Honda CRV or Toyota RAV4?

Linella123

Looking at 2016 small AWD SUVs and have narrowed search to AWD RAV4 Limited and AWD CR-V Touring. Need opinions on these two vehicles! I can't make up my mind! Job entails travel in winter, storms or not.

We are loyal Toyota owners since 1995. Have experienced their reliability first hand. Seems like Honda is also reliable, but maybe not as good as Toyota?

NHTSA safety stats:

Both scored a 4 in Roll-over.
The CRV earned all 5's in other categories— overall, frontal crash, side crash.
The RAV4 earned a 5 in overal, side crash, but a 4 in frontal crash.

I REALLY like the CRV's side view mirror camera.
I like the RAV4's bird's eye view "camera" but not that vital to have.

Brake assist is impt to us.

We test drove the CRV at 70mph with strong wind, and the lane assist was GREAT in relieving my need to manually fight the wind. (That was after our RAV4 test drive on a calm day. Not sure if their lane assist actively corrects like Honda.)

Honda dealer claimed the vibration complaint in earlier CRVs solved with computer update resulting in loss of 1 mpg.

We keep our vehicles long term so reliability is impt.

Priorities: Reliability & durability / Safety & braking / Materials & workmanship

Preferred Bodystyle(s): SUV

Car Needs: Daily commuter / Errands about town / Long trips

Need minimum of 5 seats

Will consider new cars only

Maximum price: US $ 35000

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I'd expect either one to be very reliable and safe, and would buy whichever one you liked driving the most and/or which offers the best features.

I haven't driven the updated RAV4 or updated CR-V, but the 2013-2015 had a much firmer ride than the 2012-2014 CR-V. A matter of taste which rides better.

If your only concern with the CR-V is that it won't be reliable, I wouldn't be concerned about this. Honda has been using a CVT-type transmission in these since 2015, but in other Hondas for a little longer. While CVTs can be a reliability question mark, there have been no indications of problems with Honda's CVT yet.

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I was given a 2015 RAV4 LE to drive for a week while my car was in the shop. It wasn't a particularly bad car by any stretch of the imagination, but one thing that annoyed me to no end was that the dash does not light up until headlights are on and even then it is a soft, blue glow. This was problematic as it was very bright out and more than once I struggled for my eyes to adjust quickly to the dark, unlit dashboard. This is something I realized is a major design flaw that is unforgiveable. You should clearly and easily be able to see the dash under any lighting conditions. Another issue is that the ac display is angled in such a way that when sunlight glares off it, forget any chance whatosever of seeing. I had to drive for an hour with my hand blocking it and I've had this in other vehicles, but never to this extreme.

As for the Honda, reliability will be on par with Toyota if not better. You mentioned that you drive in the snow a bit. I can't speak for the CRV, but I had a Ridgeline with Honda's AWD and it handled just about anything thrown at it. Granted, it's an apples to oranges comparison but if it's any indication of how other Hondas handle the snow then the CRV will definitely be sure-footed.

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For the best AWD system under $35,000 limit a CPO 2016 Buick Envision Premium 2.0T for around $29,XXX will blow your socks off as it is quieter than a Lexus RX and about $10,000 less than a Lexus NX.

The AWD system uses a Twinster twin clutch that allows any single wheel to power the car foward while the other slip. None of this cuv's will send more than 50% power to the rear wheels and usually fail the roller tests on YouTube.

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