one best-selling hybrid SUV comes out on top

The Toyota RAV4 was probably the bestselling car last year, and the Honda CR-V not far behind. Both are compact crossover/SUVs, the most popular car shape, and both offer hybrid options that are way better than the ICE versions in every metric bar price.

These cars sell so well because they offer the complete package to satisfy most drivers most of the time, and at first glance, they’re very similar. So which one should you choose? I looked a bit closer and found several areas where one was better than the other. You know your own driving preferences, like big cargo space or infotainment, so have a look at the things you want in a car, and which model gives you the best of that.

RAV4 and CR-V hybrids overview

A range of price and feature options

The RAV4 hybrid range has seven trim levels to choose from, ranging from $32,600 to $40,905. All RAV4 options come standard with on-demand all-wheel-drive (AWD), which means it uses a more efficient front-wheel-drive (FWD) most of the time, but there is an electric motor on the rear wheels that kicks in when the car needs more grip, like on icy or muddy roads.

The whole hybrid range uses the same 2.5L 4-cylinder engine and two electric motors, giving a combined 219 hp. You can compare the features you will get in the various trim levels here.

The Honda CR-V hybrid starts at a higher price, and you will have four trim levels to choose from. The range is $35,630 to $42,250, all coming standard with FWD, with the option of AWD as well. The CR-V range uses a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine and two motors that make a combined 203 hp, 14 hp more than the standard ICE version. You can compare the different trim levels here.

Cabin comfort

Where you spend your time

The RAV4 and CR-V are both five-seat crossovers, which means more space inside and a higher driving position than a sedan. Both cars come standard with cloth or synthetic leather upholstery.

The RAV4 has marginally less space in the rear seats, and heated and adjustable front seats and a heated steering wheel are available, as is the Softex leatherette upholstery on lower trims. Meanwhile, the CR-V has a bit more to offer when it comes to seating, with heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat as standard. There’s a bit more room in the back, with reclining back seats adding to comfort on longer trips.

Interior tech

Both cars give the driver and passengers standard technology consistent with the compact crossovers as a class. The RAV4 has an 8-inch touch screen, while the CR-V’s is seven inches. Both use 7-inch instrument cluster screens. The standard technology and options are quite similar.

Cargo space

A main reason why crossovers are so popular is because of their large and versatile cargo space. Whether it’s for the week’s shopping, a weekend away, a crowded school run, or to cart home furniture bought online, a crossover beats a sedan or even a hatch every day. While both cars offer a hands-free power liftgate, the CR-V offers more than the RAV4, with 39.3 cu-ft vs 37.5 cu-ft behind the rear seats, and 76.5 cu-ft vs 69.8 cu-ft with the rear seats folded down.

Performance where it matters

Reliability, fuel efficiency, and safety

The RAV4 has a bigger engine and more horsepower than the CR-V, going to 60 mph in 7.3 vs 7.9 seconds, but we don’t buy compact crossovers for drag racing. As hybrids, both cars beat their own ICE models hands down when it comes to MPG. Both cars get high marks for reliability, as well as top marks for safety.

Reliability

JD Power is the gold standard when it comes to rating cars. It rated the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 as models, but did not rate the hybrids as specific variants.

The Honda CR-V received an overall rating of 83, reliability of 84, driving experience of 83, and resale value of 85. The Toyota RAV4 got 80, 80, 78, and 85 in these categories. Both cars are in the top tier, with the Honda slightly beating the Toyota.

RAV4 Hybrid warranties:

• Three-year/36,000-mile basic
• Five-year/60,000-mile powertrain
• Eight-year/100,000-mile hybrid components
• Ten-year/150,000-mile battery

CR-V hybrid warranties:

• Three-year/36,000-mile basic
• Five-year/60,000-mile powertrain
• Eight-year/100,000-mile hybrid components
• Eight-year/100,000-mile battery

Fuel Efficiency

I used the standard drivetrain with the best fuel efficiency figures for both models, so the AWD for the RAV4 and FWD for the CR-V. Both cars have the same range on a tank of fuel, both cost just over $2 to drive 25 miles, and both offer significant savings in fuel costs over five years.

Hybrids have a different MPG profile to ICE cars because of their regenerative braking. This makes them more efficient in city driving than on the highway, unlike ICE cars. This is worth considering with your own driving profile, so where you drive most.

Safety

Both the Honda and Toyota come with comprehensive safety and driver-assist technology, as well as received five stars in the NHTSA crash tests. The Honda also received the Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, the insurance industry safety agency.

Conclusion

A difficult choice

The baseline Toyota is a lot more affordable than that of the Honda, and the RAV4 also has more options, including the Woodland trim with a more off-road vibe. The Honda edges ahead on interior and cargo space. I did not cover towing, but the RAV4 can tow a heavier load.

Something to consider, though, is that a new generation of RAV4 will launch later this year. This will be available as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid only. Although the current generation of the CR-V is two years younger than the current RAV4, I expect Honda to reply with a significant update to stay competitive in the highly contested compact crossover segment.