2019 Toyota RAV4 vs 2019 Honda CR-V

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 presented a bold and aggressive exterior design, drawing inspiration from the Toyota Tacoma pickup. Its chunky build and sharp edges gave it a futuristic and robust appearance, with taillights reminiscent of Toyota's luxury brand, Lexus. The RAV4's design included a character line on the rear C-pillar, which was more functional in two-tone colour options but seemed unnecessary in monotone schemes. Inside, the RAV4's cabin was simple and elegant, featuring a floating touchscreen and a well-organized control pod. The Canadian trims included LE, XLE, Trail, and Limited, with varying drivetrain options and features, such as heated seats, LED lighting, and privacy-tinted windows. The XLE trim, recommended by CarGurus, offered additional amenities like alloy wheels, a power moonroof, and dual-zone climate control.

In contrast, the 2019 Honda CR-V was available in four trims: LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring. The base model offered FWD with optional AWD, while AWD was standard on higher trims in Canada. The CR-V's design was appealing, with 17-inch aluminum wheels and body-colour trim on the LX, and larger 18-inch wheels on other trims. The interior exuded quality, with a two-tone tan-over-black treatment and well-arranged controls. Despite some hard plastics, the materials didn't feel cheap. The CR-V's cabin was spacious, with a comfortable driver's seat and ample rear-seat accommodations. The CR-V's design was generally well-received, though its front styling was less popular.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered two AWD options: a base version and a more advanced torque-vectoring AWD, standard on the Trail and Limited trims. The XLE test model featured the base AWD, providing various drive modes for different terrains. While the engine performed well on highways, it lacked low-end power, making it feel sluggish in stop-and-go traffic. The RAV4's ride quality was generally good, but it exhibited some body roll and twitchy steering. Fuel consumption for the AWD model was 9.2 L/100 km in the city and 7.1 on the highway, with a combined average of 8.0 L/100 km.

The 2019 Honda CR-V in Canada came with a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. This engine provided responsive acceleration and better fuel economy, though it had issues in cold weather and with battery performance. The CR-V's AWD system operated in FWD until slip was detected, sending up to 40% of power to the rear wheels. The CR-V's driving dynamics were impressive, with a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension, providing a composed ride and confident handling. The steering was light and effortless, with excellent braking performance. The CR-V averaged 10.2 L/100 km in testing, slightly above the expected 8.0 L/100 km.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4's cabin was designed for practicality and style, with a clean and upscale look. It offered 1,064 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up, expanding to 1,976 litres when folded. The RAV4 featured a well-organized centre stack with climate controls, a large tray, and a short shifter design. The front row provided ample storage options, including deep console trays and door bins. The RAV4's cargo space was competitive, though slightly less than the Honda CR-V.

The 2019 Honda CR-V offered a spacious and comfortable interior, though the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster. The driver's seat was power-adjustable, and heated front seats were standard in Canada. The rear seats provided ample space for passengers, with air vents and USB ports. The CR-V's cargo area was generous, with 1,110 litres behind the rear seats and 2,146 litres with the seats folded. The load floor could be lowered to maximize space, accommodating large items with ease.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 LE featured a 7-inch touchscreen with Entune 3.0, offering Apple CarPlay but not Android Auto. The XLE trim added multiple USB ports, while the Trail and Limited trims offered larger screens and optional premium audio. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with real dials for volume and tuning, and a simple layout.

The 2019 Honda CR-V included a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a rearview camera. Higher trims offered SiriusXM, navigation, and a premium audio system. The infotainment system had a power/volume knob but lacked a tuning knob, and the screen size was considered small. Voice activation was available but often unreliable, causing distractions.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including front- and side-impact airbags, a backup camera, and Toyota Safety Sense 2.0. This suite included forward-collision warning, emergency braking, lane-departure warning, automatic high-beams, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard.

The 2019 Honda CR-V featured Honda Sensing on all trims except the base LX FWD, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Automatic high beams were equipped similarly, and the Touring trim included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The CR-V received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA.