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CR-V Sets October Record as RAV4 Sales Slide

Midsize SUV shoppers are seeing wide gaps in availability, with most CR-V buyers now choosing a hybrid.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Car Types

Bold vector editorial illustration of two unlabeled midsize SUVs side by side on a plain lot, one with a rounded hybrid-style roof, in coral, teal, and cream.
Honda's CR-V set a new October U.S. sales record with 34,815 units, while Toyota's RAV4 fell to 39,888 units amid a hybrid-driven shift. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Honda's CR-V posted a new October sales record in the United States, with 34,815 units sold in October 2026, while Toyota's RAV4 sold 39,888 units in the same month. The CR-V is up 9.6% for the year to date, while the RAV4 is down 26.2%.

Why it matters

For U.S. households shopping for a midsize SUV, the gap reflects which models are readily available and how the hybrid shift is playing out on dealer lots. The RAV4's decline came as its newest generation was slow to reach full production, which can affect pricing and wait times for buyers.

Toyota's RAV4 sold 39,888 units in October 2026, up 0.6%, while Honda's CR-V sold 34,815 units, up 9.8% and a new October record. Year to date, the CR-V leads with 371,659 units against the RAV4's 293,552, a 26.2% drop for Toyota.

The players

Toyota

Japanese automaker that makes the RAV4, a longtime best-selling compact SUV in the U.S. market, and has shifted that model toward hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions.

Honda

Japanese automaker that makes the CR-V, a leading midsize-family SUV in the U.S. market known for its practicality and growing hybrid lineup.

The details

Toyota moved its latest-generation RAV4 to a hybrid-only or plug-in hybrid lineup, but it was slow to bring the newest model into full production, which held back sales. Honda's CR-V gained ground as about 53% of its October buyers chose a hybrid version, a sign that electrified powertrains are becoming the mainstream choice in this segment.

Timeline

  1. Toyota RAV4 sold nearly 480,000 units in 2025.

  2. RAV4 sales were down 35% in the first half of 2026.

  3. Toyota and Honda reported October 2026 monthly SUV sales figures.

  4. CR-V may approach 450,000 sales in 2026.

  5. The RAV4 could regain the top SUV title in 2027 if it returns to form.

The Home Front

The RAV4's sales drop against its 2025 total of nearly 480,000 units shows how quickly a model's availability can swing buyer options in the midsize SUV market. The CR-V's record October, paired with its strong hybrid uptake, points to electrified versions becoming a standard expectation for family vehicle shoppers.

If you are weighing a midsize SUV, compare hybrid and plug-in hybrid trims on dealer lots, since availability differs by model and version. Ask the dealer about production timing and wait lists before committing to a specific trim.

The takeaway

The sales gap suggests that hybrid availability and production timing matter as much as brand loyalty when choosing a family SUV. Before you buy, confirm the powertrain, the trim, and the expected delivery date with the dealer.

What happens next

Monthly sales reports for November 2026 are expected to show whether the CR-V's momentum holds and whether the RAV4's newest generation gains production.

Further reading

For a broader look at how these models compare, browse our Car Types coverage across the U.S. market.

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Would you consider buying a hybrid SUV for your next vehicle?