2016 TOYOTA RAV4 XLE AWD vs 2016 HONDA CR-V EX AWD (pt. 2)

Carpartsnigeria Special Issue Vol:7 Executive Summary reviews that both of these "Small Sport Utility Vehicles" are about the same size and offer value, space, and fuel economy.  Priced almost the same at about $26,000 comparably equipped, you can drive a safe, stylish, and practical vehicle with a great reputation for quality. You can get either one with front wheel drive or all wheel drive, though the many safety and performance benefits of all wheel drive are well worth the small price premium.

Motor Trend was so impressed with Honda's improvements to the CR-V that they named it 2015 Sport Utility of the Year.  CR-V is the best selling vehicle in its class.

Let's start with what they have in common:

Standard Features:

    Bluetooth phone connectivity
    Steering wheel audio controls
    Power windows, locks, mirrors
    3 year, 36,000 mile comprehensive warranty; 5/60 powertrain
    1,500 pound towing capacity

Standard Safety:

    Vehicle stability control to avoid skids;
    Brake override system;
    Anti-lock brakes with brake assist;  

Similar Dimensions, but RAV4 is slightly bigger that CR-V:

    RAV4 is one inch wider.
    RAV4 is two inches longer.
    RAV4 is two inches taller.

Differences
    RAV4
     CR-V

    
    

Ground clearance
Both offer better clearance than a sedan but not as much as a Subaru or a larger sport utility vehicle.  Honda packages its underside a little more neatly.


Cargo Space
RAV4 has slightly more volume.

Passenger Volume
CR-V is ever so slightly roomier inside for people.


Standard engines
Honda offers a more sophisticated transmission.


2.5 liter in-line four
cylinder with 176 horsepower

Six speed automatic
 transmission


2.4 liter in-line four
cylinder with 185 horsepower

Continuously variable
automatic transmission
Learn more about how a CVT works.

Fuel Economy
Honda powertrain delivers more horsepower and more miles per gallon.  RAV4 limps along with an outdated, traditional, geared transmission.  However, for more money you can get a continuously variable transmission in a RAV4 Hybrid model, which returns 34 city and 31 highway, and knocks a full second off the 0-60 sprint.

Outward Visibility
Forward visibility is good in both, but rearward visibility is compromised by the narrow rear windows--especially in CR-V.  Fortunately, both come standard with back up camera, because you'll need it.

Optional Power
Moonroof
Both Toyota and Honda have a standard size moonroof.  Other vehicles in this class, such as the Forester, offer panoramic moonroofs.


Optional Driver-Assistive Technology
Available only on the upscale trims of each model, both the Honda and Toyota offer automatic pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist which will turn your steering wheel to correct your lane departure.  Only the CR-V offers blind spot detection/
lane change assist, and only the RAV4 offers automatic high beam control and pedestrian detection.

Safety Tests
CR-V has six airbags; RAV4 has those six plus two extra front knee airbags.  Airbags do not necessarily correlate with overall safety.

With the optional driver assist technology described above, both earn the highest rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:  "Top Safety Pick Plus."