The RAV4 remains one of the most popular Crossovers on the market. In 2022, Toyota sold over 399,941 examples of the RAV4 in the United States and 840,000 worldwide. It also helps that it has a relatively affordable starting price.
The compact crossover market is vibrant with models like the Nissan Rogue and the Ford Explorer also having a significant share of the market. But, the brand that is giving Toyota a run for its money is Honda with its CR-V. Honda sold approximately 280,000 CR-Vs in the United States, coming in second behind the RAV4 in 2022. But that gap is only going to get thinner with the introduction of the all-new sixth-generation 2023 Honda CR-V.
So, the race is on between the two crossover front-runners, but which vehicle is better? The RAV4 may slightly edge out the CR-V because of its global popularity and Toyota’s reputation for reliability, but the CR-V is no slouch by any metric. The latest CR-V has some features and conveniences that make it stand out in the crowded compact crossover segment.
So without further also, here is an overview of the traits that make the RAV4 a great choice for a crossover and also why the CR-V can be viewed as a better choice.
10 The RAV4 Is More Affordable
The 2023 RAV4 has a starting price of $27,975. You will have to pay a little higher for the CR-V with the entry model LX having a sticker price of $28,410 before options. Generally, all the RAV4 models are comparatively cheaper than their CR-V counterparts. For example, the CR-V EX, which is a trim right above the LX has a starting price of $31,610. The RAV4 XLE sits above the RAV4 entry trim and costs $29,485.
In the top trims, the Sports Touring Hybrid CR-V is the most expensive model with a starting price of $39,100. The Hybrid Limited is RAV4’s most expensive variant, and it costs just slightly less with a $39,030 price tag. It should be noted that the RAV4 has more affordable model variants between the entry-level and the top trim for prospective buyers to choose from.
9 Wide Choice Of Trim
The 2023 RAV4 model benefits from a choice of 13 trim levels. These variants include six conventional internal combustion engine models and seven hybrid engine models. All RAV4s are powered by a 2.5-liter engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The top trims get an additional power boost from a hybrid system. The standard gas-powered RAV4 engine produces 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Entry-level trims are available in either front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive. The top trims and off-road-focused TRD variant come with all-wheel-drive as standard.
The CR-V has five variants to choose from. A standard CR-V is powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid models (Sport Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid) get a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine coupled with a two-motor hybrid-electric setup that provides a total of 204 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque.
8 The RAV4 Has Better Off-Road Cred
The 2023 RAV4 has an approach angle of 19 degrees and a departure angle of 21 degrees. The CR-V has a lesser approach angle of 17.7 degrees, but a slightly better departure angle of 21.3 degrees. These metrics might have a marginal difference, but in offroading, every inch of clearance is vital to the vehicle’s capabilities.
But, the RAV4 is a clear winner thanks to its ground clearance. It stands at 8.4 inches above the ground while the CR-V manages to clear 7.8 inches. This makes the RAV4 better at maneuvering rocky paths and slippery surfaces, albeit slightly. Toyota also produces a TRD version of the RAV4 and this variant is dedicated to offroading. The RAV4 Off-Road TRD can also tow about 3,500 pounds which is more than twice the standard RAV4. Effortlessly haul a small trailer to a campsite at your convenience with the RAV4 Off-Road TRD.
7 The RAV4 Is More Fuel Efficient
The EPA estimates that the RAV4’s four-wheel-drive non-hybrid variants can get up to 27 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the freeway. This results in a combined 30 MPG for the 2023 RAV4. On the other hand, a standard non-hybrid CR-V will get about 27 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the freeway. EPA estimates a combined fuel rating of 29 MPG, just slightly less than the RAV4.
It is on its Hybrid variants where the RAV4 considerably outshines the CR-V when it comes to fuel efficiency. An all-wheel-drive hybrid RAV4 will manage 41 MPG in the city and 38 MPG on the freeway. This would bring a combined fuel rating of approximately 40 MPG. An all-wheel-drive hybrid engine CR-V will get about 40 MPG in the city, and 34 MPG on the freeway bringing an EPA-estimated combined fuel rating of about 37 MPG.
6 Toyota’s World-Class Infotainment System
The entry-level multimedia system from Toyota is practical and adequate for frequent usage. It includes Toyota’s eight-speaker audio system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Toyota also provides its RAV4 customers with SiriusXM which includes a three-month platinum plan trial subscription.
The infotainment screen is a sizable 8.0 inches with reliable knobs and buttons that control frequent functions like audio volume and climate control. A JBL premium audio system, a wireless charging pad for a smartphone, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available in the top trims. Aaron Hussian, in his HotCars article, puts Toyota's infotainment display as one of The 2023 Toyota RAV4's Best Features.
Honda’s entry-level infotainment system is not as refined, and you might need to upgrade if you would wish to experience a premium multimedia setup. For starters, there are only four speakers to provide audio in the whole vehicle.
The entry-level trims also get a 7.0-inch infotainment screen, and although capable, it is not as intuitive to use as the RAV4’s infotainment interface. Only the top trim Sport Touring Hybrid gets a 12-speaker premium BOSE sound system. The other trims either get Honda’s four-speaker or eight-speaker audio setup.
5 The CR-V Has More Interior Space
The 2023 Honda CR-V’s interior is roomier compared to that of the RAV4. The total usable space in the CR-V’s interior is estimated to be about 106 cubic feet compared to the 98.9 cubic feet of the RAV4. 2023 CR-Vs also have better front headroom at 40 inches compared to the RAV-4’s 39.5 inches.
The same is true for legroom as well. The Honda CR-V has 41.3 inches of space at the front and 41 inches of space at the rear. The RAV-4 has about 41 inches of legroom in the front and 37.8 inches in the rear. The hip room is also better in the CR-V. It has 55.6 inches of hip space in the front and 52.6 inches in the rear while the RAV-4 has about 54.3 inches and 47.7 inches of hip space in the front and the rear respectively.
4 The CR-V Has Better Cargo Room
There is plenty of luggage space in the two compact crossovers, but the CR-V slightly edges out the RAV4 on this front. Fold down the second-row seats, and you get a total of 76.5 cubic feet of space for large cargo. You will have 39.3 cubic feet of luggage space when the second row of seats are upright.
The CR-V benefits from its slightly bigger dimensions to create ample room for both passengers and cargo. The 2023 RAV-4 has a total luggage space of 69.8 cubic feet when the second-row seats are folded down. When upright, there is a total of 37.6 cubic feet of trunk space.
3 2023 CR-V Is The More Practical Crossover
Honda provides some accessories as standard that make the CR-V just a little more practical. For example, all-season floor mats are provided with all CR-V models. These floor mats trap dust, mud, and debris. They can easily be cleaned and placed back into the foot well. This prevents the degradation of the fabric that lines the foot well.
Another accessory is the rear seat protector. These panels prevent the back of the rear seats from scratches that may be brought about by the continuous in-and-out sliding of heavy cargo when the rear seats are folded down.
As standard, all CR-Vs also come with ambient lighting which seems like a nice premium touch to have in modern vehicles. This is less practical and more about aesthetics, but it counts on something that's considered a mainstream model because Toyota only offers this feature in the top trims of the RAV4.
2 The 2023 CR-V Has More Driver-Assist Features As Standard
Some of the standard Toyota RAV4 driver-assist features include trailer-sway control (TSC), hill start assist control (HAC), a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) with direct pressure readout for individual tires, and a backup camera with dynamic grid lines. Features like downhill assist and vehicle proximity alert are reserved for top trims.
The CR-V comes with its own version of these driver-assist technologies as standard plus an additional active traffic jam-assist feature. Low-speed braking control and blind spot information system (BSI) with cross-traffic monitoring are found in the top trims. The only driver-assist feature that you find in the RAV-4 and missing in the CR-V is the sway control function.
1 The 2023 CR-V Has More Safety Features As Standard
Toyota Safety Sense technologies include a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control (DRCC), lane departure alert with steering assist, lane tracing assist, and road sign detection technologies. All these features come as standard in the 2023 RAV4, But, the CR-V takes it a notch higher with standard safety features.
They include versions of all of RAV-4’s safety features plus a multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines, dynamic traction control, and an electronic brake distribution (EBD) system. All these features come as standard in all CR-V models. The 2023 Honda CR-V has been awarded Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.