2020 Honda CR-V vs 2020 Toyota 4Runner

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner was characterized by its tall slab sides, high beltline, and short overhangs, contributing to its timeless design. Its utilitarian attitude was reminiscent of an XJ Jeep Cherokee, with flared wheel wells designed to accommodate off-road tires. The 4Runner's short overhangs allowed it to tackle steep pitches and sharp declines, while the hood scoop, a visual cue for the TRD trim, was one of its few non-functional elements. The front end featured small, angular headlights, and the grille varied across trims, with the TRD Pro sporting blacked-out accents and the Limited showcasing chrome. The Canadian lineup was based on the SR5 trim with five packages, including the Limited package, which focused on comfort with leather upholstery and an 8-inch touchscreen. Despite these features, the 4Runner Limited retained its utilitarian DNA, with a seating position designed more for trails than highways.

The 2020 Honda CR-V, in its fifth generation, had a design that was both familiar and fun, with curvy, car-like lines. It shared a family resemblance with Honda's sedan lineup, leaning more towards a station wagon than an SUV. Inside, the CR-V's interior was a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery clashing with low-quality plastics. The base CR-V started at $29,970 Canadian, with five trim levels available. The CR-V featured a range of wheel sizes, from 17-inch alloys on the base model to 19-inchers on higher trims. Fabric seating was standard on the LX trim, while higher grades received real leather surfaces. The CR-V's car-like design was complemented by features like a retractable moonroof on the Sport and EX-L grades and a panoramic moonroof on the Touring and Black Edition.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner was equipped with a 4-litre V6 engine, producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. This engine was not designed for smoothness or efficiency but for durability and off-road capability, offering a towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms. The 4Runner's fuel efficiency was poor, with Natural Resources Canada estimating consumption at 14.8 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 12.5 on the highway, and 13.8 combined. The 4Runner excelled off-road, with its body-on-frame construction and advanced traction systems like crawl control and Multi-Terrain Select. On-road, it exhibited significant body roll and heavy steering, making it feel like a blast from the past.

The 2020 Honda CR-V featured a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine standard across all trims, delivering 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, mated to a CVT. The CR-V's powertrain was well-matched, offering a quick feel, especially in Sport mode. Its car-like demeanor was reflected in its excellent road manners, with nimble handling and minimal body roll. The CR-V's low curb weight contributed to its agility and fuel efficiency, with FWD models rated at 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres combined and AWD models at 8.1. These figures placed the CR-V among the most fuel-efficient in its class, matching the Toyota RAV4 and outperforming the Ford Escape.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner offered excellent outward visibility, crucial for off-roading, and a relatively tight turning radius of 5.6 metres. Inside, the dashboard featured large, chunky knobs for HVAC and stereo controls, with easy-to-use physical buttons around the 8-inch touchscreen. The steering wheel housed numerous controls, though they were not illuminated. The 4Runner's tall front seat position provided a commanding view, but climbing in and out could be tiring without power-retractable running boards. The 4Runner offered an optional third row of seats, best suited for short and occasional use, with limited legroom and comfort.

The 2020 Honda CR-V was known for its masterful packaging, offering a roomy cabin comparable to the Volkswagen Tiguan. The CR-V's excellent seating position and low cowl provided good visibility, while the cargo compartment matched the Tiguan in volume. Clever storage solutions included a deep centre console and a two-position load floor in the rear, allowing for flexible cargo space. The CR-V's door pockets were also spacious, making it easy to live with and accommodating all your belongings.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. While Toyota's proprietary system was not difficult to understand, the onboard navigation system was challenging to manage. The 4Runner also included Bluetooth connectivity, a single USB port, and subscription services like Sirius XM and Safety Connect. Despite these updates, the 4Runner lagged behind competitors in total features and usability, with its technological advancements more focused on off-road capabilities.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system showed its age, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen and Bluetooth. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate, and even Apple CarPlay and Android Auto felt tacked on. The CR-V Touring and Black Editions included a wireless phone charger and better navigation, but the overall system was not as user-friendly as competitors. However, the CR-V offered plenty of USB ports, with two in the front and two high-powered ones in the backseat.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, and automatic high beams. It also featured eight standard airbags. The NHTSA awarded the 4Runner four out of five stars overall, with three stars in the rollover test. The IIHS gave it a Good rating in most crash tests, except for a Marginal score in the small overlap front: driver-side test.

The 2020 Honda CR-V included the Honda Sensing suite as standard, with features like forward-collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Automatic high beams were standard, while blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic monitoring were available on higher trims. The NHTSA awarded the CR-V five stars overall, and the IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick, with caveats for trims below Touring due to halogen headlights. A safety recall affected a small number of CR-Vs for a possible rear subframe failure.