When it comes down to choosing the better compact SUV, both the 2023 Toyota RAV4 and the 2023 Honda CR-V have more positives than negatives. Both sport utility vehicles are highly rated and offer great features, performance, and value. If you can’t choose between the Honda and Toyota compact SUVs for 2023, check out the breakdown below to see if one has more to offer.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 beats the 2023 Honda CR-V in price

When U.S. News compared the newest Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, these two top-sellers had a lot in common. Both have consistently delivered on promises, like a roomy cabin and standard safety systems. Looking at the price, the 2023 RAV4 beats the CR-V by $3,630. A brand-new RAV4 SUV will start at $27,975, while the CR-V starts at $31,610. That could be primarily due to the redesign of the Honda SUV for this year.

Regarding reliability, both sport utility vehicles have a long history of dependability. Honda and Toyota are known for making vehicles that can last more than 100,000 miles with proper maintenance. That means keeping up with oil changes, coolant flushes, and whatever else your new SUV might need.

For those who plan on driving the CR-V or RAV4 daily, the Honda SUV comes in ahead in seat comfort. Both offer seating for five passengers and cloth upholstery throughout. However, the CR-V had more comfortable front seats that came standard with heating. The driver gets a power-adjustable seat, and the rear seats can recline. Honda wins this round.

The 2023 Honda CR-V might have slightly more to offer than the 2023 Toyota RAV4

One of the biggest drawbacks to a compact SUV such as the CR-V or RAV4 is the cargo space. However, both brands have done well with offering enough room for most situations or families. The 2023 Honda CR-V has 39.3 cubic feet of space behind the second row and 76.5 cubic feet with the seats folded down. It also comes with a power liftgate that makes loading and unloading easier.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 falls just short of the Honda, with 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the seats and 69.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. While the power liftgate is an option, it doesn’t come standard on the Toyota like it does on the Honda.

Since the CR-V received an update for 2023, it also pulls ahead in the area of interior quality. The inside looks fresh and modern, with all of the newest tech. While the RAV4 has a nice interior that looks like it will hold up over time, the Honda SUV still won this round.

At the end of the day, both compact SUVs are a good buy

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 had better acceleration and fuel economy, but the 2023 Honda CR-V had a better ride and handling. Both vehicles received many standard safety systems, such as adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Safety testing is ongoing, but both SUVs will likely receive positive scores when tested.

The 2023 Honda CR-V had better scores in more areas. Reliability, ride, handling, interior quality, and cargo capacity are just a few. The 2023 Toyota RAV4 wasn’t far behind, taking home high scores in many categories. In fact, it received a five-star safety score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Testing isn’t complete for the CR-V yet.

The best compact SUV for you will be one that you can find at a reasonable price. Both vehicles have plenty to offer and come in pretty evenly when compared. It ultimately comes down to personal preference and what features are most important.