2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid vs 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid showcased a bold transformation in its styling compared to its predecessors. The new CR-V adopted a more assertive, truck-like appearance, stretching approximately 2.5 inches longer and half an inch wider than its previous model. The visual stance was notably more muscular, emphasized by a longer wheelbase and expanded front and rear tracks. The taillights, a defining feature of the CR-V, were redesigned into three L-shape components, offering a rugged and modern flair. The Sport Touring model, in particular, featured LED headlights and taillights, black styling accents, and larger 19-inch wheels, enhancing its premium and sporty appeal. In contrast, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid continued with the solid, blocky design introduced in 2019, drawing from Toyota's truck line with a robust trapezoidal grille. The RAV4's look was less of a departure from the norm and offered a familiarity that was accented with angular, beveled bodywork framing the headlights. Interior-wise, the RAV4 maintained a utilitarian approach with a multi-tiered dashboard and ample use of hard plastics interspersed with softer touch points in significant areas.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid was equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a two-motor hybrid-electric system. It produced 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque, the highest in its class, and offered various driving modes including a new Snow mode and a unique "B" shifter for enhanced regenerative braking. This setup allowed the CR-V to achieve up to 43 mpg in city driving for the FWD variant, blending power with efficiency impressively. The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, on the other hand, featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine combined with an electric motor, delivering a total of 219 horsepower. It could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, supported by a CVT that managed power delivery smoothly. The RAV4's performance was competent, though it generally prioritized consistency and fuel efficiency over exhilarating driving dynamics.

Internally, the 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid benefited significantly from its dimensional increases, offering up to 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 76.5 cubic feet with them folded. Rear legroom was also ample, providing 41 inches of space. These enhancements, alongside thoughtful inclusions like a hands-free power tailgate and a highly accessible rear seat configuration, underscored its family-friendly intentions. The RAV4 Hybrid presented 37.5 cubic feet of cargo room, slightly more than in previous models, with comparable rear seat space to the CR-V. Though it lacked some of the CR-V's more intuitive features, the RAV4 excelled in personal storage solutions such as a dashboard shelf and large door pockets, catering well to daily usability.

Technology in the Honda CR-V Hybrid included a standard 7-inch touchscreen which could be upgraded to a 9-inch display in higher trims. Connectivity was robust, with multiple USB ports, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a premium Bose audio system in the Sport Touring trim. Additionally, Honda's navigation system integrated advanced route planning to enhance fuel efficiency further. Toyota upgraded the RAV4 Hybrid with an improved infotainment system featuring up to a 10.5-inch touchscreen. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with the option for over-the-air updates and a Wi-Fi hotspot, made it competitive. However, audio options varied more significantly across the range, with a base six-speaker system and an optional 11-speaker JBL setup in higher trims.

Honda equipped the CR-V Hybrid with an expanded suite of safety features, including the Honda Sensing technologies that received updates for enhanced functionality. New additions like traffic jam assist and a more comprehensive collision mitigation system complemented the already robust safety profile that included standard adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid retained strong safety credentials as well, receiving high ratings from the NHTSA and good scores from IIHS. The standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 provided a comprehensive array of features including automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control, with additional options like a surround-view camera available on higher trims.