Compare the 2018 Honda CR-V vs 2018 Toyota RAV4

Serving Capitol Heights, Washington D.C., and Arlington, VA

The Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4 came out in the mid-‘90s, at a time when SUVs were still thought of as large, brawny vehicles. With time, though, they helped change that perception by combining ample interior space and off-road capabilities with the fuel efficiency and drivability of four-door sedans. Consequently, as crossover vehicles, they are some of the most popular choices in the class they helped create. For the 2018 model year, the RAV4, now in its fourth generation of production, has a new trim (Adventure) introduced and peak towing capability increased; and the CR-V, still very new into its fifth production cycle, remains unchanged. Although either crossover is an excellent choice, you should go with the 2018 Honda CR-V over the 2018 Toyota RAV4 for the reasons below:

Fuel Economy

The Honda CR-V has always been known to be very fuel efficient. And the 2018 model is no exception. Combining a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder (I4) engine with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a front-wheel drivetrain, gas mileage on the CR-V peaks at 26 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. Credit is due to a tiny engine that sips gasoline, a transmission that does not use the energy-consuming gear-shifting mechanism of traditional ones, and a drivetrain that only needs to use power for two wheels instead of four. There is an I4 and a front-wheel drive on the 2018 Toyota RAV4. But there is no CVT option, and at 2.5 liters, its I4 engine is significantly larger than that of the CR-V. As a result, the RAV4 offers a peak fuel economy of 23 mpg (5 less mpg) in the city and 30 mpg (4 less mpg) on the highway.

Engine Power

The aforementioned 2.4-liter DOHC i-VTEC® 4-cylinder engine on the 2018 Honda CR-V produces 184 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. Its output surpasses that of the 2018 Toyota RAV4, which provides 176 horsepower (14 less horsepower) and 172 lb-ft of torque (7 less lb-ft of torque). Even the other engine available on the CR-V—a non-turbocharged 2.0-liter I4—outguns the lone RAV4 engine: with 184 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque.

Cargo Volume

The 2018 Honda CR-V provides one of the largest optimized cargo volumes in the compact SUV class. On the vehicle, you can fold down the rear seats to create 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space. By comparison, the 2018 Toyota RAV4 can expand to 73.4 cubic feet, which is 2.4 cubic feet short of the CR-V’s max. Plus, if you decide to go with the upper-level Limited model, your max cargo volume actually shrinks to 70.6 cubic feet (5.2 less cubic feet).

Can’t wait to try out the 2018 Honda CR-V? Come see us at our dealership in the Washington, D.C. metro area. With generally favorable reviews on Google and Cars.com, we make customer satisfaction our top priority. Call us today to set up an appointment with one of our Honda experts.

*Based on 2018 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions and other factors.