Toyota RAV4 vs. Honda CR-V specs review and comparison: Which is the better small SUV model?

Small sports utility vehicles, more commonly known as SUVs, have been all the rage in the car-loving community. Recently, two car models from competing companies have come out on top: Toyota's RAV4 and the Honda CR-V.

Both the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V are praised for being roomy, comfortable, and versatile vehicles which came from very reputable car brands. However, the two models, great as they are, still appeal to different drivers. And for Consumer Reports, the Toyota RAV4 outscores the Honda CR-V, 76-69.

According to Valley News Live, there are car users who prefer the RAV4 over the CR-V for its roomy interior, its strong reliability, and for being incredibly fuel efficient. The RAV4 edges out the CR-V in terms of fuel economy, with the former averaging at around 31 miles per gallon (mpg) while the latter only runs at 24 mpg.

The RAV4 also had a bit of an edge over the CR-V in terms of the availability of safety equipment. Toyota provides a lot of active safety features such as automatic emergency braking and forward-collision warning, which are available on all of the models in the RAV4 lineup. This is in contrast to the Honda CR-V, which provides such safety features only in their top two trims.

With the RAV4, car buyers won't have to sacrifice utility for sportiness. The vehicle is as engaging and as enjoyable to drive as the Honda CR-V, but it is also reliable and fuel-efficient on a daily basis.

Although Consumer Reports have given the Toyota RAV4 slightly higher marks than the Honda CR-V, in the end, the best way to decide which SUV model works best for a potential car buyer is to test-drive both vehicles himself.

Interested buyers of smaller SUV models should not discount other car models from other brands such as the Subaru Forester, Mazda CX-5, Kia Sportage, Nissan Rogue, Hyundai Tucson, and Ford Escape.