Both the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 set the gold standard in the compact SUV segment. They seat five, feature a hybrid powertrain, and offer all-wheel-drive capability. With plenty of trim options and storied reputations, it can be difficult to decide between these two standout SUVs.
Let’s compare them.
2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid
Pricing starts at $37,080 (including destination fee) for the baseline Sport model. There are three more trim levels above that, with Sport Touring at the top of the line, starting at $44,000. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a wireless phone charger are now standard on 2026 models.
Honda CR-V Highlights
TrailSport: The new TrailSport trim is a rugged option starting at $40,250, including destination fee. This trim is for the more adventurous off-pavement driver. It comes with 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and all-wheel drive (AWD) in addition to TrailSport badging. A 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster bests the 7-inch one found on the Sport trim but falls short of the 12.3-inch cluster on the RAV4. The TrailSport is available in an exclusive Ash Green color that makes it stand out.
Spacious and stabilizing interior: The Honda CR-V features “body-stabilizing seats” that provide greater support and help maintain a natural posture. Rear legroom is also spacious, offering passengers 41 inches to stretch out. In comparison, the RAV4 offers only 37.8 inches. With the rear seats folded down, the CR-V offers 71.8 cubic feet of cargo space, while the RAV4 offers only 70.4 cubic feet.
Safety first: The Honda Sensing Suite includes systems that help keep you on the road and mitigate damage by braking when it anticipates a collision, and can activate to provide steering and braking assistance. Keyless entry with automatic locking automatically locks your vehicle when you step away with the fob, for added peace of mind. The CR-V was rated as a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2025 model year, and received a 5-Star overall score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but the all-new 2026 Toyota RAV4 hasn’t yet been rated.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the CR-V Hybrid models near you.
2026 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
Pricing for the all-new sixth-generation RAV4 undercuts the CR-V, starting at $33,350, including destination fee, for the base LE trim. The lineup includes six trim levels, topping out with the Limited priced at $44,750. Like the CR-V, all trims include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but unlike the CR-V, the RAV4 only offers wireless charging pads on the XLE, XSE, and Limited.
Toyota RAV4 Highlights
Striking style: The new sixth generation debuts bold, angular styling and brings the RAV4 into the modern Toyota design family. The Woodland trim model also features horizontal, grille-mounted fog lights reminiscent of the design used on Toyota’s popular TRD-Pro line of pickup trucks. All other trims feature a striking, Lexus-Esque body-colored front grille.
Feature-packed: All trim levels of the RAV4 include Toyota’s Drive Recorder system, which uses exterior cameras to provide dash cam-like functionality. The system can view and export clips and save video clips based on user-adjustable triggering events. The top-of-the-line Limited trim is available with a color head-up display (HUD) featuring a speedometer and the ability to read road signs. Some trims come with digital key capability, allowing the user’s smartphone to act as the key, with special enhancements for 2026, including Apple Car Key and Samsung Digital Key access.
Fuel economy: The Honda CR-V Hybrid’s reputation for economy is unravelling since the new RAV4 can get a claimed 40 mpg combined and up to 48 mpg in the city. Although EPA numbers are not yet available for the high-scoring front-wheel drive (FWD) RAV4, the AWD’s EPA numbers are available, and they are very competitive, too, peaking at 46 mpg city and 39 mpg highway, beating out the CR-V’s claimed 43 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. The upper trims are slightly less efficient, with the RAV4 Woodland the least efficient.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Toyota RAV4 models near you.
Pricing
New 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (33130)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$37,080 |
$37,100 |
|||
$40,175 |
$39,600 |
|||
$40,250 |
$39,500 |
|||
$44,000 |
$43,100 |
New 2026 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (33130)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$33,350 |
$33,400 |
|||
$36,150 |
$36,300 |
|||
$37,550 |
$37,700 |
|||
$41,350 |
$41,500 |
|||
$42,750 |
$42,900 |
|||
$44,750 |
$44,900 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid vehicles and New 2026 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid | 2026 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder |
| Drive Wheels | FWD | FWD |
| All-Electric Range | N/A | N/A |
| Total Range | N/A | N/A |
| Towing Capacity | 1,000 pounds | 1,750 pounds |
| Payload Capacity | N/A | N/A |
| Ground Clearance | 7.8 inches | 8.1 inches |
| Horsepower | 204 hp @ 6,100 rpm | 183 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 138 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm | 163 lb-ft @ 3,600 rpm |
| Transmission | Automatic, eCVT | Automatic, ECVT |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Battery Warranty | 8 years/100,000 miles | 8 years/100,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | Not rated |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 inches | 105.9 inches |
| Overall Length | 184.8 inches | 181.0 inches |
| Width With Mirrors | 73.5 inches | 73.0 inches |
| Width Without Mirrors | N/A | N/A |
| Height | 66.2 inches | 66.7 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 37.3 feet | 36.9 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 38.2 inches | 37.9 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 38.2 inches | 39.5 inches |
| Headroom, 3rd Row | N/A | N/A |
| Legroom, Front | 41.3 inches | 41.0 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 41.0 inches | 37.8 inches |
| Legroom, 3rd Row | N/A | N/A |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 57.9 inches | 57.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 55.9 inches | 56.4 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 3rd Row | N/A | N/A |
| Cargo Behind Last Seat | 39.3 feet | 37.8 feet |
| Cargo Behind Second Seat | N/A | N/A |
| Cargo With All Seats Down | 76.5 feet | N/A |
Specification table reflects the typical configuration of vehicles shown.
Conclusion
You can’t go wrong with either compact SUV. Both are reliable, come with plenty of options, and can save you money at the pump. Most SUV shoppers are looking for space, so if that’s a top priority, the CR-V comes out on top, but not by much. However, if fuel efficiency is the goal, the RAV4 could be the one to beat.
