Compare the2022 Honda CR-V HybridVS 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the CR-V Hybrid deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The CR-V Hybrid’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Highlander Hybrid’s airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CR-V Hybrid. But it costs extra on the Highlander Hybrid.

Both the CR-V Hybrid and the Highlander Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available rear parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Honda CR-V Hybrid is safer than the Toyota Highlander Hybrid:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Honda CR-V Hybrid is safer than the Toyota Highlander Hybrid:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

As tested in Motor Trend the Honda CR-V Hybrid is faster than the Toyota Highlander Hybrid:

On the EPA test cycle the CR-V Hybrid gets better mileage than the Highlander Hybrid:

The CR-V Hybrid has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The CR-V Hybrid stops shorter than the Highlander Hybrid:

The CR-V Hybrid EX/EX-L’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Highlander Hybrid LE/XLE’s standard 65 series tires.

The CR-V Hybrid Touring handles at .81 G’s, while the Highlander Hybrid Platinum AWD pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The CR-V Hybrid Touring executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Highlander Hybrid Platinum AWD (28 seconds @ .6 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the CR-V Hybrid has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Highlander Hybrid (8.2 vs. 8 inches), allowing the CR-V Hybrid to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Honda CR-V Hybrid may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 600 to 850 pounds less than the Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

The CR-V Hybrid is 1 foot shorter than the Highlander Hybrid, making the CR-V Hybrid easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The CR-V Hybrid uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The rear step up height for the CR-V Hybrid is 1.2 inches lower than the Highlander Hybrid (18” vs. 19.2”).

The CR-V Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume than the Highlander Hybrid with its rear seat up (33.2 vs. 16 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the CR-V Hybrid easier. The CR-V Hybrid’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 26 inches, while the Highlander Hybrid’s liftover is 31.2 inches.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the CR-V Hybrid’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The CR-V Hybrid has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The CR-V Hybrid EX-L/Touring’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

Consumer Reports rated the CR-V Hybrid’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Highlander Hybrid’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Honda CR-V Hybrid and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The CR-V was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Five/10Best Trucks” for 3 of the last 20 years. The Highlander Hybrid has never been a Car and Driver “Top Five/10Best Truck” pick.

Motor Trend selected the CR-V as their 2018 Sport Utility of the Year. The Highlander Hybrid has never been chosen.