This Scottish Off-Road EV SUV Is Headed for America, Maybe

The rivalry between the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 is as fierce as any other, with both having helped kick off the compact, car-based crossover trend back in the late 1990s. But in recent years the CR-V has held an advantage, besting the RAV4 in comparison tests, our compact crossover rankings—and winning our SUV of the Year trophy (twice!). For 2023, the plot twists as Honda reveals the new sixth-generation CR-V. But the current fifth-generation RAV4, which went on sale in 2019, isn't exactly stale. How do the features and specs of these super-popular small SUVs compare? Read on, and you'll see that the rivalry remains.CR-V vs. RAV4: Exterior DimensionsWonder which will fit in a parking space more easily? The 2023 CR-V and RAV4 are similar in size, with the CR-V being a few inches longer but standing shorter than the RAV4. These dimensions vary based on trim and equipment. Wheelbase Length Width Height 2023 Honda CR-V 106.3 inches 184.8 inches 73.4 inches 66.2-66.6 inches 2023 Toyota RAV4 105.9 inches 180.9-181.5 inches 73.0-73.4 inches 67.0-68.6 inches CR-V vs. RAV4: Passenger and Cargo SpaceIn its new form the CR-V (rather predictably) grows larger inside. In addition to more second-row legroom, cargo space increases and is now identical between the CR-V and CR-V Hybrid; the Hybrid previously gave up some cargo space for its batteries. Its interior measurements are generally larger than those of the RAV4. Legroom (front/rear) Headroom (front/rear) Cargo Space (seats up/down) 2023 Honda CR-V 41.3/41.0 inches 38.0-40.1/39.1 inches 36.3/76.5 cu-ft 2023 Toyota RAV4 41.0/37.8 inches 37.7/39.5 inches 37.6/69.8 cu-ft CR-V vs. RAV4: Engines and Fuel EconomyIn the 2023 CR-V, the standard engine remains a 1.5-liter turbocharged I-4 producing 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque. Those stats match the outgoing model, but Honda says it's updated the engine for better responsiveness and less noise. A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive is standard; all-wheel drive is available. Expect a 0-60 mph time of about 8.0 seconds, and fuel economy of 27/32 mpg city/highway with AWD.The 2023 RAV4's base engine is a 2.5-liter I-4 that makes 203 hp and 184 lb-ft, which is connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission and either FWD or AWD. Although larger and more powerful than the CR-V's engine, it sends the RAV4 to 60 mph in a similar 8.0 seconds and achieves 25/32 mpg with AWD.CR-V vs. RAV4: Hybrid ChoicesBoth the CR-V and RAV4 are available as hybrids. The 2023 CR-V Hybrid, like the previous version, utilizes a setup based around a 2.0-liter I-4 supplemented by two electric motors. The combined result is 204 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque, all sent to the front wheels or all four with available AWD. Expect a 0-60 mph time of 7.5 seconds, and fuel economy to rate at about 40/35 mpg (city/highway).The 2023 RAV4 Hybrid likewise uses an I-4 engine and two electric motors, but in a different configuration. It has a larger 2.5-liter four-cylinder, to which one electric motor is joined. The other motor turns the rear wheels, giving the RAV4 Hybrid AWD without a mechanical connection between the front and rear axles. Our test team recorded a 7.1-second 0-60 mph time from a RAV4 Hybrid. Its fuel economy is EPA-rated at 41/38 mpg (city/highway).Furthermore, the RAV4 is available as a plug-in hybrid. That model, the RAV4 Prime, has a larger battery which pushes total power to 302 hp—dropping the 0-60 mph time to a zippy 5.5 seconds. More relevant is its 42 miles of all-electric range. In hybrid driving, it achieves 94 mpg-e combined. No CR-V plug-in hybrid exists—at least, not yet.CR-V vs. RAV4: Safety FeaturesThe CR-V's Honda Sensing and RAV4's Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) safety suites give each SUV a remarkable amount of driver-assist and active-safety tech. Each is equipped with adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. On the 2023 CR-V, sensors for these systems are said to be improved for more natural responses. Meanwhile, for 2023 the RAV4's automatic braking system was upgraded to avoid collisions when turning across an intersection. Every 2023 CR-V has hill descent control and a snow driving mode, which are found only on certain RAV4 trims.Although the 2023 CR-V has not yet been crash tested, Honda likely won't let it lose the IIHS Top Safety Pick + and and NHTSA five-star scores the previous model achieved for many consecutive years, especially considering the SUV now comes with improved front and additional side airbags. In its most recent round of crash testing, the RAV4 achieved IIHS Top Safety Pick designation and a NHTSA five-star overall score.CR-V vs. RAV4: In-Car TechnologyFor 2023 the RAV4 was updated to have an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen as standard, or a 10.5-inch unit on higher-end models, both running Toyota's latest software that debuted in the Tundra pickup. Meanwhile the 2023 CR-V's basic touchscreen measures 7.0 inches, and grows to 9.0 inches on higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are a common feature between them, but only the RAV4 has dual-device Bluetooth connectivity. Both have a 7.0-inch gauge cluster display, but the RAV4 offers a 12.3-inch all-digital gauge cluster.The 2023 CR-V has two USB ports as standard while the RAV4 has three. Depending on trim, two more USB charge points are added in the second row, as well as a front-row wireless charger. Both SUVs are offered with a premium sound system: An 11-speaker JBL setup in the RAV4, and a 12-speaker Bose arrangement in the CR-V.CR-V vs. RAV4: Prices and Trim LevelsPricing for the 2023 CR-V has not been announced, but you can expect its base price to go up slightly (if it's anything like the new Civic launched last year, that bump might be minimal). That's partially due to the fact that the previous entry-level LX trim has been discontinued, leaving EX as the CR-V's starting trim. Expect the 2023 CR-V to start at a few bucks under $30,000, while the Hybrid model will likely go for approximately $3,000 more. The range-topping CR-V Hybrid Sport Touring could command about $38,000.Thanks to the low-frills LE trim which costs about $28,000, the RAV4's starting price will likely be less than that of the CR-V. Similarly, the RAV4 Hybrid starts in LE trim, at just under $31,000. At the high end of the range, the RAV4 Prime XSE costs nearly $45,000.So, New CR-V or RAV4?On paper, the RAV4 has certain advantages over the CR-V: More power, larger screens, additional powertrain choices, and a diverse range of trims. However, in its prior iteration the CR-V earned our praise with its good driving manners, which the RAV4 hasn't always been able to muster. Will the new 2023 CR-V remain so enjoyable that it makes up for any potential shortcomings compared to the RAV4? We'll find out soon when we drive it, and as the CR-V lineup surely expands in the years ahead.

ford f-150 Full OverviewIn announcing our MotorTrend 2022 Truck of the Year, we observed that today's trucks are far more than workhorses. They're also commuter cars, family haulers, weekend toys, and luxury vehicles. It's a trend at least 20 years in the making, but one that doesn't make everyone happy. Indeed, some of you wrote to us and expressed your displeasure with this mission drift and argued for trucks to be treated like trucks again. That's easier said than done, as it turns out. Take, for example, this 2021 Ford F-150 XLT Supercrew 4X4 we just tested.This isn't a blinged-out luxury truck; it's an XLT with cloth seats, a column shifter, basic four-wheel drive, a bedliner, and a max-towing package. One step above the base model, this should be a work truck, yet it's priced at $59,520 as tested. How the heck did that happen?What's an XLT, Anyway?A 2022 Ford F-150 XLT trim starts at a more reasonable $39,825 (banish the thought of a full-size truck starting for less than $30,000; those days are gone), but that only gets you a single cab, the base engine, and rear-wheel drive. Single cabs are old school, and every truck maker in the industry will tell you full four-door cabs like this F-150 Supercrew are bestsellers. That's an extra $5,260 right there.Four-wheel drive is a $3,425 upgrade, and getting a stouter engine adds at least $1,195. If you want to tow and haul heavy things on the job site or at the farm, you need power. This 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6 has plenty of both, but it costs $2,595. After destination and acquisition fees, you're already nearing $50,000 without any other options.The rest of the asking price is made up of both the necessary and the nice to have. The max-trailer-towing package is $1,995, and the spray-in bedliner is another $595. Pro Power Onboard 2.0 kW, handy on the jobsite and in the field, is $995. Now we're at $54,000 for a work truck. The other $8,000 covers stuff you don't need for work but is nice to have, like the big infotainment system, optional wheels, etc.TowingYep, modern work trucks are expensive. The good news is you still get a lot of work for your money. We hitched this Ford F-150 XLT up to a high-profile two-horse trailer and found it to be the comfortable, stable towing platform we've come to expect from Ford. After returning the livestock, we filled the bed with a yard of hot, fresh mulch for the garden. Here again, the torquey twin-turbo V-6 made light work of the added weight, and the sizable payload and tongue-weight ratings meant the truck barely squatted.A Pleasant RideMore impressive, though, is how well the Ford F-150 XLT rides, either empty or loaded. With leaf springs capable of holding up 2,100 pounds of payload, you'd reasonably expect a stiff ride, but Ford's engineers worked wonders. The F-150 is as pleasant and comfortable to drive while doing work as it is cruising into town for groceries.Track TestingIt'll get you down to the market quick, too. Unburdened, the 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 hustled this 5,345-pound truck up to 60 mph in just 5.3 seconds and past the quarter-mile mark in 13.9 seconds at 99.9 mph.Power is not a problem, and neither is stopping. The Ford F-150 XLT was consistent in our braking tests from 60 mph, achieving a best result of 126 feet, about average for a full-size pickup. Even better, the stops were drama-free, with little nosedive or wiggling around.Handling tests were similarly uneventful. We discovered excellent composure for a pickup truck, with well-controlled body motions, good brakes, and strong traction. The 0.76-average lateral g it pulled on the skidpad and its 28.0-second figure-eight lap at 0.62-average g are on the right end of the full-size-truck class—and undersell how well the 2021 Ford F-150 XLT takes a corner without any weight loaded into it.SafetyOpt for Ford's $750 Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 suite of driver aids and included among all the safety stuff are adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assistance, which helps steer the vehicle and keep it in the center of the lane. Ford's system, which takes some load off your mind on long highway slogs, is one of the better hands-on systems on the market.Wrapping UpThe rest of the driving experience isn't bad, either. The cloth seats are plenty comfortable and feature a pleasing contrasting color scheme. The column shifter frees up a ton of center-console bin space and allows you to use the flip-out tray table while the truck is moving. The rear seat could use a bit more thigh support and recline, if we're being picky, but we like how much space it frees up when you fold it out of the way.As mentioned earlier, our truck was fitted with the big infotainment screen, and it's good to see how far Ford's Sync system has come. This latest incarnation is more user friendly and intuitive, sports modern graphics, and has a handy split-screen mode that lets you use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto simultaneously with other built-in programs like the radio without having to change screens.Simple fact is, unless you're a fleet manager buying dozens of trucks from a commercial dealer, even work trucks are pricey these days. Yes, the convenience and dress-up options can run up the bill, but even the stuff you need to get the job done will dent your budget hard. The good news is, these trucks drive, tow, and haul better than any time in history.Looks good! More details? 2021 Ford F-150 XLT 4x4 Specifications BASE PRICE $45,850 PRICE AS TESTED $59,520 VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine, 4WD, 5-pass, 4-door truck ENGINE 3.5L Twin-turbo port- and direct-injected DOHC 24-valve 60-degree V-6 POWER (SAE NET) 400 hp @ 6,000 rpm TORQUE (SAE NET) 500 lb-ft @ 3,100 rpm TRANSMISSION 10-speed automatic CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 5,345 lb (58/42%) WHEELBASE 145.1 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 231.7 x 79.9 x 77.2 in 0-60 MPH 5.3 sec QUARTER MILE 13.9 sec @ 99.9 mph BRAKING, 60-0 MPH 126 ft LATERAL ACCELERATION 0.76 g (avg) MT FIGURE EIGHT 28.0 sec @ 0.62 g (avg) EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON 18/23/20 mpg EPA RANGE, COMB 720 mi ON SALE Now Show All

honda hr-v Full OverviewWe rather liked the old Honda Fit-based HR-V, even if it was pretty poky. More power, a bit more space in the back, and a richer-feeling interior were all the little SUV really needed. On paper, the all-new Civic-based 2023 Honda HR-V resolves all those issues. But do the improvements elevate the experience overall?Step InsideAs much as there is to like about the new HR-V small SUV, most folks will appreciate the interior upgrade most of all. Basically an adaptation of the wonderful Civic interior, it looks far more upscale than before and brings a great deal more functionality. The hidden vents in the decorative honeycomb trim are classy, the infotainment system is massively improved, and the center console's been rearranged for far greater functionality.We really want to drill down on the center console and armrest, because it was one of the least-liked aspects of the old model. Honda moved the cupholders from under your elbow to forward of the shifter, making them easier to reach and increasing the real estate for elbows. The passthrough shelf that was by your knees has been moved behind the shifter by your thighs, where it's easier to reach. The USB ports, which were a massive pain to access, have been relocated to much more ergonomic positions. Pity there still isn't a single USB port in the rear seat, and even the 12-volt outlet is gone.We're equally disappointed to report the folks in the back still don't get air vents, either, but they're not totally left out of the cabin updates. Legroom was never a problem, but the new platform and body opened up more hip-, shoulder-, and headroom in the back row, so it's a more comfortable space to be. And although the trick-folding "Magic Seats" are gone, Honda makes up for the deletion with a larger cargo area behind the second row.Go for a DriveHonda's decision to switch to the new global platform pioneered by the latest Civic sedan and hatchback was a smart move. We like the Civic an awful lot, and the HR-V compact SUV benefits mightily from the association. One turn of the wheel, and you immediately appreciate how good the chassis is. The HR-V rides nicer than most cars at this price point and handles better than most of them, too. The excellent body control resists pitch and dive and lean, and it handles bumps quickly and neatly, even when the suspension is already loaded up in a corner. Few people go looking at inexpensive compact SUVs for good driving dynamics, but the HR-V delivers anyway and is genuinely pleasant to drive.Life in the Slow LaneFor as much as Honda got right on the new HR-V, the engine choice is all wrong. This 2.0-liter four-cylinder is a little more powerful on paper, but it's pulling a larger, heavier vehicle. It should be no surprise, then, that the acceleration is abysmal. An unscientific stopwatch test showed we needed more than 11 agonizing seconds to reach 60 mph from a stop; if that result holds when we get to strap in our official timing equipment, the new HR-V would be at least 1.5 seconds slower than the old—and already slow—HR-V. Getting to 60 requires the CVT to run the engine up to nearly redline and stay there, which is a noisy place to be. People who live at altitude will spend a lot of time with their foot on the floor and the engine screaming like a giant blender.The only good news here is that you don't really notice the dearth of power as much when you're moving. Our same unofficial stopwatch said the new HR-V is about as quick to execute a 45-65-mph passing maneuver as the old one, so the difference is in the launch. Getting around town and driving on the highway, the CVT reacts very quickly when you ask for more speed. Some people like to bag on CVTs, but this one is a hero. It gets every last bit of performance out of this underperforming engine.It's worth noting we were only able to drive loaded HR-Vs with all-wheel drive. A base front-drive model will accelerate differently, although it's impossible to say if it'll be quicker or slower until we test one, as it will depend on how much the all-wheel-drive system contributes to the initial launch from a stop.More Fuel to the FireBeing a bigger and heavier vehicle (by 100 to 300 pounds) with a larger engine means the HR-V's fuel economy wasn't going to go up, but it didn't go down an awful lot on the EPA test, either, losing 2 mpg pretty much across the board. In the real world, though, you'll be lucky to hit the official 26/32/28 mpg ratings given the heavy pedal required to keep pace with traffic from a stop.For its part, Honda says it knowingly sacrificed a bit of fuel economy for more power and space, but given the performance we'll call it a bad deal. The company refuses to say if there will be another engine option in the future, but we're hoping like hell for the Civic's 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder or a hybrid powertrain.The Road Less TraveledAs this is ostensibly an SUV and it does have all-wheel drive, we felt compelled to test whether it can actually leave the pavement, and the result was a surprising yes. None of the HR-V's off-road stats are impressive, but take it somewhere its ground clearance can handle, and the all-wheel-drive system will get you back. Honda has reprogrammed the setup to send more power to the rear wheels sooner, and combined with solid traction control programming, we couldn't get the new HR-V stuck on miles of muddy forest service roads. Sure, we scraped the bottom splashing in and out of some of the biggest mud puddles, but the SUV never struggled for grip in the slippery stuff.The Tech StuffThe AWD system isn't the only piece of technology Honda upgraded. Now, all versions of the HR-V get the Honda Sensing package of active and passive safety technologies as standard equipment. In addition to collision avoidance features, you also get fancy convenience items such as adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assistance that does a very good job of keeping the car in the center of the lane.Inside, there's now a half-digital instrument cluster that can be configured to show nearly a dozen different information screens. The other screen—the main infotainment display—has attendant knobs for volume and tuning, and they're connected to a much-improved onscreen experience. It isn't the best user interface on the market, but take some time to learn the system, and you'll find an appreciable level of customizability.Let's Talk MoneyAll the extra stuff you get in this new model ain't free. The base price has gone up, and with fuel economy going down, running costs will also increase a little (about $200 per year, according to the EPA). That's a bit of a bummer, but the silver lining is you' get a much nicer vehicle than before. It drives better, it has more space, it has a better interior, and it has a lot more tech. Inflation being what it is right now, it's hard to get excited about an affordable car getting more expensive, but the 2023 HR-V delivers more than enough value to make up for the price increase.Looks good! More details?2023 Honda HR-V Specifications BASE PRICE $24,895-$30,195 LAYOUT Front-engine, FWD/AWD, 5-pass, 4-door SUV ENGINE 2.0L/158-hp/138-lb-ft DOHC 16-valve I-4 TRANSMISSION CVT CURB WEIGHT 3,150-3,350 lbs WHEELBASE 104.5 in L x W x H 179.8 x 72.4 x 63.4-63.8 in 0-60 MPH 11.5 sec (MT est) EPA FUEL ECON 25-26/30-32/27-28 mpg EPA RANGE, COMB N/A ON SALE Now Show All