Honda CR-V vs. the Competition in Its Category

Compact crossovers are particularly popular both in Québec and in the rest of Canada. It’s not for nothing that there are so many of these models on the market! Among them, the Honda CR-V has already proven itself, but what about its competition?

With the arrival of the 2023 Honda CR-V, we took the time to compare this Honda to its rivals in terms of space, powertrains, design, and technologies.

Space and Comfort: An Obvious Choice

The Honda CR-V is well known for consistently having one of the best interior spaces in its class for quite a while already. With this new generation, it takes it even further: the rear legroom gives an additional 15.2 mm for better comfort. Furthermore, the trunk’s floor is now adjustable, allowing for even more space than before.

While it was already competitive in its class, the new CR-V offers a cargo capacity that can go from 1,028 L to 2,166 L. It easily surpasses the maximum capacities of the Toyota RAV4 (1,977 L), the Ford Escape (1,852 L), and many other compact crossovers.

A detail to keep in mind: the other vehicles in its class that offer a hybrid version usually do it at the expense of their cargo capacity, but not the Honda CR-V. As an example, the Toyota RAV4 Prime loses about 200 L of maximum capacity when compared to its non-hybrid version.

Engines: Harmony Between Performance and Consumption

The new Honda CR-V offers a choice between two engines. The gasoline version has a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, which produces 190 hp and a torque of 179 lb-ft. You could also go for the hybrid version and get even more power and a better fuel economy!

Here’s how, using the gasoline engine, the CR-V compares to its rivals in terms of performance and consumption:

In short, it proves itself to be both high-performance and efficient with its fuel economy. If the closest in terms of performance is the RAV4, Renita Naraine, journalist for Driving, remarks that the CR-V offers better driveability:

It isn’t just a question of better numbers, and we must admit the Honda SUV stands out thanks to its general driving experience.

A Design Surpassing the RAV4

It’s well known that, year after year, the Toyota RAV4 is one of the best-selling SUV on the market. Even though the Toyota SUV has many qualities, the new Honda CR-V could very well be a game changer.

Indeed, its new modernized design clashes with the RAV4’s very conservative appearance. The latter is sometimes criticized for its lack of innovation: it seems like a great choice with many upsides, but it doesn’t really catch anyone’s eye.

With this new generation, the CR-V scores not only in terms of powertrains, since it adds a hybrid alternative, but also by showing off a new design that transforms it into a vehicle more modern and dynamic than any of its rivals.

Being compact, spacious, and comfortable, all at once, that’s the CR-V’s thing.

On-Board Technologies
Setting itself apart from the competition also requires new technologies that are both advanced and user-friendly. In addition to having an ergonomic driving position, the Honda CR-V comes with a fully digital instrument cluster and central screen.

Except for the infotainment technologies, you’ll also discover an equally brilliant set of driver assistance technologies, thanks to Honda Sensing, which includes:

• Adaptive cruise control

• Lane departure warning

• Traffic jam driving assist

• Traffic-sign recognition

• And a lot more features!

Furthermore, the CR-V gets the “Top Safety Pick+” grade from the IIHS. At the same time, most of its rivals are stuck with no grades or being only given the “Top Safety Pick” grade; that’s notably the case for:

• Toyota RAV4

• Subaru Forester

• Ford Escape

Is the Honda CR-V worth buying? The answer is yes: this SUV is elegant, modern, spacious, safe, and reliable, all at once. The Honda-CRV for sale is the obvious choice in its vehicle class. Come to find your next vehicle at Lallier Honda, your Honda dealership in Montréal!