2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid vs 2025 Toyota 4Runner

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid presented a sporty exterior with its black 18-inch wheels and blacked-out trim, though its interior was relatively basic. The Sport-L Hybrid offered an upgrade with leather-lined interiors, while the Sport Touring Hybrid topped the lineup. Our test vehicle, a Sport Touring Hybrid, featured Canyon River Blue paint and a price tag of $41,175, including destination charges. Its conservative styling, with a technical face and tusks framing the lower air intake, gave it a unique look, though it carried too much visual weight over the front wheels. The rear quarter view was its best angle, with Volvo-adjacent taillights and a tidy design. Inside, the Sport Touring boasted leather seats with orange contrast stitching and numerous quality details, such as a soft-touch dashboard and metal mesh air vent covers, contributing to a sophisticated cabin feel.

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner, in its sixth generation, evolved its design with a bulkier, industrial personality. The horseshoe-shaped grilles returned, complemented by deep beveled creases and flared wheel arches, giving it a broad-shouldered stance. Paying homage to previous generations, it retained features like the slanted rearmost window. Inside, the 4Runner mirrored the Toyota Tacoma's design, with beveled styling throughout the cabin. It balanced comfort and refinement with hard plastics for durability, offering light cushioning where needed. The materials were superior to those in a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco but not as refined as a Land Rover Defender.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a fourth-generation two-motor hybrid drive system, combining a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors. This setup delivered 204 horsepower to either the front or all four wheels. Despite its complexity, the system operated transparently, with only minor quirks like low-speed acoustic warnings and engine droning on hills. The CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid was quiet on the road, offering a compliant ride and predictable handling. However, its fuel economy fell short of expectations, achieving 32.4 mpg in testing compared to the EPA's 37 mpg estimate.

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner offered two engine choices. The standard 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder produced 317 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The i-Force Max Hybrid powertrain, based on the same engine, delivered 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, offering stronger power at lower speeds. The 4Runner was quieter and more composed on pavement than its predecessor, with improved handling and reduced body roll. Off-road, it remained highly capable, with nine trims offering varying levels of off-road prowess. The TRD Pro and Trailhunter models were particularly impressive, though the Trailhunter's snorkel added wind noise.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in form and function, with quality materials, intuitive controls, and comfortable seating. It featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat and a roomy cargo area. The rear doors opened wide, making it easy to install child safety seats. The back seat was comfortable for adults, with generous legroom and adjustable backrests. The CR-V offered ample storage, though the glove compartment was smaller than expected. Cargo capacity varied by trim, with the Sport Touring offering 34.7 cubic feet and a maximum of 76.5 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner was five inches longer than its predecessor, with minimal gains in passenger space. The front seats accommodated taller passengers, but the middle row offered only adequate legroom. Third-row seating was available on non-hybrid models but was cramped. The cockpit was well-organized, with oversized climate control knobs and off-road controls grouped for easy access. Storage included door pockets, a dashboard tray, and a center armrest bin. Cargo capacity was slightly reduced, with 44.8 cubic feet behind the second row and 42.6 cubic feet in the Hybrid due to the raised floor. A sturdy roof rack compensated for cargo deficits.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid came with a 7-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with a 9-inch display available. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and a premium audio system were reserved for higher trims. The Sport Touring trim included navigation and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The voice recognition system was basic, and the walk-away automatic locking feature provided peace of mind.

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 14-inch option available. Both were user-friendly, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad. Off-road models offered external camera views and on-screen menus for terrain information. A 14-speaker JBL audio system and a portable Bluetooth speaker were available. Remote monitoring, a digital key function, and a smartphone app marked technological advancements for the 4Runner.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid included Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems. It featured forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. The system performed well in testing, with only minor issues. The CR-V received a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS for 2023, though NHTSA ratings were not available.

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. The Proactive Driving Assist feature could be intrusive but was disableable. A blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alerts was optional. Crash test results were not available, but the Tacoma, on which the 4Runner is based, received a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS.