Leandre: These days, hybrids are starting to become all the rage. Thanks to Toyota, specifically, there’s now an electrified offering for almost every popular segment in the market.
The carmaker isn’t going unrivaled in this regard, however, especially with the recent arrival of electric offerings from fellow Japanese competitors. The last one to arrive was the Honda CR-V, a crossover that matches up quite nicely with the Toyota RAV4.
Now, instead of going for a simple spec-sheet brawl for this one, we went ahead and took these two cars on full road tests to see how one really stacks up against the other. Top Gear Philippines features editor Anton Andres and I will be scoring these two, and we’ll both be giving out a point to our pick for each category. There will be five categories in total, and hopefully, this won’t end in a tie. To set the stage, we’ll lay down the prices here: the Toyota RAV4 2.5 LTD HEV stickers for P2,632,000, while the Honda CR-V RS e:HEV goes for P2,590,000.
So, let’s get to it then, shall we?
ALSO READ:
Review: 2024 Honda CR-V RS e:HEV
Review: 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid LTD
Styling
Anton: There’s no doubt that the sixth-gen CR-V looks way better than the outgoing model. It looks sharper and less fussy than before, finally losing that ‘underbite’ from the fifth-gen. It looks great in RS trim, too, but there is one thing that kinda spoils it for me. Over in Taiwan, the RS model comes with these handsome 19-inch alloys that fill up the wheel wells perfectly. Unfortunately for us, we’re stuck with smaller 18-inchers that look even smaller because they’re painted all black.
Meanwhile, the RAV4 has aged gracefully. Clean lines, the right amount of aggression, and just enough details to make it look more of an SUV than the Honda. The wheels are the right size too, despite being the same diameter as the CR-V RS. Call me shallow, but it’s the right shoes that make me swing towards the RAV4 in the styling department.
Leandre: I wouldn’t be surprised if you said these two are almost equal in the styling department. Looks are always going to be subjective, though, and in my case, I’m leaning towards the RAV4’s design. While Honda has done an excellent job with the all-new CR-V, the RAV4’s look feels more balanced for me.
The Toyota has a hint of classy and a good touch of rugged, and looks just a tad bit sharper than the Honda. Perhaps it’s the underbody claddings and the wheels that do the trick for me.
Interior
Anton: The RAV4’s cabin still looks good even if it’s been around for a few years already. Cabin materials feel about the same at the front, but the rear is a pleasant place to be as the Honda goes for hard plastic back there. However, I’d still have to go for the CR-V because of the overall package. Simply put, there’s more space and greater flexibility in the Honda. Legroom rivals that of larger SUVs, and the ability to slide and recline the back seats is a major bonus. On top of that, the seatbelts at the back are also height adjustable, something you don’t see very often.
Leandre: The inside of the RAV4 is…okay. It’s nice, but it does feel a bit lacking considering the price point you’re at. And when you compare it with that of the CR-V, it looks even more subpar. Build quality and overall space is excellent for both these vehicles, but the CR-V’s cabin is just more pleasing to the eye and its materials are nicer to the touch.
The Honda has the more updated bits all around, and while the RAV4 doesn’t exactly look dated inside, it starts to show its age a bit when put side-by-side with the CR-V. You won’t have problems sitting inside the RAV4, that’s for sure, but I just had a much more pleasant time in side the CR-V.
Engine performance
Leandre: Let’s get the numbers down first. Powering the RAV4 is a 2.5-liter gasoline engine mated to an electric motor that together put out 215hp. The CR-V, meanwhile, packs a 2.0-liter gasoline powertrain with a pair of electric motors for a total system output of 204hp. Clearly, the RAV4 here packs a bigger punch. But I’m giving point to the CR-V here.
While the CR-V probably won’t go as fast as the RAV4 will, it still accelerates a lot more smoothly which makes driving around the city a lot more comfortable. It also fares better in terms of fuel economy—during our tests, the CR-V easily did 20km/L in mixed conditions whereas the RAV4 averaged around 17-18km/L. Both still very impressive numbers, but still a win for the Honda nonetheless.
Anton: Hybrids are supposed to be quiet, right? It sure wasn’t the case when I had the RAV4. You can literally hear the system recharging its batteries and you feel the vibrations coursing through the steering wheel and pedals. The switchover from battery to engine power is also noticeable, with the latter making an occasional stumble during transition. Perhaps it wasn’t too noticeable back then, but it highlights just how smooth the e:HEV system is in the CR-V. It’s not all bad news, though. It feels eager off the line with a strong mid-range punch, making it quicker than the Honda. The RAV4 matches it in terms of fuel economy, too, and that’s despite the larger engine and a simpler battery.
But the win in the powertrain department for me is the CR-V. Simply put, it does everything that the RAV4 can do but better. It’s smoother, quieter, more refined, plus it can run on battery power even at highway speeds to eke out a few more kilometers per liter. Sure, it’s slower than the RAV4, but it still pulls like an old-school V6 engine.
Ride and handling
Anton: This was a no contest for me. While the RAV4 had excellent steering feel and feedback, it just couldn’t match the CR-V in terms of dynamics. While neither can match the Mazda CX-5 in terms of driving enjoyment, the CR-V does a better impression of a sporty drive. Both don’t have all-wheel drive, but the Honda felt more planted and secure around the bends whereas the RAV4 leans and heaves.
Okay, these things aren’t meant for corner carving, but you’d feel more confident driving the CR-V in an emergency situation. The RAV4 is good, but the CR-V was just better. The best part is, it doesn’t sacrifice comfort to achieve that balance. Even more interesting is the fact that the CR-V rode better than the RAV4 despite being the better handler.
Leandre: In a heartbeat, I’d easily give the point to the CR-V in this category. The RAV4 felt a bit heavy to drive, and while the ride was pretty comfortable, it almost pales in comparison to the CR-V. The CR-V just drives and handles so much better than the RAV4, and it’s much more comfortable to be in, too.
It eats up typical road imperfections without breaking a sweat, and it suppresses outside noise quite well. The ride is floaty, and was honestly much better than I had anticipated.
Extra features
Anton: You won’t find any of these crossovers lacking in the features department. Both have advanced driver assist systems, smartphone connectivity, a bevy of cameras, and more. Curiously, the RAV4 has heated seats, not exactly a feature we’d use in this tropical country. The RAV4 does beat the CR-V in terms of driving modes by having a dedicated electric mode.
But it’s not enough for it to win over the Honda. The tech attached to the CR-V simply worked better and felt more intuitive. It might not have an EV mode, but the overall package is solid.
Leandre: Both of these vehicles have advanced safety tech, complete with the likes of adaptive cruise control with forward collision warning, lane-departure warning and lane-keep assist, and various parking aids. Both of them have sunroofs as well as monitors for the hybrid system’s current activity. But for me, the extra bits in the CR-V are enough to warrant the point.
Honda has the entry and exit assist for the driver, as well as seamless wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity. The speakers, by the way, sound better in the CR-V, so that’s also a good bonus in my opinion. The little things like these add up.
Verdict
Anton: Neither of these crossovers are what we’d call abot kaya. Both these electrified models are over P2.5-M each and don’t even have all-wheel drive. The thing is, these models cater to a different kind of target market, one that won’t even cross shop with larger, diesel-powered SUVs. People who typically buy these things are dead set on getting something in this segment.
But if I had to choose, it’s the CR-V for me. It’s quieter, more refined, and has a better sorted hybrid powertrain. It also handles and rides better, not to mention less expensive compared to the RAV4. Sure, there’s a base version of the RAV4 hybrid that undercuts the CR-V e:HEV, but it doesn’t come close to the top-spec’s equipment levels. It’s a dominant win for the CR-V, then, but I’m sure the next-gen RAV4 will do everything in its power to reclaim the crown with a vengeance.
Scoring tally
2024 Honda CR-V RS e:HEV |
2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid LTD
|
|
| Styling | 0 | 2 |
| Interior | 2 | 0 |
| Engine performance | 2 | 0 |
| Ride and handling | 2 | 0 |
| Extra features | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 8 | 2 |
Photos: 2024 Honda CR-V, 2024 Toyota RAV4
