When it comes to identifying the best vehicles in the compact SUV segment, the names Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 surface every time. Which one is the best? Opinions vary from user to user, but when you look at what a Honda CR-V can do, you realize that it has a few tricks up its sleeve when compared to its long-time rival.

Here are three of them.

Cargo volume

The Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 are the SUVs that offer the most interesting interior layout. They don't lead their class for nothing. However, when it comes to space, the advantage goes to the CR-V, which is more spacious in every way. This is true when you measure the volume available behind the second-row seats (1,110 liters versus 1,064), but also behind the first row (2,146 liters versus 1,976), once you've taken the time to put the second-row seats down.

This difference is significant and can make all the difference when you hit the road on vacation.

Fuel economy

As for fuel economy, both the CR-V and the RAV4 offer base engines with interesting ratings. The advantage is slim, but once again it goes to the CR-V. On average, we're talking about 7.7 L/100 km for the front-wheel drive version; it's 7.9 L/100 km with the RAV4. And when you opt for a four-wheel drive variant, Honda offers an average of 8.1 liters, while Toyota's is 8.4 liters. It's possible to do a little better with the RAV4, but you must opt for a model with start/stop technology. The extra cost of accessing this technology makes it not worth the effort.

The ride

Finally, while both models deliver an excellent level of comfort, composure, handling, and sportiness are the CR-V's domain. If you push the machine a bit, Honda's representative will keep up. Subjecting the RAV4 to the same treatment reveals its weaknesses, as it still shows a little too much roll in corners, the result of a suspension that is a little too soft.

Let's face it, the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4 are two interesting vehicles. However, on a day-to-day basis, the first one offers a little more.