2025 Honda CR-V vs 2025 Toyota Highlander
Cars comparison: specs, VersusAnything Score, key differences and a clear recommendation.
If you are torn between 2025 Honda CR-V and 2025 Toyota Highlander, this page lays out every specification that separates them and what each one means in use. The 2025 Honda CR-V combines a 1.5-litre turbo with the largest cargo hold in the compact SUV class and a strong hybrid line-up. The 2025 Toyota Highlander is a three-row family SUV with a 2.4-litre turbo, a 36 mpg hybrid option and Toyota's reliability record.
Quick verdict
Toyota Highlander scores 51 to Honda CR-V's 42 on our category weighting, making it the stronger overall pick for families who want a dependable three-row SUV. Honda CR-V remains the right call for families who need maximum cargo room in a compact SUV.
VersusAnything Score
Scores are calculated from measurable specifications normalised within the cars category and weighted by the factors above. Text-only rows (such as chipset or operating system) are explained but not scored. How the score works.
Side-by-side overview
2025 Honda CR-V
The 2025 Honda CR-V combines a 1.5-litre turbo with the largest cargo hold in the compact SUV class and a strong hybrid line-up.
Best for families who need maximum cargo room in a compact SUV
2025 Toyota Highlander
The 2025 Toyota Highlander is a three-row family SUV with a 2.4-litre turbo, a 36 mpg hybrid option and Toyota's reliability record.
Best for families who want a dependable three-row SUV
Key differences
- Body style: Honda CR-V Compact SUV vs Toyota Highlander Midsize three-row SUV — a preference, not a scored win
- Base powertrain: Honda CR-V 1.5 L turbo four-cylinder vs Toyota Highlander 2.4 L turbo four-cylinder — a preference, not a scored win
- Range per tank/charge: Honda CR-V About 420 miles (14 gal tank) vs Toyota Highlander About 440 miles (17.9 gal tank) — a preference, not a scored win
- Cargo volume: Honda CR-V 39.3 cu ft (76.5 max) vs Toyota Highlander 16 cu ft (84.3 max) — a preference, not a scored win
- Base MSRP (USD, 2025): Honda CR-V $30,100 vs Toyota Highlander $39,620 — Honda CR-V is better here
Specification comparison table
| Specification | Honda CR-V | Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Body style | Compact SUV | Midsize three-row SUV |
| Seats | 5 | 8 |
| Cargo volume | 39.3 cu ft (76.5 max) | 16 cu ft (84.3 max) |
| Base powertrain | 1.5 L turbo four-cylinder | 2.4 L turbo four-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 190 hp | 265 hp |
| 0-60 mph | 8 s | 7.5 s |
| Combined economy | 30 MPG/MPGe | 25 MPG/MPGe |
| Range per tank/charge | About 420 miles (14 gal tank) | About 440 miles (17.9 gal tank) |
| Warranty | 3 yr/36k basic, 5 yr/60k powertrain | 3 yr/36k basic, 5 yr/60k powertrain |
| Base MSRP (USD, 2025) | $30,100 | $39,620 |
Practicality: Honda CR-V vs Toyota Highlander Score: Honda CR-V 32 · Toyota Highlander 94
For body style, Honda CR-V uses Compact SUV whereas Toyota Highlander goes with Midsize three-row SUV. This is a preference rather than a scored win: body style sets ride height, cargo flexibility and how easy the car is to park. The seats row goes to Toyota Highlander: 8 against 5. Seat count matters for families and ride-share drivers.
Honda CR-V: 39.3 cu ft (76.5 max). Toyota Highlander: 16 cu ft (84.3 max). Neither is scored, but cargo volume decides whether the weekly shop and a pushchair fit.
Performance: Honda CR-V vs Toyota Highlander Score: Honda CR-V 22 · Toyota Highlander 46
For base powertrain, Honda CR-V uses 1.5 L turbo four-cylinder whereas Toyota Highlander goes with 2.4 L turbo four-cylinder. This is a preference rather than a scored win: the powertrain decides running costs and refinement. Toyota Highlander offers 265 hp of horsepower while Honda CR-V stops at 190 hp; the 75 hp gap matters because more horsepower helps with highway merging and towing.
Toyota Highlander is better on 0-60 mph at 7.5 s against 8 s, a 0.5 s difference; lower is better because 0-60 time is the simplest measure of real-world acceleration.
Economy: Honda CR-V vs Toyota Highlander Score: Honda CR-V 56 · Toyota Highlander 41
The combined economy row goes to Honda CR-V: 30 MPG/MPGe against 25 MPG/MPGe. Combined economy drives your yearly fuel or charging bill.
The two differ on range per tank/charge (About 420 miles (14 gal tank) against About 440 miles (17.9 gal tank)), and range decides how often you stop on a road trip.
Value: Honda CR-V vs Toyota Highlander Score: Honda CR-V 65 · Toyota Highlander 24
On warranty the two match exactly (3 yr/36k basic, 5 yr/60k powertrain).
Honda CR-V is better on base MSRP (USD, 2025) at $30,100 against $39,620, a $9,520 difference; lower is better because base MSRP is the fairest starting point; regional pricing and incentives vary.
Pros and cons
Honda CR-V
Pros
- Class-leading cargo space
- Hybrid trims up to 40 mpg
- Comfortable, quiet ride
- Better combined economy (30 MPG/MPGe)
- Better base MSRP (USD, 2025) ($30,100)
Cons
- Weaker horsepower (190 hp)
- Weaker 0-60 mph (8 s)
- Weaker seats (5)
Toyota Highlander
Pros
- Three rows with hybrid option
- Toyota Safety Sense standard
- Strong resale value
- Better combined economy (25 MPG/MPGe)
- Better base MSRP (USD, 2025) ($39,620)
Cons
- Weaker horsepower (265 hp)
- Weaker 0-60 mph (7.5 s)
- Weaker seats (8)
Which one should you buy?
Choose 2025 Honda CR-V for…
Families who need maximum cargo room in a compact SUV. It stands out for class-leading cargo space, hybrid trims up to 40 mpg, comfortable, quiet ride.
Choose 2025 Toyota Highlander for…
Families who want a dependable three-row SUV. It stands out for three rows with hybrid option, toyota safety sense standard, strong resale value.
Final verdict
On the VersusAnything Score, 2025 Toyota Highlander finishes ahead, 51 to 42. It is the better buy for families who want a dependable three-row SUV; for families who need maximum cargo room in a compact SUV, Honda CR-V still makes more sense. The VersusAnything Score is a transparent starting point, not a command; weight the rows you care about and the right answer for you may differ.
Compare with another car
Frequently asked questions
Is Honda CR-V better than Toyota Highlander?
On the VersusAnything Score, Toyota Highlander finishes ahead 51 to 42. That makes Toyota Highlander the better overall pick for families who want a dependable three-row SUV, while Honda CR-V is still the right choice for families who need maximum cargo room in a compact SUV.
What is the biggest difference between Honda CR-V and Toyota Highlander?
The largest gap is body style: Honda CR-V lists Compact SUV while Toyota Highlander lists Midsize three-row SUV. Body style sets ride height, cargo flexibility and how easy the car is to park.
Which is cheaper, Honda CR-V or Toyota Highlander?
Honda CR-V is cheaper on base MSRP (USD, 2025): $30,100 against $39,620 for Toyota Highlander. Street prices vary by country and retailer, so check current offers.
Who should choose Toyota Highlander over Honda CR-V?
Toyota Highlander is the better fit for families who want a dependable three-row SUV. Its strongest points are three rows with hybrid option, toyota safety sense standard, strong resale value.
Sources
- Honda CR-V: Honda official site (manufacturer)
- Honda CR-V: EPA fueleconomy.gov (regulator)
- Toyota Highlander: Toyota official site (manufacturer)
- Toyota Highlander: EPA fueleconomy.gov (regulator)
Specifications last verified: 2026-10-01. Prices are launch or official list prices in US dollars unless stated. See our sources and data policy.