41 to 42 MPG combined with AWD
RAV4 LE and SE AWD are EPA-rated 45 / 39 / 42; XLE Premium AWD is 45 / 38 / 41. The CR-V Hybrid AWD is 40 / 34 / 37. Over a year of driving that gap is real money.
Chicago Winter Buying Guide
2026 Toyota RAV4 vs. Honda CR-V:
2026 Toyota RAV4 vs. Honda CR-V:
Which Is Better for Chicago Winters?
Both of these compact SUVs will get you through a Chicago February. They do it differently, and each one gives up something real to the other. This guide lays out the published numbers for both, names the places where the Honda CR-V is the better winter tool, and tells you honestly what happens to a hybrid's fuel economy when it is 18 degrees outside.
- Every figure sourced to Toyota, Honda, EPA, NWS, IIHS, NHTSA or the US Department of Energy
- A full section on where the CR-V beats the RAV4, not buried at the bottom
- Drive-mode availability cross-checked against current manufacturer documents
Specifications, EPA estimates and pricing reflect manufacturer information published as of 08/17/2026 and are subject to change. Prices shown are TSRP for the Toyota RAV4 and MSRP for the Honda CR-V, include destination, and exclude taxes, title, license, dealer fees and options. EPA estimates are for comparison only; your actual mileage will vary. This page is editorial content and is not an offer of sale.
The short answer, and the rating fact you need first
One paragraph of verdict, then the single most important piece of context on this page.
If your winter problem is cost per mile, range between fill-ups and a long-horizon warranty, the 2026 RAV4 is the stronger buy: it returns 41 to 42 MPG combined with all-wheel drive against the CR-V Hybrid AWD's 37, tows 3,500 pounds against 1,000, and carries a 10-year, 150,000-mile hybrid battery warranty in Illinois against Honda's 8-year, 100,000-mile term. If your winter problem is a steep garage ramp and you do not want another monthly subscription, the CR-V documents Hill Descent Control on every trim and key-fob remote start that costs nothing after you buy it. Toyota's 2026 brochure lists Snow and Trail modes for the RAV4 hybrid powertrain, so Snow mode is not a Honda-only advantage.
That is the honest summary. Now the part most dealer comparison pages skip.
Crash ratings: what is published, and what is not
The 2026 Honda CR-V received a Poor rating in the IIHS updated moderate overlap front test. The Institute's assessment of rear passenger restraints and dummy kinematics is Poor and rear chest injury measures are Marginal, and that result applies to the 2023 through 2026 model years. The CR-V rates Good in the small overlap front, side and headlight evaluations.
In the same breath: the sixth-generation 2026 Toyota RAV4 does not yet have a published IIHS vehicle rating. That is not a better score. It is the absence of a score. NHTSA's public 2026 testing-selection page does not establish an overall star rating for either vehicle, so this guide does not assign one. If independent crash-test results are decisive for you, read the CR-V's published IIHS results in full and recheck both IIHS and NHTSA before purchasing.
Where the Honda CR-V genuinely wins
Six advantages that are real, published and relevant to driving here from November through March.
The CR-V beats the RAV4 on documented Hill Descent Control, subscription-free remote start, entry price, maximum cargo volume with the seats down, the price of admission to a heated steering wheel, and the availability of a non-hybrid model. Those are not consolation prizes. Several are things a Chicago driver can use every cold morning.
Hill Descent Control on every trim
Honda documents Hill Descent Control across the 2026 CR-V range. Toyota documents no downhill assist on any 2026 RAV4 grade. On an icy garage ramp, that is a difference you can feel.
Remote start with no subscription
Honda's is a key-fob function, standard on EX and above and across the hybrids, with nothing to renew. Toyota's runs through Remote Connect on a one-year trial, after which Toyota states enrollment in a paid subscription is required.
Lower price of entry
A CR-V LX 2WD starts at $32,315 with destination against $33,350 for a RAV4 LE Hybrid FWD. A $1,035 gap at the bottom of each range.
More published maximum cargo volume
Honda publishes 36.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 71.8 folded for the CR-V Hybrid. Toyota publishes 37.8 behind the seats, 36.6 on Limited, and no seats-folded figure at all.
A cheaper route to a heated steering wheel
The heated wheel arrives on the CR-V TrailSport Hybrid at $40,195 with destination. The cheapest RAV4 with one is the Woodland at $41,350. In January this is not a luxury item.
A non-hybrid version still exists
Honda still sells gasoline-only CR-V LX, EX and EX-L trims. Toyota no longer offers a gas-only RAV4. If you do not want a hybrid, Toyota has removed that choice and Honda has not.
What the Toyota subscription actually costs over eight winters
Toyota states that Remote Connect includes a one-year trial and that after the trial "enrollment in a paid subscription is required," and that Toyota Connected Services plans "start at $15/month." Run that out on a car you intend to keep: seven winters past the trial, paid monthly at the entry rate, is roughly $1,260. Honda's key-fob remote start is $0 for the life of the vehicle.
Whether that matters depends on where you park. If you use a heated garage in River North, you may never touch remote start. If you scrape a windshield on a Bucktown side street five mornings a week from December to March, the difference between free and $15 a month belongs on your comparison sheet.
Where the 2026 RAV4 wins
Six advantages, all of them from published manufacturer or EPA figures.
The RAV4's case is built on running cost, capability and warranty length rather than on winter gadgets. Its all-wheel-drive hybrid returns 4 to 5 MPG more combined than the CR-V Hybrid AWD, it tows three and a half times as much, its hybrid battery is warranted for two more years and 50,000 more miles in Illinois, it offers a plug-in version with 52 miles of electric range, and it sits slightly higher off the ground.
3,500 lb tow rating
Toyota rates the RAV4 Hybrid at 3,500 pounds and Honda rates the CR-V Hybrid at 1,000. If a small boat or a utility trailer is in your life, this ends the comparison on its own.
10 years / 150,000 miles on the battery
Toyota's hybrid battery warranty is 10 years or 150,000 miles, transferable. Honda's federal term is 8 years or 100,000. Honda's longer 10-year term applies in CARB states, and Illinois is not one, so the applicable comparison here is 10/150 against 8/100.
A plug-in option with 52 miles of EV range
RAV4 SE and XSE Plug-in Hybrid are rated at 52 miles of EV range, Woodland 49, GR SPORT 48. Honda offers no plug-in CR-V. For a Loop commute that is most of a workweek without gasoline.
Slightly more ground clearance
Toyota lists 8.1 inches on LE, XLE Premium, SE and XSE, 8.5 on Woodland, and 7.5 on the GR SPORT. Honda lists 7.8 on front-drive CR-Vs and 8.2 on all-wheel drive. A small edge, and the difference between clearing a plow ridge and scraping it.
More system output
RAV4 Hybrid AWD produces 236 horsepower, front-drive 226, Plug-in Hybrid 324. The CR-V Hybrid produces 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft. You notice it merging onto the Kennedy from a short ramp in slush.
How each all-wheel-drive system behaves in snow
What the two manufacturers actually say, quoted rather than paraphrased.
Both vehicles use an on-demand all-wheel-drive system rather than a locked full-time setup, but they get torque to the rear axle in fundamentally different ways: the RAV4 uses a dedicated rear electric motor with no driveshaft, and the CR-V mechanically sends engine torque rearward. Toyota's system is described as acting before slip as well as after it. Toyota does not publish a front-to-rear torque split, so nobody should quote you one.
Toyota: Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive
The official name on 2026 RAV4 materials is Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive. There is no propeller shaft to the back axle. Instead a dedicated rear electric motor, which Toyota labels MGR, drives the rear wheels on its own. Toyota does not use the older "AWD-i" name in its 2026 United States materials, so if you see it in a listing, it is being carried over from an earlier generation.
Toyota describes two behaviors that matter on a Chicago morning. The first is anticipatory: the system works by "preemptively distributing driving force to the rear wheels to help suppress front wheel slip during off-the-line starts." That is the pull away from a glazed intersection, the moment a front-drive crossover scrabbles. The second is reactive: it "engages the rear motor in response to slippage at the front wheels and enhances cornering agility by helping to reduce understeer," through "precise electronic control of the front-rear torque distribution."
Honda: Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control System
Honda's is a mechanical all-wheel drive that sends engine torque rearward when the fronts start to lose grip. Honda has published a figure of up to 50 percent of engine torque to the rear wheels, but that number comes from a 2023 CR-V press kit rather than the 2026 release, so treat it as generation-level information. For 2026 Honda also documents enhanced traction management below 9 mph on all-wheel-drive CR-Vs, aimed at getting a stuck vehicle moving.
The part both marketing departments underplay
All-wheel drive helps you accelerate. It does very little for stopping and cornering on ice, which is where most winter incidents in the city actually happen. A set of dedicated winter tires on either of these vehicles will do more for your safety margin than choosing one all-wheel-drive system over the other. Any salesperson who tells you otherwise is selling you the wrong thing.
For the broader look at how Toyota's all-wheel-drive lineup handles conditions here, see our Toyota AWD winter guide for Chicago and the current all-wheel-drive vehicles on the lot.
Drive modes, cold-weather equipment and driver assistance
The hardware you interact with when it is 18 degrees and the car has been parked outside all night.
Both vehicles publish winter-specific controls, but the control sets are not identical. Honda lists Snow mode and Hill Descent Control on every 2026 CR-V. Toyota's 2026 brochure lists Snow and Trail modes with Normal, Eco, Sport and EV for the RAV4 hybrid powertrain, while Toyota's launch material also names Custom mode. Exact Toyota controls vary by grade and powertrain, so confirm the window sticker and the vehicle itself. On cold-weather comfort features the two are close, and on driver assistance they are close enough that we will not claim a winner.
| Feature | 2026 Toyota RAV4 | 2026 Honda CR-V |
|---|---|---|
| Snow drive mode | Published for the hybrid powertrain; confirm grade and control layout | Every trim |
| Hill Descent Control | Not listed in the current published feature materials reviewed | Every trim |
| Drive modes | Normal, Eco, Sport and EV; Toyota sources also list Custom, Trail and Snow by grade or powertrain | Normal, Econ, Snow (Sport added on Sport Hybrid) |
| Remote start | Remote Connect, 1-year trial, paid subscription after | Key fob, no subscription, EX and up |
| Heated front seats | XLE Premium, SE, GR SPORT and above | EX and up |
| Heated steering wheel | Limited, Woodland, GR SPORT | TrailSport Hybrid, Sport Touring Hybrid |
| Windshield deicer | Limited and Woodland | Not listed |
| 120V / 1500W cargo outlet | Plug-in Hybrid only | Not offered |
| Ground clearance | 8.1 in, 8.5 Woodland, 7.5 GR SPORT | 7.8 in FWD, 8.2 in AWD |
Swipe the table sideways to see all three columns.
Driver assistance: close enough that we will not pick a winner
Every 2026 RAV4 carries Toyota Safety Sense 4.0: Pre-Collision System with pedestrian detection, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Automatic High Beams, Lane Tracing Assist, Road Sign Assist and Proactive Driving Assist, plus Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Front Cross-Traffic Alert.
Every 2026 CR-V carries Honda Sensing: Collision Mitigation Braking System, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, Lane Keeping Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, Traffic Jam Assist and Auto High Beam, with Blind Spot Information from EX.
Side by side, the parity is obvious. Blind spot monitoring reaching every RAV4 grade while the CR-V gates it above LX is a genuine but narrow Toyota point. Everything else is a naming difference, not a capability difference.
What a Chicago winter actually does to your MPG
The number on the window sticker is not the number you will see in January, and that applies to both of these vehicles.
The US Department of Energy reports that fuel economy at 20 degrees Fahrenheit in city driving is about 15 percent lower than at 77 degrees for conventional vehicles, and that hybrids "can experience a decrease in fuel economy of around 30 percent." Neither of these vehicles is exempt. Your 42-MPG RAV4 will behave more like a high-20s car during a Chicago cold snap, and your 37-MPG CR-V will behave more like a mid-20s car. This is normal, it is not a defect, and no dealer should let you find out about it in February.
| Vehicle | EPA combined | Approx. at a 30% reduction |
|---|---|---|
| RAV4 LE / SE Hybrid AWD | 42 MPG | about 29 MPG |
| RAV4 XLE Premium Hybrid AWD | 41 MPG | about 29 MPG |
| CR-V Hybrid AWD | 37 MPG | about 26 MPG |
| CR-V TrailSport Hybrid AWD | 35 MPG | about 25 MPG |
Swipe the table sideways to see all three columns.
Why the effect is worse for a hybrid
Two things stack in a Chicago winter. Cold oil and cold air make an engine work harder for the first several minutes, and cabin heat on a hybrid often requires the gasoline engine to run when it would otherwise be off. A hybrid's biggest advantage is shutting the engine down in stop-and-go traffic. In February, when you need heat, it cannot shut down as often. That is why the Department of Energy's hybrid figure is roughly double the conventional-vehicle figure.
The takeaway is not "do not buy a hybrid." It is that the RAV4's roughly 5-MPG combined advantage does not disappear in the cold; it shrinks in absolute terms along with everything else, and both cars still beat any gasoline compact SUV.
Chicago winter, by the published normals
The National Weather Service 1991 to 2020 normals for Chicago put average annual snowfall at 38.4 inches, with 7.6 inches in December, 11.3 in January and 10.7 in February. The January average high is 31.6 degrees and the average low is 18.8. Normal first and last measurable snow fall on 11/18 and 04/02, and the normal first and last one-inch-or-greater snowfalls land on 12/07 and 03/20. That is roughly four and a half months in which the vehicle you choose is doing winter work.
The City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation covers more than 9,400 lane miles and more than 280 snow routes, and arterials are treated first. The side street you park on is not on that list, which is the practical case for ground clearance and for a system that puts torque down before the fronts spin.
New Vehicle Sales
1561 N Fremont St · Chicago, IL 60642
Drive both. In the same weather, on the same streets.
We are an authorized Toyota dealership on Fremont St, a few blocks from the Kennedy. A spec sheet cannot tell you whether you like a car's seating position, how the heated wheel feels through a glove, or whether the driver assistance chimes annoy you. A test drive can.
See the current lineup
Browse new Toyota inventory and check which grades are actually on the ground before you drive over.
All-wheel-drive selection
Compare the full all-wheel-drive lineup, not just the RAV4, if winter traction is your first priority.
Easy to reach
Get directions to Fremont St from the Loop, Lincoln Park, Wicker Park or anywhere off I-90/94.
Sales hours
Monday through Friday 9 AM to 8 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 6 PM. Closed Sunday.
Talk to a person
Call sales at (877) 413-8672 or send a question through our contact page.
Hybrid or plug-in?
If you are torn between the two RAV4 powertrains, read our RAV4 Hybrid vs. Plug-in Hybrid guide.
The 2026 RAV4 lineup: seven grades, all hybrid
Pricing shown includes the $1,450 destination charge. Do not compare these to Toyota's "from $31,900" figure, which excludes it.
The sixth-generation 2026 RAV4 is sold in the United States as a hybrid only, in seven grades: LE, XLE Premium, Limited, Woodland, SE, XSE and GR SPORT. There is no plain XLE in the US lineup and there is no gasoline-only model. Four grades are available as a Plug-in Hybrid.
| Grade | Powertrain | Drive | TSRP with destination | EPA c / h / comb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LE | Hybrid | FWD | $33,350 | 47 / 40 / 43 |
| LE | Hybrid | AWD | $34,750 | 45 / 39 / 42 |
| SE | Hybrid | FWD | $36,150 | 47 / 40 / 43 |
| SE | Hybrid | AWD | $37,550 | 45 / 39 / 42 |
| XLE Premium | Hybrid | FWD | $37,550 | 47 / 40 / 43 |
| XLE Premium | Hybrid | AWD | $38,950 | 45 / 38 / 41 |
| Woodland | Hybrid | AWD | $41,350 | 41 / 35 / 38 |
| XSE | Hybrid | AWD | $44,200 | 41 combined |
| Limited | Hybrid | AWD | $44,750 | 41 combined |
| SE | Plug-in Hybrid | AWD | $42,950 | 43 / 36 / 40 |
| Woodland | Plug-in Hybrid | AWD | $46,750 | 42 / 35 / 38 |
| XSE | Plug-in Hybrid | AWD | $48,650 | 43 / 36 / 40 |
| GR SPORT | Plug-in Hybrid | AWD | $49,950 | 41 / 34 / 37 |
Swipe the table sideways to see all five columns.
If you are looking at the Plug-in Hybrid, read this before you sign
The charging hardware is not consistent across the plug-in grades, and the split is not the one you would guess. XSE and Woodland Plug-in Hybrids get an 11-kW onboard charger with a CCS1 port and DC fast charging, which Toyota rates at roughly 30 minutes from 10 to 80 percent. The SE, which is the least expensive plug-in at $42,950, and the GR SPORT, which is the most expensive vehicle in the entire lineup at $49,950, both get a 7-kW onboard charger with a J1772 connector and no DC fast charging. On those two, a 10 to 80 percent charge takes roughly four hours.
If you plug in overnight in a garage, the 7-kW car is fine and you will never notice. If you were counting on topping up quickly at a public station, buy the XSE or the Woodland. Toyota does not disclose the plug-in battery's capacity in kilowatt-hours, so anyone quoting you one is guessing.
One cargo number nobody can give you cleanly
Toyota publishes 37.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats on the 2026 RAV4, and 36.6 on the Limited. Toyota does not publish a seats-folded maximum. The 69.8 and 70.4 cubic-foot figures circulating online are third-party estimates that disagree with each other. Honda does publish a maximum for the CR-V Hybrid, at 71.8 cubic feet.
So the honest comparison is this: behind the rear seats the RAV4 is slightly larger, 37.8 against 36.3; with the seats folded, the CR-V has a published number and the RAV4 does not. If maximum cargo decides your purchase, bring the item you plan to carry and put it in the back of both cars.
Which one should you actually buy?
Sorted by what your winter looks like rather than by which badge we sell.
Buy the RAV4 if you drive a lot of miles, tow anything, want a plug-in option, or intend to keep the car past 100,000 miles. Buy the CR-V if you want Hill Descent Control on every trim, refuse to pay a subscription for remote start, want the lowest entry price, want a non-hybrid, or want a vehicle with published IIHS crash-test results today.
| If this describes you | Lean toward | Because |
|---|---|---|
| 15,000+ miles a year, mixed city and expressway | RAV4 Hybrid AWD | 41 to 42 MPG combined against 37 |
| You tow a small trailer or boat | RAV4 Hybrid | 3,500 lb against 1,000 lb |
| Garage charging and a short commute | RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid | 52 miles of EV range on SE and XSE |
| Keeping the vehicle 10 years | RAV4 | 10 yr / 150,000 mi hybrid battery in Illinois |
| Steep or slick garage ramp | CR-V | Hill Descent Control on every trim |
| You will not pay a monthly fee to start your car | CR-V | Key-fob remote start, no subscription |
| Lowest possible payment | CR-V LX | $32,315 against $33,350 with destination |
| You want published crash-test results today | CR-V | The RAV4 is unrated by IIHS and NHTSA; read the CR-V's results in full first |
Swipe the table sideways to see all three columns.
If the answer is still not obvious, that is because these two are genuinely close and the deciding factor is usually personal: the seat, the visibility, the payment. Come drive one. If you leave preferring the CR-V, we would rather you buy the right car than the one we happen to stock.
Toyota of Downtown Chicago
See the 2026 RAV4 on Fremont St
Seven grades, all hybrid, all-wheel drive available across the range, and a plug-in option with 52 miles of electric range on SE and XSE.
RAV4 Hybrid from
$33,350
LE FWD, including $1,450 destination
41 to 42 MPG AWD
EPA-estimated combined on LE, SE and XLE Premium all-wheel drive. Expect less in deep cold, as this page explains.
Electronic On-Demand AWD
A dedicated rear electric motor that Toyota says preemptively sends drive force rearward to suppress front wheel slip off the line.
10 yr / 150,000 mi
Toyota's hybrid battery warranty term, transferable to the next owner. Hybrid-related components are covered 8 years or 100,000 miles.
A fair comparison
We published where the CR-V wins because you will find it out anyway. We would rather you hear it from us first.
All specifications, EPA estimates, warranty terms and pricing reflect manufacturer information published as of 08/17/2026 and are subject to change without notice. Toyota prices are TSRP and Honda prices are MSRP; both include destination and exclude taxes, title, license, dealer fees and options. EPA estimates are for comparison purposes only. Honda and CR-V are trademarks of their respective owner and are referenced here for comparison only. This page is editorial content and is not an offer of sale.
View New Toyota Inventory
Serving Cook County, IL
2026 Toyota RAV4 Near You in Chicago, IL
Toyota of Downtown Chicago is an authorized Toyota dealership at 1561 N Fremont St, Chicago, IL 60642, serving drivers across the Loop, West Loop, River North, South Loop, Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, Old Town, Wicker Park, Bucktown, Lakeview and Cook County. Sales hours are Monday through Friday 9 AM to 8 PM and Saturday 9 AM to 6 PM.
We are three blocks from the Kennedy Expressway at North Avenue, which makes a test drive easy to combine with a normal errand. Get directions to Fremont St or browse new Toyota inventory before you come over.
The Loop
West Loop
River North
South Loop
Gold Coast
Lincoln Park
Old Town
Wicker Park
Bucktown
Lakeview
Cook County, IL
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 2026 Toyota RAV4 have a Snow mode?
Toyota's official 2026 RAV4 brochure lists Snow and Trail modes for the hybrid powertrain, alongside Normal, Eco, Sport and EV. Toyota's launch material also names Custom mode. Exact controls vary by grade and powertrain, so confirm the specific vehicle. Honda lists Snow mode and Hill Descent Control on every 2026 CR-V.
Which is safer, the 2026 RAV4 or the 2026 CR-V?
Nobody can answer that with one clean score right now. The 2026 CR-V received a Poor rating in the IIHS updated moderate overlap front test, with Poor rear passenger restraints and kinematics and Marginal rear chest measures, applying to 2023 through 2026. The sixth-generation 2026 RAV4 did not yet have a published IIHS vehicle rating when this page was prepared. NHTSA's public 2026 testing-selection page does not establish an overall star rating for either vehicle. Check both agencies again before purchasing because new results can be added.
How much better is the RAV4's fuel economy than the CR-V's with all-wheel drive?
The RAV4 LE and SE Hybrid AWD are EPA-rated at 45 city, 39 highway and 42 combined, and XLE Premium AWD at 45 / 38 / 41. The CR-V Hybrid AWD is rated 40 / 34 / 37, and the TrailSport Hybrid AWD at 38 / 33 / 35. That is a 4 to 5 MPG combined advantage for the RAV4 in like-for-like all-wheel-drive hybrid form.
Will my hybrid really lose fuel economy in a Chicago winter?
Yes, and so will a conventional car. The US Department of Energy reports that fuel economy at 20 degrees Fahrenheit in city driving is about 15 percent lower than at 77 degrees for conventional vehicles, and that hybrids can experience a decrease of around 30 percent. Applying that to a 42-MPG RAV4 puts you near 29 MPG in severe cold, and a 37-MPG CR-V near 26. Those are illustrations of the size of the effect, not ratings. Both vehicles still return figures a gasoline compact SUV cannot match.
Is remote start free on the 2026 RAV4?
Not permanently. Toyota's remote start runs through Remote Connect, which includes a one-year trial, after which Toyota states that enrollment in a paid subscription is required. Toyota Connected Services plans start at $15 per month. Honda's remote start on the 2026 CR-V is a key-fob feature with no subscription, standard on EX and above and across the hybrids. For a Chicago owner planning to keep the car eight winters, this is a genuine difference worth pricing out.
How much cargo space does the 2026 RAV4 have with the seats folded?
Toyota does not publish a seats-folded figure for the 2026 RAV4. Toyota's published cargo volume is 37.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats, and 36.6 on the Limited. The seats-folded numbers circulating online are third-party estimates that disagree with each other, so we are not going to pick one. Honda publishes 36.3 cubic feet behind the seats and 71.8 cubic feet maximum for the CR-V Hybrid. If maximum cargo decides your purchase, measure the load in both vehicles in person.
Is there still a gas-only RAV4, and is there an XLE?
No to both. The 2026 RAV4 is the sixth generation and is hybrid only in the United States, offered as a Hybrid or a Plug-in Hybrid. There is no gasoline-only model. The seven grades are LE, XLE Premium, Limited, Woodland, SE, XSE and GR SPORT. There is no plain XLE grade in the US lineup, so if a listing shows one, check the window sticker. Honda does still sell gasoline-only CR-V LX, EX and EX-L trims.
Do I need all-wheel drive to get through a Chicago winter?
It helps you start moving, and it does very little for stopping or cornering on ice. The National Weather Service 1991 to 2020 normals put Chicago's average annual snowfall at 38.4 inches, with the normal first and last measurable snow on 11/18 and 04/02. Plenty of front-drive cars handle that. If you park on a street the city does not plow first, all-wheel drive is worth having, but a set of dedicated winter tires will do more for your safety margin on either of these vehicles than the choice between their all-wheel-drive systems.
Sources and notes
- Specifications, EPA-estimated ratings, pricing, grades and feature availability: the official 2026 Toyota RAV4 launch and specifications, the Toyota 2026 RAV4 model hub, and 2026 Honda CR-V specifications. Retrieved 08/17/2026.
- All-wheel-drive descriptions are quoted from Toyota's 2026 RAV4 technical materials and Honda's 2026 CR-V press materials. Toyota publishes no numeric front-to-rear torque split; Honda's up-to-50-percent rear-torque figure is from its 2023 CR-V press kit and is generation-level.
- Warranty terms are from Toyota and Honda published new-vehicle limited-warranty documents. In Illinois the applicable hybrid-battery comparison is Toyota's 10-year/150,000-mile term against Honda's 8-year/100,000-mile federal term.
- Remote start: Toyota Remote Connect and Toyota Connected Services published terms. The eight-winter cost is our arithmetic on Toyota's published entry rate, not a Toyota quote, and plan pricing can change.
- Cold-weather fuel economy: the U.S. Department of Energy cold-weather fuel-economy guide. The reduced-MPG column applies the DOE's roughly 30 percent hybrid figure to EPA combined ratings; it is an illustration, not an EPA rating and not a promise. Actual mileage varies with trip length, idling, tire choice and accessory use.
- Chicago climate: National Weather Service Chicago 1991 to 2020 normals; snow operations from the City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation.
- Crash ratings: IIHS vehicle ratings for the 2026 Honda CR-V and NHTSA's 2026 model-year testing-selection page, checked 08/17/2026. The sixth-generation 2026 RAV4 was unrated by IIHS at that time; ratings can change.
- Prices are TSRP for the Toyota RAV4 and MSRP for the Honda CR-V, include the destination charge, and exclude taxes, title, license, dealer fees and options. RAV4 XSE and Limited AWD show combined MPG only because the source release's city / highway string for those grades is not internally consistent. This page is editorial content and is not an offer of sale.
Drive the 2026 RAV4 before the first snow
Normal first measurable snowfall in Chicago is 11/18. That is not far off. Come see one on Fremont St.
