2020 Honda CR-V vs 2020 Toyota Highlander

The 2020 Toyota Highlander presented a design that was both familiar and subtly refined. Its exterior featured a trapezoidal theme that was evident in various elements such as the tailgate's license plate cutout, the rear bumper, and the slimmer headlights. The body panels had more pronounced creases, and the tailgate glass was slanted slightly more than in previous models. The Highlander came equipped with projector-beam LED headlights across all trims, with the higher trims, Limited and Platinum, boasting prettier LED running lamps and new 20-inch alloy wheels. The interior of the Highlander was where it truly shone, with quality fit and finish being a priority. The cabin featured silver-painted accents, an 8-inch touchscreen, and a multi-layered dash. The Limited trim offered a three-tone interior with rich textures and padded surfaces, making it one of the nicest interiors in its class.

The 2020 Honda CR-V, in its fifth generation, maintained a design that was both familiar and appealing. Its exterior lines were soft and curvy, giving it a car-like appearance that leaned more towards a station wagon than an SUV. The CR-V's styling was consistent with Honda's sedan lineup, making it a modern choice for family transportation. Inside, the CR-V's cabin was a mix of textures and materials, with some upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery in higher trims. However, these were contrasted by lower-quality plastics, reminding drivers of its commodity car roots. The CR-V's interior was spacious, with excellent head- and legroom, and its cargo compartment was roomy, matching the Volkswagen Tiguan in volume. Clever storage solutions, such as a deep centre console and a two-position load floor, added to its practicality.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander was powered by a robust 3.5-litre V6 engine, available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations. This engine delivered 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, providing brisk acceleration and a smooth, quiet ride. The eight-speed automatic transmission made full use of the engine's power, although it required a heavy foot for a kickdown. The Highlander's steering was loose, and its suspension was soft, leading to a ride that was more about comfort than precision. Despite its size and weight, the Highlander offered a calming driving experience, especially on long road trips. Fuel efficiency was commendable, with the FWD model rated at 11.9 L/100 km in the city and 8.3 on the highway, while the AWD version had slightly different figures. The Highlander hybrid offered even better fuel consumption, achieving as low as 6.7 L/100 km combined.

The 2020 Honda CR-V featured a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine standard across all trims, producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), this powertrain was well-suited to the CR-V, offering a quick and responsive drive, especially in Sport mode. The CR-V's road manners were excellent, with a car-like demeanor, nimble handling, and a firm yet comfortable chassis. Its low curb weight contributed to its agility and fuel efficiency, with FWD models rated at 7.7 L/100 km combined and AWD models at 8.1. The CR-V's performance was further enhanced by its lightweight design, making it one of the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid models in its class.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander offered seating for eight, or seven with the second-row captain's chairs on Platinum trims. The second-row seats were versatile, with generous adjustments and easy access to the third row. The Highlander's ergonomics were excellent, with wide-opening rear doors and a comfortable seating height. Cargo space was generous, with 453 litres behind the third row, 1,359 litres behind the second, and 2,378 litres with both rows folded. The interior featured eight cupholders, four bottle holders, and two shelves integrated into the dash for added convenience. The infotainment system was simple and quick to respond, though it could benefit from a software update.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space and practicality, with a cabin as roomy as the Volkswagen Tiguan. Its excellent seating position and low cowl provided good visibility, while the cargo compartment offered ample space, with 1,065 litres in the Touring and Black Edition and 1,110 litres in other grades. The CR-V's clever storage solutions included a deep centre console and a two-position load floor, allowing for flexible cargo arrangements. The door pockets were also spacious, providing extra room for storage. Overall, the CR-V was easy to live with, thanks to its ability to accommodate all your belongings.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander's infotainment system felt outdated, with a lack of detailed maps and onboard apps. The 12.3-inch touchscreen on the Platinum trim was limited in its usability, as it always displayed climate and efficiency information. However, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration were standard. The Highlander Platinum featured a 10-inch head-up display and a 7-inch display in the instrument cluster, providing useful information. The semi-automated driving system was effective, and adaptive cruise control and automatic high beams were standard. The JBL audio system on Limited and Platinum trims was decent, and the vehicle offered various connectivity options, including WiFi and USB ports.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system was showing its age, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen that felt small compared to competitors. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate, and even Apple CarPlay and Android Auto felt tacked on. However, the CR-V was equipped with plenty of USB ports, including high-powered ones in the backseat. The Touring and Black Edition trims featured a wireless phone charger, adding to their convenience.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 as standard, which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, and rear emergency braking. The Highlander received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a 2020 Top Safety Pick from the IIHS.

The 2020 Honda CR-V featured the Honda Sensing suite of safety features as standard, including forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. Automatic high beams were standard, while blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic monitoring were available on higher trims. The CR-V earned a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with some caveats for lower trims due to headlight performance.