Whether you’re a family of four or prefer a vehicle with a little more versatility, a compact SUV can be a great choice for your next vehicle. Compact SUVs are intelligently designed to help you grab more opportunities from life – whether that means having extra space for sports gear or enjoying a more comfortable interior for long road trips.
When it comes to compact SUVs, the market is fairly large. You’ve got the Toyota RAV4, the Honda CR-V, the Mazda CX-5, the Ford Escape, the Nissan Rogue … and more.
But when it comes to our Canadian-built RAV4, it’s most often compared to its closest competitor, the CR-V. Let’s see how the RAV4 stacks up against the CR-V.
SUV LIFESTYLE
The RAV4 and CR-V are the leading models within one of the most popular vehicle categories out there: the compact SUV. For those of you just learning about the world of compact SUVs, you’ve come to the right place.
Canadian sales of compact SUVs reached over 500,000 models in 2019 alone. Why are compact SUVs so popular? For starters, they’re fairly large vehicles, allowing drivers to experience more convenience and comfort in their daily lives, without having to compromise on looks and technology.
It all starts with the basic luxuries.
For example, if you’re a parent, say hello to comfortable seating, lots of legroom and greater cargo capability for your family. Or when it comes to driving during Canadian winters, what better way to tackle the winter grind than with the spirited performance of All-Wheel-Drive and a sure-to-impress engine?
True to form, the 2021 RAV4 covers the basics and adds a lot of style and security with standard advanced safety technology, fuel efficiency, and a more robust design to leave you feeling confident when driving in all conditions.
And if you enjoy going on adventures or prefer a more rugged finish, the new TRD Off-Road option could be a good fit for you. Added features include 18” Off-Road Alloy Wheels, Embedded Navigation, Destination Assist, and more.
To put it simply, the RAV4 is a true sport-utility-vehicle, ready to take you on your next adventure. With that, let’s explore some more…
REFINED DESIGN AND SAFETY FEATURES
On the road, heading to your next destination, you want to feel comfortable, right? The RAV4 interior is as refined as it is spacious, with a harmonious layout and accommodating features.
Whether you frequently take family road trips or only drive together to get from point A to B, the RAV4 ensures you drive comfortably with five-passenger seating and a split reclining fold-flat rear seat with a center armrest and cup holders. The open space design means things are always in reach, and the sophisticated colour palette and modern accents in the RAV4 allow you to drive in style.
The RAV4’s rugged design meets all the demands of modern life with ease and efficiency. That means it’s highly adaptable and spacious, it has wide tires to improve safety, traction and maneuverability in adverse conditions, and it allows for high ground clearance.
Now, how do we make the driver extra happy? We add a few additional toys and safety features, that’s how!
RAV4 drivers can enjoy a standard tilt/telescopic three-spoke steering wheel with controls for audio, Multi-Information Display, hands-free phone and voice-command, Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 which includes Pre-Collision System with Daytime/Low-Light Vehicle and Pedestrian Detection, plus Daytime Bicycle Detection, Automatic High Beams, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert, and Lane Tracing Assist. Other available features include Birds Eye View Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert Brake, and front and rear Clearance Sonar.
Comparatively, the 2020 CR-V comes standard with some similar features to the RAV4 including adaptive cruise control and a Lane Keeping Assist System. However, you have to upgrade the CR-V to get a blind spot monitoring system with a rear cross-traffic monitor, which comes standard on all RAV4 models.
PUTTING THE MULTI IN MULTIMEDIA
The compact SUV category is popular for more than just its creature comforts. The multimedia capabilities of both the RAV4 and the CR-V will change your definition of cruising as you know it, adding greater convenience and more fun to the driving experience.
The 2021 RAV4 is now equipped with both Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay™ compatibility, among other audio entertainment and convenience technologies to make your drive more enjoyable. Standard features include a 7-inch touch-screen display, 6 speakers, USB media port, and hands-free phone capability with advanced voice recognition. The CR-V infotainment system comes with a 7-inch touchscreen as well.
Select RAV4 models are also equipped with an advanced suite of smart technology as part of Connected Services by Toyota including Remote Connect, Safety Connect®, Service Connect, and Destination Assist, which can help provide you with peace of mind and keep you connected on the go.
And if your smartphone battery is running low and it supports wireless charging, you could always charge it using the Qi Wireless Charging tray, which comes available in the RAV4.
[Explore more RAV4 Design Features]
HORSEPOWER AND HYBRIDS GALORE
Powered by a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine, the standard RAV4 engine outputs 203 horsepower. The CR-V has a smaller 1.5L engine that delivers 190 horsepower and uses a continuously variable transmission, whereas the RAV4 engine is paired to a direct shift 8-speed automatic transmission.
If you’re in need of greater performance, the RAV4 Hybrid actually offers more power than the gas-only model, with an output of 219 horsepower (not to mention increased fuel efficiency and fewer greenhouse gas emissions as well). The RAV4 Hybrid AWD Limited has all the features of the RAV4 Limited, including the same towing capacity (1,500 lbs) but with improved fuel efficiency at 5.7/6.3/6.0 L/100km (city/hwy/combined). And although most Toyota hybrid owners never need to replace their hybrid battery within their ownership lifetime, the 10 year/240,000 Hybrid Component warranty offers that little bit of extra peace of mind.
Plus, if you’re looking for even greater fuel efficiency, Toyota is launching the 2021 RAV4 Prime soon, bringing an all-new PHEV to the 2021 lineup. The RAV4 Prime will deliver even more power than the RAV4 Hybrid, offering 302 horsepower. Sign up for updates here.
Meanwhile, this is the first year the CR-V launches its hybrid model, however it’s only available in the U.S. so Canadians will have to wait.
[Explore RAV4 Performance Features]
YOU CAN’T GO WRONG
The RAV4 and CR-V are once again making a strong push to capture shoppers’ attention and hearts with this year’s vehicles.
Ultimately, your decision should come down to trust, availability of upgraded features, and of course, a good old-fashioned test drive!
Build and price a RAV4 specific to your needs, or if you’re interested in taking a RAV4 for a spin, here’s a link to book a test drive near you.