Toyota RAV4 Surges Past Honda CR-V in October Sales

In a significant turn of events, the Toyota RAV4 managed to edge out its long-time rival, the Honda CR-V, in October sales, marking a notable shift in the competitive landscape of the SUV market. According to reports, Toyota sold 39,888 RAV4s in the United States last month, a slight increase of 0.6% compared to the same period in the previous year ². This modest growth was enough to place the RAV4 ahead of the Honda CR-V, which reported sales just shy of 34,000 units ².

While the RAV4's October performance was a positive development for Toyota, it is important to note that the model has seen a 26% decrease in sales through the first ten months of 2026, compared to the same period last year ². This indicates that while the RAV4 has shown resilience in recent months, there is still work to be done to recover from earlier declines.

The Honda CR-V, on the other hand, continued to perform strongly, achieving its highest October sales in six years and setting a new monthly sales record ¹. However, despite these impressive figures, the CR-V fell short of the RAV4 in October, highlighting the fierce competition in the SUV segment ².

Toyota's success in October extended beyond just the RAV4, with the company reporting a 5.7% increase in total US vehicle sales for the month, reaching 188,392 units ². This growth was driven in part by increased production of the RAV4 at facilities in Canada, Japan, and the United States, reflecting Toyota's strategic focus on boosting this popular model ².

Hybrid technology played a crucial role in the RAV4's success, with regular hybrid versions accounting for approximately 84% of October sales ². Additionally, around 57% of all Toyota and Lexus vehicles sold in October featured some form of electrified powertrain, underscoring the growing importance of hybrid and electric vehicles in the automotive industry ².

Looking ahead, Toyota's inventory situation remains stable, with an overall supply of 29 days, 31 days for light trucks, and 23 days for passenger cars ². This suggests that the company is well-positioned to meet consumer demand as the holiday season approaches.

Despite the RAV4's strong showing in October, the Honda CR-V maintained its yearly sales lead over the RAV4 as of October 2026 ². This highlights the ongoing competitiveness of both models and the potential for further shifts in market position as the year progresses.

What we know

• - The Toyota RAV4 saw a 0.6% increase in October sales compared to the previous year ²
• - Toyota sold 39,888 RAV4s in the United States in October 2026 ²
• - The Honda CR-V sold slightly over 34,000 units in October 2026 ²
• - Toyota's total US vehicle sales in October 2026 were 188,392, marking a 5.7% increase from the previous year ²
• - Regular hybrid versions of the RAV4 accounted for approximately 84% of October 2026 sales ²
• - About 57% of Toyota and Lexus vehicles sold in October 2026 featured some form of electrified powertrain ²
• - As of October 2026, Toyota had an overall inventory supply of 29 days, with 31 days for light trucks and 23 days for passenger cars ²