2020 Honda CR-V vs 2020 Toyota 4Runner

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner had a timeless design characterized by tall slab sides, a high beltline, short overhangs, and a near-vertical front fascia. Its utilitarian attitude was reminiscent of an XJ Jeep Cherokee, with flared wheel wells designed to accommodate bulky off-road tires and short overhangs for tackling steep pitches and sharp declines. The hood scoop, a visual cue for the off-road-focused TRD trim, was one of the few non-functional elements. Small, angular headlights highlighted the front end, and the grille varied by trim, with body-color bars on most trims and blacked-out accents on the TRD Pro. The trim lineup included SR5, SR5 Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, TRD Pro, Limited, Nightshade Special Edition, and the new Venture Special Edition.

Our test model, a Limited trim, aimed at comfort rather than capability, featured leather upholstery, an 8-inch touchscreen, and plenty of chrome. Despite these upscale touches, the 4Runner's utilitarian DNA was evident with abundant plastic and a seating position designed for off-roading. The optional third row of seats in non-TRD and non-Venture trims was best suited for short and occasional use, lacking legroom and comfort.

The 2020 Honda CR-V, in its fifth generation, had a familiar and fun design with curvy, car-like lines and a family resemblance to Honda's sedan lineup. Its styling leaned more towards a station wagon than an SUV, defining modern family transportation. Inside, the CR-V's interior was a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery clashing with low-quality plastics. The base CR-V, a front-wheel-drive (FWD) model in LX trim, started at an MSRP of $26,270, with four trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring. All-wheel drive (AWD) was a $1,500 option on all trims.

The CR-V featured 17-inch alloy wheels as standard, with 18-inch wheels on EX trims and optional 19-inchers on the Touring. Fabric seating adorned the lower trims, with real leather available on the top two. A retractable moonroof was standard on all but the LX trim, and roof rails were only fitted on the top-of-the-line Touring model. The CR-V's car-like demeanor was reflected in its road manners, with excellent handling and a well-buttoned-down chassis.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner featured a 4-liter V6 engine with a 5-speed automatic transmission, producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. This engine was designed for lumbering rather than efficiency, with a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. The EPA estimated fuel economy at 16 mpg city, 19 highway, and 17 combined, with our test model achieving 17.7 mpg. The 4Runner excelled off-road, with body-on-frame construction and advanced traction systems like Toyota's CRAWL control and Multi-Terrain Select. The full-time 4WD system on the Limited trim was better suited for maintaining forward progress, while the part-time system in TRD models handled crawling up boulders with ease.

The 2020 Honda CR-V, simplified for the model year, featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine making 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The CR-V's car-like demeanor was reflected in its road manners, with excellent handling and a well-buttoned-down chassis. The CR-V's curb weight was low, just 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model, contributing to its nimble handling 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.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner offered excellent outward visibility and a relatively tidy turning radius of 18 feet, 7 inches. The dashboard featured large, chunky knobs for HVAC controls and slightly smaller knobs for the stereo. The steering wheel had an array of buttons for various functions, but they were not illuminated, making them difficult to use in the dark. The 4Runner's tall seating position and power-retractable running boards made climbing in and out easier. The optional third row of seats in non-TRD and non-Venture trims was best suited for short and occasional use, lacking legroom and comfort.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in packaging, with a roomy cabin and excellent seating position. The center console featured a deep well with a sliding cover, influenced by Honda's Odyssey minivan. The rear had a two-position load floor, allowing for 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the 60-40 split rear seats folded. The door pockets were also spacious, extending behind the lower door panel for extra room. The CR-V's excellent front visibility and low cowl contributed to its roomy feel.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The onboard navigation system was challenging to use, with Google Maps providing a more direct route. The 4Runner also had Amazon Alexa compatibility, Bluetooth connectivity, a single USB media port, and various subscription services like Sirius XM Radio, Safety Connect, and WiFi Connect. Higher trims offered a JBL stereo and navigation system. However, the 4Runner lagged behind competitors in total features and usability, with the top-of-the-line features hidden in the powertrain.

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

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, and automatic high beams. It also had eight standard airbags. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the 4Runner four out of five stars overall, with three stars in the rollover test. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the 4Runner its best score of Good in all crash tests except the small overlap front: driver-side test, where it scored a Marginal.

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, with blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic monitoring on EX trims and above. The NHTSA awarded the CR-V five stars overall, with five stars in the frontal and side crash tests and four stars in the rollover test. The IIHS awarded the CR-V a Top Safety Pick designation, with caveats for trims below Touring due to the halogen headlights.