Compact SUVs are some of the hottest vehicles on the market, as consumers can’t get enough. Two of the more popular options in the segment include the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Both vehicles land on the annual best seller’s list and choosing between the two may be harder than you think.
In this comparison, we’ll compare the CR-V against the RAV4 when it comes to price, size, cargo space, reliability, and off-roading capability. By comparing these SUVs in these areas, we’ll name the better option for the majority of shoppers.
Both SUVs are available with hybrid powertrains, but we compare the Honda CR-V Hybrid against the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid in a separate comparison.
Honda CR-V vs. Toyota RAV4 Price
The Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4 are similar to one another when it comes to pricing. The cheapest Honda CR-V has a starting price of $29,705 (prices include destination), while the most affordable Toyota RAV4 costs $29,610. That makes the RAV4 cheaper than the CR-V by $95, which wouldn’t be enough to sway a decision to choose one model over the other.
There’s a much bigger difference between the two when you compare range-topping trims to one another. The most expensive CR-V EX-L AWD starts at $36,505 and the most expensive RAV4 TRD Off-Road costs $39,230. The difference in price between the two trims results in a savings of $2,725 in the CR-V’s favor.
While the CR-V and RAV4 have a similar starting price tag, lease deals for the RAV4 tend to be higher than ones that are available for the CR-V. Honda’s financing deals also tend to be better than Toyota’s.
RAV4 vs. CR-V Size
Both the CR-V and RAV4 are classified as compact SUVs, so they’re similar in size, but there is a slight difference between the two models. The CR-V is 184.8 inches long, 73.5 inches wide, and 66.2 inches tall. Compared to the RAV4, the CR-V is 3.9 inches longer, 0.5 inches wider, and roughly an inch shorter.
Thanks to its larger body, the CR-V has slightly more interior space than the RAV4. The CR-V has more front headroom, front legroom, and more rear legroom. The RAV4 does have more rear headroom than the CR-V with an extra inch of space.
CR-V vs. RAV4 Cargo Space
In addition to having more interior space for passengers, the CR-V also offers more cargo space than the RAV4. With the rear seats in place, the Honda has 39.3 cubic feet of cargo space. Folding the rear seats results in a total of 76.5 cubic feet of cargo space.
The RAV4 isn’t as spacious as the CR-V on the cargo front. The Toyota has 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and a total of 69.8 cubic feet of cargo space in total.
CR-V vs. RAV4 Reliability
Based on Consumer Reports' reliability data, the Honda CR-V may be more reliable than the Toyota RAV4. The organization rates the CR-V in third place in its ranking of 20 compact SUVs. The CR-V has a predicted reliability score of four out of five, while the SUV has a predicted owner satisfaction score of four out of five.
While the RAV4 has the same predicted reliability score of four out of five as the CR-V, it has a much lower owner satisfaction score of two out of five. In Consumer Reports’ rankings of compact SUVs, the RAV4 finishes in 12th place.
Honda CR-V vs. Toyota RAV4 Off-Road
This category is a clear win for the Toyota RAV4. Honda does not offer the CR-V in an off-road trim nor is the SUV available with any serious off-road features. With the CR-V, Honda was aiming for a compact SUV that was meant for road use.
Toyota offers the RAV4 in two off-road trims: Adventure and TRD Off-Road. For serious off-roading, the TRD Off-Road is the best choice. It comes with serious off-roading equipment like all-terrain tires, a TRD-tuned suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels, upgraded shock absorbers, and heavy-duty skid plates.
Which Is Better: Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4?
If off-roading is what you’re looking for, the Toyota RAV4 is the better compact SUV. While it doesn’t win this comparison, it’s still a great compact SUV. The RAV4 stands out in the class because of its standard safety features, rugged design, capable TRD Off-Road trim, and drivability.
In this comparison, the Honda CR-V takes the easy win. It’s the newer of the two vehicles, being fully redesigned for the 2023 model year. It’s also larger than the RAV4, offering more passenger and cargo space. At the top of the trim, the CR-V is far more affordable than the RAV4, too.
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