Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs. Honda CR-V Hybrid: Who Makes the Best Hybrid SUV?

At this point, it’s pretty common knowledge that Toyota is the authority on hybrids. When their first era-defining HEV came on the market, it was the butt of countless jokes; now over two decades later, you can hardly walk out your front door without driving past hybrids of all shapes and sizes.

In this day and age, tons of people have jumped on the electrified bandwagon. But, does Toyota still make the best hybrid SUVs and cars to buy in Los Angeles County?

In our experience, the best way to figure it out is to stack them against the competition, and there are few rivals as popular as Honda. Let’s do a quick vehicle comparison of the RAV4 Hybrid and CR-V Hybrid to see if Toyota continues to reign supreme.

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs. Honda CR-V Hybrid: Trims and Price

Both hybrid SUVs come in multiple different trims and grades. However, one look at their available models reveals a stark difference.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has 7 grades to choose from:

• Hybrid LE - $31,725

• Hybrid XLE - $33,235

• Hybrid SE - $34,420

• Hybrid Woodland Edition - $34,945

• Hybrid XLE Premium - $36,125

• Hybrid XSE - $37,385

• Hybrid Limited - $40,030

Meanwhile, the 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid only has 3 available trims:

• Sport Hybrid - $34,050

• Sport Touring Hybrid - $40,200

Verdict:

The 2024 RAV4 offers more than double the selection, and does so at a more affordable base price, allowing buyers to choose the perfect fit without busting their budget.

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs. Honda CR-V Hybrid: MPG and Powertrain

One of the main draws of driving a hybrid SUV is the superior fuel economy that they’re famous for. So, which is the SUV with the best gas mileage?

The RAV4 Hybrid is motivated by a tried-and-true 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with front and rear electric motors, which creates a total net of 219 horsepower. The powertrain is rounded out by an eCVT transmission, and it also comes standard with Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive.

With this setup, The RAV Hybrid achieves 41 MPG city and 38 MPG highway, resulting in a respectable combined fuel economy of 39.

The CR-V Hybrid gets a slightly smaller 2.0-liter four-cylinder and dual electric motors, and they unite to make a system horsepower of 204. It also gets an electronic CVT, but unlike the RAV4, it’s available with two different drivetrains—front-wheel drive is standard in all but the Sport Touring Hybrid, and all-wheel drive will add about $1,500 to the price tag to lower-level trims.

With 2WD, the CR-V Hybrid gets 43 MPG in the city and 36 on the highway, while the AWD version gets 40 in the city and 34 on the highway.

It seems like the pair are pretty evenly matched, but it’s also worth noting that Toyota has an ace in the hole: The 2024 RAV4 Prime, a plug-in hybrid that’s rated for a whopping 94 MPGe and 42 miles of all-electric range.

Verdict:

The two-wheel drive CR-V Hybrid has the best city fuel economy by a slight margin, but the RAV4 Hybrid gets better highway and combined numbers, which indicates that it’s the more efficient choice overall. Plus, when you throw in the RAV4 Prime, it’s a no contest win.

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs. Honda CR-V Hybrid: Performance

As is common in hybrids these days, both the RAV4 and CR-V have selectable drive modes, which can be adjusted on the fly to bolster your preferred style. The CR-V Hybrid comes with Normal, Econ, Sport, and Snow modes. The RAV4 Hybrid has Normal, Eco, and Sport, plus an EV Mode that allows it to run purely on battery power at low speeds, and a Trail Mode that optimizes traction control in harsher off-road conditions.

Although both midsize SUVs are designed primarily with daily driving on paved streets in mind, they do have some modest trail utility.

Both have decent approach angles and ground clearance—8.1 inches for the RAV4 Hybrid, and up to 8.2 for the all-wheel drive CR-V Hybrid. They also both boast some minor reinforcements to their suspension, as well as features like Hill Descent Control that can add a bit more sure-footedness in mild backcountry scenarios.

The RAV4 Hybrid gets a leg up with the Woodland Edition, which features a more fully realized TRD-tuned suspension, along with a few other camp-ready goodies like raised roof rails with cross bars and a standard activity mount.

RAV4 Hybrids can tow more as well. They’re rated for 1,750 pounds, whereas the CR-V Hybrid only pulls 1,000.

Verdict:

With standard AWD, significantly greater towing capacity, Trail Mode, and the available Woodland Edition, the RAV4 Hybrid is the smart choice for the outdoorsy crowd.

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs. Honda CR-V Hybrid: Tech

Regarding infotainment, the RAV4 Hybrid has two different options. Lower grades come standard with an 8.0-inch color display, while the fancier versions get a bigger 10.5-inch screen. No matter which one you end up with, all RAV4 Hybrid models come complete with SiriusXM and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as access to the full host of Toyota Connected Services including Drive Connect, Service Connect, Remote Connect, Safety Connect, and an available Wi-Fi hotspot.

The CR-V-Hybrid’s base infotainment setup consists of a 7.0-inch screen in the Sport Hybrid and a 9.0-inch screen in the Sport-L Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard at all levels, but only the top two trims have wireless interfacing, and the Sport Hybrid also lacks SiriusXM and HD Radio. HondaLink Subscription Services and a Wi-Fi hotspot are only available in the priciest trim, the Sport Touring Hybrid.

Verdict:

Both hybrid SUVs are well-equipped, but the RAV4 Hybrid offers more standard features at a lower price point and a noticeably larger screen.

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs. Honda CR-V Hybrid: Safety

The RAV4 and CR-V both have built up a reputation as two of the safest SUVs available, and they have the ratings to back it up—the 2024 RAV4 Hybrid and CR-V Hybrid have five stars from the NHTSA.

One of the major reasons for their exalted safety scores is their standard and available driver assistance features.

All 2024 RAV4 Hybrids come with Toyota Safety Sense, which includes Pre-Collision System w/Pedestrian Detection, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert w/Steering Assist, Lane Tracing Assist, Automatic High Beams, and Road Sign Assist. Additionally, the Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert is available across the range, and standard on many grades.

Similarly, all CR-V Hybrid models come with Honda Sensing, which includes Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Road Departure Mitigation System, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keeping Assist System, Lane Departure Warning, Traffic Jam Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition System, and Driver Attention Monitor.

Verdict:

The CR-V Hybrid has an edge with more standard ADAS, but their overall safety scores are similar enough that it’s effectively a tie.

Find Your Very Own Toyota RAV4 Hybrid for Sale Near Simi Valley

The CR-V Hybrid is an excellent example of an electrified SUV done right, but at the end of the day, nobody can compete with Toyota’s electrified excellence. The RAV4 Hybrid continues to be the best bet for shoppers looking for the perfect blend of economy, reliability, safety, and award-winning design.

If you want to test drive a RAV4 Hybrid and see for yourself, contact your friendly local Toyota dealer near Santa Clarita. Northridge Toyota also offers some of the best new car specials around. Give us a call at (747) 356-8607 to learn more about getting pre-qualified.