If you're scrolling through the never-ending list of compact crossovers available today, we understand if you're feeling overwhelmed. But two names on that list likely stand out as comforting, familiar choices, largely because the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 basically invented this segment when they first arrived in the 1990s. And they're still going strong today, with both consistently ranking among the bestselling vehicles in the U.S.
The Honda CR-V has been redesigned since the last time we visited this pair, as the sixth-generation model arrived for 2023. The fifth-generation RAV4 is nearing the end of its life cycle, but it received a small update for 2022 that brought revised styling and a few other tweaks. We figured now was as good a time as any to revisit this long-standing rivalry and choose our favorite among these popular, well-established SUVs.
What We Tested
Although both the CR-V and RAV4 are placing an increasing emphasis on their hybrid variants, the base gas-only powertrains still make up a large portion of sales, so the examples you see here have the standard setups with optional all-wheel drive. For the Honda, its nonhybrid powertrain consists of a 190-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four with a continuously variable automatic, while the Toyota has a 203-hp 2.5-liter inline-four and an eight-speed automatic.
Toyota RAV4
HIGHS: Rugged look and feel, smooth-shifting transmission, lots of features.
LOWS: Buzzy engine, less-than-comfy rear seat, dour interior.
VERDICT: Solid bones but showing its age.
The RAV4 lineup includes a far wider range of trim levels than the CR-V's does, and our 2024 example of the Toyota came kitted out in TRD Off-Road trim. This setup includes a few rugged-looking styling tweaks, all-terrain tires, and a modified suspension, and our version also came festooned with various extras and accessories that ballooned its sticker price to a steep $44,844. That's a whole lot more than our plain-looking mid-spec 2023 CR-V EX-L AWD, which cost only $37,565 and came with but one option, its $455 Radiant Red Metallic paint.
How They Drive and Perform
The CR-V and RAV4 have similar strengths and weaknesses on the road. Both have accurate steering and good ride quality, but each suffers from an unrefined engine that brings lots of noise, vibration, and harshness into the cabin under hard acceleration. The RAV4's engine is the worst of the two in this regard, as the naturally aspirated four-cylinder is buzzy and harsh, while the CR-V's turbo four has more torque low down in the rev range, meaning it feels more responsive and doesn't require you to explore the upper rev range as often.
One key difference between the two is transmission type, as the Honda has a continuously variable automatic and the RAV4 has a traditional eight-speed automatic. We prefer the Toyota's setup to the Honda's, mostly because its conventional shifts avoid the droning sensation of the CVT. But the two cars' acceleration performance is similar, with the 190-hp Honda getting to 60 mph in 8.1 seconds and the 203-hp Toyota hitting the mark in 8.3 seconds.
That said, we still prefer driving the CR-V to the RAV4 overall, as it offers a better ride and handling balance and a bit more refinement. The CR-V outgripped and outbraked the RAV4 at our test track, though the Toyota's all-terrain tires likely hurt it in this regard. In terms of feel, the Honda's handling is more fluid and cohesive, while the RAV4 can occasionally feel discombobulated in comparison. The Honda is also quieter in our testing and is more isolated from the road.
Honda CR-V
HIGHS: Spacious rear seat, nicely trimmed interior, composed handling.
LOWS: Lacking in grunt compared to the available hybrid, CVT causes engine to drone.
VERDICT: A well-rounded choice that will please most everyone.
Both the Toyota and Honda are among the most fuel-efficient vehicles in this class, even if you don't opt for their thriftier hybrid powertrains. In our real-world 75-mph highway fuel-economy testing, the RAV4 barely edged out the CR-V, hitting 32 mpg to the Honda's 31 mpg. Either way, you'll get more than 400 miles between fill-ups on highway trips, although the hybrids—with EPA ratings of up to 40 mpg for the Honda and 39 mpg for the Toyota—are the real choice for thrifty shoppers.
Interior Comparison
Because the CR-V received a comprehensive redesign more recently, it's no surprise that its cabin looks more modern and pleasing to the eye than the RAV4's dated interior. We like the simple layout of the Honda's dashboard, which incorporates an easy-to-use touchscreen plus plenty of knobs and buttons for the audio and climate controls. A honeycomb-texture trim piece over the air vents adds some visual interest, while the RAV4 features a dour array of black plastics with only a few rubberized knobs and orange trim pieces breaking up the monotony. We also didn't like the Toyota's infotainment system as much, as it doesn't offer a convenient home screen and can't display audio and navigation functions simultaneously.
The CR-V is also the better choice for rear-seat passengers. We judged it to have the superior space and comfort with both two or three passengers back there. Comparatively, the RAV4's back seat feels more cramped, and the seating position is less comfortable. To top it all off, the CR-V has more cargo space, as it fit 12 carry-on-sized boxes behind the rear seats versus 10 for the RAV4.
Which Is Better?
Although the Toyota has plenty of character and offers a wide variety of configurations to suit your personality, the Honda is the far more well-rounded choice. With its more spacious cabin, pleasant driving dynamics, and easy-to-use tech features, the CR-V is one of our favorite compact SUVs for a wide variety of reasons. We'd recommend the CR-V Hybrid even more highly than the nonhybrid due to its quieter driving experience and better fuel economy, but either version of the CR-V is a great choice.
Specifications
Specifications
2023 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD
Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $37,110/$37,565
Options: Radiant Red Metallic paint, $455
ENGINE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 91 in3, 1498 cm3
Power: 190 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 179 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm
TRANSMISSION
continuously variable automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 12.3-in vented disc/12.2-in disc
Tires: Hankook Kinergy GT
235/60R-18 (103H) M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 106.3 in
Length: 184.8 in
Width: 73.5 in
Height: 66.5 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 53/51 ft3
Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 77/39 ft3
Curb Weight: 3614 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 8.1 sec
1/4-Mile: 16.3 sec @ 89 mph
100 mph: 21.2 sec
120 mph: 38.5 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 9.0 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 4.4 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 5.8 sec
Top Speed (C/D est): 130 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 163 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.82 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 28 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 31 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 430 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 29/27/32 mpg
-
2024 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road
Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $39,645/$44,844
Options: TRD Off-Road Premium Audio package (panoramic view monitor, 12.3-inch display, JBL amplifier and speakers), $1390; TRD Off-Road Weather package (heated steering wheel and front seats, rain-sensing wipers), $1015; TRD Off-Road Technology package (front and rear parking assists with automatic braking, wireless device charging), $640; digital rearview mirror, $625; running boards, $620; dashcam $375; door sill protector, $199; mudguards, $150; black chrome exhaust tip, $120; black emblems, $65
ENGINE
DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, port and direct fuel injection
Displacement: 152 in3, 2487 cm3
Power: 203 hp @ 6600 rpm
Torque: 184 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 12.0-in vented disc/11.1-in disc
Tires: Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail 01A
225/60R-18 (101H) M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 105.9 in
Length: 181.5 in
Width: 73.4 in
Height: 68.6 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 52/47 ft3
Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 70/38 ft3
Curb Weight: 3719 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 8.3 sec
1/4-Mile: 16.5 sec @ 87 mph
100 mph: 22.7 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 8.8 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 4.1 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 6.2 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 119 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 176 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.79 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 29 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 32 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 460 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 28/25/32 mpg
Despite being raised on a steady diet of base-model Hondas and Toyotas—or perhaps because of it—Joey Capparella nonetheless cultivated an obsession for the automotive industry throughout his childhood in Nashville, Tennessee. He found a way to write about cars for the school newspaper during his college years at Rice University, which eventually led him to move to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for his first professional auto-writing gig at Automobile Magazine. He has been part of the Car and Driver team since 2016 and now lives in New York City.
