2020 Honda CR-V vs 2020 Toyota Highlander

In 2020, the Toyota Highlander sported a versatile and somewhat generic exterior design. Its tailgate glass was tilted a few more degrees compared to previous models, and the body panels showcased more exaggerated creases, forming wide arcs around the front and rear fenders. Toyota's signature trapezoidal theme was evident in various elements like the tailgate's license plate cutout, rear bumper, slimmer headlights, grille, and lower front bumper. All trims except the base L were equipped with projector-beam LED headlights and fog lights, while the higher trims—Limited and Platinum—featured attractive LED running lamps. The Limited and Platinum trims also boasted new, large 20-inch wheels.

The new paint colors, especially the Blueprint on the Limited test model, were lauded as some of the most attractive elements of the vehicle. Though not extraordinary, the Highlander's exterior was noted to be more serviceable than striking.

The interior of the Highlander received far more praise. The cabin was marked by high-quality fit and finish, with silver-painted accents along the armrests, three-spoke steering wheel, and gear selector highlighting its curves and angles. The 8-inch touchscreen and polished black plastic climate controls appeared to float above the multi-layered dash, offering a visually pleasing experience. Even the base L trim featured enticing color palettes. The Limited trim's three-tone interior—combining brown, beige, and black—was particularly aesthetic. Journeys through the Highlander were further elevated by padded surfaces and rich textures, although the middle door panels felt less refined. Notably, reviewers stated that this level of interior quality could not be found in competitors like the Ford Explorer or Honda Pilot, and only rivaled by the Kia Telluride.

By 2020, the fifth generation of Honda’s CR-V had established itself with a familiar yet enjoyable design. Characterized by soft, curvy lines and a car-like silhouette, the CR-V displayed a familial resemblance to Honda’s sedan lineup, particularly in its front and rear fascias. Its overall exterior leaned more towards a station wagon look than a traditional SUV, representing a modern family vehicle.

Inside, the CR-V was a bit more of a mixed bag. While pricier models featured nice wood-look trim and leather upholstery, these upscale elements clashed somewhat with the lower-quality plastics present in the cabin, reminding occupants of its more utilitarian origins.

Starting at an MSRP of just $26,270 for the base FWD LX model, the CR-V offered a competitive range of trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring. The vehicle came with standard equipment that aligned with its price point but didn’t aspire to provide a fully premium experience.

Wheel sizes varied by trim. All models except the Touring came standard with smaller wheels, while the Touring got eye-catching 19-inchers. Fabric seating was standard on the lower trims, with real leather appearing in the top two trims. Notably, the CR-V lagged behind some competitors in terms of premium upgrades, such as a panoramic moonroof, and had more restrained roof rails available only on the highest trim.

The 2020 Highlander came equipped with a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine, available in both FWD and AWD configurations. This engine delivered brisk and effortless acceleration, producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, shared with the Lexus RX. The eight-speed automatic transmission made excellent use of the V6's power, though it required a firm press on the accelerator for quicker response. While this powertrain ensured a smooth and almost silent ride at idle, the Highlander's performance was somewhat marred by loose steering and a soft suspension, making for a somewhat floaty driving experience at highway speeds resembling an older Buick.

The vehicle's size and weight were always felt, which, along with its lazy steering, didn’t inspire much confidence while driving, especially when fully loaded with passengers or cargo. However, this character resulted in a remarkably isolating and calm driving experience, suitable for long journeys at relaxed speeds. Upper trims featured torque vectoring on the rear axle for AWD models, enhancing handling around turns, and selectable driving modes that adjusted throttle, transmission, and steering response.

Fuel efficiency was commendable for such a sizable vehicle, rated by the EPA at 21 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined for FWD models. AWD Highlanders achieved 20/27/23 mpg. The inclusion of a fuel-saving auto stop-start feature, which could be customized for user convenience, was also a plus.

For 2020, the Honda CR-V streamlined its engine offerings, standardizing the 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine across all trims. This engine, previously reserved for higher trims, produced 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Despite the common criticisms of CVTs, Honda's implementation was praised for its seamless and responsive performance. The CR-V, particularly in its Sport drive mode, felt quick and agile once in motion.

The CR-V’s driving dynamics were notably sedan-like, with well-weighted steering and nimble handling. The vehicle's low curb weight—just 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model—contributed to its sprightly performance and excellent road manners, striking a balance between firm handling and comfortable ride quality.

Fuel economy was another strong point, with FWD CR-V models rated at 30 mpg combined and AWD models achieving 29 mpg combined, making it one of the most fuel-efficient options in its class. For buyers prioritizing fuel efficiency, the 2020 CR-V also introduced a hybrid variant, competing with similar models from Toyota and Ford.

The Highlander offered versatile seating arrangements, accommodating up to eight passengers or seven with the optional second-row captain's chairs available on Limited and Platinum trims. The Platinum trim exclusively featured captain's chairs, while the L and LE trims were bench-only. All configurations provided excellent legroom and easy access to the third row, though the latter was more comfortable for shorter passengers. Ingress and egress were facilitated by wide-opening rear doors and ergonomically designed seat heights.

Standard three-zone climate control, available heated second-row seats, and side window shades contributed to the Highlander’s family-friendly appeal. The cargo space was substantial, offering 16 cubic feet behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second row, and up to 84 cubic feet with both rows folded. Six tie-down hooks further secured cargo, with the hybrid model featuring an additional 120-volt outlet in the cargo area.

Interior storage solutions included eight cupholders, four bottle holders, and two dashboard shelves with integrated cable pass-throughs—ideal for keeping phones and cables organized. However, the wireless charging pad's placement over the center armrest cubby was a minor nuisance.

Honda’s expertise in interior packaging was evident in the CR-V, which matched the class-leading Volkswagen Tiguan in cabin space without feeling overly large. The CR-V provided ample headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers, aided by an optimal seating position and low cowl for excellent visibility.

Clever storage solutions included a deep center console bin with a sliding cover, influenced by Honda’s Odyssey minivan, and a two-position load floor in the rear for versatile cargo management. With the rear seats folded and the load floor in its raised position, the CR-V offered 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space, making it highly competitive in its segment. The door pockets were also notably large, adding to the CR-V’s practical appeal.

Despite being part of a new model generation, the Highlander's infotainment system felt outdated. The maps lacked detail, there were no onboard apps without a connected phone, and the screen resolution was subpar. The optional 12.3-inch touchscreen, standard on the Platinum trim, was limited by an interface that couldn’t fully utilize its large display area, rendering it no more functional than the standard 8-inch screen. However, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration were standard across trims.

Upper trims benefited from a large 10-inch head-up display and a crisp 7-inch instrument cluster display, both providing useful driving information. Safety and driver assistance technologies included adaptive cruise control, road sign detection, and automatic high beams. The JBL audio system, though only decent, featured 11 speakers. Additional technologies included SiriusXM, HD Radio, WiFi, and multiple USB ports.

The CR-V’s infotainment system began to show its age by 2020. The base LX model came with a small, 5-inch screen offering basic connectivity like Bluetooth and Pandora compatibility. The larger 7-inch touchscreen available on higher trims also felt dated, lacking hard buttons that made operation simpler. Even though Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, they didn’t integrate as seamlessly as in some competitors.

The CR-V provided ample USB ports from the EX trim upwards, including high-powered rear seat ports. The 2020 model year introduced a wireless phone charger on the Touring trim, accommodating modern device charging needs.

The Highlander came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features. This included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Optional features like blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and rear emergency braking further enhanced safety. Standard airbags included a driver's knee airbag and a special cushion airbag for the front passenger.

While the NHTSA had not rated the 2020 Highlander, the IIHS awarded it a 2020 Top Safety Pick for top ratings in crash tests, optional headlights, and effective emergency braking.

The CR-V included the Honda Sensing system as standard across all trims, ensuring features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, road-departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist were available even on the base LX model. EX trims and above added blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic monitoring.

The 2020 CR-V earned five stars in NHTSA crash tests, and the IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick for models with LED headlights available on the Touring trim. However, it received only a Marginal rating for lower trims with halogen headlights. A 2020 recall for a possible rear subframe failure affected a limited number of vehicles.