If you are shopping for a used compact SUV in British Columbia, the shortlist usually narrows to the same two names: Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Both seat five, both offer all-wheel drive, both hold their value well in the Lower Mainland, and both appear constantly in searches for a used Honda CR-V vs Toyota RAV4 in BC comparison. The honest answer is that neither is the wrong choice — but they suit different drivers, and the differences that matter are not always the ones in the ads. This guide compares them the way a BC buyer actually uses them: engines and gearboxes, space, fuel, winter readiness, and what to check on a used example before you pay.
CR-V vs RAV4 at a glance: the 2019 model year
Comparing the same model year removes most of the noise. For 2019, the picture looks like this:
- Engine: CR-V — 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, 190 horsepower. RAV4 — 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder, 203 horsepower.
- Transmission: CR-V — continuously variable transmission (CVT). RAV4 — eight-speed conventional automatic.
- Cargo behind the rear seats: CR-V — about 1,065 litres in the Touring trim (1,110 litres in other trims), opening to 2,146 litres with the seats folded. RAV4 — about 1,064 litres behind the rear seats.
- Fuel use (AWD): the 2019 CR-V AWD is rated at 8.0 L/100 km combined (8.7 city, 7.2 highway) under the Government of Canada 5-cycle method. RAV4 ratings vary by trim and drive configuration, so compare the rating for the exact vehicle you are looking at — and treat every rating as a comparison tool, not a promise for Highway 1 in January.
- Towing: the 2019 CR-V is rated to tow 680 kg. RAV4 towing varies significantly by trim, so check the owner’s manual for the specific vehicle rather than relying on a headline number.
In other words: on paper the two are remarkably close on space, and the real split is in how they deliver power — turbo and CVT on one side, a larger non-turbo engine and a stepped automatic on the other.
Engines and driving feel: turbo CVT vs naturally aspirated automatic
The CR-V’s 1.5-litre turbo makes its torque low in the rev range, which suits stop-and-go commuting through Langley and Surrey and merging onto Highway 1. The CVT keeps revs steady under acceleration, which some drivers love for smoothness and others find less engaging. Earlier CR-Vs tell a simpler story: models like the 2014 and 2015 use a 2.4-litre four-cylinder — the 2015 makes 185 horsepower and pairs that engine with a CVT — so “CR-V” on a used listing can mean two quite different powertrains depending on the year.
The RAV4 has stuck with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder through the generations BC buyers see most often, and the 2019 redesign paired it with an eight-speed automatic that shifts in distinct steps. Drivers who prefer a conventional automatic feel, or who are wary of CVT service history on an older vehicle, often lean RAV4 for that reason alone. Neither preference is wrong — but it is exactly why you should test drive both back to back, in the same conditions, before deciding. Our used car inspection checklist for BC includes the test-drive checks that reveal gearbox behaviour a spec sheet never will.
Space and family use
Behind the rear seats, the 2019 pair are effectively tied at roughly 1,065 litres — a stroller, a hockey bag and a weekly grocery run fit either one. The CR-V has built its reputation on packaging: a low, flat load floor and rear seats that fold easily make the most of its space, and with the seats down its 2,146 litres is genuinely useful for an IKEA run or a move. The RAV4 counters with a slightly more upright, squared-off cargo area that suits boxy loads. For child seats, rear legroom and day-to-day school-run use, there is no meaningful loser here; bring your own child seat or cargo to the test drive and load both vehicles the way you will actually use them.
Winter readiness in BC: AWD is not the whole answer
Both models offer all-wheel drive — Honda calls its system Real Time AWD on the CR-V — and AWD versions of either are the right starting point for BC winter driving. But AWD helps you get moving; it does not help you stop, and it does not change the law. British Columbia requires winter tires or chains on most designated highways from October 1 to April 30 (March 31 on some routes that do not cross mountain passes), and a legal winter tire carries the M+S or three-peak mountain and snowflake marking with at least 3.5 mm of tread. The Province publishes the designated routes on its winter tire and chain-up routes page — check it before any trip over the Coquihalla or the Sea-to-Sky. One caution on used listings: not every CR-V or RAV4 is all-wheel drive. Front-wheel-drive versions exist in both lineups, so confirm the drivetrain on the exact vehicle — it is printed in the listing specifications, and it changes both winter confidence and price. Our guide to the best used AWD SUVs for winter driving in BC works through the tire and inspection checks in more depth.
What to check on a used CR-V or RAV4
Because both models hold value, the used market rewards careful checking more than brand loyalty:
- Service history, especially gearbox fluid: a CVT-equipped CR-V and an eight-speed RAV4 both depend on correct fluid service. Ask for records, not assurances.
- Drivetrain confirmation: verify AWD versus front-wheel drive on the vehicle itself, and on an AWD model, listen for noises on full-lock turns during the test drive.
- Tires: mismatched brands, uneven wear or tread near the 3.5 mm winter minimum are immediate costs to price in.
- Title status and declarations: in BC a licensed dealer must declare damage repairs over $2,000, prior rental, lease, taxi or police use, out-of-province registration and odometer accuracy in writing. If a vehicle is rebuilt, that status should be disclosed up front — our guide to buying a rebuilt title vehicle in BC explains how to weigh it.
- Rust and underbody condition: vehicles that have spent winters on salted Interior highways deserve a close look underneath, whichever badge they wear.
What the choice looks like in Langley right now
Live examples make the comparison concrete. At WG Motors today you can test drive a 2019 Honda CR-V Touring, clean title, at $28,249 with 57,900 km — the 1.5-litre turbo and CVT described above, in top trim. At the value end, a 2014 Honda CR-V EX, clean title, at $15,990 with 178,500 km shows what the earlier 2.4-litre generation offers, and a 2015 Honda CR-V LX at $14,995 with 109,500 km is a front-wheel-drive, rebuilt-title example — disclosed as such on its listing, and a good reminder to check both drivetrain and title on any listing, ours included. Our most recent RAV4 has already sold, which is typical: clean RAV4s move quickly in BC, so if your heart is set on one, check the current used inventory in Langley regularly rather than waiting for a perfect listing to sit. Budget buyers should also read our guide to used cars under $15,000 in BC for how to price in tax, the $499 documentation fee and a maintenance reserve.
So which one should you buy?
Choose the CR-V if you value the lowest fuel use in the pair, a flat, flexible cargo floor, and low-speed turbo torque for commuting — and if the specific example has a documented CVT service history. Choose the RAV4 if you prefer a conventional automatic, a naturally aspirated engine, and the slightly boxier cargo area — and accept that the cleanest examples sell fast and rarely discount deeply. In both cases, the individual vehicle beats the badge: kilometres, service records, tire condition, title status and a proper inspection matter more than the logo on the tailgate. If you are financing, our financing page explains the process with no promised rates — approval rests with the lender, and WG Motors has no subprime or bankruptcy lender. A trade-in can reduce the taxable amount on your purchase; you can start that on our sell or trade-in page.
The bottom line
A used Honda CR-V vs Toyota RAV4 decision in BC comes down to powertrain feel, the exact vehicle’s condition and history, and whether it is genuinely all-wheel drive on proper winter tires — not to a spec-sheet winner. WG Motors Ltd. is a licensed Langley dealer (Dealer #50238) at 19677 Willowbrook Dr., Langley, BC, open Monday to Saturday, 11 AM to 6 PM. Browse the current inventory, then contact our team to test drive a CR-V — or to ask us to watch for the next clean RAV4. Drive With Confidence.