Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs Honda CR-V Hybrid

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, following its 2019 redesign, adopted a more robust and angular aesthetic, moving away from the softer crossover look. Its trapezoidal grille, inspired by Toyota's truck line, added a sense of heft, complemented by beveled and angled bodywork framing the headlights. This design choice initially stood out but became more common as competitors like the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-50 adopted similar styles. The RAV4 Hybrid's interior continued the angular theme with a multi-tiered dashboard featuring beveled cutouts, adding visual interest to an otherwise straightforward layout. While materials were average for its class, with some hard plastics, most touchpoints were lightly padded. The base model's urethane steering wheel felt cheap, but higher trims offered a leather-wrapped option. Overall, the build quality was solid, with no noticeable creaks or squeaks during drives.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid, with a base price of $48,909, presented a more affordable electrified SUV option. Its black 18-inch wheels and blacked-out exterior trim gave it a sporty look, though the interior remained basic. The Touring Hybrid, priced at $50,909, featured Canyon River Blue paint and no optional accessories. The CR-V's conservative styling, with a technical face resembling an angry robot, was expected to age well, though it carried too much visual weight over the front wheels. The best view was from the rear quarter, where Volvo-like taillights and a tidy design gave it an upscale appearance. Inside, the Touring trim offered leather seats with orange contrast stitching and numerous quality details, such as the sound of doors closing and the soft-touch dashboard. The CR-V's cabin exuded sophistication, making it a standout in the compact SUV segment.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor/generator, delivering a combined 219 horsepower. This setup, mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), powered the front wheels, while a second electric motor provided all-wheel drive (AWD). The RAV4 Hybrid could accelerate to 100 kilometres per hour in approximately 7.5 seconds, making it about half a second quicker than the standard RAV4. In comparison, the plug-in hybrid RAV4 Prime reached 100 km/h in roughly 5.5 seconds. Within the compact hybrid SUV class, the Kia Sportage hybrid was slightly quicker, while the Honda CR-V Hybrid was estimated to reach 100 km/h in about 8 seconds. The RAV4 Hybrid's brakes operated smoothly, with regenerative braking engaging initially and physical brakes taking over during aggressive stops. Its suspension provided a comfortable ride over bumps and potholes, offering confident cornering without being sporty. Overall, the RAV4 Hybrid's driving dynamics were calm and effortless, similar to its rivals.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a fourth-generation Honda two-motor hybrid drive system, combining an Atkinson-cycle 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with two electric motors. This setup delivered 204 horsepower to all four wheels. The CR-V Hybrid's powertrain complexity aimed to achieve 6.4 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, but our test vehicle returned 8.7 L/100 km on a mountainous loop. The CR-V Hybrid Touring offered a quiet ride with compliant handling and impressive grip. The brakes performed well during heavy use, and the steering, though not noteworthy, required unusually heavy effort even in Normal mode. Overall, the CR-V was easy to drive, with hints of fun typical of Honda vehicles, though it wasn't suited for off-road adventures or spirited driving.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered ample front seat space for larger passengers, while the rear seats comfortably accommodated average-sized adults. Although it provided slightly more rear headroom than the Honda CR-V or Kia Sportage, it had less legroom. The rear seat cushions were set low, potentially leaving taller passengers wishing for more thigh support on long trips. The RAV4 Hybrid's cargo capacity was 1,059 litres, only three litres smaller than the non-hybrid version, with no significant advantage over the Honda CR-V Hybrid's 1,028 litres or the Kia Sportage's 1,121 litres. Interior storage was a highlight, with a wide dashboard shelf, a phone tray for wireless charging, large cupholders, and a spacious centre armrest bin. Dual-zone climate control was standard on all trims except the base Hybrid LE.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in form and function, offering quality materials, intuitive controls, and comfortable seating. All CR-V Hybrids featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, providing excellent support, while the front passenger seat offered power adjustments. Heated front seats, heated outboard rear seats, and a heated steering wheel were standard on Canadian models, enhancing comfort in cold weather. The CR-V's rear doors opened nearly 90 degrees, facilitating easy access, especially for installing child safety seats. The back seat was comfortable for adults, with a high bottom cushion for leg support and adjustable backrest angles. The CR-V Hybrid's cargo area offered 1,028 litres, expanding to 2,030 litres with the back seat folded down, making it one of the most spacious in its class.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid introduced a new multimedia infotainment system, significantly improving over previous versions. The system featured modern graphics and logically arranged menus, with most trims offering an 8.0-inch display and higher trims upgrading to a 10.5-inch touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though a wireless charging pad was optional. The infotainment system supported over-the-air updates and included a Wi-Fi hotspot and remote vehicle monitoring. The top RAV4 Hybrid trim featured a fully digital instrument panel, while the XSE and Limited trims offered an 11-speaker JBL audio system.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid came standard with a 9-inch infotainment display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless smartphone charging. Pairing an iPhone to the test vehicle's Bluetooth was quick and easy, and the Touring trim included navigation and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system. However, the voice recognition system was basic, struggling with conversational commands. The CR-V Hybrid also featured a walk-away automatic locking system, providing peace of mind by locking the doors as you walked away with the key fob.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and a traffic sign reader. In Canada, blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. The top Limited trim added front and rear parking sensors, automatic braking when reversing, and a surround-view camera system.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centring assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, and a driver monitoring system. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on Hybrid trims, with front and rear parking sensors and low-speed automatic braking control included in the Touring trim. The CR-V Hybrid received a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS for 2024, though it was a downgrade from the Top Safety Pick+ award for 2023 due to a poor rating in the updated moderate overlap front test.