Compact SUVs are popular because they can easily handle everyday life demands such as carrying goods and people. If you are in the market for a compact SUV, chances are you’ll be choosing between the 2021 Toyota RAV4 or the 2021 Honda CR-V.
Despite being manufactured by different companies, these two small SUVs have many similarities. Both are five-seaters and have spacious trunks for ferrying cargo. Moreover, they have an elevated ride height that ensures you have a clear view of the road while driving.
Handling the RAV4 and the CR-V is much easier compared to bigger SUVs. Driving either is like being in a sedan, with differences such as a better view of the road and a bigger storage space.
That said, these vehicles do have dissimilarities. Read on to discover the specifications of the most recent generations of these two compact SUVs.
Price
Both the CR-V and the RAV4 are more pricey than other compact SUVs. The base trim of the RAV4 LE costs $26,050, while the base CR-V LX costs $25,350. On the premium side, the RAV4 Limited costs $34,580, whereas the CR-V Touring costs $33,650. Although the Honda is cheaper, you should compare features before making a purchase.
Interior Features
If you are wondering why the RAV4 is costlier than the CR-V, you need to look at its interior features. The Toyota comes with a standard entertainment system featuring a 7-inch touch-screen display, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hot spot, and support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. On the other hand, The Honda has a 5-inch screen, a USB port, and Bluetooth support. You have to pay more to get the features available in the RAV4.
Both SUVs are available with upgrades such as navigation, a sunroof, and dual-zone climate control.
Acceleration
Both Toyota and Honda come with a single engine. However, the RAV4 is more powerful, as it has a 2500cc 4-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower, compared to the CR-V’s 190 horsepower 1.5-liter engine. Though the Honda delivers a decent performance, it can’t keep up with the RAV4.
Fuel Economy
Compared with other compact SUVs, the 2021 RAV4 and the 2021 Honda CR-V have excellent fuel economy. However, the RAV4 requires fueling less often.
On city roads, both vehicles have a fuel rating of 28 mpg. There is a slight difference on highways since the Toyota has a fuel rating of 34 mpg, while the Honda has an mpg of 35. In all-wheel-drive, both models have an mpg of 27, but the Toyota has an mpg of 34 mpg on highways, which is a mile more compared to the Honda.
Safety
Regarding safety, Toyota has gone out of its way with both models to ensure passenger safety. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave both a 5-star overall crash test rating.
Some of the notable safety features in these vehicles include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam headlights, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and rearview cameras. Additionally, the RAV4 has road signs and pedestrian detection, as well as lane trace assist.
Driving
When it comes to driving, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 lives up to expectations. Like the latest versions of Camry, Corolla, and Prius, it features Toyota’s New Generation Architecture.
The RAV4’s drivetrain ensures you’ll be comfortable while on the wheel. Regardless of the terrain, the engine and the transmission work together seamlessly to propel your car forward.
The drivetrain’s power makes Toyota a bit noisy at times, especially if you fit big, thin tires. However, it isn’t deafening.
The CR-V offers a decent driving performance. The automatic transmission makes the most of the engine’s torque band, ensuring that the car accelerates smoothly and responds promptly when you step on the accelerator. You might experience a slight lag during rolling acceleration, but this issue is nonexistent from a standing start.
You are likely to hear some noise under the Honda CR-V when speeding. Nevertheless, it’s not loud enough to irritate your ears.
Design
The 2021 RAV4 is perhaps the most masculine compact SUV. Its exterior design contributes a lot to this characteristic. For instance, the Edge variant has a unique bumper, grille, fog-lamp surrounds, skid plate, and wheel-arch moldings. Even the cheaper GX has elegant 17-inch rims.
The CR-V’s design is a minor improvement on previous models. Most of the changes made on this year’s iteration of the SUV are intended to improve its visual appeal. For example, the front bumper now looks like a silver mustache, while the rear bears a blacked-out finish. Models in the VTi range also have new shaped exhaust tips.
ImageUsed with Permission via toyota.com
Seat Comfort
The Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V both seat five. However, the latter beats the RAV4 when it comes to seat comfort, as it has more legroom in its back-row seats. Standard models of both vehicles come with cloth upholstery, but you can upgrade the Toyota with synthetic leather.
While both crossovers have heated front seats, only the RAV4 enables you to install heated rear outboard seats and ventilated front seats.
Cargo Space
For an average compact SUV, both the RAV4 and the CR-V have massive storage space. The Honda has 39.2 cubic feet behind the second row, which is slightly more than the RAV4’s 37.6 cubic feet. With the back seats down, the Honda offers you 75.6 cubic feet, compared to Toyota’s 69.8 cubic feet.
After Sales Service
Both models have a five-year unlimited warranty, but you can extend the RAV4’s to seven years if your car has logbook servicing. When it comes to service charges, Toyota is a bit cheaper at $210 per visit, as Honda charges $312 per visit.
Conclusion
There’s not much difference between the 2021 Toyota RAV4 and the 2021 Honda CR-V. The Toyota offers better acceleration, elegant interior features, and improved fuel economy. On the other hand, the Honda has more cargo space and relatively comfortable.
If you want a crossover SUV that you can drive comfortably across challenging terrains, look no further than the 2021 Toyota RAV4. It might be a little costlier than the CR-V, but it’s surely worth it. Feel free to call or visit us for more information.
