Compared: 2025 Honda CR-V vs. 2025 Toyota RAV4

Neck-and-neck overall, with a few advantages for each.

James Riswick | 

Mar 5, 2026 | 7 min read

Toyota | Honda

The 2025 Honda CR-V and 2025 Toyota RAV4 are the two best-selling vehicles in America that aren't pickup trucks. Aside from their popularity, they're also impressive compact crossover SUVs with a compelling blend of family-friendly space, ample utility, and available hybrid powertrains that deliver strong fuel economy and performance. 

Honda last redesigned the CR-V for 2023, and there have only been minor updates in the last two years. The CR-V is available with either a gas-only turbocharged engine or a hybrid powertrain, each paired with different trim levels. There is literally no "CR-V Hybrid" for sale. Instead, if the trim level has "Sport" in its name, it's a hybrid.  

There is officially a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, along with a standard RAV4 and a RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid formerly known as the Prime (we will leave that version aside for this comparison). Some RAV4 trim levels are available with multiple powertrains, while others are exclusive to a particular one (the RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition, for example). The gas-only RAV4 lost some trim levels for 2025: the off-road-oriented Adventure and TRD Off-Road. An all-new 2026 RAV4 arrives for the next model year.

Honda

Hybrids vs. Gas-only Powertrains

Pricing for the 2025 Honda CR-V ranges from about $32,000 to around $43,000, including the destination charge. The first hybrid trim, the Sport, starts at just over $36,000, representing a price premium over the gas-only EX. Despite that, I recommend the CR-V Hybrid. They are 8-10 mpg more efficient, provide stronger performance, and are generally better to drive due to the way the hybrid system delivers power and exclusive suspension upgrades. 

The RAV4 price range is similar (minus the plug-in hybrid), ranging from about $32,000 to around $43,000, including the destination charge. The lowest RAV4 Hybrid trim starts at nearly $35,000, but it also comes standard with all-wheel drive and is the preferred version for the same reasons cited for the Honda. While every gas-only RAV4 comes with a more comfort-oriented driving experience (LE, XLE, Limited), the Hybrid lineup offers a choice of those plus the sportier SE/XSE and off-road-oriented Woodland Edition. 

If you go over their respective feature lists and pricing, you'll find that the Honda and Toyota are mostly evenly matched. The base-trim standard equipment is similar, and while the CR-V includes a few more features in the mid-level trims, it also costs a bit more. The RAV4 offers more modern infotainment technology for the money, but there are options on the top trims that come standard on the similarly priced top CR-V.

In terms of interior space, both the CR-V and RAV4 offer family-friendly back seats with lots of leg-, head-, and car seat room. On paper, though, the CR-V has about three more inches of legroom. 

The RAV4 has an advantage in terms of cargo space, especially when comparing hybrids. There's 37.5 cubic feet behind its back seat regardless of powertrain, and all models include a spare tire. The gas-only CR-V has 39.3 cu-ft of cargo space and a spare tire, but the hybrid-powered Sport and Sport-L have 36.3 cu-ft and lose the spare. The Sport Touring drops further to 34.7 cubes. My real-world testing has backed up the RAV4 Hybrid's advantage.

Honda | Toyota

RAV4 Has An Infotainment Advantage

The 2025 CR-V comes standard with a 7-inch touchscreen with rudimentary graphics and feature content. The 9-inch screen included in the EX-L, Sport-L, and Sport Touring is far more advanced in appearance, functionality, and features, but still falls short compared to the RAV4's basic offering (despite the Toyota's 1-inch size deficit).

The 2025 RAV4 offers two screen sizes (8-inch standard with top trims getting a 10.5-inch unit), but their appearance, functionality, and key features are identical. It's really just a matter of screen size. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto also come standard on the RAV4; lower CR-V trims make do with the wired versions. The top RAV4 also has an all-digital instrument panel, a feature not available on the CR-V.

Both the CR-V and RAV4 include the same driver assistance technologies: forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control with lane-centering steering assist. Blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning are also standard on all but the base trim levels. Neither vehicle enjoys a noteworthy advantage in terms of the performance of these various systems. 

Toyota

Similar On Paper, But the CR-V is Better to Drive

The CR-V's gas-only engine is a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder good for 190 horsepower, 179 pound-feet of torque, and EPA fuel economy estimates of 30 mpg in combined city and highway driving with front-wheel drive (FWD) and 28 mpg with all-wheel drive (AWD). The hybrid powertrain produces a total output of 204 hp and returns 40 mpg with FWD and 37 with AWD. 

The RAV4's gas-only engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder good for 203 hp, 184 lb-ft, and EPA estimates of 30 mpg with FWD and between 28 and 30 mpg with AWD, depending on the trim level. The RAV4 Hybrid produces a combined output of 219 hp, is paired exclusively with AWD, and returns 39 mpg in most trims. The Woodland Edition gets 37 mpg.  

Although their performance and fuel economy are similar on paper, I think the CR-V is the better bet regardless of powertrain. Its turbocharged engine is punchier and more refined than the gas-only RAV4's naturally aspirated engine. The hybrid, meanwhile, relies more heavily on its electric motor for smoother operation, yet simulates shifts to provide a more normal driving experience. The RAV4's hybrid setup results in loud engine droning because it doesn't change gears – real or simulated. 

The rest of the driving experience can vary due to the different powertrains and chassis tuning included with various trim levels. In general, I find the CR-V more refined and responsive to drive. Still, the RAV4 SE and XSE provide solid levels of driver involvement in their own right, and the 2025 CR-V lineup doesn't offer something for the outdoorsy set like the RAV4 Woodland Edition (a CR-V Trailsport arrives in 2026).

Toyota

RAV4 Hybrid has Better Warranty Coverage

The CR-V includes three years or 36,000 miles of new vehicle limited warranty coverage, along with five-year/60,000-mile powertrain coverage. Separately, the hybrid battery has coverage for eight years or 100,000 miles. Honda provides roadside assistance for the length of the basic warranty. 

The RAV4 also has a three-year/36,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty, and the gas-only powertrain has the same term/mileage limit as the Honda. The RAV4 Hybrid, however, offers better coverage than the CR-V Hybrid with an eight-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and a 10-year/150,000-mile battery warranty. Toyota also provides complimentary scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles, but there's only two years of roadside assistance. 

Consumer Reports ranks Toyota just one spot ahead of Honda on its brand reliability list, but both are listed among the top four. Either way, you should be looking at a very reliable SUV.

Honda

Key Takeaways

Deciding between a Honda CR-V and a Toyota RAV4 is a toss-up. The CR-V is better to drive, regardless of powertrain, and has slightly more passenger space. Subjectively, its interior also has a more premium appearance. The RAV4 Hybrid has more cargo space, offers an off-road-oriented trim level, and features superior infotainment tech. There's not a bad choice here, so a decision should really come down to your priorities and preferences. 

All vehicle pricing includes MSRP plus destination charges (set at the time of publication) and will be rounded to the nearest thousand.

James Riswick

James Riswick has been testing and reviewing cars since 2007, serving as an editor at Edmunds and Autoblog, and contributing to Autotrader, Car and Driver, AutoGuide, Auto Express, and Capital One Auto Navigator. You name it, he's almost certainly driven it. He has attended an auto show every year since he was 2 and has wanted to be an automotive journalist since high school. He owns a babied 1998 BMW Z3 2.8 in James Bond blue, a silver 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 Wagon (his idea of a three-row family vehicle) and a 2025 Cadillac Optiq because his wife would rather drive something from this decade.