2020 Honda CR-V vs 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid marked a return to a more rugged and adventurous design, reminiscent of Toyota's classic trucks. The front end featured a bold, flat slab of trapezoids and flexing surfaces, while the hood had a milder angle compared to previous models. The fenders and wheel wells had hard creases, and the side glass reclaimed the large greenhouse of the original RAV4. The XSE trim, exclusive to the Hybrid, boasted glossy black trim on the roof, A-pillars, mirrors, fender flares, and 18-inch wheels, giving it a sporty and upscale appearance. Inside, the RAV4 Hybrid's cabin quality was several grades higher, with padded dash and door trim, blue stitching, and large, easy-to-use knobs and buttons.

In contrast, the 2020 Honda CR-V had a more familiar and car-like design, with curvy lines and a family resemblance to Honda's sedan lineup. The CR-V's styling leaned more towards a station wagon than an SUV, making it a modern family transportation vehicle. Inside, the CR-V's interior was a mix of textures and materials, with some upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery in pricier models. However, these clashed with low-quality plastics, reminding drivers that the CR-V was a commodity car with expensive upgrades. The base CR-V started at an MSRP of $26,270, with four trim levels available, each offering different features and options.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with two electric motors and a 1.6-kilowatt battery, producing 219 horsepower. This setup provided a surge of torque missing from the regular model, making the Hybrid faster and better handling. The RAV4 Hybrid used older nickel-metal hydride batteries, which were reliable and consistent, especially in cold weather. The driving experience was seamless, with the engine switching on and off effortlessly. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) didn't strain the engine at high revs, but the all-wheel drive (AWD) was sometimes slow to counter wheelspin. The RAV4 Hybrid's handling was stable and connected, with sport-tuned dampers and springs in the XSE version. Fuel efficiency was impressive, averaging 36 mpg over 400 miles, with an EPA rating of 41 mpg city, 38 highway, and 40 combined.

The 2020 Honda CR-V featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, mated to a CVT. This powertrain provided a quick and responsive driving experience, especially in Sport mode. The CR-V's road manners were excellent, with a car-like demeanor, nicely weighted steering, and nimble handling. The chassis was firm yet comfortable, with minimal body roll. The CR-V's low curb weight of 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model contributed to its agility and fuel economy. FWD models were rated at 30 mpg combined, while AWD models managed 29 mpg. The CR-V Hybrid, introduced for 2020, offered even higher fuel economy, competing with hybrid versions of the RAV4 and Escape.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered excellent sightlines and generous cargo space, with 37.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 70 cubic feet with the seats folded. A spare tire was included underneath the cargo floor. The second-row legroom was generous, and the air conditioning was effective even on hot days. The large knobs and switches improved ergonomics, although controls for windows, locks, and mirrors weren't illuminated at night. The infotainment screen, climate controls, and steering-wheel controls were easy to use and read.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in packaging, with a roomy cabin and excellent seating position. The cargo compartment matched the Volkswagen Tiguan in volume, despite the CR-V being three inches shorter. Clever storage solutions included a deep center console with a sliding cover and a two-position load floor in the rear. The CR-V offered 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. The door pockets were also spacious, making it easy to store and access items.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid's infotainment interface was user-friendly, with clear menus and customizable home screens. However, the maps looked dated, and Toyota's Entune 3.0 required a smartphone connection for apps. Apple CarPlay was standard, but Android Auto was not. The JBL stereo was adequate, and the lane-keep assist was not designed for semi-automated operation. Toyota offered standard stolen-vehicle alerts, automatic crash notifications, and SOS assistance for three years. The best technology was the seamless hybrid system.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system showed its age, with a 5-inch screen in the base LX trim and a 7-inch touchscreen in higher trims. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available only with the larger screen, and the smartphone apps felt tacked on. The CR-V Touring trim included a wireless phone charger. Honda provided plenty of USB ports in the EX trim and above, with two in the front and two high-powered ports in the backseat.

The 2019 RAV4 Hybrid earned a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with 4 stars for the driver's-side frontal crash test and rollover resistance. The IIHS rated the RAV4 its top Good rating in all six crash tests and Superior for its collision-avoidance system. Toyota Safety Sense was standard, including forward emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise, traffic-sign recognition, and auto high beams. Unique safety features included an airbag in the front passenger seat's cushion and a driver's knee airbag. Rear emergency braking was optional.

The 2020 Honda CR-V included the Honda Sensing system as standard, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, road-departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. Automatic high beams were standard, while blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic monitoring were available in EX trims and above. The CR-V earned a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with caveats for trims below Touring due to halogen headlights. A safety recall for a possible rear subframe failure affected 358 vehicles.