Compact SUV Comparison: 2023 Honda CR-V vs. 2023 Toyota RAV4

Model	2023 Honda CR-V	2023 Toyota RAV4
Starting MSRP	$31,110	$28,000 (estimated)
Maximum Horsepower	204-hp 2.0L 4-cylinder hybrid	203-hp four-cylinder
MPG	Up to 28 city / 34 highway (2WD)	Up to 25 city / 32 highway (AWD)
Transmission	Continuously variable automatic	8-speed automatic transmission
Entertainment System	12-speaker Bose premium audio	11-speaker JBL setup
Maximum Cargo Space	76.5 cubic feet	69.8 cubic feet
Hill Descent Control	Standard	Available

2023 Honda CR-V beats the 2023 Toyota RAV4

The fierce rivalry between the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 began in the late 1990s and fast-forward twenty years, the battle is still on. Japanese automakers today sell more vehicles than any other brand and have established themselves as the most successful automobile manufacturers in the United States. When shopping for a new crossover SUV, you are likely to compare the 2023 Honda CR-V to the 2023 Toyota RAV4 to get an idea of what each stands to offer.

Both the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4 are excellent crossovers with lots of modern tech and safety features but the 2023 Honda CR-V offers more interior and cargo space with automatic folding rear seats. The new Honda CR-V also features a sleeker exterior, better power and performance, and more standard equipment.

2023 Honda CR-V vs. 2023 Toyota RAV4: Engine, Performance, and Mileage

The 2023 Honda CR-V still comes with the same reliable engine as the previous model. This means all the regular 2023 CR-V models are powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four cylinder engine, providing 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque. Honda has, however, improved both the engine and the CVT gearbox and peak torque can now be achieved at 300 rpm lower which means the acceleration would be much better. It takes 8.6 seconds to hit 60 mph and has a fuel economy of 28 MPG in the city and 34 on the highway.

The 2023 RAV4 is equipped with a 2.5-liter I-4 engine providing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Although it’s much larger than the CR-V's engine, the RAV4 gets to 60 mph just 0.6 seconds faster than the CR-V and a fuel economy of 27 MPG in the city and 35 on the highway.

2023 Honda CR-V vs. 2023 Toyota RAV4: Hybrid Choices

The 2023 CR-V and RAV4 are also available in hybrid versions. The 2023 CR-V Hybrid is powered by a 2.0-liter I-4 engine supplemented by two electric motors. The combined output is 204 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque, which is transmitted to the front wheels or all four with available AWD. It takes 7.5 seconds to accelerate from 0-60 with a fuel economy of 40 MPG in the city and 35 on the highway. 

Similarly, the 2023 RAV4 Hybrid uses an I-4 engine and two electric motors but with a different configuration. It is equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with one connected electric motor. The RAV4 Hybrid is also available in AWD and uses a second motor to power the rear wheel drive without a mechanical link between the front and rear axle. It achieves 0-60 mph in 7.1-seconds with a fuel economy of 41 MPG in the city and 38 on the highway.

2023 Honda CR-V vs. 2023 Toyota RAV4: Exterior Design

Honda has built the CR-V on its ACE platform, as it did in previous years. But they totally redesigned the CR-V, giving it a more sporty appearance. The 2023 Honda CR-V strikes a delicate balance between ruggedness and sophistication with new LED headlights, upright and wide black grille, 8-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels, and new signature tail lamps for a bold outlook. The 2023 CR-V is also lengthier by 2.7 inches while the wheelbase was made taller by 1.6 inches to enhance its handling and ride comfort. Overall, the CR-V comes dressed with a richer outlook. Overall, the 2023 Honda CR-V is so much more appealing.

The exterior of the 2023 Toyota RAV4, on the other hand, remains unchanged. The Toyota RAV4 appears sleek and sporty. It has a muscular appearance thanks to the contoured body lines and aggressive front bumper, but it lacks the premium appearance of the CR-V.

2023 Honda CR-V vs. 2023 Toyota RAV4: Safety Features

Both the Honda Sensing safety suite in the CR-V and Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) in the RAV4 offer a lot of desirable driver-assist and active-safety technology. Each vehicle comes standard with adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. The sensors on the 2023 CR-V are improved for more natural responses and the RAV4's automatic braking system was improved to prevent collisions when turning across an intersection. Hill descent control and snow driving mode come standard on all CR-V trims for 2023 but are only available on select RAV4 trims.

2023 Honda CR-V vs. 2023 Toyota RAV4: Interior Design, Comfort, and Features

The cabin of the 2023 Honda CR-V is very similar to that of the Honda Civic, but it is more spacious and comfortable. It’s also redesigned for a fresher and modern look as the driver gets a new 7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 7-inch touchscreen as standard.

Higher trims include a larger 9-inch touchscreen, wireless charging, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. It is also equipped with power-adjustable front seats with cooling and heating functions. When it comes to ergonomics, the RAV4's cabin is on par with the CRV although it’s smaller than the CR-V's by 7 ft3. This means you get 0.3-inches less legroom and 0.6-inches less headroom.

Is the 2023 Honda CR-V better than the 2023 Toyota RAV4?

Both the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4 are top-performing SUVs but the Honda CR-V edges the RAV4 with a sleeker exterior, better performance, a more spacious interior and lots of other tech features.

Find Your 2023 Honda CR-V In Venice, FL

If you’d love to test drive the Honda CR-V for a feel of its performance and innovative features firsthand, feel free to schedule a test drive. If you have any questions about the new CR-V lineup before you visit our Venice, FL dealership, don't hesitate to reach out to our staff online or by phone! Our team of helpful Honda sales specialists are eager to assist with your new Honda SUV search.

View Honda CR-V Inventory