2023 Honda CR-V Versus 2023 Toyota RAV4: The Battle Of The Crossover Titans

If you haven’t already, there’s a good chance you’d find yourself in a certain customary crossroad of compact crossovers where the Honda CR-V stand to your left and the Toyota RAV4 on the other. The experience can be incredibly and yet understandably confusing, as both brands are highly popular in the C-SUV market. The CR-V and RAV4 could pass for cousins, thanks to their near-uniform reliability, efficiency, and tech and safety features.

Indeed, the RAV4 is the world's best-selling SUV consistently, but the CR-V is Honda’s tip of the spear – the company’s bestselling model – as well as one of the bestselling vehicles of 2022. The Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 have been two of the most popular compact SUVs on the market for years. 

Both offer a great combination of practicality, reliability, and value, making them ideal choices for families and individuals alike. Speaking of cousins, the 2023 models of these two SUVs began hitting dealerships around the same time last fall, and there is much anticipation about how they compare. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at the 2023 Honda CR-V versus the 2023 Toyota RAV4, comparing their features, performance, pricing, and more. 

The Exterior Design

The 2023 Honda CR-V has a sleek and modern design that's already turning heads the few times we've seen the new SUV cruising Lagos roads. 

The front grille is wider and more aggressive than in previous models, giving the SUV a more muscular appearance. 

The CR-V also features LED headlights and taillights, which not only look great but also provide excellent visibility in all conditions. 

Honda updated the SUV’s rear with a new bumper design and a sporty spoiler, giving it a more athletic look.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4, on the other hand, has a more rugged and adventurous design. The front grille is large and imposing, giving the SUV a bold and confident stance on the road. 

The RAV4 also features LED headlights and taillights, as well as a unique two-tone color scheme that says “Look at me” everywhere it goes.

Like Honda, Toyota also updated the 2023 RAV4’s rear with a new bumper design and a stylish spoiler, giving it a more refined overall profile. 

The Interior Design 

When it comes to interior design, both the 2023 Honda CR-V and the 2023 Toyota RAV4 excel. We think the CR-V's spacious and comfortable cabin is both practical and stylish. 

We’re talking about a true-to-form upscale interior complete with an intuitive infotainment system. The seats are supportive and well-padded, and there is plenty of legroom and headroom for all passengers. 

The dashboard and center console are well-designed and easy to use, with a large touchscreen display that provides access to all of the vehicle's features. 

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 also has a spacious and comfortable cabin, which is something of a tradition with the RAV4 C-SUV. 

It has plenty of room for both passengers and cargo, speaking of which the cargo-friendly interior makes the attractive base price even more attractive. 

Like the CR-V, RAV4’s seats are supportive, well-padded, and offer plenty of legroom and headroom for all passengers. 

The dashboard and center console are also well-designed and easy to use, with a large touchscreen display that provides access to all of the vehicle's plentiful features. 

One unique feature of the RAV4 is the panoramic sunroof, which lets plenty of natural light into the cabin and gives the interior a more open and airy feel.

Speaking of panoramic sunroofs, we can’t help but think about the 2023 Toyota Venza’s tint-on-demand electrochromic panoramic sunroof technology that allows you to switch from clear glass to opaque white with no more than the push of a button. 

The Technology 

Both the 2023 Honda CR-V and the 2023 Toyota RAV4 come with a range of advanced technology features that make driving more enjoyable and convenient. 

The CR-V features a 7-inch touchscreen display as standard, while higher trims come with an 8-inch display. 

All models come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, allowing you to easily connect your smartphone and access your favorite apps and music. 

The CR-V also comes with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced safety features that includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and forward collision warning. 

We think Honda should really be proud of the long list of safety features offered as standard equipment on the 2023 CR-V. 

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 

also comes with a range of advanced technology features, including an 8-inch touchscreen display as standard. 

All models come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, as well as Toyota Safety Sense, a suite of advanced safety features that includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. 

One unique feature of the RAV4 is the available JBL audio system. Audiophiles will love the exceptional sound quality that’s sure to please even people who aren’t particularly music lovers. 

The Engines And Performance

When it comes to performance, both the 2023 Honda CR-V and the 2023 Toyota RAV4 are impressive, and both come with the promise of less time and money spent at the gas station. 

The CR-V comes with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque. It also comes with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that promotes smooth and efficient power delivery. 

The CR-V is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations, and it has a fuel economy rating of up to 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. 

The 2023 Toyota RAV4, 

on the other hand, offers slightly more punch but at the expense of efficiency. It comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. 

Unlike the Honda brand’s 10-speed shifter, the new RAV4 married its higher displacement 4-cylinder to an eight-speed automatic transmission that provides smooth and responsive shifting. 

The RAV4 is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. Its fuel economy rating got estimated at up to 27 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. 

2023 Honda CR-V And 2023 Toyota RAV4 Pricing In Nigeria

When it comes to pricing, the 2023 Honda CR-V and the 2023 Toyota RAV4 are very similar. The base model CR-V LX starts at around $26,000 (₦12 million), while the top-of-the-line Touring model starts at around $35,000 (₦16.135 million). 

The base model RAV4 LE starts at around $26,500 (₦12.2 million), while the top-of-the-line RAV4 Prime starts at around $38,000 (₦17.5 million). 

It's worth noting that the RAV4 Prime is a plug-in hybrid model that comes with a larger battery and an electric motor, providing up to 42 miles of all-electric driving range. 

Specifically, though, both SUVs’ price tags in Nigeria are considerably higher than their official MSRP. For example, the Honda Place in Porthacourt will sell you the 2023 Honda CR-V for ₦47 million. 

With the dealership’s ongoing promo, you could have roughly ₦2 million shaved off the current price and still go home with your five years of manufacturer’s warranty and 5 years of free service, which includes labor and parts. 

Verdict On The 2023 Honda CR-V Vs. Toyota RAV4

Both the 2023 Honda CR-V and the 2023 Toyota RAV4 are excellent compact SUVs that offer a great combination of practicality, reliability, and value. 

The CR-V has a sleek and modern design, while the RAV4 has a more rugged and adventurous design. Both have spacious and comfortable cabins with advanced technology features, including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and advanced safety features. 

When it comes to performance, both are impressive, with efficient engines and smooth transmissions. Pricing is also similar between the two, with both models starting at around $26,000. 

If you choose to buy directly from the USA, we recommend you have a budget of at least ₦24 million to get started. 

Ultimately, choosing between the two comes down to personal preference and individual needs, but either way, you can't go wrong with either of these popular SUVs.