The two compact SUV heavyweights battle it out
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When you think about an SUV, you probably think about a Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V. There's a good reason for that. They're two of the most popular cars in one of the most popular car categories in the United States. The RAV4 is the top-selling compact SUV, but the CR-V isn't far behind it.
Independent reliability tracker RepairPal®
says the CR-V is the more reliable of the two SUVs, with a lower annual repair cost than the RAV4, though not by a whole lot. We'll call this an even split.So, between these two heavyweights, which one has the edge? We're looking at the 2024 models for these two SUVs to find out.
Toyota RAV4 Basics
Toyota introduced this version of the RAV4 back in 2019 and has only tinkered at the margins since its debut. Front-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive is available and comes standard on the off-road-friendly Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims. The SUV offers seating for five, is easy to live with, and comes with lots of helpful standard tech features. A hybrid version of the RAV4 gets an EPA-estimated 39 mpg combined
, though it performed a little worse in Edmunds' testing at 35.2 mpg. Still, that's a big improvement over the non-hybrid RAV4's 30 mpg combined EPA estimate.Honda CR-V Basics
This version of the Honda CR-V debuted in 2023 and the Japanese automaker added a new trim, the Sport-L, for 2024. Its roomy interior and large cargo space are standout features, though small-item storage is not as good as in competitors. The tech features inside the CR-V are plentiful and easy to use, and the standard engine makes for pleasant driving. A hybrid engine is available, and like the Toyota's, it didn't hit its EPA-estimated combined score of 37 mpg in our testing, returning 33.3 mpg instead
.Toyota RAV4 vs. Honda CR-V
We've got the basics out of the way. Let's get down to business: Which of these two compact SUVs is the right choice for you?
Passengers and cargo
Both of these compact SUVs offer seating for five, though passenger comfort is not created equal. The RAV4 has the smallest rear passenger legroom, though Edmunds' testing found those seats to be pretty comfortable otherwise. Edmunds noted the CR-V for having a large, spacious interior that translates into great passenger comfort in the second row.
How about room for the passenger's gear? The Honda CR-V wins here, offering 39.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. The RAV4 isn't far behind, delivering 37.5 cubic feet. That's a couple of grocery bags' worth of difference between the CR-V and RAV4. If you plan on folding down the second row to open up the whole cabin for storage, the CR-V (76.5 cubic feet) beats the RAV4 handily (69.8 cubic feet).
Both the CR-V and RAV4 can accommodate three car seats in the second row, though it will be a tight fit depending on the size of the car seats you're installing.
Jake's take
This one is easy: It's the Honda CR-V. It's impressive that the CR-V manages to have a more spacious second row than the RAV4 while handily winning when it comes to cargo space.
Engine choices
You get two choices of engine with the Honda CR-V: a regular 1.5-liter turbocharged engine and a hybrid 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Unlike Toyota, which sets its hybrids aside as a separate lineup, Honda's hybrid engines are the "upgrade" from the 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that's standard. Both offer good power, and while the hybrid can get noisy on long uphill grades, the fuel economy savings are noteworthy. In addition, if you're looking at upper-level trims, the hybrid is the only engine available.
The Toyota RAV4 on the other hand is available in two flavors: regular and hybrid. The regular RAV4 engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, which has enough get-up-and-go around town, though you might find the RAV4 lacking in power if you're trying to get up to speed quickly or if you're driving up a big hill. The hybrid gets an EPA-estimated 39 mpg in combined driving
, but Edmunds was not able to replicate that number. Still, the 35.2 mpg the Edmunds test returned is an improvement over the non-hybrid.Jake's take
Toyota does hybrids better, and if that's what you want, the RAV4 has more variety. If that doesn't matter to you, pick the CR-V. And if you want something that's actually fun to drive, check out the Mazda CX-50.
Tech
Tech is a strength in both of these compact SUVs. The Honda CR-V has the smallest of the standard screens (seven inches vs. eight inches for the RAV4), but it works just fine, and wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ are standard features. Desirable driver aids like adaptive cruise control—which is cruise control that keeps a set distance between you and the vehicle in front of you—come standard and work very well on the CR-V.
Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ are also standard features on the RAV4, along with adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, and forward collision warning. These driver aids are some of the most impressive among compact SUVs, especially adaptive cruise control. But the touchscreen, outside of Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, felt dated the moment it came out. The Toyota software is clunky and slow.
Jake's take
The Honda CR-V has a slightly better infotainment system than the RAV4, so I'm giving it a narrow victory.
You Really Can't Go Wrong
The Honda CR-V is the winner of this comparison, but not by very much. If you want maximum interior and cargo space, you've got to go with the CR-V. If a hybrid is what you're after, go for the RAV4. As always, you know your situation and budget best. Keep in mind what your priorities are and find the SUV that fits your needs and your budget.
Jake Sundstrom has worked in the automotive industry since 2017 and written hundreds of car related articles over the course of his career. Jake is an editor at Edmunds, where he helps produce the best used car content on the web. He has also contributed to the National Hot Rod Association and other motorsport publications. When he's not writing about cars, he's probably driving them to his next vacation; he's still working out how to get a Wrangler from Los Angeles to Maui.
