2022 Toyota Venza vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2021 Honda CR-V had a design that blended into the crowded compact crossover market. Its styling was nearly identical to its competitors, with only minor details like the grille and some chromed plastic features setting it apart. The color options were limited, especially for the base LX trim, which only offered black, silver, and white. The interior featured black, gray, and ivory cloth or leather, with higher trims adding wood panels and more chrome for a more upscale appearance. However, vehicles like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson offered more distinctive styling, especially at mid-tier trims.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Venza had a modern exterior design with excellent proportions that could easily fit into the Lexus lineup. Its most striking feature was a deeply scalloped body side that emphasized power, along with an eye-catching tailgate bisected by a stripe of LED lighting. The interior was elegant and Lexus-like, with high-quality materials and a layered dash that took advantage of a steep windshield. The front seats were supportive and comfortable, and the rear seats could accommodate three adults easily. The Venza's design was best suited for urban environments rather than off-road adventures.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was not designed for high-performance driving but offered smooth and steady acceleration with its 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.8 seconds. All trims featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that provided a predictable driving experience, though it lacked the engagement of conventional transmissions found in competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson. The CR-V came standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available as an option. Its suspension setup included a MacPherson strut in the front and a multi-link suspension at the rear, offering decent handling and ride quality.

The 2022 Toyota Venza featured a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with three electric motors, producing a combined 219 horsepower. It offered multiple drive modes, including electric-only (EV) operation for short distances, and utilized regenerative braking to recharge its lithium-ion battery. The Venza's performance was sprightly and agile, with a wheelbase shared with the Camry, making it maneuverable. However, its taller body and higher ground clearance were not conducive to aggressive cornering. The Venza was designed as a midsize family hauler, delivering a comfortable and efficient ride.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was designed to fit five people comfortably and carry their gear. It offered 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 75.8 cubic feet of total cargo volume with the rear seats folded. The cargo area could be accessed via a manual tailgate on lower trims, a power tailgate on the EX-L, and a hands-free power tailgate on the Touring trim. Roof rails were only standard on the top-of-the-line Touring trim.

The 2022 Toyota Venza also seated five in two rows, with good headroom and legroom in both rows. The second row had 45.2 inches of hip room, making it comfortable for three adults. The cabin felt roomy, especially with the available Star Gaze fixed panoramic glass roof on the Limited trim. The Venza offered numerous convenience features, including an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, electric parking brake, and multiple storage compartments. It had 28.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 55.1 cubic feet with the second row folded flat. Toyota also focused on making the Venza's cabin a quiet oasis with extensive sound-blocking and absorbing materials.

The base 2021 Honda CR-V LX had a 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth connectivity, while other trims featured a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The Special Edition and EX trims had a 180-watt audio system with six speakers, while the EX-L added two more speakers. The Touring trim had a 300-watt system with a subwoofer and satellite navigation. Charging ports were available throughout the cabin, with the Touring trim adding a wireless phone charger.

The 2022 Toyota Venza featured an eight-inch touchscreen on the LE and XLE models, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen available on the Limited trim. The infotainment system included AM/FM/HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, and Bluetooth connectivity. The Limited trim added a nine-speaker JBL audio system with a subwoofer and amplifier. Toyota Connected Services were standard, including Safety Connect, Service Connect, Remote Connect, and WiFi Connect. An Advanced Technology Package was available for the Limited trim, including a head-up display and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star overall crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick award. However, it did not receive the highest Top Safety Pick+ rating due to lower scores in the headlight evaluation and updated side crash test. The CR-V's Honda Sensing system included a suite of advanced safety features standard on all trims, except for blind spot monitoring, which was standard from the EX trim upwards.

The 2022 Toyota Venza came with the Toyota Star Safety System, which included stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, smart stop technology, and a rearview camera. It also had eight airbags and the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0) group of driver aids, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and more. The Venza received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.