The compact SUV battle is heating up as the 2025 Toyota RAV4 squares off against the 2025 Honda CR-V. These two family favorites continue to dominate sales, each offering its own mix of comfort, efficiency, and practicality. In this Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 comparison, we’ll dig into what sets these popular vehicles apart and help you figure out which one might better fit your daily drives around El Monte, California.
Pricing and Value for Money
The 2025 Toyota RAV4 starts at $29,250, beating the CR-V’s $30,100. The CR-V’s hybrid trims begin at $34,650 for the Sport and reach $41,100 for the Sport Touring. If you’re looking for a hybrid RAV4, they range from $32,300 for the Hybrid LE and $40,605 for the Hybrid Limited. Beginning at $50,000, Honda also has a California-exclusive hydrogen fuel cell CR-V, which is ideal if you want to be an eco-friendly El Monte driver.
Reliability and Warranty Coverage
No need to worry about breakdowns since both SUVs boast solid track records. J.D. Power gives the 2025 CR-V a slight edge in predicted reliability with 84 out of 100 points, compared to the RAV4’s score of 80. Not a huge gap, but it might matter if you hate surprise repair bills.
The warranty packages stack up pretty evenly. Honda backs the CR-V with a three-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty, five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain coverage, and eight-year or 100,000-mile protection for hybrid parts, including the battery. Toyota matches these terms but adds an extra year of free maintenance and a longer 10-year or 150,000-mile warranty on the hybrid battery. These extras could save you a chunk of change, especially if you rack up miles cruising around Southern California.
Performance and Towing
Under the hood of the CR-V, you’ll find a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque. Toyota counters with a beefier 2.5-liter four-cylinder pushing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Both models perform comparably in a sprint from 0 to 60 mph. The CR-V finishes in 8.1 seconds versus the RAV4’s 8.3-second run.
If you need to tow stuff for weekend trips, the RAV4 flexes some muscle here. Toyota’s hybrid RAV4s can tow up to 1,750 pounds, and the gas-powered models handle 1,500 pounds. Honda’s CR-V can’t quite match that. The non-hybrid versions top out at 1,500 pounds, and hybrid models manage just 1,000 pounds.
Fuel Economy and Efficiency
Both of these SUVs have great efficiency numbers. The hybrid CR-V trims can get up to 43 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, slightly beating the hybrid RAV4’s 41 mpg city and 38 mpg highway. However, keep in mind that all RAV4 hybrids come standard with all-wheel drive. The four-wheel-drive hybrid CR-Vs get 40 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway.
You’ll also get impressive efficiency from the gas-powered versions of these SUVs. The CR-V gets up to 28 mpg city and 34 mpg highway, and the RAV4 achieves 27 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. Similar to the hybrids, choosing all-wheel drive will decrease your fuel efficiency by a few points.
Passenger Space and Interior Comfort
The CR-V feels a bit more roomy than the RAV4, especially in the back. Rear passengers get a generous 41 inches of legroom versus 37.8 inches in the RAV4. Honda also wins on overall passenger space, with 106 cubic feet compared to Toyota’s 98.9 cubic feet. The CR-V’s larger overall size gives it an advantage here.
The CR-V’s cabin materials look and feel upscale, with sleek finishes. But the RAV4 fights back with an interior that’s comfortable and elevated. You can also get some fancy options that aren’t available in the Honda. The RAV4 offers ventilated front seats and a panoramic moonroof on certain trims.
Cargo Space and Practicality
Honda edges ahead when it comes to hauling. The CR-V has 39.3 cubic feet behind the back seat and expands to 76.5 cubic feet with the seats folded. Toyota’s RAV4 holds slightly less at 37.6 cubic feet behind row two and 69.8 cubic feet with the seats down. Both SUVs offer clever storage throughout their cabins, but Honda’s extra room gives you a bit more flexibility for groceries, sports gear, or weekend luggage.
Infotainment Features and Connectivity
Both SUVs keep you connected. The RAV4 includes an 8-inch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and you can upgrade to a 10.5-inch display. In the CR-V, the lower trims have a 7-inch screen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Starting with the EX-L and up, you get a 9-inch touch screen with wireless connectivity.
Safety Features and Ratings
Both Toyota and Honda put safety first, as they’ve loaded these SUVs with many driver aids. You’ll get automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist standard on either vehicle. These are handy tools for navigating congested Southern California highways. Both SUVs also scored a perfect five stars in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash tests.
Which Is Better: Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4?
When comparing the 2025 Toyota RAV4 versus the Honda CR-V, both of these SUVs deliver excellent fuel economy, safety tech, and reliability. You may prefer the RAV4 over the CR-V if you like driving a slightly smaller vehicle. If you really need the extra space, you may want the CR-V. However, if you’re focused on value, the RAV4 is tough to beat since it comes in at more affordable prices across the lineup. On top of that, the RAV4 gets better hybrid gas mileage and includes some exclusive perks.
Learn More About the 2025 Toyota RAV4 at Longo Toyota
If you’re still undecided, we invite you to visit our dealership in El Monte and see the 2025 Toyota RAV4 in person. Taking the RAV4 for a test-drive is the best way to see all it has to offer and if it’s right for you. Our staff can also help find your perfect trim and answer any of your questions. Contact us today to schedule a visit.


