When it comes to compact SUVs, the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 have long been at the top of many car buyers’ wishlists. As perennial bestsellers, both vehicles have a loyal following and a proven track record of offering reliability, versatility, and value for money.
In this article, we take an in-depth look at the 2023 Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, examining their various attributes to help you determine which one best suits your needs and preferences. From design and performance to fuel efficiency and safety, we’ll cover everything you need to know about these two highly-regarded SUVs.
Exterior Design:
The 2023 Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 have distinct exterior designs that make them stand out on the road. The CR-V has a bold and aggressive look, with sleek lines and an angular front fascia featuring a large, eye-catching grille. The LED headlights and taillights add a touch of modernity, while the 18-inch alloy wheels on higher trims give it a commanding presence.
On the other hand, the RAV4 has a more rugged, off-road-inspired design with a bold front grille, flared wheel arches, and a more upright stance. The RAV4’s exterior also features LED headlights and taillights, as well as optional 19-inch alloy wheels for a sportier look. The available two-tone paint scheme adds a touch of flair to the already striking design.
Interior Design:
Inside, both vehicles offer a stylish and comfortable cabin. The CR-V’s interior has been designed with a focus on ergonomics and functionality. The dashboard features a clean, minimalist layout with user-friendly controls and an available 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Higher trims benefit from premium materials, such as leather seating and wood trim accents, for a more upscale feel.
The RAV4’s cabin boasts a more adventurous, yet still refined design. The available 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system takes center stage on the dashboard, and the overall layout is intuitive and easy to use. Like the CR-V, the RAV4 also offers higher-quality materials in its higher trims, such as SofTex seating and unique accent stitching.
Seating:
Both the 2023 Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 offer comfortable seating for up to five passengers. The CR-V has spacious front and rear seats, providing ample headroom and legroom for occupants. The available 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support ensures an ideal driving position, while heated front and rear seats are optional for added comfort during colder months.
The RAV4 also offers ample space for passengers, with supportive seats designed for long drives. The available 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and available heated front seats add to the overall comfort, though the RAV4 does not offer heated rear seats as an option.
Storage:
When it comes to storage, both vehicles have plenty of space to accommodate your cargo needs. The CR-V has a slight edge, offering 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 75.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down. It also features a low load floor and a wide opening for easy loading and unloading.
The RAV4 has slightly less storage space, with 37.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and up to 69.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down. However, the RAV4’s storage area is still more than enough for most day-to-day needs, and the optional hands-free power liftgate adds convenience for those with their hands full.
Performance:
Under the hood, both the CR-V and RAV4 offer capable powertrains. The 2023 Honda CR-V comes standard with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) for smooth, responsive driving. An all-wheel-drive (AWD) option is available for those who want added traction and capability in various driving conditions.
The 2023 Toyota RAV4 is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The RAV4 comes with an 8-speed automatic transmission, providing a more engaging driving experience. Like the CR-V, the RAV4 also offers an available AWD system for better handling in challenging conditions.
For those seeking more power and performance, the RAV4 also comes in a hybrid variant that combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, resulting in a total system output of 219 horsepower. This hybrid model boasts not only improved performance but also better fuel efficiency.
Fuel Efficiency:
Both the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 provide excellent fuel efficiency for their class. The CR-V achieves an EPA-estimated 28 mpg city and 34 mpg highway for the front-wheel-drive (FWD) model, while the AWD variant returns slightly lower numbers at 27 mpg city and 32 mpg highway.
The RAV4’s standard gasoline engine is similarly efficient, with the FWD model earning an EPA-estimated 27 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. The AWD version delivers 25 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. The RAV4 Hybrid, however, significantly outperforms both with an impressive EPA-estimated 41 mpg city and 38 mpg highway.
Safety:
Both Honda and Toyota are known for their commitment to safety, and the 2023 CR-V and RAV4 are no exceptions. The Honda CR-V comes standard with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims also offer blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
The Toyota RAV4 is equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite, which includes forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-tracing assist, adaptive cruise control, and road sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are available as options or standard on higher trims.
Trim Levels:
The 2023 Honda CR-V is available in four main trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring. Each trim offers varying levels of features and amenities, with the range-topping Touring model providing the most luxurious experience, including leather seating, a hands-free power tailgate, and a premium audio system.
The 2023 Toyota RAV4 comes in six primary trims: LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Adventure, TRD Off-Road, and Limited. The RAV4 also offers more specialized options with its Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims, which cater to those looking for enhanced off-road capability. The Limited trim sits at the top of the lineup, providing a high level of luxury and refinement.
Pricing:
In terms of pricing, the 2023 Honda CR-V starts at a slightly lower price point than the Toyota RAV4. The base CR-V LX has an MSRP of around $26,000, while the range-topping Touring trim comes in at around $36,000.
The 2023 Toyota RAV4 has a starting MSRP of around $27,000 for the base LE model, with the luxurious Limited trim priced at around $37,000.
Key Differences:
Performance:
The Honda CR-V comes with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque, while the Toyota RAV4 is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The RAV4 also offers a hybrid variant with increased power and fuel efficiency.
Fuel Efficiency:
Both vehicles provide excellent fuel efficiency, but the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid outperforms the CR-V with an EPA-estimated 41 mpg city and 38 mpg highway, compared to the CR-V’s 28 mpg city and 34 mpg highway (FWD model).
Trim Levels:
The Honda CR-V is available in four main trim levels (LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring), while the Toyota RAV4 offers six primary trims (LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Adventure, TRD Off-Road, and Limited). The RAV4’s Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims cater to those seeking enhanced off-road capabilities, which the CR-V does not specifically offer.
Seating:
While both vehicles offer comfortable seating for up to five passengers, the Honda CR-V provides available heated front and rear seats, whereas the Toyota RAV4 only offers available heated front seats.
Final Thoughts:
The 2023 Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 are both outstanding compact SUVs, each with its own set of strengths and unique characteristics. While the CR-V excels in cargo space, pricing, and seating comfort, the RAV4 sets itself apart with a rugged exterior design, a hybrid option, and specialized off-road trims.
Take the time to test-drive both vehicles and weigh their advantages to find the perfect match for your needs and lifestyle. Regardless of which model you choose, you’ll be driving home in an SUV that has earned its place as a top contender in its class.
Features Breakdown:
2023 Honda CR-V Features:
- Exterior Design:
- Modern, sleek design
- Angular front fascia
- LED headlights and taillights
- 18-inch alloy wheels on higher trims
- Interior Design:
- Ergonomic, minimalist layout
- 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system (available)
- Premium materials on higher trims (leather seating, wood trim accents)
- Seating:
- Comfortable seating for up to five passengers
- Spacious front and rear seats
- 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support (available)
- Heated front and rear seats (optional)
- Storage:
- 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind rear seats
- Up to 75.8 cubic feet with seats folded down
- Low load floor and wide opening
- Performance:
- 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine
- 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque
- Continuously variable transmission (CVT)
- All-wheel-drive option (available)
- Fuel Efficiency:
- 28 mpg city and 34 mpg highway (FWD)
- 27 mpg city and 32 mpg highway (AWD)
- Safety:
- Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety features
- Forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control
- Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert on higher trims
- Trim Levels:
- LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring
- Pricing:
- Starting MSRP of around $26,000 (LX)
- Range-topping Touring trim at around $36,000
2023 Toyota RAV4 Features:
- Exterior Design:
- Rugged, off-road-inspired design
- Bold front grille and flared wheel arches
- LED headlights and taillights
- 19-inch alloy wheels (optional)
- Interior Design:
- Adventurous, refined cabin
- 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system (available)
- Higher-quality materials on higher trims (SofTex seating, unique accent stitching)
- Seating:
- Comfortable seating for up to five passengers
- Supportive front and rear seats
- 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat (available)
- Heated front seats (optional)
- Storage:
- 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind rear seats
- Up to 69.8 cubic feet with seats folded down
- Hands-free power liftgate (optional)
- Performance:
- 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine
- 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque
- 8-speed automatic transmission
- All-wheel-drive option (available)
- Hybrid variant with 219 horsepower (available)
- Fuel Efficiency:
- 27 mpg city and 35 mpg highway (FWD)
- 25 mpg city and 33 mpg highway (AWD)
- 41 mpg city and 38 mpg highway (Hybrid)
- Safety:
- Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite
- Forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-tracing assist, adaptive cruise control, road sign recognition
- Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert (optional or standard on higher trims)
- Trim Levels:
- LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Adventure, TRD Off-Road, and Limited
- Pricing:
- Starting MSRP of around $27,000 (LE)
- Range-topping Limited trim at around $37,000
