Compare the2022 Toyota Highlander HybridVS 2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Recommendations

Safety

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In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Highlander Hybrid are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The CR-V Hybrid doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The CR-V Hybrid doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Highlander Hybrid has standard Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The CR-V Hybrid doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Highlander Hybrid has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The CR-V Hybrid doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum has standard Automated Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The CR-V Hybrid doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Highlander Hybrid (except LE/XLE/Bronze) offers an optional Bird’s Eye View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The CR-V Hybrid only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the Highlander Hybrid and the CR-V 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 all wheel drive.

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid weighs 567 to 887 pounds more than the Honda CR-V Hybrid. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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

	Highlander Hybrid	CR-V Hybrid
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	28.4%	37%
Neck Compression	90 lbs.	96 lbs.

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 flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Highlander Hybrid is safer than the Honda CR-V Hybrid:

	Highlander Hybrid	CR-V Hybrid
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	55	71
Chest Movement	.3 inches	.6 inches
Abdominal Force	79 G’s	142 G’s
Hip Force	300 lbs.	310 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	114	143
Spine Acceleration	37 G’s	50 G’s
Hip Force	152 lbs.	567 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	366	386

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

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Highlander Hybrid its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 73 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The CR-V Hybrid is only a standard “Top Pick” for 2021.

Warranty

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Highlander Hybrid for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Honda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CR-V Hybrid.

There are over 16 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Honda dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Highlander Hybrid’s warranty.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Highlander Hybrid’s reliability 19 points higher than the CR-V Hybrid.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Highlander Hybrid third among upper midsize suvs in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The CR-V Hybrid isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota 13th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 7 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is ranked 17th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 47 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is ranked 27th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in reliability. Honda is ranked fifth.

Engine

The Highlander Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 31 more horsepower (243 vs. 212) than the CR-V Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Toyota Highlander Hybrid is faster than the Honda CR-V Hybrid:

	Highlander Hybrid	CR-V Hybrid
Zero to 30 MPH	2.9 sec	3.4 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	8 sec	8.5 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	5.2 sec	5.9 sec
Quarter Mile	16.2 sec	16.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	88 MPH	82 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Highlander Hybrid has 3.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the CR-V Hybrid (17.1 vs. 14 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Highlander Hybrid’s brake rotors are larger than those on the CR-V Hybrid:

	Highlander Hybrid	CR-V Hybrid
Front Rotors	13.3 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13.3 inches	12.2 inches

The Highlander Hybrid’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the CR-V Hybrid are solid, not vented.

Tires and Wheels

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum has standard 20-inch wheels. The CR-V Hybrid’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Highlander Hybrid has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the CR-V Hybrid; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Highlander Hybrid’s wheelbase is 7.5 inches longer than on the CR-V Hybrid (112.2 inches vs. 104.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Highlander Hybrid is 2.4 inches wider in the front and 1.9 inches wider in the rear than on the CR-V Hybrid.

The Highlander Hybrid’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (53% to 47%) than the CR-V Hybrid’s (57% to 43%). This gives the Highlander Hybrid more stable handling and braking.

Passenger Space

The Highlander Hybrid has standard seating for 8 passengers; the CR-V Hybrid can only carry 5.

The Highlander Hybrid has 38.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CR-V Hybrid (141.3 vs. 102.9).

The Highlander Hybrid has 3.2 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front legroom, 2.1 inches more front hip room, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom, .6 inches more rear legroom, 7.5 inches more rear hip room and 3.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the CR-V Hybrid.

Cargo Capacity

The Highlander Hybrid’s cargo area provides more volume than the CR-V Hybrid.

	Highlander Hybrid	CR-V Hybrid
Third Seat Folded	48.4 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	n/a	33.2 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	84.3 cubic feet	68.7 cubic feet

The Highlander Hybrid’s cargo area is larger than the CR-V Hybrid’s in almost every dimension:

	Highlander Hybrid	CR-V Hybrid
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	17.8”/48”/80.7”	n.a./37.5”/71”
Max Width	50”	54”
Min Width	45.8”	41.5”
Height	31”	41”

Towing

The Highlander Hybrid has a 3500 lbs. towing capacity. The CR-V Hybrid has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control (TSC) on the Highlander Hybrid uses the Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The CR-V Hybrid doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

The Highlander Hybrid Platinum has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The CR-V Hybrid doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The power windows standard on both the Highlander Hybrid and the CR-V Hybrid have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Highlander Hybrid is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The CR-V Hybrid prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Highlander Hybrid’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The CR-V Hybrid’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Highlander Hybrid Platinum has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The CR-V Hybrid doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Highlander Hybrid to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The CR-V Hybrid doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the Highlander Hybrid Bronze/Limited/Platinum is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The CR-V Hybrid’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Highlander Hybrid and the CR-V Hybrid offer available heated front seats. The Highlander Hybrid Platinum also has standard heated second row seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the CR-V Hybrid.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The CR-V Hybrid doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Highlander Hybrid Bronze/Limited/Platinum has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The CR-V Hybrid doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Model Availability

The Highlander Hybrid is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The CR-V Hybrid doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Recommendations

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