2021 Toyota RAV4 vs. 2021 Honda CR-V Comparison

The RAV4 left its soft, urban-dwelling styling a few years back, and now sports a rugged, muscular look that is fitting of its capabilities. However, its more aggressive looks might turn off older shoppers or those with more conservative tastebuds. Yet, it still a top-seller across all vehicles in the industry so Toyota’s proven function-over form formula is still at play.

If chic SUV style is a priority, a Mazda CX-5 or Volkswagen Tiguan are better choices. The CR-V got mild updates for 2020 that brought sharper styling, but the Honda is a practical choice, not a particularly emotional one. Inside, the vehicle prioritizes utility over flash, though it’s a handsomely finished space with plenty of room.

The RAV4’s 203-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder matches well with its eight-speed automatic transmission, but it can feel underpowered off the line. Depending on the trim, the vehicle can be equipped with different AWD systems with drive modes for improved off-road performance. Most of its talent lies within keeping itself stable on slippery terrain, but the Adventure Grade tackles deep snow proficiently (more so than the Honda CR-V or Nissan Rogue). The RAV4 also comes with an AWD hybrid powertrain that couples a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors for a combined output of 219 horsepower. The hybrid is faster and has better fuel economy that the gas model. A plug-in hybrid—the RAV4 Prime (reviewed separately)—also is an option.

The new CR-V Hybrid becomes the most powerful model, with 212 system horsepower, and it’s peppy, smooth and efficient in any situation. The standard gas model’s turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder produces 190 horsepower and is paired with a continuously variable transmission. Though it’s not going to win any underground street races, the CR-V’s ride is comfy and compliant over all but the worst road surfaces.

Inside, the RAV4 is spacious and comfortable, with plenty of small-item storage in every corner. The material used to trim the interior are synthetic, but are highly durable and wipeable, and aid in repelling dirt, salt and mud. The front passenger also has a compartment above the glove box for storing items needed frequently in a road trip (think snacks, wipies, a phone). The rear bench are also roomy and the 60/40-splitting rear seats helps with flexible storage options. Parents also will have no difficulty installing car seats or loading kids in and out of the backseats.

The Honda’s interior packaging is near-flawless, with a roomy, reconfigurable center console, clever storage nooks and cubbies, easy-folding rear seats and vast cargo space befitting a larger SUV. An aging infotainment system with a stingy screen and troublesome touch controls is a sore point.

Though its main competitor, the Honda CR-V, offers a hybrid powertrain, the RAV4 wins out with both a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid model. The AWD-only hybrid achieves up to 40 mpg combined, while the plug-in hybrid gets 38 mpg combined. Gas-powered models return competitive fuel economy, at up to 30 mpg combined.

With front-wheel drive, the non-hybrid CR-V delivers EPA-estimated fuel economy of 28 mpg city, 34 mpg on the highway and 30 mpg combined. All-wheel reduces those numbers a bit, to 27 mpg city, 32 mpg highway and 29 mpg combined. The CR-V Hybrid returns a much more thrifty 40 mpg in the city, 35 mpg on the highway and 38 mpg combined.

The 2021 RAV4 earned a Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and five stars overall from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Those successes are due in part to the vehicle’s standard safety equipment, which includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warnings with lane-keep assist and adaptive cruise control.

The 2021 CR-V earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Those impressive safety scores are on top of an equally substantial list of standard safety kit. Honda adds forward collision warnings, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist to every CR-V, while the EX trim adds blind spot monitors.