Honda CR-V Sales Have Surpassed Toyota RAV4
The Honda CR-V currently holds a significant lead over the Toyota RAV4 as 2026 sales figures shift.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Car Types
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Honda has maintained a commanding lead over the Toyota RAV4 through the first nine months of 2026. The CR-V has successfully outsold its rival by 83,000 units as Toyota continues to face production constraints.
Why it matters
The shift in rankings highlights the impact of production challenges and evolving buyer demand for hybrid vehicles. While Honda has seen growth fueled by its e:HEV hybrid system, Toyota has struggled to meet market demand for its latest redesign.
Honda recorded 336,834 CR-V sales through September, a performance marked by 21.9% growth in September alone. Meanwhile, RAV4 sales have fallen 29.2% year-to-date with only a 17-day supply of CR-V inventory remaining.
The players
Honda
This Japanese multinational manufacturer is a major player in the global automotive industry known for its focus on engine technology and fuel efficiency.
Toyota
This leading global automaker is recognized for its mass-market vehicle production and its recent efforts to navigate complex supply chain constraints.
The details
Honda's surge is largely attributed to its e:HEV system, which pairs a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and accounted for 53% of the model's sales in September. Conversely, Toyota faced significant production issues following the rollout of its sixth-generation RAV4, resulting in a nearly 50% sales drop during the first quarter of the year.
Timeline
1991 marked the year the Accord first outsold the Taurus.
2001 saw the Accord outperform Toyota in total sales volume.
2025 saw 358,134 RAV4 units sold through the month of September.
Q1 2026 was the period where RAV4 sales declined by nearly 50%.
October 2026 is the current period where buyers face limited inventory.
Roadmap
The current struggle for SUV market share follows a pattern of high-stakes competition established by the 1991 sales rivalry between the Honda Accord and Ford Taurus. This dynamic reflects a broader industry shift where automakers must balance hybrid technology adoption against production capacity to maintain market standing.
Shoppers currently face tight inventory levels with only a 17-day supply of the CR-V, which limits negotiation room for those looking to purchase. Buyers may find that high demand for hybrid models increases competition and keeps pricing stable for these high-efficiency trims.
The takeaway
The ongoing competition between these two best-selling SUVs underscores the critical importance of supply chain stability in the modern auto industry. Consumers interested in these models should prepare for limited stock and focus on hybrid availability as a key differentiator in today's market.
Further reading
For more information on the evolving landscape of popular vehicle segments, visit the Car Types section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Top Speed.
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