Overview & Reviews

When the original Honda CR-V debuted in the late 1990s, its mission was simple: to offer a distinct alternative to more mainstream mid- and full-size large SUVs. With its car-based design, economical four-cylinder engine and sedanlike ride and handling, the CR-V was an instant hit. Priced competitively and offering plenty of passenger room and cargo capacity for most people's needs, the Honda CR-V has long enjoyed strong sales numbers and much loyalty from consumers.

Today, the compact- or small-SUV segment has grown to include more than a dozen different models, with varying philosophies of what constitutes the perfect blend of size, power and capability. While some models offer more powerful upgrade engines and others can deliver true off-road capability, the Honda CR-V remains focused on its more practical aspirations. True to form, it is one of the best choices available in the all-important areas of being both easy to drive and family-friendly.

Current Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V is offered in familiar LX, EX and EX-L trim levels. Even the LX comes pretty well equipped, while the EX and EX-L get additional convenience and luxury features. The EX-L is also eligible for either a navigation system or a rear-seat entertainment system. You can't get the navigation and the DVD systems together, however.

Powering all CR-Vs is a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine that's good for 185 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque, mated to a five-speed transmission. On all models, front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional.

The newest Honda CR-V's list of merits is a long one. Its interior is intelligently thought out and boasts strong fit and finish. Its ride is more comfortable and quieter than before, and handling and steering remain high points. Its major shortcoming concerns passing power in certain circumstances. We've found the CR-V's acceleration peppy enough around town, but somewhat sluggish during merging and passing maneuvers on gradients. However, as long as your beaten path doesn't include many steep roads or overly heavy loads, the Honda CR-V should provide all the room, refinement and performance you will ever need.

Used Honda CR-Vs
The current, fourth-generation CR-V was redesigned for 2012. Changes were of the more evolutionary sort, as its size, basic interior packaging and engine were similar to the previous model. Key alterations included a quieter and more comfortable ride, additional features and a backseat that flipped down from levers in the trunk.

The third generation of the Honda CR-V was produced from 2007-'11. Compared to the previous-generation CR-V, this one had few key improvements, including a new liftgate (instead of the previous side-mounted door with an outside-mounted spare tire), improved handling and steering, and the option for a navigation system for the first time.

Trim levels included the traditional LX and EX, plus the EX-L -- the L signifying leather upholstery (along with heated front seats). CR-Vs from 2007-'09 made 166 hp versus 180 hp for the following two years. A five-speed automatic transmission was standard across the board, and all trims could be had with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Those looking for maximum luxury in a CR-V should know that the EX-L gained a power driver seat, automatic climate control and a premium stereo for 2008. An SE trim level, which slotted between the traditional LX and EX trims, was made for just the final year of this generation.

In reviews, we've found this CR-V to be a very well-rounded model. High points included a comfortable and sensible interior, top crash test scores and agile handling. Elevated amounts of road noise might be a problem for some shoppers, as would be the engine's modest power, but overall this CR-V should be a great choice for a used small crossover SUV.

Produced from 2002-'06, the second-generation CR-V boasted a number of improvements compared to the original CR-V, including more power, more interior room and improved passenger protection. It was available in base LX or uplevel EX trim. The EX had more features, as well as standard antilock brakes and side airbags for the entire run (the LX didn't get them as standard until 2005), so picking an EX might be a wise idea. Notably, stability control and side and side curtain airbags became standard across the lineup in '05. The Special Edition model, available only in 2005 and '06, included exterior styling tweaks, a hard spare tire cover and heated leather seats and mirrors.

Power came from a 2.4-liter four cylinder rated at 160 hp, though this number dropped to 156 hp in 2006 due to a revised rating procedure. The LX had standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive, while the EX was AWD-only until 2006, when a FWD version was also made available. Both LX and EX initially came standard with a five-speed manual transmission, but from 2005 onward the manual was limited to the EX. The other transmission, an automatic, had four speeds until 2005, when it was upgraded to five.

In reviews, our editors lauded the second-generation CR-V's comfortable ride and refined powertrains, though the significant road noise at speed was deemed regrettable. Some of us found the four-cylinder a bit meek, but its smooth power delivery and reasonable efficiency were mentioned as admirable traits. All in all, the second-generation CR-V was roundly praised when new and remains a solid choice on the used-car market.

The original first-generation Honda CR-V compact SUV was produced from 1997-2001. It was priced competitively and offered more passenger room and cargo capacity than its peers. A manual transmission was added in 1998, and a welcome 20-hp boost the following year gave it a new output of 146 hp. In 2000, a leather-trimmed SE (Special Edition) model was added to lead the model lineup.

User Reviews:

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  Seat Belts and Honda Saved My Family - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By helspers - January 20 - 3:29 pm

  My wife and kids got into an accident where my CR-V was declared "totaled." A 2003 MDX swerved in front my CR-V and was T-boned. My family walked away with some bruised shoulders and hips, but nothing more. The safety personnel at the crash site repeatedly stated that the Honda did was it was built to do (e.g., crumple zone, and the engine dropped). Thank you Honda for a superbly built automobile.

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  Nice car; with some problems, though. - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By ECM - January 19 - 9:22 pm

  Bought 9 months ago; its been a good car so far. Theres some niggles, though; I wont sell it any time soon but I likely wont get another, either. Pros: 1. Well made, with thoughtful comfort features (other than the info/entertainment system). 2. Can be zippy off the line with enough gas pedal, not really a sporty vehicle though. I like the CVT. 3. Great gas mileage on secondary highways - I commute 70 miles on 35-55 mph roads every day, I get a consistent 36-37 MPG. *BUT* see cons below.... 4. Nice to drive. Hard to quantify, but its become the favorite car for everyone in the household, beating out the previous number one, a turbo Jetta. 5. The right lane camera is nice, now that Ive had it I want it on my other cars. 6. With real snow tires mounted, it could go ANYWHERE in the winter - here in NH, thats saying something. Cons: 1. Info/Entertainment/Bluetooth system. Good sound, but otherwise poorly thought out; have to pay too much attention to it while trying to drive to get it to work at all. Voice recognition works about as well as it does in my 2011 Odyssey - ie, not at all. Ive given up on the phone menus; I dial from my phone, its easier and less distracting - Google Voice actually works. 2. Honda iLink is only useful for iPhone, not Android; I realize iPhone has 60% of the North American market, but what about the other 40%? 3. You CAN attach an iPhone to the screen, but only if you buy a $150 cord. 4. Poor shoulder-check visibility. Good thing theres a right lane camera, but needs one on the left, too. 5. And the biggest problem, IMO: Freeway mileage sucks - I get 27 MPG on 75 MPH freeways (compared to 37 mpg on 50 MPH roads). My Odyssey, a vehicle twice as big, gets exactly the same. The engine may not be quite big enough for the vehicle at these speeds, the aerodynamics may be optimized for city driving, the AWD may introduce too much drag at freeway speeds - just guesses, though. Conclusion: - Good grocery-getter vehicle, especially if you are and AM radio type; you dont cotton to that consarned "technology" stuff, and "Blue Tooth" is something that happens after you get into a fist fight. - Not a long-distance highway cruiser; look elsewhere. The poor mileage suggests the car is working too hard at normal interstate speeds. - Honda needs to hire some human interface engineers and completely re-vamp the entertainment system interface.

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  my noisey 2005 crv - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By GARY NEVINS - January 16 - 2:00 am

  this crv is a great vehicle but after owning 32 new cars,(eight Hondas) this is the noisest vehicle Ive ever driven!!! If I drove it before I purchased it I never would have bought it! Ive driven (three) 2003 crvs and (four) 2004 crvs and none have the terrible ROAD NOISE this one has!!! It sounds like the rear door is always ajar! Be advised that in the 2005 model Honda went to a 16 inch tire, possibly this is the problem. The dealer says drive it for a couple of thousand miles to see if the tires need to be broken in or possibly replaced. Ive only had it for 10 days but Im extremely dissapointed with the vehicle (only because of the road noise) so far.

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  even better - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By Dug - January 16 - 2:00 am

  Though there were no major changes to the 2005 the subtle alterations are great. The SE has a great pewter color, leather interior, 5 speed automatic transmission, smaller rear headrests and redesiged head and tail lights. Argualbly the nicest addition was the side curtain airbags. Thank you Honda, especially our dealership Scott Honda.

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  Overrated - 2009 Honda CR-V
  By Bud - January 15 - 3:26 pm

  I bought this car last week and drove around 121 miles. I think if you are looking for a comfort, donÂ’t buy this car. It has a small leg room for driver, crappy music system, worst driver seat and a stiff steering wheel. There no fun driving this car. STAY AWAY FROM IT. I would suggest rent this car for a weekend before to make a down payment.

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  Great car - 2006 Honda CR-V
  By stacy - January 13 - 3:53 pm

  The car drives wonderfully. Very quiet and comfortable drive. Fuel economy is wonderful, especially for an SUV. Great pick up, and lots of room!

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  DEFECTIVE ENGINE - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Steve Wincek - January 13 - 9:26 am

  Vehicle 4 weeks old, 678 miles, vehicle clonked out on the interstate. Towed to local dealership 76 miles from home. Computer scan indicated major engine problem. Advised it would take 2 to 3 days to determine what the problem is. Major engine problem in a new vehicle? No info upon contacting dealer for 4 days. Finally the 7th day of calling was advised that valve spring had broke. Working with Honda Tech Service to determine what caused the problem. Contacted Honda Customer Service to document problem. Told repairs would be made to our satisfaction based on warranty. Our stance: defective engine, defective vehicle. Asked for new engine or new vehicle, no way. Requested technical info from dealer to support diagnosis. Never have received. No contact for 3 additional days until I again called dealer. Stated that they had ordered new engine heads but were advised that was not available due to model still being produced?? Advised they were receiving parts to rebuild cylinder that had the broken spring! "Band-aid fix"!! Customer service confirmed heads were not available. Told that it would take a while as Tech Service was trying to determine in it was a defect in the spring. ANOTHER WARNING SIGN! 3 more days with no contact or information. Left message with Customer Service with no reply in 3 1/2 hours, called again. StronglY requested that a new vehicle be delivered and that Honda could take forever to research. Answer NO! They have had no contact with deal regarding update of issue, would follow up. Day has gone by, no response from either party. Into 3rd week since car breakdown and have no idea of solution. Cannot believe the complacent attitude of a company like Honda to deliver customer satisfaction. Did not purchase a $36,000 vehicle to get THIS!

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  Good for 8 hours or 50 miles whichever comes first - 2017 Honda CR-V
  By mmruiz - January 11 - 5:10 am

  Had the car for 8 hours and it died. The car went crazy and all the lights started flashing on and off (interior, dashboard and exterior). Car would not start. Ultimately had the car towed back to the dealer on a flatbed.

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  Miss C is awesome!! - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Louise Braam - January 10 - 2:32 pm

  I owned a 2014 Honda CRV and Im loving the 2016 CRV even more!!! The phone system works great with my iPhone! All the new gadgets are so much fun to learn and the right hand turn signal camera is great to have.

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  Great vehicle!! - 2004 Honda CR-V
  By taylor - January 10 - 10:41 am

  I owned a Honda CRV EX for 3 years. It was a great, dependable SUV. I never had any problems with it. The only thing that was going out was my driver side automatic window, which does not cost too much to repair. I recently traded it in for a minivan because of my growing family, but I will really miss my CRV!