Almost every mainstream auto brand – and almost all of the premium players – offer a mid-size family SUV.
It’s the most crowded segment of the Australian car market, with almost 70 individual nameplates that largely perform the same job, but are spread over the widest price range – from cheap and cheerful budget-friendly runabouts to indulgent six-figure soft-roaders that are genuinely luxurious and/or or supercar-fast.
But all of them can trace their lineage back to these two pioneers of the segment, the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.
Both of these Japanese icons first launched globally in the mid-1990s – within 12 months of each other – and forged a new path that, ultimately, changed the face of modern urban family transport.
Over time, both the CR-V and RAV4 have remained true to the original philosophy, but also evolved through their respective generations.
So, let’s take a look at the latest – and most advanced – iterations of each to see which is the best.
How much?
The Toyota RAV4 was the first of its kind when it first launched in Australia in 1994, originally as a cutesy three-door before the arrival of a five-door version the following year.
Since then, it has been refined through five generations and became the Japanese brand’s most popular passenger vehicle. An all-new sixth-generation is due in showrooms from next year, which will introduce plug-in hybrid powertrains for the first time in Australia.
Today though, the current version (which first arrived in 2019) is exclusively offered with hybrid drivetrains and available in five model grades, starting at $42,260 before on-road costs for the entry-level, front-wheel drive GX, and topping out at $58,360 plus on-roads for the flagship all-wheel drive Edge we’re using in this comparison.
The Honda CR-V followed in the RAV4’s wheel tracks when it first landed in Australia in late 1997. However, it was exclusively a more mainstream five-door wagon.
The current, sixth-generation model, which arrived here in mid-2023 and recently received its first mid-life upgrade, can be had with a conventional petrol powertrain in either two-wheel drive (with five or seven seats) or all-wheel drive configurations across two model grades – VTi-X+ and VTi-L in 2WD, and VTi-L and VTi-LX in AWD.
Prices start at $41,900 drive-away for the 2WD VTi-X+, and top-out at $57,500 drive-away for the VTi-LX AWD.
However, to compare apples with apples, Honda offers a single variant with a hybrid powertrain, the flagship RS e:HEV. Although it has a higher sticker price than the RAV4 Edge at $59,900, it is more affordable when you take into account the Toyota’s additional statutory on-road charges.
What do you get?
As both the Honda CR-V RS e:HEV and Toyota RAV4 Edge sit at the top of their respective model ranges, they come equipped with a long list of standard equipment.
Standard equipment for both variants extends to:
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights
- Rear privacy glass
- Sunroof
- Digital rear-view mirror
- Power windows
- Dual-zone climate control with rear air vents
- Powered tailgate
- Keyless entry and push-button start
- Digital instrument cluster
- Colour infotainment display
- Embedded satellite navigation
- DAB+ digital radio
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Wireless Apple CarPlay
- Wired Android Auto
- Wireless phone charger
Both have electric adjustment for the driver’s and front passenger seat, but the Toyota has the added comfort of heating and ventilation.
The Toyota’s twin digital screens are larger than the CR-V’s too, with a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and 10.5-inch infotainment display compared to the Honda’s 10.2-inch unit in front of the driver and 9.0-inch tablet-style screen on top of the dash, which has integrated Google functionality including voice assistance and search.
And each has a branded premium audio system – a 12-speaker Bose unit with active noise cancelling in the CR-V and a nine-speaker JBL unit in the RAV4.
However, the most notable difference is the unique characters that Honda and Toyota are trying to express with these particular variants.
With its RS badge, the CR-V has a more sporting appearance, while the Edge features unique front and rear bumpers to give it a more rugged aesthetic.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Honda CR-V. Clickhereto get a great deal.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Toyota RAV4. Clickhereto get a great deal.
Are they safe?
Both of these vehicles feature a comprehensive array of advanced driver aids and crash avoidance systems, including:
- Automated Emergency Braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection
- Lane departure warning
- Lane keeping assistance
- Adaptive cruise control
- Road sign recognition
- Blind spot monitoring
- Rear cross traffic alert
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Parking camera with 360-degree display
- Trailer sway control
- Automated high beams
With the current CR-V being half a generation newer than the latest RAV4, it also features driver attention monitoring, dual front knee airbags and a centre airbag between the front seats (for a total of 11, compared to eight in the RAV4). But it only received a four-star ANCAP safety rating, while the Toyota scored five because it was tested under less stringent protocols (2019 versus 2024).
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Honda CR-V. Clickhereto get a great deal.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Toyota RAV4. Clickhereto get a great deal.
What are they like inside?
The Honda is fractionally bigger than the Toyota in overall length and has more space between the front and rear axles, which maintains one of its hallmark attributes – a spacious and flexible cabin.
Both of them have seating for five, with excellent headroom and legroom for all occupants, and almost identical cargo capacities in the boot. But the Honda does feel slightly roomier – especially in the back thanks to its flat floor that makes it more comfortable when seating three across the bench.
The ‘Magic’ rear seats also offer more adjustment as they can slide forward and back to increase legroom or boot space, and have reclining seat backs. They can also flip forward to create an expansive and fully flat load area, or flip-up so that tall items can be transported easily.
| Dimensions | Honda CR-V RS e:HEV | Toyota RAV4 Edge Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4704mm | 4615mm |
| Width | 1866mm | 1865mm |
| Height | 1681mm | 1690mm |
| Wheelbase | 2701mm | 2690mm |
| Cargo capacity | 581L | 580L |
The CR-V’s overall design is more conservative with a dark colour palette and straight lines, but it is exceptionally well built with top-quality materials and soft-touch surfaces.
The seats are comfortable. The driving position has plenty of adjustment to suit a wide variety of body shapes. The digital instrument cluster is simple and clear. And there’s great vision through the expansive glasshouse.
The RAV4 Edge, on the other hand, has, well… more edge to it, with bright orange contrasting panels throughout the dash and centre console, and interesting shapes in the door cards and details.
It too delivers where it counts, with top-notch materials and build quality, supportive front seats and plenty of thoughtful small item storage spaces.
Rear seat space is also pretty good for three across the bench, but it doesn’t have the same flexibility as the CR-V.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Honda CR-V. Clickhereto get a great deal.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Toyota RAV4. Clickhereto get a great deal.
What’s under the bonnet?
The Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 powertrains both pair a lean-burning four-cylinder petrol engine with two electric motors and small battery pack.
But that’s where the similarities end.
The CR-V uses a 2.0-litre engine and has both of its electric motors packaged within its continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), delivering 135kW of power to just the front wheels.
The RAV4, on the other hand, has a larger-capacity 2.5-litre unit linked to a CVT and a single electric motor that drives the front wheels, but also has an additional electric motor on the rear axle, giving it all-wheel drive traction.
Not surprisingly, it produces more power – 163kW – but it also drinks less, with claimed average fuel consumption of just 4.8L/100km compared to the CR-V’s still-respectable figure of 5.5L/100km. Both are optimised to run on the most affordable standard unleaded.
| Specifications | Honda CR-V RS e:HEV | Toyota RAV4 Edge Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol | 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol |
| Engine outputs | 109kW | 131kW |
| Electric motor outputs | Not specified | 88kW / 40kW |
| System outputs | 135kW | 163kW |
| Battery | 1.1kWh | 1.6kWh |
| Transmission | e-CVT automatic | e-CVT automatic |
| Drive type | FWD | AWD |
| Weight | 1771kg | 1760kg |
| Fuel economy (claimed) | 5.5L/100km | 4.8L/100km |
| Fuel tank capacity | 57L | 55L |
| Fuel requirement | 91-octane standard unleaded | 91-octane standard unleaded |
| Braked tow capacity | 750kg | 1500kg |
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Honda CR-V. Clickhereto get a great deal.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Toyota RAV4. Clickhereto get a great deal.
Cost of ownership
Both the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 are covered by standard five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranties.
However, Honda is currently offering eight years of coverage for all existing 2024 model year stock.
Both also incentivise owners to properly maintain their vehicles within their official dealer networks, and will extend the warranty period to eight years (Honda) and seven years (Toyota) if the vehicle meets certain requirements at the end of the standard warranty period.
In terms of servicing costs, these are among the most affordable vehicles to maintain, with capped-price plans for the first five years that cost $199 and $260 per visit respectively.
| Servicing and Warranty | Honda CR-V RS e:HEV | Toyota RAV4 Edge Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Warranty | Five years / unlimited kilometres | Five years / unlimited kilometres |
| Roadside assistance | Eight years (service activated) | Seven years (service activated) |
| Service intervals | 12 months / 10,000km | 12 months / 15,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | Five years | Five years |
| Average capped-price service cost | $199 | $260 |
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Honda CR-V. Clickhereto get a great deal.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Toyota RAV4. Clickhereto get a great deal.
CarExpert’s Pick
There’s plenty of reasons why these two models are among the best and most popular family cars in the country right now.
Both are extremely well built, spacious and efficient suburban runabouts, both are loaded with the latest in safety technology and creature comforts, and both deliver a level of refinement and reliability that easily justifies their price and position in the white space between the more budget-friendly alternatives at bottom end of the segment and the entry-level premium players.
If there’s anything to separate them, the CR-V has more room in the cabin and a back seat that is more flexible and classier in its overall design, whereas the RAV4 Edge has a distinctively rugged character with more power and the added flexibility of all-wheel drive for light-duty off-roading.