Honda CR-V vs Toyota RAV4: Which Should You Buy?

Both are inexpensive to keep at independent shops, with cheap, plentiful parts. Compare current asking prices for both: Toyota's resale reputation often puts the RAV4 higher at equal age and miles, and the same reputation helps when you sell. Fuel is a near tie on 2013 to 2014 cars, but the CVT-equipped 2015 to 2016 CR-V is rated about 3 mpg better combined than the RAV4 in EPA figures (fueleconomy.gov). Get insurance quotes on both. The CR-V is the better value if you drive cars into the ground; the RAV4 makes more sense if you trade every few years.

Both have strong reliability reputations. CR-V watch items: CVT fluid history on 2015 to 2016 cars and an A/C that should blow cold; on a 2017 or later 1.5T, oil dilution in cold states. RAV4 watch items: coolant seepage at the water pump on higher-mileage 2.5s, and if you stretch to a 2019 or later, the 8-speed's shift quality (ask a Toyota dealer whether software updates apply to the VIN). Verify the individual car's records; they matter more than either reputation.

The CR-V rides softer and steers lighter, better in town, more relaxed in traffic. The RAV4 feels firmer and more planted on rough roads, and AWD models add a lock mode for slippery starts. Neither is quick, and both get loud at highway speed; the CR-V's cabin is the airier place to spend a road trip, the RAV4's the more rugged-feeling one.

Automatic emergency braking was rare in these years: on the CR-V it came only on the 2015 to 2016 Touring (Honda's Collision Mitigation Braking System), and Toyota offered Toyota Safety Sense P on some 2016 RAV4 trims before making it standard on every RAV4 for 2017. Neither offers Apple CarPlay or Android Auto in these years, so plan on Bluetooth audio either way, or target a later model year if phone mirroring matters.

These are two of the safest used-crossover bets, and the honest difference is back seat and fuel economy versus cargo, gearbox and resale. The CR-V has the roomier rear seat and, on 2015 to 2016 cars, better EPA fuel economy; the RAV4 has slightly more cargo space, a conventional 6-speed automatic where the later CR-Vs use a CVT, and Toyota's resale strength, which you usually pay for up front. Buy the CR-V for the back seat and the mileage; buy the RAV4 for the conventional automatic and the resale. Either way, condition and service history matter more than the badge.

Both have strong reliability reputations. CR-V watch items: CVT fluid history on 2015 to 2016 cars and an A/C that should blow cold; on a 2017 or later 1.5T, oil dilution in cold states. RAV4 watch items: coolant seepage at the water pump on higher-mileage 2.5s, and if you stretch to a 2019 or later, the 8-speed's shift quality (ask a Toyota dealer whether software updates apply to the VIN). Verify the individual car's records; they matter more than either reputation.

Both are inexpensive to keep at independent shops, with cheap, plentiful parts. Compare current asking prices for both: Toyota's resale reputation often puts the RAV4 higher at equal age and miles, and the same reputation helps when you sell. Fuel is a near tie on 2013 to 2014 cars, but the CVT-equipped 2015 to 2016 CR-V is rated about 3 mpg better combined than the RAV4 in EPA figures (fueleconomy.gov). Get insurance quotes on both. The CR-V is the better value if you drive cars into the ground; the RAV4 makes more sense if you trade every few years.