Compare 2018 RAV4 vs. 2018 CR-V

The trailblazing RAV4 and the CR-V set the crossover SUV standard. In fact, they are two of the highest-selling crossover SUVs in the U.S. How do Toyota and Honda compare when it comes to these vehicles?

In 2016, Toyota was recognized for having the longest-lasting vehicles of any full-line manufacturer²⁵, and the RAV4 continues this industry reputation for reliability today. Also, the RAV4 has six gas and four hybrid grades -- Honda doesn’t offer a hybrid CR-V in the U.S.

The 2018 RAV4 LE’s higher starting MSRP¹² than the 2018 CR-V LX balances out when considering standard features: all 2018 RAV4s include Toyota Safety Sense™ P (TSS-P)²⁴. The similar Honda Sensing® package is not standard or available as an upgrade on the 2018 CR-V LX.

If you want a CR-V comparable to a RAV4 LE with Toyota Safety Sense™ P (TSS-P)²⁴, you would have to upgrade to the CR-V EX, which has a starting MSRP of $27,050 vs. RAV4 LE’s much lower starting MSRP of $24,660.

The RAV4 additionally includes ToyotaCare¹¹, a 2-year/25,000-mile no-cost scheduled maintenance plan with 2-year/unlimited mile 24-hour roadside assistance.

Both the 2018 Toyota RAV4 and 2018 Honda CR-V earned 5-Star NHTSA Overall Safety Ratings²⁶ and are IIHS Top Safety Picks²⁷.

Here is added detail on the Toyota Safety SenseTM (TSS-P)²⁴ advanced safety features which come standard on every 2018 RAV4:

Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA)²⁰ alerts the driver, under certain conditions, if the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A Lane Departure Warning system comes standard on the Honda CR-V EX, EX-L, and Touring. Steering Assist (SA) may make corrective steering inputs.

Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD)²³²² helps to mitigate potential collisions with alerts. Brake Assist (BA)²⁸ may apply additional braking force. If not applied, brakes may automatically activate. The 2018 CR-V comes standard with Brake Assist on all trims and Collision Mitigation Braking System is standard on the 2018 CR-V EX, EX-L, and Touring trims.

Automatic High Beams (AHB)¹⁸ detect headlights and taillights to toggle between high or low beams. The 2018 CR-V EX, EX-L, and Touring come standard with automatic high beams.

Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)¹⁹ is designed to maintain a preset distance from a preceding vehicle and automatically slow your vehicle to maintain the preset distance. Once the slower vehicle is no longer in your lane, the system will resume your preset speed. The 2018 Honda CR-V has Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow as standard on EX, EXL and Touring trims.

Honda Sensing® does include comparable features to all of these Toyota Safety Sense™ P (TSS-P)²⁴ features. However, Honda Sensing® is neither standard nor even available on the base 2018 CR-V LX trim. Honda Sensing only comes standard beginning on 2018 Honda CR-V EX trim.

The 2018 Toyota RAV4’s functional yet bold exterior stylings highlight its adventurous personality.

The 2018 RAV4 Adventure, in particular, takes you off the beaten path in style. As a comparison, there is no rugged, outdoor-focused grade for the CR-V as with the RAV4 Adventure. Put simply, there are more RAV4 options available to suit everyone’s lifestyle.

RAV4 Adventure comes standard with front bumper integrated fog lights with black accents and 18-in. 5-spoke black alloy wheels. Unique badging, black-accented power heated outside mirrors, and halogen projector-beam headlights help blaze your trail in style. Plus, integrated black roof rails will help carry your favorite gear everywhere. While roof rails do come standard on a 2018 Honda CR-V touring, the black accents of the RAV4 Adventure are not offered on any CR-V.

Want more from the RAV4 Adventure? There are several appealing upgrade packages for the RAV4, and many include convenient features like a height-adjustable power liftgate with jam protection.

The 2018 RAV4 comes standard with a leather-wrapped steering wheel on all grades except for the RAV4 LE.

Only 2018 Honda CR-V EX w/leather and higher grades come with a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Both vehicles include Bluetooth®³¹ connectivity, AUX and USB ports³².

Yet, the RAV4 has more front legroom for enjoying those features. RAV4 XLE and higher grades offer more headroom than comparable CR-Vs.

Both vehicles have 60/40 split fold-down rear seats to increase cargo volume.

Upgrade the RAV4 interior: available Bird’s Eye View Camera²⁹ helps you see nearby objects and navigate tight spaces more easily. The 2018 CR-V includes a multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines, but it does not have a Bird’s Eye View Camera comparable option.

While every 2018 Honda CR-V has solid EPA-estimated MPG ratings, Honda does not offer a hybrid CR-V in the U.S.

Aside from the fact that Toyota does offer a RAV4 hybrid engine for the 2018 RAV4, there are actually four different hybrid trims to choose from, making the RAV4 the more versatile option.

Plus, the 2018 Toyota RAV4 XLE Hybrid offers the Hybrid Convenience Package which includes a Blind Spot Monitor (BSM)³³ and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA)³⁴ and front and rear parking sonar.

The 2018 CR-V LX 2WD offers an EPA-estimated 26 MPG city and 32 MPG highway, and the AWD CR-V LX offers an EPA-estimated 25 MPG city and 31 MPG highway. Every RAV4 hybrid trim has an EPA-estimated 34 MPG city and 30 MPG highway³⁰.

What’s more, the RAV4 also has a bigger fuel tank than the CR-V. All Hybrid RAV4 trims feature Electronic On-Demand AWD with Intelligence (AWD-i), giving you all wheel drive as well as great fuel economy.

In this head to head comparison, the fun-to-drive 2018 Toyota RAV4 is the more versatile option, with enough grades to enhance your next adventure, including hybrid engine and adventure-focused trims that the CR-V does not offer.

Most importantly, 90% of all RAV4s purchased from 2007 to 2017 are still on the road²⁵ -- that’s a reputation you can count on.

Every driver-centric 2018 RAV4 trim has more front legroom than the 2018 Honda CR-V. Additionally, every RAV4 comes standard with Toyota Safety SenseTM (TSS-P)²⁴ but Honda Sensing® is not even available on the 2018 CR-V LX.

All RAV4 Hybrid trims have all-wheel drive. Every RAV4 gas trim can be upgraded to include available Dynamic Torque-Control AWD which distributes engine power from front to rear and manages the vehicle’s braking system for optimal control. AWD is available on all gas CR-V trims, but there is no hybrid CR-V to compare in that regard.

With more grades, options, and quality standard features to choose from, the 2018 RAV4 offers you more versatility and better styling than the competition. Another RAV4 advantage, ToyotaCare, allows free scheduled maintenance for the first two years or 25,000 miles and 24-hour roadside assistance for two years and unlimited miles -- making it easier for you to maintain your new vehicle.

The 2018 Honda CR-V’s Limited Powertrain warranty includes “ordinary maintenance or adjustments, parts subject to normal wear and tear and replacement”, and includes 24/7 roadside assistance.