Honda’s CR-V Stokes an Ongoing Toyota Upset with Its Best July Ever

The Toyota RAV4 has been the best-selling SUV in the United States for nearly a decade at this point, as it’s managed to hold onto the top spot since 2017. 

However, this year is shaping up to be different. Following a shift in the winds at the end of 2025, the Honda CR-V has carried its momentum towards an upset that has it well ahead of its Toyota rival.

Honda

Now the SUV has just driven another nail into the RAV4’s proverbial coffin with its best July ever.

The CR-V has a breakout month

Yep, you read that correctly. According to the latest sales report, the Honda CR-V just posted some all-time record-breaking figures for the month of July.

In practice, this means that the Japanese SUV showed a 18.8 percent bump over the same time in 2025, improving from some 32,268 units moved up to 38,335. That puts it at 264,449 on the year, an 8 percent jump.

Honda

As if that wasn’t impressive enough, the CR-V’s growth also means that Honda had a breakout month with regard to its hybrid sales. The brand posted a record 35.7 percent uptick, 54 percent of which can be attributed to CR-V hybrids.

It’s a critical development for Honda. Following a dramatic pivot in EV strategy, the automaker reported its first loss in history. 

As such, to turn things around, Honda will be betting big on hybrid tech going forward. It’s already teased the prospect of next-gen models with its prototypes, so it’s important to establish dominance with a win in the hybrid race now.

Toyota

Kinks in competitors’ supply chains

In any case, this isn’t an exceptional moment for the CR-V. The SUV has proved itself as a standout throughout the year, overtaking not just the Toyota RAV4 but also the Ford F-150 to become America’s best-selling car.

When it comes to the RAV4, it’s not a small gap, either. As of June, Honda had moved some 226,114 total CR-Vs for the year, up 8 percent compared to 2025. Toyota’s count was reported to be 153,955.

Likewise, the F-150 has also had a slow 2026 compared to past years. Again, as of the first six months, the truck was behind the CR-V, estimated at  209,311 sales altogether.

Honda

Now, with both the RAV4 and the F-series, these slides have resulted from some significant supply chain complications. Following a production relocation to counter tariffs, Toyota hasn’t been able to ramp up fast enough to meet demand. Similarly, Ford’s trucks have been plagued by aluminum shortages. 

All the same, it stands to be a meaningful accomplishment if Honda can hold onto its lead through the end of the year. Whether it can outlast Toyota’s gaining momentum only time will tell, but this kind of July performance does bode well for the CR-V’s crown.

Availability and pricing

If you’re interested in snagging a 2026 Honda CR-V, they’re available starting at $30,920 for an LX. Pricing for hybrids starts at $35,630 for the Sport Hybrid.

Honda

2026 Honda CR-V

• $30,920 at Honda

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