Sorry Honda, I Changed My Mind RAV4 Hybrid vs CR-V Hybrid
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Date: 2020-08-06
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Comments and reviews: 10
Stephen
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.
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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.
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Ziyang
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. Going fast uphill is terrible. I guess the power gauge in your CR-V was way beyond the solid blue area, which means the engine wasn t at an efficient RPMs to generate power.
I ve noticed this in my Accord hybrid as well. it s really important to limit power within the solid blue area in the power gauge to be efficient. This has turned me into a mild driver lol.
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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. Going fast uphill is terrible. I guess the power gauge in your CR-V was way beyond the solid blue area, which means the engine wasn t at an efficient RPMs to generate power.
I ve noticed this in my Accord hybrid as well. it s really important to limit power within the solid blue area in the power gauge to be efficient. This has turned me into a mild driver lol.
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sandip
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.
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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.
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Jimmy
Rav4 hybrid, better mpg, infotainment system, and a spare tire. One negative thing on Toyota is that maintenance service is every five thousand miles, that's a bit of rip off. Honda hybrid or non hybrid maintenance service is every 7800-9500 miles. If you drive it gently and no hard stopping or fast takeoff, you will get more than 10, 000 miles before every service, especially on hybrids. I drive 200+ miles a day in So Cal.
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Rav4 hybrid, better mpg, infotainment system, and a spare tire. One negative thing on Toyota is that maintenance service is every five thousand miles, that's a bit of rip off. Honda hybrid or non hybrid maintenance service is every 7800-9500 miles. If you drive it gently and no hard stopping or fast takeoff, you will get more than 10, 000 miles before every service, especially on hybrids. I drive 200+ miles a day in So Cal.
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Ziyang
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.
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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.
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Ryan
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.
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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.
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FSAPO
If I was looking in this segment I wouldn't even consider the CRV Hybrid. The Rav4 is better in just about every way.
Not to mention, Toyota sticks to and develops their hybrid systems and makes sure they're robust. Honda typically gives up on their hybrids eventually and scraps them, and they never hold up.
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If I was looking in this segment I wouldn't even consider the CRV Hybrid. The Rav4 is better in just about every way.
Not to mention, Toyota sticks to and develops their hybrid systems and makes sure they're robust. Honda typically gives up on their hybrids eventually and scraps them, and they never hold up.
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Right
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.
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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.
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The
And where does that leave the Ford Escape Titanium hybrid. I prefer the looks to the Rav4 and it seems to have an almost identical hybrid system except for the true all wheel drive as compared to the Rav4's E all wheel drive?
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And where does that leave the Ford Escape Titanium hybrid. I prefer the looks to the Rav4 and it seems to have an almost identical hybrid system except for the true all wheel drive as compared to the Rav4's E all wheel drive?
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Carpediem06
the new RAV4 is unfortunately tiiighht inside with child seats. not much more than the crosstrek (subraru) so waiting to try this CRV. trying to limit going to a 3 row (SUV or minivan) if we can. lol: )
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the new RAV4 is unfortunately tiiighht inside with child seats. not much more than the crosstrek (subraru) so waiting to try this CRV. trying to limit going to a 3 row (SUV or minivan) if we can. lol: )
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