2021 Honda CR-V vs 2022 Toyota RAV4

The 2021 Honda CR-V was often criticized for its lack of distinctive styling, blending in with the sea of compact crossovers on the market. Its design featured a few unique elements, such as the grille and some chromed plastic accents, but overall, it didn't stand out. The color palette offered by Honda was somewhat limited, with many shades of gray, black, and white dominating the options. Vibrant colors like Aegean Blue Metallic and Radiant Red Metallic were available but hard to find, especially in lower trims. Inside, the CR-V offered a modern look with angular seat designs and a choice of black, gray, or ivory upholstery, depending on the trim level. However, competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson offered more distinctive styling, particularly in mid-tier trims.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota RAV4, while fitting in with the general crossover design trend, managed to incorporate unique styling details that set it apart. The RAV4's exterior featured angular wheel arches and crisp lines, complemented by expressive headlights and a distinctive grille, giving it a playful yet aggressive appearance. The interior boasted a layered dash with contrasting textures and colors, anchored by a straightforward center stack. The RAV4's design included a circuit-board-inspired geometric pattern that tied various cabin elements together, adding a touch of sophistication. Overall, the RAV4's design was more expressive and distinctive compared to the CR-V.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was equipped with a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine across all trims, excluding the hybrid versions. It delivered smooth and steady acceleration, taking about 7.8 seconds to reach 60 mph. The CR-V's continuously variable transmission (CVT) provided a consistent driving experience, though it lacked the engagement found in competitors with conventional transmissions. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The CR-V's suspension setup, featuring MacPherson struts in the front and a multi-link suspension at the rear, offered decent handling and ride quality, typical for its class.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 offered a choice of three powertrains, with the gasoline-only model featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower. It came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive as an option. The RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Prime added electric motors for increased power and efficiency, with the Prime boasting 302 horsepower and the ability to run on electricity alone for up to 42 miles. The RAV4's suspension system, with MacPherson struts in the front and a multi-link setup in the rear, provided car-like handling and a comfortable ride. The RAV4's performance was enhanced by features like Multi-Terrain Select and dynamic torque vectoring, particularly in all-wheel-drive models.

The 2021 Honda CR-V prioritized functionality, offering 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. The CR-V's cargo area was accessible through a manual tailgate on lower trims, with power and hands-free options available on higher trims. Roof rails were standard only on the top-tier Touring trim. The CR-V's interior was designed to comfortably accommodate five passengers, with ample space for their gear.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4, while classified as a small SUV, provided 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 69.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. It offered a healthy payload capacity and towing capabilities, with certain trims able to tow up to 3,500 pounds. Inside, the RAV4 was spacious and comfortable for four passengers, with plenty of storage options and cupholders throughout the cabin. The front row offered generous legroom and headroom, while the second row could accommodate three passengers in a pinch.

The 2021 Honda CR-V's base LX trim featured a basic 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth connectivity, while higher trims offered a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The audio system varied by trim, with the Touring trim boasting a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. Charging ports were plentiful in all but the base trim, with the Touring trim adding a wireless phone charger.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a six-speaker audio system as standard, with upgrades available on higher trims. The RAV4 Prime featured advanced technology, including a Qi-compatible wireless charging pad, a bird’s-eye view camera system, and a 10-inch head-up display. The RAV4's infotainment system supported Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and Apple CarPlay, with navigation available on select trims.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It featured the Honda Sensing system as standard across all trims, offering advanced safety features like forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The only feature not standard on the base LX trim was blind spot monitoring.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 included Toyota’s Star Safety System and Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 as standard, offering features like adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and automatic high beams. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The RAV4 was an IIHS Top Safety Pick, with the RAV4 Prime earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating. The NHTSA awarded the RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid their highest five-star rating.