2021 Honda CR-V vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

While the compact SUV segment is the one where there is the strongest competition across the industry, experts and consumers alike agree on one thing; the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4 are the two top names in the category. Both are among the best-sellers in their respective segments, and both offer impressive resale value and interior space.

That said, unless you want to buy two SUVs, chances are you will have to choose between the CR-V and the RAV4. Here are a few things to consider.

Fuel consumption

With a family SUV, fuel consumption is always an important consideration when buying. While both engines offer roughly the same performance, there is a significant difference in terms of fuel consumption in the city. In fact, the 1.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder in the Honda CR-V consumes about half a liter less per 100 kilometers than the naturally aspirated 4-cylinder in the Toyota RAV4.

The driving experience

If you like to feel in full control of the vehicle you're driving, the choice is easy here. If the RAV4 offers an excellent level of comfort and good handling, the CR-V does more at all levels, marrying comfort and driving pleasure behind the wheel. In fact, you feel more confident at the controls of the CR-V. The experience is more reassuring.

Cargo space

One buys an SUV to take advantage, among other things, of a lot of versatility, which is provided by the interior design. With the CR-V, we enjoy a frankly impressive interior volume, at 2,146 liters. That's 170 liters more than the RAV4 (1,976). Even behind the second-row seats, the CR-V has more space (1,110 vs. 1,064 liters).

Clearly, we are faced with two interesting choices. However, the CR-V does offer that little something that puts it in a class of its own, as you just saw.