Toyota RAV4 vs. Honda CR-V

Two exciting vehicles competing for buyers in the compact crossover segment are the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V. If you’re looking to find an SUV that provides you with ample cabin space while still offering a fuel-efficient ride, both options are well worth examining. Here at Performance Toyota in Cincinnati, our auto experts have put together a head-to-head between the RAV4 and CR-V to help you decide which one to buy.

Call Us

Toyota RAV4 vs. Honda CR-V Engine and MPG

Image via Toyota.com

There’s not much to choose between these two compact crossovers’ engines. The Toyota RAV4’s four-cylinder unit puts out slightly more horsepower than the CR-V’s turbocharged engine, with ratings of 203 horsepower and 190 horsepower, respectively. The CR-V’s turbo-four is paired with a continuously variable transmission, while the RAV4’s power train includes an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The closely matched engines produce similar fuel economy numbers. In its base setup, the RAV4 manages 27 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. The CR-V gets 28 mpg and 34 mpg, respectively, in front-wheel drive. Both crossovers are available with all-wheel drive, which drops their gas mileage slightly. However, they still make over 30 mpg on the highway with AWD.

RAV4 vs. CR-V Cargo and Seating

Inside the cabin, both crossovers offer a large storage area for the compact SUV class. However, the CR-V has a slight advantage with 39.2 cubic feet of space behind the second row compared to the RAV4’s 37.5 cubic feet. With the second row folded flat, the RAV4 offers 69.8 cubic feet and the Honda CR-V has 75.8 cubic feet. That’s plenty of room to transport large quantities of gear for a weekend trip out of town or materials from the hardware store.

Both vehicles offer plenty of room in both rows for adult passengers to enjoy long and short drives. Cloth upholstery is standard in the Honda and Toyota, while leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and more luxuries can be added at an extra cost. If you’re traveling with kids, both the RAV4 and CR-V are equipped with two sets of LATCH connectors for installing child seats.

RAV4 vs. CR-V Infotainment and Safety Features

The RAV4 has its nose ahead when it comes to infotainment thanks to a longer list of standard entertainment tech than the CR-V. The RAV4’s infotainment system includes a 7-inch screen and a six-speaker stereo. You can control the volume, climate control, and other settings using voice recognition so you don’t have to take your eyes off the road.

Connectivity options include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and Bluetooth. In addition, you’ll have a Wi-Fi hotspot and satellite radio.

Many of these features are also on offer in the CR-V, but you need to step up to a higher trim to get them. The base trim features a 5-inch screen and four-speaker stereo, together with Bluetooth. You can upgrade to a 7-inch screen, nine-speaker premium stereo, wireless device charging, and smartphone compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The RAV4’s optional add-ons include an 11-speaker stereo, 8-inch screen, and wireless device charging.

There’s no shortage of safety features in the RAV4 and CR-V. Highway driving is made a lot easier by lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control, which manages your speed to match the traffic around you.

You’ll also get standard forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking in both vehicles. The RAV4 benefits from traffic sign recognition, which alerts you to speed limits and other driving rules, while the CR-V offers road departure mitigation to prevent accidents at junctions.

Both crossovers offer blind spot monitoring as an optional extra. With the RAV4, you can also add rain-sensing windshield wipers and automatic parking assist. Another helpful parking feature is the surround-view parking camera, which gives you an aerial view of your RAV4 on your infotainment display.

Toyota RAV4 vs. CR-V Price and Trims

The CR-V and RAV4 have similar starting price tags. The CR-V’s MSRP is $25,750, while the RAV4 comes in at $26,525. There are six trims to choose from in the RAV4 and five in the CR-V.

The RAV4’s trims are:

• LE.
• XLE.
• XLE Premium.
• Adventure.
• TRD Off-Road.
• Limited.

The XLE trim adds alloy wheels, a power-adjustable seat for the driver, and fog lights. For a more upscale cabin, check out the XLE Premium’s synthetic leather upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and power liftgate.

The Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims are designed with venturing off the beaten path in mind. The Adventure adds hill descent control, while the TRD Off-Road gets skid plates and a TRD suspension. The Limited trim adds heated front seats and gives you the option of including heated rear seats for ultimate luxury.

The Honda CR-V’s five trims are:

• LX.
• Special Edition.
• EX.
• EX-L.
• Touring.

The Special Edition gets you access to a 7-inch infotainment screen, heated front seats, and automatic climate control. In the EX trim, you’ll find a power-adjustable driver’s seat, blind spot monitoring, satellite radio, and a moonroof. If you want to relax in leather seats, you can have those in the EX-L trim, along with a power liftgate and an eight-speaker stereo. The most capable CR-V is the Touring trim, which comes with standard all-wheel drive and the premium nine-speaker stereo.

Our head-to-head comparison shows that both of these compact crossovers have a lot to offer. While the CR-V has a touch more cargo space, the RAV4 has a clear advantage with a broader selection of infotainment technology. The Toyota also offers more off-roading capability in its TRD Off-Road trim.

If you have any questions about the RAV4 or its features, don’t hesitate to contact us today. Here at Performance Toyota in Cincinnati, we’re standing by to help you with your next auto purchase. Our dealership can provide you with competitive auto financing, exciting leasing offers, and a comprehensive service center that can carry out your routine maintenance for years to come. Talk to us by phone or drop by our Ohio location to learn more.