2020 Honda CR-V vs 2020 Toyota RAV4

The 2020 Toyota RAV4, following its 2019 redesign, presented a bolder and more angular appearance, distinguishing itself from its traditionally cute ‘ute competitors like the Mazda CX-5 and Honda CR-V. The Trail trim, introduced in the previous year, enhanced its off-roading capabilities with a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, multiple driving modes, and downhill assist control. The 2020 model continued to build on this with the TRD Off-Road package, featuring matte-black 18-inch alloy wheels, all-terrain tires, and a TRD suspension setup, offering a robust ride across various terrains. The TRD Off-Road was visually similar to the Trail, with unique wheels, tires, and badges, and came in a striking Lunar Rock gray paint with an optional white roof. Inside, the RAV4 TRD Off-Road featured TRD logos, rubber floor mats, and a rubber cargo mat, contrasting with some less expensive-looking plastic elements.

The 2020 Honda CR-V, part of the fifth generation since 2017, maintained its familiar and fun design, with soft, curvy lines reminiscent of Honda’s sedan lineup. Its styling leaned more towards a station wagon than an SUV, defining modern family transportation. Inside, the CR-V’s interior was a mix of textures and materials, with upscale wood-look trim and leather upholstery in higher trims clashing with some low-quality plastics. The base CR-V LX started at $29,970 Canadian, with five trim levels available, each offering a standard three-year or 36,000-mile warranty. The CR-V featured standard 17-inch alloy wheels, with larger sizes available in higher trims, and included a retractable moonroof on Sport and EX-L grades, and a panoramic moonroof on Touring and Black Edition trims.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 was equipped with a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. It also offered a hybrid model with 219 horsepower, though the TRD Off-Road package was not available for the hybrid. The non-turbo, non-hybrid powertrain provided good performance, especially in Sport mode, though a turbocharged engine would have been preferable for high-altitude driving. The RAV4 featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, which generally performed well but occasionally struggled with gear selection. The TRD Off-Road model included a torque-vectoring AWD system, multi-terrain select settings, and 21.8 centimetres of ground clearance, making it well-suited for off-road adventures. Despite its off-road focus, the RAV4 was also practical for urban use, with a 360-degree camera system and a JBL premium sound system. Fuel efficiency averaged 10.0 L/100 km, slightly higher than the official estimate of 8.6 L/100 km.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came standard with a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, delivering 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The turbocharged engine provided a quick response, especially in Sport mode, and the CVT mimicked a conventional automatic transmission well. The CR-V’s car-like handling was complemented by its low curb weight, ranging from 1,521 kg for the FWD LX model to 1,641 kg for the AWD Touring and Black Edition models. This lightweight design contributed to its excellent road manners and fuel efficiency, with FWD models rated at 7.7 L/100 km and AWD models at 8.1 L/100 km. The CR-V’s fuel efficiency was among the best in its class for non-hybrid models, though Honda did not offer a hybrid version in Canada.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 offered easy access with well-positioned seating hip points and a sporty driving position in a 4-way power-adjustable driver's seat. The front passenger seat lacked height adjustment but provided good support. The RAV4 Trail featured SofTex upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Rear seat legroom was generous, with air conditioning vents and USB ports for passenger comfort. Interior storage was ample, with a dashboard shelf and a cargo space of 1,062 litres behind the rear seats, expandable to 1,974 litres with the seats folded. The RAV4 also included robust roof rails and a roof rack with crossbars for additional utility.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space, matching the Volkswagen Tiguan in volume despite being shorter. The CR-V offered excellent head- and legroom, with a well-designed seating position for optimal visibility. Clever storage solutions included a deep centre console with a sliding cover and a two-position load floor in the rear, providing 1,065 litres of cargo space in the Touring and Black Edition, and 1,110 litres in other trims. The CR-V’s door pockets were also spacious, making it easy to store and access items.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 featured a user-friendly infotainment system with a 7- or 8-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim. The system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and multiple connected services packages. The TRD Off-Road’s 8-inch system was easy to use, with menu shortcut buttons and separate climate controls. Upgrades included an embedded navigation system and a JBL premium sound system. The RAV4’s voice-recognition technology was impressive, accurately responding to commands. Additional features included wireless smartphone charging, a 360-degree camera, and a digital rear-view mirror with adjustable camera settings.

The 2020 Honda CR-V’s infotainment system, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, felt outdated compared to competitors. It lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto felt poorly integrated. The CR-V Touring and Black Editions offered navigation, but the system was less effective than smartphone apps. Despite these shortcomings, the CR-V included ample USB ports, with two in the front and two high-powered ports in the backseat. The Touring and Black Edition trims also featured a wireless phone charger.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including automatic emergency braking, radar adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. The RAV4 received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with top marks for crash protection and ADAS performance, though headlight performance varied by model. Toyota offered a free 1-year subscription to Safety Connect services, providing collision notification and emergency assistance.

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 CR-V earned five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with LED headlights improving visibility on higher trims. A recall for a rear subframe failure affected a small number of vehicles.