3 Reasons the 2019 Honda CRV Has the Edge Over the Toyota Rav4
What's the best crossover SUV on the market? Chances are, you chose either the Honda CRV or the Toyota RAV-4. Numbers don't lie, and ever since those two tough, compact SUVs hit the market in the late 1990s, they've been perennial bestsellers.
And no wonder. Both hit have the kind of spaciousness, durability, and safety that buyers look for in a crossover. They're equally at home on a backcountry camping trip or on city streets. But when all is said and done, it's the CRV that's worth your money.
3 Reasons the 2019 Honda CRV Has the Edge Over the Toyota Rav4
A Cozier Backseat
This is, admittedly, a close call. Both vehicles have the same dimensions: 1.85 meters wide and 4.57 meters long. Handling them in traffic or parallel parking feels pretty similar. But when you're in the backseat, you'll notice that the CRV is designed with comfort in mind. There's more legroom, the seats have nicer padding, and the bottom cushions are wider, giving you more room to stretch out.
If you know you're likely to need to cram three adults into the backseat, this is the choice for you. This attention to detail also makes the CRV the choice for any NSW drivers who expect to do long-haul, out-of-state drives in the near future.
Better Acceleration and Handling
Like we said, the CRV and the RAV-4 market themselves as twins, and for good reason. But once you get under the hood, there are a few differences you'll notice right away. The RAV's engine is a 2.5-litre inline-four engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the CRV has a 1.5-litre four engine and continuously variable automatic transmission, also known as CVT.
You might think that the larger engine would give the Toyota an edge in acceleration testing, but that's not the case. The RAV4 goes from 0 to 60 mph (just under 100 kph) in 8.1 seconds, while the CRV does it in only 7.4 seconds. The CRV also has lighter, more agile steering.
The Price Is Right
Looking at the base price, you would say that the RAV-4 is a slightly better buy than the CRV, at only $33,995 rather than the CRV's $35,195. However, that's not the whole story. The RAV-4 comes with fewer features included, meaning you might get talked into paying for a higher trim level at the dealership for the same bells and whistles that come standard on the CRV.
All in all, if you're looking to buy a crossover that fits a wide range of lifestyles, the CRV is the best choice. It's designed for comfort with a roomy, inviting backseat, but it's also agile, handling and accelerating as well as any vehicle in its class. While its base cost is slightly higher than its main competitor, the Toyota RAV4, it comes with more standard features and is actually cheaper if you compare apples to apples.
All in all, it's got the edge over its competition. Take one for a test drive the next time you're shopping for Honda cars in Sydney.