Comparing the 2023 Honda CRV vs Toyota RAV4 — Which one to buy
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00:00The Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 are considered two top best-selling SUVs in their category,
00:08and their insane competition is not over yet. The battle is still on for the 2023 year models
00:14when Honda introduced the new 6th generation CR-V while Toyota also debuted the 2023 Toyota
00:21RAV4. So what is the breakdown of features and specifications of these two best-selling
00:27subcompact SUVs, and which one is better? Which one should you really consider as your top
00:33priority? Let's quickly find out. Design
00:39The new 2023 Honda CR-V and the 2023 Toyota RAV4 are extremely similar in many things,
00:46and their design is a deal-breaker for many customers. The Japanese pair has a look commensurate
00:52with their socioeconomic standing, giving them both the presence that buyers in this sector seek.
00:58The new, larger CR-V looks more aggressive with a blunt front fascia and a more imposing grille,
01:04making it reminiscent of the chunkier Honda Passport. The EX, EX-L, and Sport all come
01:11standard with 18-inch wheels, but the Sport Touring gets bigger 19-inch wheels. The CR-V's
01:18rear end now has a much more refined appearance, with classic taillights with a certain Volvo vibe.
01:24The CR-V takes on somewhat different styling cues depending on the trim level chosen.
01:30When comparing the EX and EX-L, it's clear that the former is the more conventional option due
01:35to details like the grille's chrome surround. The Sport and Sport Touring versions have a
01:41more robust appearance, and several sporting extras as standard equipment. And as standard
01:47equipment now is the LED headlights. The RAV4 is becoming a familiar sight on U.S. highways.
01:54The attractiveness is often overlooked because of how frequently it is seen.
01:58Toyota's trim level, like that of its competitor, determines the vehicle's overall appearance.
02:03The grilles on the Adventure and TRD variants are styled in a way that is intended to evoke
02:08a sense of athleticism, but which will fit more readily into a parking space?
02:13The 2023 CR-V and RAV4 are size-wise comparable. The CR-V is a few inches larger but lower in
02:21height. Also, trim and optional features affect those proportions differently.
02:27Passenger and Cargo Space
02:30As was somewhat anticipated, the new design of the Honda CR-V has an expanded cabin.
02:36The cargo space available in the CR-V and CR-V Hybrid has been increased to the same level,
02:41which is an improvement over the previous situation. In the past, the Hybrid had to give
02:46up some cargo room to accommodate its batteries. Its cabin proportions are frequently more expansive
02:52than those of the RAV4. Engines and Fuel Economy
02:58The CR-V will continue to come standard with a turbocharged i4 engine that has a capacity
03:03of 1.5L and produces 190HP and 179lb-ft of torque. Although these figures are equal to
03:11those of the model being replaced, Honda asserts that it has enhanced both its responsiveness and
03:16the quietness of the engine. The standard drivetrain system consists of a front-wheel drive
03:22paired with a continuously variable transmission, CVT, with an all-wheel drive being an available
03:27add-on. Your timing from 0-60mph should be somewhere around 8 seconds, and your MPG and
03:35AWD should be somewhere between 27-32. The 2.5L inline-4 engine that powers the 2023 Toyota RAV4
03:43produces 203HP and 184lb-ft of torque. The 8-speed automatic transmission, front-wheel drive, FWD,
03:52or all-wheel drive AWD are included as standard equipment on this model. Even though the RAV4's
03:58engine is far larger and more powerful than the one found in the CR-V, it can only propel the
04:03vehicle from 0-60mph in 8 seconds and get 25-32mpg with AWD. Both the CR-V and the RAV4 are
04:13available as hybrid versions. The 2023 Honda CR-V hybrid retains the same architecture as the
04:19vehicle it replaces, founded on a 2.0L inline-4 engine and enhanced by two electric motors.
04:26204HP and 247lb-ft of torque make up the overall output, which can be sent to either
04:32the front wheels or all four with the addition of an AWD system as an option.
04:38It takes an estimated 7.5 seconds to get from 0-60mph and 40-35mpg in the city and on the highway
04:46respectively. And although they are placed differently, the 2023 RAV4 hybrid is equipped
04:52with both a conventional i4 engine as well as two electric motors. A larger 2.5L inline-4 engine is
04:59mated to an electric motor in this vehicle. The second motor, which is responsible for the
05:04rotation of the rear wheels, enables the RAV4 hybrid to achieve AWD despite the absence of a
05:10mechanical link between the front and back axles. The RAV4 hybrid is capable of reaching 60mph in
05:177.1 seconds. When completely tanked, the Environmental Protection Agency reports
05:22that it achieves a fuel economy of 41mpg in the city and 38mpg on the interstate.
05:28In addition to that, you can now get a version of the RAV4 that is a plug-in hybrid.
05:33The RAV4 Prime's overall power has been raised to 302hp, and the time it takes to accelerate
05:39from 0-60mph has been reduced to an impressive 5.5 seconds. A single charge of its batteries
05:46allow it to go a distance of 42 miles before needing to be recharged again. When used in hybrid
05:52mode, it achieves an overall fuel economy of 94mpg equivalent. At this time, there is no such
05:59thing as a hybrid plug-in CR-V on the market. Safety Features
06:05Both the new Honda CR-V and the new Toyota RAV4 come standard with a plethora of driver
06:11assistance and active safety features thanks to the inclusion of the Honda Sensing and Toyota
06:16Safety Sense TSS systems, respectively. Each one is equipped with standard features like automatic
06:23emergency braking, monitoring for blind spots, adaptive cruise control, and lane keep assist.
06:29It is anticipated that the CR-V model year 2023 will contain improved sensors for these systems,
06:35enabling more lifelike responses. Meanwhile, in 2023, improvements were made to the RAV4's
06:41autonomous braking system, making it more effective in preventing collisions while the
06:45car is making a turn across traffic. Hill Descent Control and a Snow Driving Mode are features that
06:51are only available on higher-end RAV4 models, but they come standard on every CR-V produced in 2023.
06:58It is unlikely that Honda will allow the 2023 CR-V to lose the IIHS Top Safety Pick
07:05Plus and the NHTSA 5-Star scores that the previous model obtained for many consecutive years despite
07:12not being crash tested. This is because the 2023 CR-V has been updated with better front and
07:19additional side airbags. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance
07:24Institute for Highway Safety awarded the RAV4 with its highest possible rating of 5 stars for
07:29crashworthiness. In-Car Technology The RAV4 was improved for 2023 with a choice of an infotainment
07:39touchscreen measuring either 8 or 10.5 inches as standard equipment. Both of these touchscreens
07:45run the most recent version of Toyota's software, which was introduced in the Tundra pickup truck.
07:50On the other hand, the touchscreen display on the base model of the 2023 CR-V
07:55measures 7 inches, but it may grow to 9 inches on more costly variants.
08:00Although both have wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto,
08:04only the RAV4 enables Bluetooth for two devices at once. In contrast to the other car,
08:10which only has a screen measuring 7 inches, the instrument cluster of the RAV4 features
08:15a digital display of 12.3 inches. The Toyota RAV4 comes with 3 USB ports as standard,
08:22but the Honda CR-V only comes with 2 of them as standard. There may be a wireless charger in the
08:27front row, depending on the trim level, in addition to two extra USB charging outlets
08:31on the second row, also depending on the trim level. The RAV4 and the CR-V are available with
08:37a premium audio system as an add-on, the former featuring an 11 speaker JBL installation,
08:42and the latter with a 12 speaker Bose setup. Prices and Trim Levels
08:49We can probably expect that there will be a little rise in the price of the base model of
08:54the Honda CR-V, that is, assuming it is anything like the new Civic that was introduced in the
08:58previous year. This is due, in part, to the fact that the CR-V's former entry-level LX model is no
09:05longer being manufactured and has been succeeded by the EX model. It is anticipated that the basic
09:11price of the 2023 Honda CR-V will be close to $30,000, while the price of the hybrid model
09:17will be an extra $3,000. There is a possibility that the Honda CR-V Hybrid Sport Touring,
09:24which is the most expensive trim level, will cost roughly $38,000.
09:29Due to the RAV4 LE trim's lack of frills, which retails for around $28,000,
09:35the base price of the RAV4 will most likely be lower than that of the CR-V.
09:40It is important to note that the basic price of a RAV4 Hybrid is also close to $31,000,
09:46and that the LE trim level is the entry point for the vehicle's lineup.
09:51The RAV4 Prime XSE is the trim level with top range, costing around $45,000 to purchase.
09:59So let us know which one you would prefer more. Thanks for watching!
10:20Transcribed by https://otter.ai