The 2026 Honda CR-V vs. the Competition

As the CR-V’s closest rival, the RAV4 was introduced in 1994 and is credited with establishing the compact crossover segment in the U.S. It is the best-selling model in its category and Toyota’s top-selling model overall. For 2026, the RAV4 launched its 6th generation, with the biggest news being that all models feature a hybrid drivetrain. A plug-in hybrid is also available. The drivetrain consists of a 2.5-liter engine and an electric motor, producing a combined 226 to 236 horsepower; Toyota does not publish torque figures for its hybrid models. Other changes include all-new, blockier styling with the hammerhead front featured on Toyota’s passenger cars. 

• The CR-V offers a non-hybrid lineup with a starting MSRP of $30,390, more than $1,000 less than the RAV-4’s $31,900 starting MSRP.
• The RAV4 has 226 and 236 horsepower for FWD and AWD models, respectively. Both are more powerful than the CR-V’s rated horsepower. Toyota does not publish torque figures for its hybrid models, so it is unknown how the RAV4 compares to the CR-V’s 247 lb-ft.
• The CR-V has more cabin space overall (145.3 cubic feet vs. 136.4) and more passenger space (106 cubic feet vs. 98.9).
• The large cabin appears as:
  • Greater front headroom (40 inches vs. 36.7)
  • Greater rear headroom (38.2 inches vs. 36.7)
  • Slightly greater front legroom (41.3 inches vs. 41.0)
  • Significantly greater rear legroom (41.0 inches vs. 37.8)
• When you expect to have three people in the rear seat, the CR-V offers significantly more hip room (52.6 inches vs. 49.6), which is particularly notable.
• The RAV4 also has greater cargo space behind the rear seats (39.3 inches vs. 36.6 – 37.8).
• When the rear seats are folded, the CR-V continues to offer more cargo space (76.5 inches vs. 69.8 – 70.4).
• The convenience of a wireless phone charger is standard on the CR-V but requires an upgrade for the RAV4.
• The CR-V uses the Google Built-in infotainment operating system, which features standard Google Maps navigation and an integrated Google Assistant voice recognition system, along with additional apps downloadable from the Google App store. The RAV4 does not have this system. 
• The top available audio system in the CR-V is a 12-speaker Bose system compared to the 9-speaker JBL system in the RAV4.
• The CR-V earned Car and Driver’s #1 ranking among non-hybrid compact crossovers (hybrid also ranked #1) compared to the 4th-ranked RAV4.

Eleven years after the first CR-V, Nissan introduced its Rogue compact crossover, which has now become Nissan’s best-selling model. The current model is the 3rd-generation model, introduced for the 2021 model year. The Rogue has no hybrid variant available. Its drivetrain is similar to the non-hybrid CR-V in that it has 1.5 liters and is turbocharged, but it has three cylinders instead of four. The engine is paired with a CVT.

Rogue trim levels include S, SV, RockCreek, Dark Armor, and Platinum. The off-road themed Rock Creek and flagship Platinum have standard AWD, while other models have FWD with AWD available. 

• For those looking to save on fuel, the CR-V’s hybrid models offer a clear advantage. The Rogue’s EPA fuel economy exceeds the CR-V’s by about two MPG (combined), but it cannot come close to the 40 and 37 combined MPG of the CR-V FWD and AWD models, respectively
• The CR-V’s four -cylinder engine can be counted upon to be a bit smoother than the Rogue’s three-cylinder engine.
• The Rogue engine has a little more power than the conventional gas-powered CR-V (190 vs. 201) but slightly less than the CR-V hybrid (204 vs. 201).
• Likewise, the torque exceeds that of the gas CR-V (179 vs. 225 lb-ft) but is less than that of the hybrid model (247 vs. 225 lb-ft).
• Rear passengers can stretch out more with the CR-V’s greater rear legroom than the Rogue’s (41.0 inches vs. 38.5).
• The CR-V has more cargo space than the Rogue:
  • Behind the rear seats (39.3 cubic feet vs. 36.5)
  • With rear seats folded (76.5 cubic feet vs. 74.1)
• The CR-V comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the Rogue requires a wired connection until you reach the top Platinum model.
• The CR-V earned Car and Driver’s #1 ranking among non-hybrid compact crossovers (with the hybrid also ranked #1), compared with the 16th-ranked Nissan Rogue.

The Forester stands out among its close competitors by offering standard all-wheel drive (AWD) for improved on-road traction and potential off-road capabilities. In contrast, competing models typically feature standard front-wheel drive (FWD), with AWD available as an option. Its 180-horsepower, 2.5-liter horizontally-opposed engine, which offers a lower center of gravity and a symmetrical drivetrain layout, is also unique in its class. A version of this engine is used in the Forester Hybrid model, which achieves an EPA city/highway/combined estimate of 35 / 34 / 35 MPG, respectively. Forester trim levels include Base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring, while the Forester hybrid trims are Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring.

• The standard CR-V has more horsepower than the Forester (190 vs. 180) and about the same torque (179 lb-ft vs. 178).
• Among hybrid models, the CR-V again has 10 more horsepower (204 vs. 194). Subaru does not publish a torque figure for the hybrid drivetrain.
• The non-hybrid AWD CR-V is closely matched with the Forester in fuel mileage, with just slight city and highway differences (27 / 31 / 29 MPG city/ highway/ combined vs. 26 / 33 / 29).
• The CR-V Hybrid AWD returns better EPA fuel economy ratings than the Forester hybrid (43 / 36 / 40 MPG city/ highway/ combined vs. 35 / 34 / 35). 
• If AWD is not needed, the CR-V offers that option with better fuel economy in non-hybrid (28 / 33 / 30 MPG city/ highway/ combined) and hybrid drivetrains (43 / 36 / 40 MPG).
• While the Forester Wilderness is capable of towing up to 3,500 lb., most Forester models match the CR-V’s 1,500 lb. towing capacity.
• The CR-V provides rear passengers with a little over two inches more legroom than the Forester (41.0 inches vs. 39.4).
• The CR-V has more cargo space than the Forester:
  • Behind the rear seats (39.3 cubic feet vs. 29.6)
  • With rear seats folded (76.5 cubic feet vs. 69.1-74.4)
• Car and Driver testing found a significantly shorter 70 to 0 mph braking distance for the CR-V than for the Forester (163 feet vs. 176). Motor Trend and Consumer Reports also report shorter braking distances for the CR-V.
• For better handling and stability, the CR-V has both a longer wheelbase (106.3 vs. 104.9 inches) and a 1.7-inch wider front track and a 2.2-inch wider rear track.

Sharing its mechanical underpinnings with the Hyundai Tucson, the Sportage rivals the CR-V as one of the larger models in the segment. It also has both non-hybrid and hybrid models, though it does the opposite of the CR-V and has a normally aspirated, larger-displacement (2.5 liters) engine for ts base engine and a smaller-displacement turbocharged engine coupled with a hybrid system. The non-hybrid powertrain produces 187 horsepower, while the hybrid system produces 232. Sportage trim levels include LX, EX, X-Line, SX, SX Prestige, and X-Pro Prestige for non-hybrid models and LX, S, EX, X-Line, SX Prestige for hybrid models. 

• The non-hybrid CR-V has a slight edge in horsepower (190 vs. 187) and torque (179 lb-ft vs. 178).
• In all drivetrain configurations, the CR-V has better city fuel economy ratings, including 5 mpg more on the Hybrid AWD models.
• The CR-V offers knee airbags for the driver and front passenger to prevent knee injury. The Sportage does not offer knee airbags.
• In Consumer Reports subscriber surveys, Honda ranked fourth in overall reliability while Kia ranked ninth.
• According to J. D. Power, Honda ranked 7th in dealer service satisfaction, while Kia ranked 27th.
• Car and Driver testing found a significantly shorter 70 to 0 mph braking distance for the CR-V than for the Sportage (163 feet vs. 176). Motor Trend and Consumer Reports also report shorter braking distances for the CR-V.
• Of the two models, only the CR-V features active noise cancellation for a quieter cabin.
• With rear seats up, the CR-V and Sportage have nearly the same cargo space (39.3 cubic feet vs. 39.5). But when the rear seats are folded down, the CR-V offers more cargo space (76.5 cubic feet vs. 73.7).
• When raising the hood, the CR-V uses gas struts to hold it up, while the Sportage requires a prop rod.
• Research firm iSeeCars.com predicts the 2026 CR-V to retain 61.29 to 65.48 % of its original value after 5 years, compared to 52.85% for the Sportage.
• Car and Driver ranked the CR-V Hybrid #1 among hybrid compact crossovers, compared to a #3 ranking for the Sportage.
• Among non-hybrid models, Car and Driver again ranked the CR-V #1 among compact SUVs, while the Sportage is ranked 9th.