Honda CR-V vs Toyota Highlander Hybrid

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

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid maintained its previous design with minimal changes, introducing a new Cypress Green paint colour. The Highlander Hybrid's design was characterized by exaggerated forms, including scowling headlights and flared rear fenders, which some found visually overwhelming. Inside, the cabin continued the oversized theme with large air vents, a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and substantial climate control knobs. However, the interior's mismatched textures and tones, along with reflections from the display, detracted from its overall quality. Despite these design choices, the Highlander Hybrid offered a quiet ride, though the interior materials and controls felt less refined.

The 2023 Honda CR-V retained its turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque. While the engine provided ample power for a compact SUV, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) was a drawback, especially during hard acceleration, as it emitted a noticeable droning sound. 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 various road conditions with ease. The CR-V's fuel efficiency was commendable, achieving an average of 8.1 L/100 km on a mountainous route.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with electric motor-generators, delivering 243 combined horsepower. While the electric assist motors aided acceleration, the gas engine's limited torque made high-speed passing challenging. The Highlander Hybrid's towing capacity of 1,588 kilograms seemed optimistic given its power limitations. The SUV offered Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes, but its soft suspension and CVT made for a less engaging driving experience. The Highlander Hybrid prioritized fuel economy, averaging 8.2 L/100 km on the evaluation loop, though it fell short of Toyota's claims.

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 ample space and comfort, with high seating positions and good legroom. Storage options were plentiful, with a large centre armrest bin and various trays and bins throughout the cabin. The CR-V's cargo area provided 1,113 litres of space, expandable to 2,166 litres with the rear seats folded, though the Hybrid variant offered slightly less.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid accommodated seven or eight passengers, though the third-row seat was best for occasional use. The SUV featured three-zone climate control and heated front seats, with additional comfort features in higher trims. The second-row captain's chairs were comfortable, but accessing the third row was challenging. The Highlander Hybrid offered 453 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 2,387 litres with the second-row seats folded. However, the centre armrest storage console was unnecessarily complex, and the optional cargo mat compromised utility.

The 2023 Honda CR-V featured a 7-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system in most trims, with a larger 9-inch display in the EX-L. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an upgraded sound system. While the technology was an improvement over the previous generation, it didn't surpass competitors in terms of features.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid introduced new technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment systems. The Limited trim featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen with over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and various connected services. The Drive Connect service plan offered additional features, including a cloud-based navigation system and an Intelligent Assistant. The Highlander Hybrid's technology was user-friendly, though the graphics could be improved for better visibility.

The 2023 Honda CR-V significantly improved its driver assist systems with the Honda Sensing suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. New features included a seatbelt reminder system, rear-seat reminder system, and traffic sign recognition. The CR-V's safety features met current standards, though there was room for improvement in lane-centring assist. The CR-V was built to Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering standards and received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, offering a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems. The Highlander Hybrid's safety features worked well, though there were occasional issues with lane recognition. Safety Connect provided additional emergency assistance features. The Highlander Hybrid received excellent crash-test ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.