2023 Toyota RAV4 vs 2023 Honda HR-V

The 2023 Honda HR-V underwent a significant styling transformation, shedding some of its quirky charm for a more sophisticated and modern appearance. The lowered beltline and simplified detailing contributed to a sleeker look, with cleaner lines and fewer interruptions. The black molding strips on the roof were removed, and the windshield wipers were discreetly tucked under the hood's lip. The model we tested was in a dusky, oceanic grey-green called Nordic Forest Pearl, one of two new colours available. The EX-L trim featured Shark Grey wheels, while the Sport trim boasted a black rear spoiler, chrome exhaust, and a more aggressive grille. Inside, the HR-V offered a refined cabin with perforated leather seats, a metal honeycomb grille, and touch-sensitive lights, enhancing its premium feel. Despite the fastback design, visibility remained excellent, with larger rear seat windows and door-mounted mirrors.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 retained much of its design from the 2019 model, particularly in the Trail trim, which featured a two-part face and a more aggressive grille. The Trail trim also included blacked-out wheels, a faux skid plate, and beefier black cladding around the wheel arches, giving it a rugged appearance. Inside, the Trail trim added orange accents, contrast stitching, and a stripe down the middle of the seats. The RAV4's interior was practical, with a frameless rearview mirror and a shelf running the length of the glove compartment. The LE and XLE trims offered fabric upholstery and standard heated front seats, while the XLE Premium package upgraded to synthetic leather. The Limited trim featured heated and ventilated power-adjustable seats with memory settings. Overall, the RAV4 provided a more truck-like experience compared to the car-like Toyota Venza.

The 2023 Honda HR-V was equipped with a single powertrain option: a 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. This marked an improvement of 17 hp and 11 lb-ft over the previous model. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) included a Step-Shift function to mimic traditional automatic transmission sounds during acceleration. The HR-V offered Normal, Snow, and ECON drive modes, with Sport mode available by pulling the shifter back. Snow mode adjusted the transmission and throttle response for better traction, while ECON mode optimized fuel efficiency. Despite updates for a quieter cabin, the HR-V remained noisy at higher speeds. The HR-V's new front and independent rear suspensions, along with widened tracks, made it enjoyable to drive on mountain roads, though it lacked power compared to competitors with multiple powertrain options.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine generating 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While the transmission was preferable to a CVT, it didn't enhance acceleration, resulting in performance that was more "unobjectionable" than "exciting." The RAV4's engine was not as loud as the Subaru Forester's boxer engine but was still noticeable. The RAV4 Trail trim included 19-inch wheels with all-season tires and shared the same suspension setup as other RAV4 models. All-wheel drive was standard across the lineup, and the RAV4 offered a Snow drive mode for improved traction.

The 2023 Honda HR-V, a subcompact SUV, offered a well-thought-out interior with a centre console featuring a shelf for drive mode controls and USB ports. The HR-V sacrificed a centimetre of rear-seat headroom for its fastback design, with front headroom measuring 1,002 mm (976 mm with the moonroof) and rear headroom at 965.3 mm (964 mm with the moonroof). Cargo space was 691 litres with the rear seats up and 1,559 litres with them folded, slightly smaller than the previous model. The HR-V's 60/40 split rear seats provided a higher seating position and a nearly flat floor when folded. Passenger volume varied by trim, with the EX-L offering 2,775 litres and the LX and Sport trims at 2,794 litres. Front legroom improved to 1,064 mm, while rear legroom decreased to 958 mm.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 accommodated five passengers, with front headroom at 958 mm (with the moonroof) and rear headroom at 1,001 mm. Front legroom measured 1,039 mm, while rear legroom was 960 mm, placing it in line with the Honda CR-V's front legroom but behind the CR-V and Subaru Forester in the rear. The RAV4's back seat was narrower than its competitors. The RAV4 offered convenient storage options, including a shelf along the glove compartment and generous door pockets. Cargo space was 1,059 litres behind the second row and 1,977 litres with the rear seats folded, positioning it in the middle of the pack for storage capacity.

The 2023 Honda HR-V featured a tablet-style touchscreen for its infotainment system, with physical knobs for power and volume. The EX-L trim included buttons for Home, Back, and Seek functions. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all trims, with wired versions for LX and Sport and wireless connectivity for EX-L. The EX-L also had a 9-inch infotainment display with Smart Shortcuts and a Qi-compatible wireless charging pad. All HR-Vs came with a 7-inch digital gauge cluster and a 7-inch colour touchscreen display. Standard features included three USB-A ports, Bluetooth connectivity, keyless entry, remote start, and a four-speaker audio system, with Sport and EX-L trims offering upgraded audio systems.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 introduced a new infotainment system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen as standard and a 10.5-inch screen for the Limited trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with voice command and connected services like Safety Connect and Service Connect. The Trail trim did not receive the upgraded multimedia system, which was exclusive to the Limited trim, along with an 11-speaker JBL Premium audio system. A 7-inch driver-information display was standard, with a 12.3-inch version for the Limited trim. Both the Trail and Limited trims included a wireless charging pad.

The 2023 Honda HR-V came standard with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, collision-mitigation braking, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, road-departure mitigation, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision warning. New features for 2023 included traffic-sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. A blind-spot information system with rear cross-traffic alert was also standard, with front and rear parking sensors on the EX-L trim. The HR-V received a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS, though the NHTSA had not yet rated it.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 featured standard safety equipment, including lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam LED headlights, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. Higher-end features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. The RAV4 was equipped with the TSS 2.5 suite of ADAS, which included Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. The RAV4 earned a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, with top scores in crash-testing.