I test drove both of these hybrids having previously owned a RAV4. Performance is not a huge issue for me but comfort and refinement for my 6ft 3inches is. I found the RAV4 a lot less comfortable to drive than the CRV.Fuel economy is pretty important to me and I have been finding that the Stated economy figures for the CRV can be easily bettered with careful use of the throttle. All in all and perhaps taking in my age (over 70) I opted for the CRV Hybrid. With 47-55mpg on E10 Unleaded I am more than content with fuel economy. The only downside I have found with the CRV is the engine noise on a steep hill climb. The CRV is comfortable on off-road rough tracks too which is a bonus. So for comfort and refinement and space and visibility the CRV wins for me. The 5 year warranty and free 5 year service and breakdown cover and service collection and return service totally sealed it for me.

And this ladies and gentlemen is how a comparison review is done. Bravo !

I've watched a bunch of videos comparing these cars and this is by far the best one I've seen! So many extra bits of very relevant and useful information that others don't mention. Thanks!

This is the most thorough and unbiased review between the two vehicles that I’ve been comparing before I buy! In addition to the technical stuff, you also cover the everyday relatable stuff. Your review has helped me be more confident with my decision!

Oh Man! nobody does car reviews like you. You're such a car geek. I got info overload watching you - and i like it! By the way, the info graphics side by side with the video are great--professionally done. Thanks!

This is how a professional comparison review is done. It's so rare to find pros like you on the tube. Thanks & Good Job !

I love all the technical details in these videos!

Alex, your videos are outstanding. I go to you every time I'm looking at cars and need honest answers!

Your editing and attention to detail is absolutely superb and unparalleled. Fantastic video- extremely helpful thank you!

Alex, we just recently bought a 2020 Rav4 XLE hybrid. A couple things that pushed us to the Rav4, was, your videos, the spare tire availability, Toyota's quality and long investment in Hybrid vehicles, mainly the Prius. Our Rav4 is averaging 44.5 mpg here in Colorado.

Thanks. Nice simultaneous double view of the driving test.

Alex, my GOD, I’ve never seen such a wonderful vehicle review. You have always been at the very top of car reviews, but this was so clearly the best. Dave in Phoenix Arizona USA

Just bought a Hybrid crv. we choose it over the Rav4 primarily because of the larger interior and superior AWD system. we did a 2300 mile road trip and got an average 38.6 with a high of 41. So far we really like it.

One of the best review for cars on KZfaq

As always, great comparative reviews...thanks!

Just bought the 2020 RAV4 in the same color! I’m so excited your reviews really helped me make my decision!

We chose the 2021 CRV Hybird because of the superior ride, superior cabin room and the overall fit and finish. Keep in mind that I am a Toyota man, however, the RAV-4 is much smaller between the shoulders in the driver’s cabin than the CRV is. My wife is small and I am large. We had very little room between the shoulders in the RAV-4. I have no idea where they get the measurements from, but just sitting in the cabin of the CRV is much more comfortable. One other measurement that is never listed is the knee to knee measurement. Where I am a large man and have had a hip replacement, the center console in the RAV-4 is unbearable. The CRV is more open in the middle and allows my left and right hips to rest due to the deep knee contour in the passenger and driver doors and the center console being low profile. This is PRICELESS if you need more knee to knee room. Also, the driver’s panoramic view is better in the CRV. This can also be an opinion or preference. The mechanical AWD system will work much better for us living in the mountains and getting much more snow in the winter than other folks. The fuel efficiency of the RAV-4 would be more desirable, but not to sacrifice the mechanical AWD of the CRV or the superior comfort. I want to thank you for a wonderful and detailed review. In our case (And we tried both the CRV and RAV-4), The CRV fit our needs for comfort, design and fit and finish. I wish we could have the best of both of these wonderful CSUVs in one. Thanks again!!! Awesome Job!!!

Great video Great simultaneous views .One of the best review videos I have seen

Great, detailed comparisons that have been wonderfully helpful for selecting our next car. As Mr McDonald stated, being tall you want some comfort in the space in a car. Your details help point those differences out and now we are on to actually visiting dealerships.

You are a split-screen master!

Alex, It takes a real man to admit he was wrong. The RAV4 Hybrid continues to lead the way. You should have towed your 2,000 pound trailer behind the RAV4 in a lap of honor around the CR-V to illustrate another of its superior attributes.🤩🤩

Just bought a 2021 CRV Hybrid, and am very impressed with it. Came from a 19 Forester, and there are a few things I will definitely miss... but going from averaging 26, to averaging 35+ is a definite win. Drove a Rav-4 as a rental and didn't care for the positioning and angle of the gas pedal, also felt a little tight on front shoulder room to me. Thought about the Escape Hybrid, but I don't care for the interior build quality or fit and finish in my moms 2020 Escape. Being in the snowbelt, a mechanical awd system was also a must to me. I've also been behind the current gen Rav a few times and hate how small the brake lights are. If they're using the areas above the reverse lights as night time lighting, there's now reason they couldn't use the entire corner module as a brake light, not just a tiny corner of the corner module.

As a tall big guy - the RAV-4 was just too small - headroom, leg room, hip room. This is an issue across all of Toyota models. The CR-V was spacious in comparison with better line of sight views out the windows. Tests I have seen put the CR-V AWD as better and we need this for a steep driveway in snowy weather. I have never changed a tire on a car in 30 years, I have AAA or insurance coverage for these things. However either of these SUV's will provide long term reliable, safe, and good driving experience. I think its just which one you like during a test drive. P.S. - If Subaru was into making hybrid cars and offered a Forester Hybrid we probably would have strongly considered that - but they are sadly ignoring the hybrid market.

Thank you for the review. Ultimately, both of these cars offer tremendous value for money, coupled with a promise of excellent reliability (coming from a thoroughly disappointed Discovery Sport owner). The hours you have put in to in order to differentiate them just goes to show how close they are. I’ve personally chosen the CR V as it’ll take 2 x 29” EMTB’s upright in the back (front wheels off) and will likely have better traction in the snow and torrential rain here in Scotland. A few mpg is a reasonable price to pay for me and I’m used to fixing punctures in tubeless tyres!

This guy is the most thorough reviewer I have ever seen. Many of his observations run parallel with mine after driving both. I prefer the way the honda delivers power and overall “feel” of the interior and ride. The availability was also better compared to the RAV wait list situation where I live in the PNW.

Really impressed by the depth of your review and your ability to make the information relatable to the non-gear heads among us. Can I ask about the issues with the 12V battery in the rav 4 hybrid dying prematurely when left undriven for a short amount of time, i.e. a few days?

A very detailed review. It sounds like either one would work, which does still make my decision hard. Keep the great reviews coming.

this is by far the best take I've seen on these two vehicles, and you can't wrong with either one.

Toyota hybrids are so damn reliable it’s hard to not pick them. I have a Prius and it just works.

Crossovers that supposedly can go a bit offroad that don't have a FULL SIZE spare are useless. On dirt roads, blow-outs happen, and if you don't have a spare you'll literally be stuck there, likely with no one around and no cell phone service. That alone is enough to cross the Honda off my shopping list.

He got me at driving up and over mountains... thank you...

As usual, Alex offers the most usefully comprehensive auto review available. Well done, Alex!

Excellently detailed comparision! Thank you, very useful!!

Great review Alex...best yet for these 2 vehicles.

Excellent informative review! Great info on both.

Alex you are always killing it 👍👍👍👍great awesome couldn’t make it clearer wow

We went with 2021 RAV4 and just love it. We are getting 46 mpg around town and flat highways.

Dudeeeee!!! You're very good explaining!!!

We've recently bought a 2020 Rav4 hybrid, and are very happy with it. Our Toyota dealer is 300yds away, and the Honda dealer 15 miles. We've had three Honda' in the past. We are getting high 40's to mid 50's mpg with the Rav4. That's imperial gallons.

Amazing work, Alex.

Thanks for a great video and comparison! I really like CRVs but I can’t imagine going off road without a spare tire. But the rear seats folding down flat is important to me. I’ll keep looking or waiting. Thanks for the information!

Phenomenal video. the best I've seen on comparing the two models

Alex you’re the best!

Nice review. Thanks. Looking for them to integrate front and side cameras or prep for installation.

CRV is great and has more interior space and feels more roomy, but RAV4 is the GOAT

Thank you for this comparison. It helped me to choose. Was very disappointed that the CRV does not have a spare. That was a deciding factor too.

Honda’s hybrid is somehow less popular than Toyota in my area. I’ve seen lots of 10th gen Accord on the road, but very few have hybrid badge; interestingly, the 2.0T (distinctive dual HDMI exhaust) is more popular than expected. RAV4 is just a reversed scenario. It feels like that hybrid RAV4 is much much more popular than gas RAV4. Every time I see a RAV4, it has blue logo and hybrid badge.

Very helpful review.

Test drove both after researching both for countless hours and got the CRV. The Rav is way better on paper for specs, and in practice, so why CRV? The CRV's ambience, comfort, handling, sportiness, stock sound system (without the JBL on the Rav) and more made me gravitate to it. The sport mode in CRV is more engaging and the overall interior feels better. The CRVs sound is also quite nice though it is loud, the Rav had a unpleasing engine sound when driving. Also the whole design of a Rav feels robotic, like a transformer of some sort. The CRV seems to be a bit more rounded. Both are fantastic cars.

Props to your camera person!

Great review thanks much.

Alex, great review as always. However, we need you to review the new GM full size SUVs (Yukon 2021 more preferably). A bunch of noob reviewers are putting out reviews of these new trucks and they are super annoying. We need your detailed analysis of these new trucks and I would like to hear what you think about how the new GM trucks compare to my new 2019 Ford Expedition Limited 4x4.

I have drirven both for 1600 km up and down in germany, the rav4 is technically the better car, tech wise. But The Honda is a palace on wheels to drive, the pure electric drive makes for an incredibly smooth, soft and comfy ride. At the speedy the Ic engine kicks to only mode, you will not even notice it. Its incredible. Also, you do get that EV feel, especially in city traffic but also on the Autobahn. Need to soow down? Use the paddels. Load your battery, continue on EV. I have noticed that on relatively flat terrain, the Pure EV mode lasts me about 1 kilometer, which is enough for my area to get out of earshot from the neighbors. Fully loaded, the battery will probably support up to 2 km, but i have yet to arrive somewhere with a full battery, not without regen shenanigans. So 1km is imho the realistic figure. Heating will switch on the IEC though. Thats why i bought the honda.

very good review Alex, always very thorough.

Interesting comparisons, like your hybrid breakdown. You talk faster than I do, can you slow it down a tad so I can catch everything you explain. Im going to look for your other reviews.

Please, please put these two vehicles on a dynamometer! I'd love to see how the differences in hybrid tech manifests. Do it with he Prime as well, if you can.

Really thorough! Thanks!

All of the Honda hybrids have struggled on economy and engine noise in serious hill climbing. I suspect the Chevy Volt, which is based on a similar concept, probably would too once it's out of electric juice. The series hybrid approach seems to have real limits. Of course the CRV is quieter in general purpose driving and has better AWD so there is that.

Wow! Great review!!

I think it is a personal choice. I did not like the cabin in the Rav4,. Traded in my 2012 Prius for the CRV Hybrid, liked the ride and the features. CRV Hybrid fitted my needs, I don't need to off road capability, but good winter AWD capability.

Been comparing and studying crv and RAV4 hybrids. I end up buying crv because the interior is amazing and the comfort level is better. I know the power train performance of the RAV4 is better but not that much far from the crv.

I think the hybrid in the CRV was an after thought. The hybrid really wasn't built for that car, so hopefully the redesign will be better.

I just bought the CR V hybrid, will make the RAV4 our second hybrid. Thanks for the comparison!

Great review but you didn't cover in much detail the interior of the two models. As other posters have mentioned the CRV is just a better looking interior considering all of the plastic in the RAV4. Just looked cheaper to us. We found the Escape likewise cheap looking but the Escape's seats were much smaller and harder thus less comfortable. I wouldn't put the Escape in the same class as the Honda or Toyota but you can buy the Escape for several thousand less so that has to be considered. Anyway thanks for the information.

Does the Honda gas engine suffer from oil dilution like their non hybrid version does (or did)?

As always Alex, loved your thorough review of the two vehicles. My only complaint is that during the driving portion, I nearly got car sick with the split screen. I had to stay focused on you. Maybe that is how you planned it...you dog!

Great comparative review! As much as I like the CR-V's appearance over the Rav 4, not having a spare tire is a deal breaker for me! Thanks for this video!

long time owner of honda thinking of switching to the hybrid this year but instead I would go for a Prime. It makes more sense and good for another 10+yrs although, the back opening is a slower then i would like but I'll have to see for it myself.

RAV4 is the winner for me just because of the spare tire . I dont like this inflation that liquid sealant does expire and i heard that it will ruin the air tire sensor of your car. Nice review its help me a lot which one should i buy.

Truthfully, I would be delighted with either the Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V.

Toyota has perfected the hybrid technology and no one not even Honda can even come closer.

yeah. out of all ALEX IS BEST!!!!!! most informative

I'm typically inclined toward Honda over Toyota products. I've owned Honda automobiles, motorcycles, and lawn mowers, each of which has given me sterling service over the years. And when I was evaluating midsize sedans about 18 months ago the Accord 2.0L Touring model topped the Camry V6 on my personal checklist. If I were shopping this this category though, I think I'd join Alex in opting for the RAV4 over the CR-V. It wouldn't be a decisive win for the RAV4 but in terms of my priorities the Toyota would probably eke out a win. It would be a decisive win for the Toyota if the RAV4 Prime was the contestant. But that comes with a caveat. Toyota's "introduction" of the RAV4 Prime strikes me as a marketing ploy rather than a vehicle consumers can actually purchase in the next two years, or so. Only 5000 RAV4 Primes will be available in the first year of its availability. Virtually every one, I'm sure, is already spoken for. And while Toyota promises another 20,000-25,000 vehicles will be available in the US for 2022 model year, I suspect even that supply will command significant "market adjustment" stickers at dealers or be simply unavailable as a result of pre-sales. So what's up with sending a few pre-production RAV4 Prime vehicles to reviewers? The answer is obvious. To put the brakes on sales of competing plug-in hybrids over the next two years and to encourage traffic at Toyota dealers where consumers can be convinced to purchase the currently available RAV4 hybrid rather than wait for two or years or more for the RAV4 Prime. Smart marketing? Yeah. Verging on dishonesty. Also yes.

I picked the RAV4 over the CR-V after back to back test drives. I also liked that the RAV4 had better gas mileage overall. I was initially interested in the RAV4 Prime, but there is currently an almost year waiting list as of March of 2021.

Very nice. Thank you

Here in Calif, a 2014 battery is still under warranty (10 years).

Got a 2021 RAV4 AWD XSE and I love it!

Yes,RAV 4,got mine 3 weeks ago and I love it❤️

Just test drove a RAV4XLE Hybrid and was very impressed. The transition from battery to engine was practically seamless. It seemed quieter than the CRV and handled better on survey roads. I’ve owned Hondas for years and Toyota products have gotten way better than Honda when it comes to design and quality. I’m also considering a Forester (although no hybrid here in the US yet) but the RAV4 keeps staying at the top of my list.

I like Rav4 Hybrid, you can put a full size spare tire in.

Toyota rules! Honda is an absolutely worthy competitor but can not beat the Rav... yet!

I bought 2020 Rav4 hybrid XLE back in Jan when CR-V hybrid was not launched. Even if it did, I would have still gone with Rav4 because Towing capacity (1750 lbs vs no ratings on cr-v hybrid) besides spare tire only in Rav4 are the dealbreakers for me. Btw I have been consistently getting 43 mpg with not so careful driving (75% city, 25% highway). Also I agree with Alex on the point that Toyota is extremely efficient on higher speeds. I often drive at 75-80 mph while on highway and continue to get 43 mpg.

Touch choice, but I have to say I think I would go with the RAV 4 for now on this one. But it will be interesting to see how this stacks up when Honda does a redesign of the CR-V.

Alex, have you heard Paul's rant on the CRV Hybrid on the Everyday Driver podcast (#523)? He said similar words (though more ranty) about the engine noise.

Alex - as always, a great video. Any comment on the reported RAV4 gas tank issue (not being able to fill it completely?)

An excellent analysis

Great reviews , Alex. I have a concern about your statement on electric AWD vs. mechanical. I'm scratching my head, trying figure out why I would ever want to use 150+ HP to the rear wheels when I'm in a traction-compromised situation. Seems to me 50 HP of rear drive would be more than adequate when my primary (maybe only?) concern is to NOT GET STUCK, rather than to blast off at max power. On this point, I would prefer the RAV4 e-AWD system because it's more efficient than the mechanical AWD, but still has enough power to keep me going under all conditions.

Differences in fuel economy are increasingly insignificant. If the difference were 20mpg vs 15mpg, that would result in a lot of savings (a third more fuel at whatever price you pay in your area). But the difference between 40mpg and 35mpg only costs a seventh more fuel. Now factor in the purchase price of comparable trim levels of each car, and we’re talking about 5-10 years to break even.

Hey Alex!! Which one has a better AWD system? 🙏 Got IT.... The CR-V. Thanks for talking about it in video!

6:31 Alex, did you say that 212hp total goes into the 180hp electric motor? 😂 that sounds like a temporal boost of the motor lol. 22:28 you indeed pointed out the weakness of Honda’s hybrid system. After all, it’s backed up by a 2.0L NA engine, and the power you requested for fast uphill climbing is far beyond the engine’s efficient working conditions. The 2.5NA in RAV4 benefited from larger displacement, therefore it operated at a more efficient condition under high load. So is that BMW 228i’s 2.0T, which equals ~3.0NA and gained a benefit.

I’m usually a Honda guy but the the rav crushes it in this segment, outside of their fuel tank issue of course.

Wow now thats how you do a review 👌

Hope Honda does a good refresh.

Toyota is the king of hybrids, period.

When showing side by side, would help to have name somewhere on the screen. @16:20

I agree Alex...BSM should be standard on the Toyota Hybrid XLE. My understanding is that the XLE Premium will not be available on the 2022s. That being said, hopefully the XLE will remain the same price as the 2021 model

Alex, it is time you did an examination of the Toyota On-Demand Electric AWD system that is used in vehicles such as the RAV-4 Hybrid and the Venza. Nobody else has done a comprehensive video examination of this feature, and the few I have found don’t really give the kinds of details and data that you generally provide.

Toyota has all the hybrid patents and never has the Honda hybrid system been as good.

Weight difference between stock and aftermarket spare?

Is Corolla Cross out in USA? I hope it is, it’s very nice little truck.