Honda CR-V vs. Toyota RAV4: Which Used Compact SUV Wins?
America's two best-selling compact SUVs have been trading punches for nearly three decades. Here is how they compare on the things that actually matter when you buy used: reliability, ownership cost, space, and resale.
Both are excellent used buys. Choose the Honda CR-V if you want the roomier cabin, bigger cargo hold, and a slightly lower purchase price. Choose the Toyota RAV4 if you want stronger resale value, more standard equipment on recent model years, and available trims with extra all-weather capability. Neither is a mistake, which is exactly why they are the two best-selling compact SUVs in America.
If you shortlist used compact SUVs in Pennsylvania or New Jersey, the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 will almost certainly both be on it. They are the segment's benchmarks, they hold their value better than nearly everything else in the class, and they routinely run past 200,000 miles with basic maintenance. That also means the differences between them are real but subtle, and the right pick depends on how you will actually use the vehicle.
We stock both at CarVision in Trooper, PA and Maple Shade, NJ, so this is a comparison we walk shoppers through in person every week. Here is the honest version.
How Do the CR-V and RAV4 Compare on Paper?
The short answer: the CR-V is the space champion and the RAV4 is the equipment and resale champion, with fuel economy close to a draw. The table below uses recent used model years (2021 to 2024) that dominate dealer lots right now.
| Category | Honda CR-V | Toyota RAV4 |
|---|---|---|
| Base engine | 1.5L turbo 4-cyl, about 190 hp | 2.5L 4-cyl, about 203 hp |
| Hybrid option | Yes, about 204 hp (2023+), about 212 hp prior gen | Yes, about 219 hp, AWD standard |
| Fuel economy (gas, AWD) | About 29–30 mpg combined | About 28–30 mpg combined |
| Fuel economy (hybrid) | About 37–40 mpg combined | About 39–40 mpg combined |
| Cargo, seats up | Up to 39.3 cu ft | About 37.6 cu ft |
| Cargo, seats folded | Up to 76.5 cu ft | About 69.8 cu ft |
| Max towing | 1,500 lbs | 1,500 lbs (up to 3,500 on Adventure/TRD) |
| Known strengths | Interior space, ride comfort, value | Resale value, standard safety tech, rugged trims |
Figures are approximate and vary by model year, trim, and drivetrain. Always verify specs on the specific vehicle you are considering.
Which Is More Reliable as a Used Buy?
Both are among the most reliable used vehicles in any segment, and the gap between them is smaller than the gap between either one and the average compact SUV. Toyota's 2.5L engine and hybrid system in the RAV4 are famously durable and use a conventional automatic or eCVT rather than a turbocharger. Honda's 1.5L turbo in the CR-V had some early oil dilution reports in cold climates on 2017 to 2019 models, which Honda addressed with software updates; 2020 and newer examples have a much cleaner record.
For PA and NJ winters specifically, that early cold-climate history is worth knowing, but it should not scare you off a well-maintained CR-V. On any used example of either SUV, a documented service history matters more than the badge on the grille.
What Does Each One Cost to Own?
Expect the RAV4 to cost slightly more to buy and slightly less to lose in depreciation, with the CR-V costing less up front and a touch less to maintain. Comparable used RAV4s typically list about $1,000 to $2,000 higher than equivalent CR-Vs because of Toyota's resale strength. Insurance, fuel, and routine maintenance are close to identical, so total cost of ownership over five years usually lands within a few hundred dollars either way.
That makes the decision less about money and more about fit, which is where the two really separate.
Strengths and Trade-Offs, Side by Side
Honda CR-V
Class-leading cargo space and one of the roomiest rear seats in the segment
Composed, comfortable ride that feels more refined than most rivals
Typically lower used purchase price than a comparable RAV4
Simple, well-organized cabin controls
1.5L turbo on 2017–2019 models had cold-climate oil dilution reports
Slightly softer resale value than the RAV4
Toyota RAV4
Best-in-class resale value, so it holds its price when you sell or trade
Toyota Safety Sense standard across recent used model years
Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims add real all-weather ability
Naturally aspirated engine and proven hybrid, no turbo to worry about
Firmer ride and a louder cabin than the CR-V on the highway
Usually costs more used than an equivalent CR-V
Which One Should You Buy?
Buy the CR-V if space and comfort lead your list. Growing families, dog owners, and anyone who regularly folds the seats for gear will notice the CR-V's extra cargo room and rear legroom every single day. It is the better road trip companion of the two.
Buy the RAV4 if long-term value and capability lead your list. If you keep vehicles a long time or trade frequently, the RAV4's resale strength works in your favor either way. And if your weekends involve the Poconos or the shore in questionable weather, the RAV4's more rugged trims are the more capable tools.
The genuinely good news: at this level of quality, the tiebreaker can simply be which one feels better from the driver's seat. That is a test drive question, and we can put you in both back to back.
CR-Vs and RAV4s in Stock at CarVision
Inventory moves fast on both of these models, so browse the live feeds below rather than a snapshot that may be stale by the time you read this.
Used Honda CR-V Inventory
Browse every used CR-V and other Honda models currently in stock across both CarVision locations.
Shop Honda inventory →Used Toyota RAV4 Inventory
See every used RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, and other Toyota models available right now in Trooper and Maple Shade.
Shop Toyota inventory →Every Compact SUV in Stock
Want to widen the search? Compare the CR-V and RAV4 against every SUV on our lots in one view.
Shop SUV inventory →Frequently Asked Questions
Is a used Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4 more reliable?
Both rank among the most reliable used SUVs you can buy. The RAV4 holds a slight edge in long-term durability surveys, while the CR-V counters with an equally strong track record and typically lower repair costs. For most buyers, the condition and maintenance history of the specific vehicle matter more than the badge.
Which holds its value better, the CR-V or the RAV4?
The RAV4 typically retains slightly more of its value, often ranking near the top of the compact SUV class for resale. The flip side is that used RAV4s usually cost a bit more to buy than a comparable CR-V, so the CR-V can be the better value on the purchase end.
Does the CR-V or RAV4 have more cargo space?
The Honda CR-V wins on cargo. Recent CR-V models offer roughly 39 cubic feet behind the rear seats and about 76 cubic feet with them folded, compared to roughly 37.6 and 69.8 cubic feet in the RAV4. The CR-V's rear seat is also among the roomiest in the class.
Which is better in PA and NJ winters?
Both are offered with all-wheel drive and handle Northeast winters well. The RAV4's available Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims add extra ground clearance and a more capable AWD system, while the CR-V's Real Time AWD is more than enough for snowy commutes around Trooper and Maple Shade.
Can I test drive a used CR-V and RAV4 back to back at CarVision?
Yes. CarVision regularly stocks both the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 at its Trooper, PA and Maple Shade, NJ locations, so you can drive them back to back on the same visit and compare them directly.
Drive Them Both. Decide in an Afternoon.
CarVision stocks the CR-V and RAV4 side by side in Trooper, PA and Maple Shade, NJ. No hassle, no haggle, no hidden fees.
Specifications and figures reflect typical 2021–2024 model years and are drawn from manufacturer specifications and EPA estimates. Individual vehicles vary; confirm details on the specific unit you are considering.