Behind the Wheel

But the CR-V’s options are generally more versatile and clever. Should car seat installation be a daily occurrence, Honda’s slightly more generous rear seat legroom makes loading and unloading your precious cargo a little easier.

WINNER » tie

Comfort and refinement

The Honda CR-V Hybrid’s front seats are more comfortable than the Toyota’s. In both vehicles, rear passengers get ample legroom but will likely prefer the higher seating position in the CR-V Hybrid.

Honda also does a slightly better job of making the CR-V’s interior materials look and feel more upscale. The CR-V Hybrid also offers excellent isolation from road imperfections and engine vibrations, adding to a more luxurious driving experience. The RAV4’s engine can sound exceedingly coarse under acceleration.

WINNER » CR-V Hybrid

Infotainment and driving aids

The RAV4 Hybrid and CR-V Hybrid offer fairly comprehensive suites of driver aids. Features such as adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist and automatic emergency braking are standard. As for operation of these systems, we’ve found the Honda’s to be a little more prone to unnecessary or annoying alerts.

Infotainment offerings are broadly similar, though the design of each vehicle’s infotainment interface leaves something to be desired. Honda’s system looks dated, and its virtual buttons can be tough to press and slow to respond. The Toyota system’s dated graphics don’t do it any favors either, but its easier-topress buttons and availability of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration on every RAV4 Hybrid tip the scales.

WINNER » RAV4 Hybrid

Driving performance

Straight-line performance isn’t usually at the top of a hybrid buyer’s list, but having enough power to merge onto the freeway or pass on a two-lane road is still important. The RAV4 Hybrid feels quicker than the CR-V Hybrid when you mash the gas. In Edmunds testing, it was about a second quicker in getting to 60 mph.

The CR-V Hybrid does beat the RAV4 Hybrid when it comes to handling and braking performance and feel. The Honda offers confidence-inspiring handling and smooth, powerful brakes. The CR-V Hybrid also provides a smoother transition from electric to combustion engine propulsion.

WINNER » CR-V Hybrid

EDMUNDSSAYS » The 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid and 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid are both smart buys that justify their slightly higher costs compared to the conventional models. They are closely matched, and your decision could come down to personal taste. But in the end Edmunds recommends the CR-V Hybrid. Though it’s not as efficient as the RAV4Hybrid, its superior mix of refinement, practicality and comfort makes it more enjoyable to drive every day.