Honda CRV or Toyota Rav4?

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Chicken_Zest@reddit

Between those two, I would pick the non-hybrid Toyota. I like the conventional 8 speed automatic and naturally aspirated engine combo. It's a dead reliable powertrain and the rav 4 itself holds resale value really well. The several thousand dollar premium for the hybrid model isn't worth it in my opinion, it never really pays back with current gas prices and I'm not crazy about how CVT's drive.

The Honda is still a great vehicle but the 1.5l and cvt combo just doesn't appeal to me as much. Can't go wrong with either... or a Mazda.

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Excellent_Sky2279@reddit

If you keep the rav4 hybrid for around 3-5 years, it will definitely pay back for itself depending on where you live and if you drive an average of 10,000 miles per year. Also I would imagine the hybrid models are more desirable and have higher resale value than the gas only cars.

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Chicken_Zest@reddit

If you do the math, it really doesn't pay itself back at all.

The regular rav 4 gets 30mpg combined, or for a $3k premium the hybrid gets 39mpg. For a 10,000 mile year, you're talking about 80 gallons of gas saved with the hybrid. That's like $250/year savings. You're gonna spend a $3k premium for the hybrid and it's going to take you over a decade just to get your money back.

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Excellent_Sky2279@reddit

Ah I see, my fault. 10 years sounds right. I still do think that the added resale value of the hybrids completely offsets the long payback period though but for second hand use and on highways the gas is a good option.

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Sekiro50@reddit

There is no more non-hybrid Rav4. It's hybrid only like 50% of all their cars.. Ridiculous if you ask me...

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Chicken_Zest@reddit

There is a non-hybrid Rav 4. You can buy one now. There won't be a non-Hybrid rav 4 next year.

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redhandsblackfuture@reddit

Consider looking at the Mazda CX50. Exact same powertrain as the rav4 so you get the reliability but the interiors are much more luxurious imo

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jonnyanonobot@reddit

Only the Hybrid gets a Toyota powertrain. The base and Turbo engines are Mazda.

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picturepath@reddit

I would go rent the Mazda, I almost bought one on looks alone. It didn’t drive like I would like, settled for a CRV since the RAV4 was a few thousand pricier.

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ctrlaltcreate@reddit

Mazda engines are great anyway, aren't they?

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Turnips4dayz@reddit

Yes

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Imaginary_Act_3956@reddit

Renault Austral?

It's a better CX-50 made by le française.

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ugurcanevci@reddit

I just drove the hybrid as a rental and I was baffled that even the highest top trim did not have lane centering (auto-steer) that’s now available in even base trims of other manufacturers.

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funnyfarm299@reddit

I would have bought one of these of Mazda didn't needlessly nerf the hybrid. You can't get parking sensors or 360 cameras in the hybrid. Also the adaptive cruise control in the CX-50 doesn't offer lane centering, whereas the CR-V and RAV4 both do.

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scr33ner@reddit

Test drove those. Interiors are great for the pricepoint. What bothered me was the sluggishness of the engine, especially when you need the oomph.

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cowhisperer@reddit

Cx-5 > cx-50

Cx-50 interior is weirdly cramped comparatively.

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iamnotdiddy@reddit

And drives and feels heavier than the cx5

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soopastar@reddit

Mazda CX-5

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mini4x@reddit

I had a friend recently ask for vehicle recommendations and told her the same thing. I told her go drive them all, she ended up with teh CX5.

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QuentinEichenauer@reddit

Yeah. The Toyota was a drab, sad dismal place and the Honda felt tinny. The Mazda def punches above it's class.

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jackel3415@reddit

What year? Both are solid choices. I had a 2005 CRV that I finally sold less than a year ago. So hopefully that tells you something about the longevity of them.

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2024ew@reddit (OP)

2025

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jackel3415@reddit

If you end up looking at the CRV, ask about the table. 😀

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2024ew@reddit (OP)

Table?

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jackel3415@reddit

Apologies. it was only the first and second gen CRV’s came with a picnic table in the trunk. I thought they had kept it going. Apparently the 2026 Passport has one.

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Loveroffinerthings@reddit

Since 2026 is a full new RAV4, you’ll probably get a great deal on a 2025. The 2026 design is completely different so they will most likely deal more in an outgoing model style.

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dpstech@reddit

FYI: The 2026 is a complete redesign and will have Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 and numerous other refinements with the hybrid train. There’s some early review videos up about but no official numbers on price or mileage. Expected this fall.

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6158675309@reddit

Maybe the only drawback to the RAV4 is it’s going to be refreshed in a few months. The current model is more or less the same as when it was introduced in 2019. Or

The new one is a 2026 model and will be hybrid only.

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vipercrazy@reddit

Rav4 hybrid if you will trade it in eventually, the resale value is sky high.

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Ran4@reddit

Definitive the rav4 hybrid or phev. A smooth drive train is well worth it.

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funnyfarm299@reddit

Have you driven a CR-V hybrid? I've driven both and the CR-V is way better IMO.

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InclinationCompass@reddit

I prefer the way the CRV drives

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funnyfarm299@reddit

The hybrid CR-V is fantastic. It drives like an EV without requiring charging.

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_Q1000_@reddit

We just test drive all 3 as we were ready for a new suv. I suggest you do the same.
The RAV 4 is ready for a redesign my dealer said it should be out in November. The RAV4 hybrid and CRV HYBRID are pretty much down to preference as they are both good reliable SUVs. We didn’t care for the CX-50 harsher ride and it’s seemed to have less roof height.
The CRV was a bit more modern inside, than the RAV with good infotainment and climate controls. Also the Honda has better availability and finance rates at least up here in Canada.
Test drive them all, and their variances to see what you like best. We ended up with an Honda Pilot sport as they had some great incentives and we wanted the extra space for our dogs. But if we didn’t get that it would have been the CRV hybrid trail sport in that nice green. Also if you test drive the CX-50 notice how the accent stripe on the seat rides up your ass.

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DeadlySphinx@reddit

As an owner of a 2024 Rav4 Cruiser Hybrid, highly recommend.
Fantastic ride, good build quality, the usual Toyota reliability, and really good fuel consumption.

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TheRealPlumbus@reddit

I spent a ton of time cross shopping those 2, and test drove both.

For the hybrids the rav4 gets much better real world fuel efficiency, while the CRV has significantly better driving dynamics. It’s more “fun” to drive than the RAV4, at the expense of efficiency.

The RAV4 also has better options at the time trim levels, namely a 360 camera, ventilated seats, panoramic moon roof, and a heads up display. If you’re in the U.S. none of those are offered on the CRV even at the top trim. Honda reserves those features for Acura.

The CRV has a more spacious backseat, and doors that open to 90 degrees, which is great if you have kids with car seats. It also has a larger trunk footprint. However it does not come with a spare tire, instead Honda gives you a fix-a-flat kit. The RAV4 does come with a spare.

The top trim CRV comes with a Bose sound system vs JBL with the RAV4. IMO the Bose sounded superior and is one of the better sound systems available at this price point.

Overall both are fantastic cars so it really comes down to what you value most. Personally I went with the CRV and I’m happy with my choice.

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2024ew@reddit (OP)

Thank you for your explanation and detailed insights.

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TheRealPlumbus@reddit

No problem. I ended up getting a hybrid CRV

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POSVETT@reddit

I picked the '25 RAV4 (not hybrid) because it doesn't have a CVT (CRV and RAV4 hybrid have a CVT). MY2025 is the last of the current generation.

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TheRealPlumbus@reddit

eCVT, totally different than the older CVTs.

Neither Toyota or Honda’s eCVTs use a belt, which was the main point of failure for traditional CVTs

Toyota’s eCVT uses a planetary gear set. And Honda’s is really more of an electric powertrain with an engine to charge the battery. Both in theory should be much more reliable than old CVTs

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Spaghetto23@reddit

ecvt. better than a traditional cvt

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stuck_inmissouri@reddit

We are a Honda family but I get a lot of Toyota rental cars out on the road. Their hybrid system is really, really smooth.

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jasonisnuts@reddit

Test drive a Mazda CX-5 and then you'll know.

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Diamondhf@reddit

Neither. Get an Acura MDX that’s a few years old for the same price and thank me later.

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weakbecomeheroes@reddit

I got a '25 crv hybrid sport-l and really like it. The infotainment is barely smart (a plus in my book), android auto integration is good, came with basically everything I'd want. Seats are nice, comfortable for at least 200 miles in one shot. The powertrain is nicer than our 2012 prius for sure, plenty of power if you really want to take it out of eco. If you're a parent the rear doors of the CRV open almost 90 degrees which makes loading and unloading kids a breeze.

We went hybrid, couldn't say why you should or shouldn't, that's up to you. Overall I really like the car a lot. We haven't encountered any issues yet in like 4 months of ownership.

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jonnyanonobot@reddit

I had a hybrid RAV-4 as a rental.

Honestly...it was really nice.

If you do more urban/suburban driving it would be my pick.

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Proof_Mood_9451@reddit

Yeah I’ve rented a bunch of them and really liked it. But the CX-50 I had was still a lot nicer inside.

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ltelmo@reddit

100% hybrid only