2018 Honda CR-V vs. 2018 Toyota RAV4

What’s better about the Honda CR-V?

It’s newer. Yes, the Toyota and the Honda are both from the 2018 model year, but this generation of CR-V was first introduced in 2017 while the current-generation RAV4 was launched in 2013 (a new generation launches in 2019). So if you’re shopping 2018 models, know that the Honda will have more modern features, safety equipment and comfort levels than the older Toyota.

Fuel economy. The Honda CR-V -- because its powertrain is newer -- gets 27/33/29 MPG city/highway/combined for all-wheel-drive models with the turbo engine. That’s quite a bit better than the 22/28/25 MPG city/highway/combined rating of the AWD RAV4.

More space. The CR-V wins for both cargo volume and passenger volume when compared to the RAV4. Plus, there’s considerably more rear legroom in the Honda than the Toyota.

What’s better about the Toyota RAV4?

Hybrid availability. The RAV4 is one of the few crossovers in its segment that can be had with an optional all-wheel-drive hybrid powertrain. It boosts fuel economy to an impressive 34/30/32 MPG in city/highway/combined driving. The Honda doesn’t have such an option.

Bulletproof reliability. It’s a Toyota, which means one of the best reputations for reliability in the industry. That’s not to say that Honda is a slouch, but if we’re hedging our reliability bets, it’s with Toyota.

Active safety tech standard. While Honda offers its active safety gear on most models of the CR-V, the RAV4 outdoes these efforts by offering standard on all models features like pre-collision alerts and braking, lane-departure alert and adaptive cruise control. That’s a nice touch.

Autolist’s take:

This one just comes down to freshness. The Toyota certainly offers buyers a lot (active safety gear, a hybrid option, reliability plus oodles of practicality common throughout this segment. But the CR-V does all this plus more: it’s quieter, it’s more comfortable, spacious and refined inside and has better fuel economy and features. Plus, there’s no meaningful price difference between the two. For those reasons, we say Buy the Honda.