Compare the2024 Lexus RXVS 2024 Honda CR-V

With its standard Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, the Lexus RX is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Honda CR-V, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	RX	CR-V
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	-10 MPH
25 MPH	AVOIDED	-18 MPH
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	No Slowing
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-17 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	No Slowing
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-33 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	2.5 sec	2.4 sec
37 MPH Low beams	-32 MPH	No Slowing
Warning Issued-Low beams	1.5 sec	No Warning

The RX 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 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.

The RX Premium/Luxury/500h F Sport offers an optional Panoramic View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The CR-V 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.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the RX has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert to warn the driver of approaching traffic and automatically engage the brakes to help avoid a collision. Honda charges extra for Cross Traffic Monitor on the CR-V and its not available on the LX and the CR-V’s Cross Traffic Monitor does not include automatic braking.

Both the RX and the CR-V have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

The RX comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The CR-V’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the RX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Honda covers the CR-V. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the CR-V ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The RX’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the CR-V’s (6 vs. 5 years).

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the RX has a standard 603-amp battery. The CR-V’s 410-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 19 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Honda is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus first in overall reliability. Honda is ranked fifth.

The RX has more powerful engines than the CR-V:

	Horsepower	Torque
RX 350h 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid	246 HP	233 lbs.-ft.
RX 350 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder	275 HP	317 lbs.-ft.
RX 450h+ 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid	304 HP
RX 500h F Sport Performance 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	366 HP	406 lbs.-ft.
CR-V 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder	190 HP	179 lbs.-ft.
CR-V Hybrid 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid	204 HP	247 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Motor Trend the RX 350h 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Honda CR-V:

	RX	CR-V turbo 4 cyl.	CR-V Hybrid
Zero to 60 MPH	7.4 sec	8.7 sec	7.6 sec
Quarter Mile	15.7 sec	16.7 sec	16.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	89.2 MPH	86.4 MPH	81.5 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the RX 350h running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the CR-V 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder AWD (37 city/34 hwy vs. 27 city/32 hwy).

The RX 450h+ can travel with zero emissions for 37 miles. The CR-V can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

The RX 350’s standard fuel tank has 3.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the CR-V (17.8 vs. 14 gallons).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lexus RX higher (7 out of 10) than the Honda CR-V (6 to 7). This means the RX produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CR-V every 15,000 miles.

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

	RX	RX F Sport	CR-V
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	15.7 inches	12.3 inches
Rear Rotors	13.4 inches	13.4 inches	12.2 inches

The RX’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 are solid, not vented.

The RX stops shorter than the CR-V:

	RX	CR-V
60 to 0 MPH	128 feet	130 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	145 feet	147 feet	Consumer Reports

The RX’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 CR-V LX’s standard 65 series tires. The RX’s optional tires have a lower 50 series profile than the CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the CR-V LX. The RX’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid.

The RX F Sport’s has front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The CR-V’s suspension doesn’t offer front gas-charged shocks.

The RX offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The CR-V’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the RX’s wheelbase is 5.9 inches longer than on the CR-V (112.2 inches vs. 106.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the RX is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 2.5 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the CR-V.

The RX 450h+ handles at .83 G’s, while the CR-V EX-L AWD pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The RX 450h+ executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.5 seconds quicker than the CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid (26.8 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 29.3 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the RX 500h F Sport Performance’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the CR-V’s (35.4 feet vs. 37.3 feet).

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the RX 450h+ is quieter than the CR-V EX-L AWD (72 vs. 74 dB).

The RX has 1.1 inches more front hip room, .2 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom, 3.4 inches more rear hip room and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the CR-V.

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

	RX	CR-V
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	40”/76.2”	36.6”/74.7”
Max Width	55.5”	58”
Min Width	42”	41.5”
Height	30”	36.5”

Pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the RX’s optional rear seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The CR-V doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Maximum trailer towing in the Honda CR-V is limited to 1500 pounds. The RX offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the RX uses the 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 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Honda. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 62% lower rating, Honda is ranked 25th.

The RX’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The CR-V has neither an oil pressure gauge nor a temperature gauge.

The RX offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed 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 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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

The RX’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’s standard rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the RX the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Lexus service department.) The driver of the CR-V can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The RX’s standard Smart Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Pushbutton Start standard on the CR-V only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

The RX’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The CR-V’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The RX Luxury/500h F Sport offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The CR-V doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the RX Luxury/500h F Sport offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The CR-V doesn’t offer cornering lights. The RX Luxury/500h F Sport also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The RX’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Honda only offers heated mirrors on the CR-V EX/Sport.

When the RX 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’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The RX’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The CR-V offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The RX has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats are only available on the CR-V EX/Sport/Touring. The RX also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the CR-V.

The RX Premium/Luxury/F Sport has standard front air conditioned seats and the RX offers them optionally in the rear. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The CR-V doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The RX has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the CR-V EX/Sport.

The RX Hybrid offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The CR-V doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The RX Premium+/Luxury/F Sport’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote Advanced Park will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The CR-V doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Lexus RX and the Honda CR-V, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the RX first among midsize premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The CR-V isn’t in the top three.