Which of these compact SUVs is a better option for drivers?
Video: 2026 Honda CR-V Trailsport Hybrid surprised me with off-roading.
The compact SUV, which looks sturdy, adds an outdoor appeal to Honda’s top selling models.
- Toyota frequently produces bestselling (gas) SUVs in the United States.
- Honda’s CR-V Small SUV offers similar performance specifications, standard features and safety ratings.
- The RAV4 continues to sell the CR-V despite the SUV sharing some attractive properties.
The small SUV segment is one of the most competitive segments in the automotive industry, with popular models such as the Tesla Model Y, Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Nissan Rogue.
Some of the bestselling cars of 2025 are small SUVs. Japanese automakers Toyota and Honda will create small SUVs that rival each other in sales and specifications. For the Toyota RAV4 vs. Honda CR-V, are there any smaller SUV options better for the driver?
2025 Toyota RAV4 vs 2025 Honda CR-V: Price and Specifications
Both the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V are small Japanese SUVs with a long history of reliability. Their pricing and specifications may be close to being a segment rival, but there is a clear difference between the two SUVs.
| 2025 Toyota RAV4 | 2025 Honda CR-V | |
| Starting MSRP | $29,800 | $30,100 |
| engine | 2.5 liter four-cylinder | 1.5 liter turbocharged 4 cylinder |
| Horsepower/Torque | 203 horsepower/184 pound-feet of torque | 190 horsepower/179 pound-feet of torque |
| MPG (miles per gallon) | 27 Cities/35 Expressway | 28 Cities/34 Expressway |
| Cargo space | 37.5 cubic feet | 39.3 cubic feet |
The first distinct difference between the two small SUVs is the starting price. Honda’s small SUVs cost $300 more than Toyota’s small SUVs. The RAV4 has a slightly higher power output, but both models come with a four-cylinder engine.
Both small SUVs have decent fuel efficiency. The Honda CR-V has 2 feet of cargo space than the RAV4. There are quite a few similarities between Japanese small SUVs, but the external design is clear and completely different from each other. How can you stack up safety and reliability assessments?
2025 Toyota RAV4 vs 2025 Honda CR-V: Safety and reliability evaluation
Toyota’s 2025 SUV scored a mixed crashworthy feeling score from the Insurance Institute for highway safety. It scored a higher score than the 2025 Honda CR-V due to a medium overlap front crash. Meanwhile, the Honda small SUV scored better in the side crash category.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gz_p5pdjay
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2025 RAV4 a 5-star overall safety rating. There has been one recall so far. The 2025 CR-V also received a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was recalled only once.
JD Power gave the 2025 CR-V 84% in terms of quality and reliability compared to the 80% score on the RAV4. In contrast, Toyota’s small SUVs received a much higher predictive reliability score from consumer reports than the CR-V. In terms of safety and reliability, these two compact SUV models are almost evenly matched.
Which small SUV is a better buy?
According to the 2025 bestselling car Kelly Blue Booklist published in July, more consumers have opted for the RAV4 over the CR-V. Side by side, the two SUVs look identical based on specs and ratings, but there are several reasons why consumers use CR-Vs to choose the RAV4 each year.
One of the main reasons why American drivers choose small Toyota SUVs is their reliability and resale value. A member survey of the Consumer Report found that Toyota is a slightly more reliable car brand than Honda.
Toyota has a reputation for producing the longest-lasting SUVs in the industry, including the Toyota Sequoia and the Toyota Highlander. The RAV4 is a little cheaper than the CR-V, along with the history of Toyota, which produces reliable vehicles, to choose the bestselling model over Honda’s rivals.
