworthy brands that make reliable and safe cars. Both models are packed with safety features and continually score high in crash test ratings. But on paper, the Toyota RAV-4 seems to have better features and driving capabilities than the Honda CR-V. The better entertainment technology, a powerful engine, and more advanced hybrid options make this a good choice for families that like to hit the road on adventures or need a reliable SUV to drive around the city.