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2019 Honda CR-V Beats Toyota RAV4 in Head-to-Head Test

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Photo: Honda

If you’re on the market for a new SUV, it’s hard to avoid the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4. They’re not just the two most popular vehicles in the segment, they’re also the best-selling, non-pickup trucks in the country. It’s easy to see why: They offer good utility, safety, and comfort for at least five occupants, and most people don’t care that their center of gravity and weight aren’t as low as that of a sports car. Even fuel economy is decent, for their size.

So if you’re shopping SUVs, you probably want to know which one to pick between the two. The current Honda CR-V model dates back to 2017, while the RAV4 is all-new for 2019. Typically, that would swing things in the RAV4’s favor, but according to Car and Driver, which put the two models through a comprehensive head-to-head comparison, the CR-V continues to be the favorite.


Related: Find the CR-V that’s right for you

Despite many similarities, Car and Driver found the CR-V was remarkably different in a lot of important areas. The rear seat is more spacious, loading cargo is easier, and while the material quality on top trims was about the same, the CR-V has the benefit of more variety thanks to faux-wood trim. The RAV4, on the other hand, was just black as far as the eye could see.

On the road, the CR-V pulled ahead. It accelerates faster while being less unpleasantly noisy and pulling in almost as many miles per gallon, and the lighter steering makes it feel more responsive. The CR-V is the only one of the two to offer Android Auto technology, representative of a common theme: For the money, you simply get more out of the CR-V.

“The Honda provides more space, better engine performance, and plenty of features, all for less money than the Toyota,” Joey Capparella writes for Car and Driver. “That’s a winning formula as much today as it was when the CR-V first hit the scene more than 20 years ago.”


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News Source: Car and Driver