2023 Honda CR-V vs 2023 Toyota 4Runner

The 2023 Honda CR-V adopted a more refined and slightly aggressive appearance with its blunt nose, grille, long hood, and extended wheelbase. While it lacked the distinct personality of its predecessor, the conservative styling was expected to age gracefully. The CR-V EX-L featured 18-inch alloy wheels and dark-tinted rear privacy glass, enhancing its sophisticated look. Inside, the leather-wrapped seats, steering wheel, and shift knob elevated the interior's quality. The dashboard, inspired by the latest Civic, incorporated metal mesh trim and a larger touchscreen infotainment system, adding to the vehicle's modern appeal. The CR-V EX-L also boasted features like a power-adjustable front passenger seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and front and rear parking sensors.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition (40 ASE) was based on the SR5 trim and added retro body stripes, a heritage grille design, and bronze 17-inch wheels. The 4Runner's design paid homage to truck-based SUVs of the past, giving it a timeless appeal. The interior, while featuring plenty of plastic, felt solid and purposeful. The controls were easy to locate and use, even with gloves on. The 4Runner's exterior and interior badges, along with the numbered plaque on the dashboard, added a unique touch to this special edition. Despite its retro charm, the 4Runner's design was more about function than flair.

The 2023 Honda CR-V was powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 190 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 179 lb-ft of torque between 1,700 and 5,000 rpm. This engine was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which, while efficient, was known for its droning noise during hard acceleration. Despite this, the CR-V excelled in ride and handling, with a well-tuned suspension, steering, and brakes. It offered a smooth and engaging driving experience, handling speed bumps and uneven pavement with ease. The CR-V's fuel efficiency was impressive, with an average of 8.1 L/100 km on a mountainous route.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner, on the other hand, featured a 4.0-litre V6 engine delivering 270 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 278 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. It came with a five-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The 4Runner's towing capacity was 2,268 kilograms, and it offered two 4WD systems: a part-time system and a full-time system on the Limited trim. The 4Runner's fuel economy was rated at 13.8 L/100 km, with an average of 13.9 L/100 km during testing. The 4Runner excelled in off-road conditions, with features like Active Traction Control, a locking rear differential, and Multi-Terrain Select. However, its on-road performance was less refined, with leisurely acceleration and heavy steering.

The 2023 Honda CR-V was touted as the roomiest yet, though the driver's seat felt more car-like than SUV-like. The second row offered more space, with a high seating position and ample legroom. The CR-V's cargo area provided 1,113 litres of space, expandable to 2,166 litres with the rear seats folded. Storage options were plentiful, though some were lined with hard plastic, potentially causing noise.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured a unique power-down rear window, enhancing ventilation. The interior offered comfortable seating, with dual-zone climate control and numerous storage locations. The second row was spacious, with good legroom and air conditioning vents. The optional third-row seat was cramped and reduced cargo space. Without it, the 4Runner offered 1,337 litres of cargo space. The tailgate doubled as a seat, and the cargo area included storage cubbies and a 120-volt AC power outlet.

The 2023 Honda CR-V featured a 7-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The EX-L trim added a 9-inch display, wireless connectivity, and an upgraded sound system. However, the technology package was not as robust as some competitors, and the lack of a tuning knob on the larger display was a drawback.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner's technology was more traditional, with analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen. The infotainment system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Upgrades included a navigation system and a JBL premium sound system. The voice recognition system performed well, though it had limitations with certain commands.

The 2023 Honda CR-V featured the Honda Sensing suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. New features included a seatbelt reminder, rear-seat reminder, and traffic sign recognition. The CR-V was built with Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure and received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner included Toyota Safety Sense, with forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard. The 4Runner's adaptive cruise control performed well, though it was slow to accelerate. The 4Runner received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with lower ratings for front passenger protection and rollover resistance.