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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  "My new retirement gift, a 2916 Honda CRV-EXL." - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Ron Elliott - March 15 - 11:06 am

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  blue book value - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By vanessa castaneda - March 15 - 8:49 am

  very fun for athletes, road trips and extrememly reliable. Spacious and safe. Has a picnic table in trunk also.

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  2008 Honda CR-V EX-L 4dr SUV AWD - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By nmcdonald - March 14 - 12:13 am

  I decided to buy this car based on Edmunds editor and consumer reviews, track record, price, and purported high gas mileage. I was selecting between the Mazda CX-9 and the Nissan Murano, and the CR-V. Since I was replacing a Toyota Camry, I thought that the size of the CR-V would be fine. The price was lower than the other two and the gas mileage, I thought would be great in comparison to the other two vehicles. Even though I receive about 24 to 25.5 mpg on my commutes according to the car, I can still only seem to average about 300 miles or 20 mpg per tank. I drive mostly highway miles and the mileage range advertised is not for the AWD models

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  Loved it...until it hit 60,000 miles :( - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By Sharon - March 13 - 5:48 pm

  I bought a 2008 CR-V brand new, straight off the boat, and loved it. Friends, family, and coworkers had CR-Vs, and loved theirs also, until they all started to get hit by the "A/C gremlin" in about 2012-2014 - Complete A/C failure in sister-in-laws 2007 CR-V, friends 2008 CR-V, and coworkers 2007 CR-V AND his 2009 CR-V! And they were NOT cheap repairs (except for my coworkers 2009 CR-V, which was still under warranty). Me? I got hit with rack & pinion failure - at 60,000 miles, just like many other reviewers on the internet. Estimated repair cost $2,100 !!! Honda gave me a bottle of power steering fluid and said "just keep topping it off until you can afford to fix it." But when I researched it on the internet, I found this is quite a common problem, and one with a fix that apparently does not last long. So rather than dump $2,000 into fixing the power steering leak which is known to be a recurring failure once you get it, I dumped the car altogether. Hondas are supposed to last - I bought it because I thought they had a reputation for long term reliability. 60,000 is NOT LONG-term, IMO. I hated feeling like I was sitting on a ticking time bomb, with $2,000 possible repairs with every oil change (and Honda would NOT help, despite knowing rack & pinion failure was a common problem). The original plan was to keep the CR-V until my daughter turned 16 (last month), then give it to her (and buy a new car for myself). Instead, I dumped the CR-V last year and bought a new Subaru Forrester. And now that I read about the failure in the locks, I feel reassured I made the right decision, because my CR-Vs locks always made strange noises, tho they had not failed....yet. Im sure it was just a matter of time before they failed. Same with the A/C. Im now looking for a RELIABLE used car for my 16 year old, and you can bet it will NOT be a CR-V :/

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  Love is easy - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Hamilton Bryant - March 13 - 1:37 pm

  We have only owned our Car for a short time so I cant comment on some of the review items. That being said; I love my CR-V!!!! I love driving it and riding in it. Plenty of room and yet it drives like a small car.

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  CRV - Theres only one - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By dtskiles - March 13 - 10:00 am

  I was heartbroken when we had to trade our 98 Cherokee in for a CRV - I was loyal Jeep driver since I was 14. The market is flush with over-powered off-road vehicles. We just need enough car to get us through the snow and haul some mulch and baby stuff without needing a second mortgage for gasoline. Honda has met a long-needed segment of the market - relatively fuel efficient, all-wheel-drive vehicles which are reliable and spacious. Of course, its a Honda, so its nearly bullet-proof.

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  Should have got an Odyssey - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By Stanley Shepard - March 13 - 2:00 am

  The CR-V is horribly underpowered. It creeps up to highway speeds and in traffic that means Im not so much in the flow but in the way. Weird steering wheel angle. Even though the wheel can be moved up or down, it is still an uncomfortable driving position. The cup holders need something to hold the beverages in place. Going around a corner, even at low speeds, beverages fall out. So far the best cup holders I have seen were in a Dodge truck. The holders had an adjustable arm that could slide open and close to fit any size beverage, and very sturdy holding power at any turning speed.

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  Excellent Car! - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By dromedarius - March 11 - 6:02 pm

  We purchased this vehicle for my wifes daily driver. The amazing number of standard safety features, along with our specific needs, made the CR-V the perfect choice for us.

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  Great to the end. - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By postmanrr1 - March 11 - 5:45 pm

  Very nice vehicle as stated in other reviews. Mine is the rare one that the transmission self-destructed today to the tune of $3000. The dealer gave us a very good wholesale trade toward a Ridgeline which we took. The resale of even broken Hondas is amazing.

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  fun to drive - 1997 Honda CR-V
  By chucki42 - March 11 - 11:34 am

  i bought this vehicle for myself to commute to a job. what a blast to drive. a bit noisy but i solved that issue by putting sound insulation in. easy to work on, parts are not that expensive, easy to get at, i put the vehicle grouding system on, air intake, and the mileage is in the 30s around town. now that the youngest is driving i am surrendering my baby to her.