2022 Toyota Venza vs 2023 Honda CR-V

The 2022 Toyota Venza resurfaced after being shelved from the U.S. market between 2009 and 2015. Positioned on the Toyota New Global Architecture K (TGNA-K) platform, it shared its foundation with a robust lineup including the Avalon, Camry, Highlander, RAV4, and Sienna, as well as the Lexus ES, NX, and RX. Measuring 186.6 inches in length, 73.0 inches in width, and 65.9 inches in height, it sat low in the midsize crossover SUV segment with a 105.9-inch wheelbase and 7.8 inches of ground clearance. The Venza boasted a modern exterior, reminiscent of the Lexus lineage with its elegant and refined proportions. A distinctive design element was its deeply scalloped body side, highlighting muscular rear fenders. The horizontally bisected tailgate with an LED stripe and a prominent nose provided a contemporary aesthetic that, while not ideally suited for off-road approach angles, was perfect for urban environments. Inside, the Toyota Venza exuded a Lexus-like sophistication. Its high-quality materials and elegantly layered dashboard, coupled with an 8-inch or available 12.3-inch touchscreen on the center stack, provided a comfortable and luxurious cabin. The front seats were supportive, and the rear seats could easily accommodate three adults, underlining the Venza's commitment to passenger comfort. The 2023 Honda CR-V, entering its sixth generation, adopted a cleaner, subtler aesthetic. With a blunt nose, elongated hood, and stretched wheelbase, it presented a more mature look compared to its predecessor. Although the newer model lacked some of the character of the fifth-gen CR-V, its conservative styling promised longevity. Externally, both CR-V EX and EX-L trims were equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels and rear privacy glass, creating a uniform appearance. The EX-L’s interior upgrades included leather-wrapped seats, a leather steering wheel, and a leather shift knob, standing in contrast to the EX’s cloth upholstery. The dashboard, inspired by the Honda Civic, featured metal mesh trim incorporating the air vents, lending a clean, high-quality feel to the interior. A digital instrumentation display was standard across trims, with the EX-L adding features like a larger touchscreen, power-adjustable front passenger seat, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

The 2022 Toyota Venza featured a hybrid powertrain combining a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engine with three electric motors, generating 219 horsepower. The powertrain balanced electric and gasoline power for optimum efficiency, with EV mode available for short-distance pure electric driving. Drivers could choose between Normal, Eco, and Sport modes to tailor the vehicle's performance to their needs. Regenerative braking recharged the lithium-ion battery that powered the electric motors, with a significant charge coming from the motor-generator driven by the gas engine. The Venza delivered a fine driving experience, with sprightly acceleration and agile handling similar to the Camry, thanks to their shared wheelbase. However, its taller body and higher ground clearance meant it wasn’t tailored for aggressive cornering. Instead, it excelled as a midsize family hauler, providing a comfortable and predictable ride. Conversely, the 2023 Honda CR-V EX and EX-L were powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 190 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 179 pound-feet of torque from 1,700 to 5,000 rpm. Although potent for a compact SUV, the engine's potential was somewhat dampened by a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that detracted from the driving experience. The CVT’s characteristic droning noise during hard acceleration marred the otherwise engaging performance of the CR-V. Despite this, the CR-V’s suspension, steering, and brakes were finely tuned. It offered excellent ride quality, easily handling speed bumps, uneven pavement, and tight curves. The vehicle communicated well with the driver and absorbed impacts with finesse, making it a joy to drive—until the CVT undermined the experience during aggressive acceleration. Nonetheless, it achieved commendable fuel economy, averaging 29.1 mpg in combined driving.

The 2022 Toyota Venza could seat five across two rows, with supportive bucket seats in the front and a 60/40-split folding bench in the rear. Both rows offered ample headroom and legroom, and the second row provided 45.2 inches of hip room. The cabin felt spacious, augmented by the available Star Gaze fixed panoramic glass roof on the Limited trim. In terms of convenience, the Venza featured an overhead console with LED map lights and a Safety Connect button, along with a standard eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and a four-way power-adjustable passenger seat on higher trims. It incorporated numerous handy touches such as an electric parking brake, sliding extensions on sun visors, and an abundant array of cupholders and bottle holders. The Venza’s cargo capacity was well thought out, too. With a battery pack positioned beneath the second-row seats, it maintained up to 28.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 55.1 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. The 2023 Honda CR-V, lauded as the roomiest yet, seated occupants in a spacious but slightly low driver’s seat, which gave the CR-V a car-like feel. Outward visibility was excellent, and the redesigned seats were comfortable, though ventilated front seats and heated rear seats were unavailable. The second row felt even more generous, offering high seating positions, good thigh support, and considerable rear legroom. Despite its compact exterior dimensions, the CR-V's interior managed to feel more like a midsize model. Storage was ample, with a large bin under the center armrest, small trays in the door armrests, and a tray forward of the shifter. The cargo area, accessible via a power liftgate, offered 39.3 cubic feet of space with the rear floor in its lowest position, expanding to 76.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded—much more generous than the Venza.

Toyota’s 2022 Venza continued to leverage its expertise in hybrid technology. The hybrid setup operated seamlessly, negating the need for charging infrastructure. A full tank of gas provided a range of over 500 miles depending on driving conditions, making range anxiety a non-issue. Toyota’s Predicted Efficient Drive (PED) system used navigation data to optimize the battery’s charge based on habitual driving patterns, enhancing efficiency. The infotainment system comprised an eight-inch touchscreen on LE and XLE models and a 12.3-inch display on the Limited trim. It supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Standard connectivity included multiple USB ports, an AUX port, and Bluetooth. Higher trims featured a nine-speaker JBL audio system. A suite of connected services, including Safety Connect and WiFi Connect, came with varying trial durations. Optional technology on the Limited trim included a head-up display and rain-sensing wipers, with the 10-inch HUD standing out for its visibility even with polarized sunglasses. The 2023 Honda CR-V featured a standard 7-inch digital instrumentation panel paired with a corresponding 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the EX trim. On the EX-L, a larger 9-inch touchscreen came with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM radio, and wireless charging. The EX-L trim also offered an eight-speaker sound system. However, advanced features like a Bose sound system, HondaLink subscription services, and navigation with real-time traffic information were reserved for the Sport Touring Hybrid model. While effective, the CR-V’s tech offerings fell short compared to some rivals, particularly at its price point. The technology was more about catching up to competitors than innovating, maintaining Honda’s reputation for functional simplicity but lacking some of the premium features available in the Venza.

The 2022 Toyota Venza’s safety suite started with the foundational Toyota Star Safety System, which included stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, and smart stop technology. It was equipped with eight airbags, a suite of driver aids under Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0), and other features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Venza also featured front and rear parking assist with automated braking on higher trims. Impressively, it earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from NHTSA. The 2023 Honda CR-V improved dramatically in driver assistance systems with the Honda Sensing package, which offered adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping and lane-centering assist, and automatic high beams among others. New features included a rear-seat reminder system, driver monitoring, and Traffic Jam Assist. The CR-V’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure and redesigned airbags aimed to enhance collision protection, though final safety ratings were pending at the time.