Could This 2023 Honda CR-V Be Better Than The 2023 Toyota RAV4?

Both the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4 were instrumental in starting the compact, car-based crossover trend in the late 1990s, so their rivalry is as fierce as any other. However, the CR-V has gained ground recently, defeating the RAV4 in comparative tests, our rankings for compact crossovers, and even taking home our SUV of the Year award (twice!). The drama thickens for 2023 as Honda debuts the new sixth-generation CR-V. However, the fifth-generation RAV4, which debuted in 2019, isn’t quite a dinosaur. How do the features and specs of these super-popular small SUVs compare? Read on, and you’ll see that the rivalry remains.

The 2023 Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 provide what you’re looking for if you want to see a tough fight in the automotive industry. Since the late 1990s and up until the present, these two small crossover SUVs have been at odds. In most comparison testing over the past few years, the CR-V has prevailed, but will that hold true for the 2023 model year?

The upgraded CR-V crossover SUV from Honda marks the beginning of the new SUV’s sixth generation. For the Toyota RAV4, which is currently in the middle of its fifth iteration, 2023 is nothing new. Will the new CR-V be able to compete with the RAV4?

Which compact crossover SUV has the better powertrain?

The Honda CR-V makes its way into a new generation in 2023, although it retains the 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine from the outgoing model. This engine produces 179 lb-ft of torque and 190 horsepower. Customers have the option of a FWD configuration with this engine attached to a CVT. The AWD version’s fuel economy is 27 city and 32 highway mpg.

A 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque powers the 2023 Toyota RAV4. This engine offers either FWD or AWD and pairs with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The fuel economy for the RAV4 is 25/36 mpg.

The Honda CR-V is the best option if you want better city fuel economy, but the Toyota RAV4 is the better option if you want more power and a conventional transmission.

Which is more reliable

Normally, you could believe that the Toyota RAV4 is more dependable than the Honda CR-V. Toyota has a long history of being trusted for its dependability. According to reliability ratings, the CR-V outperforms the RAV4 in the compact SUV category.

Which SUV is bigger 

When looking for a crossover SUV that gives you the right size for your family, interior cabin space is where it counts. 

The 2018 Honda CR-V provides 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seats, 41.3 inches of front legroom, and 41 inches of rear legroom. 76.5 cubic feet of additional space for cargo is available when the back seats are folded. 

When we look at the Toyota RAV4, the front passengers have 41 inches of legroom, while the back passengers get 37.8 inches. When the back seats are folded flat, the 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind them increases to 69.8 cubic feet. Overall, the Toyota RAV4 is smaller than the 2023 Honda CR-V. Only when the back seats are upright does the Toyota SUV have a little advantage over the Honda crossover.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion 

According to the numbers, the RAV4 offers a number of benefits over the CR-V, including more horsepower, larger displays, more available powertrains, and a wider selection of trims. The CR-V, on the other hand, won our plaudits for its excellent driving manners in a previous incarnation, something the RAV4 hasn’t always been able to do. Will the brand-new CR-V from 2023 continue to be so pleasant that it more than makes up for any probable RAV4 shortcomings? When we get a chance to drive it and as the CR-V lineup undoubtedly grows over the coming years, we’ll learn more.