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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  Nimble SUV - 1999 Honda CR-V
  By Jim W. - July 28 - 2:00 am

  Well-built vehicle. I have put 58,000 miles with no problems. Regular maintenance is all it needs. I have the Manual transmission which works flawlessly.

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  Best - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By nelia jucu - July 26 - 10:39 am

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  Always loved Hondas, but... - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By Puggy - July 26 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my CRV for 2 years now, and the major complaint Ive had with my CRV is all the plastic in the interior that causes MAJOR rattles in cold weather. My 89 accord after 13 years never had as many rattles as this CRV does. Ive had it in 3 times to get them fixed and after 2 days they always come back. Drives me crazy.

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  THE Small SUV - 2004 Honda CR-V
  By pjotter - July 26 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this CR-V for two and a half weeks and actively seek out trips to take and errands to run. Its that much fun to drive. In my opinion its sets the bar for its class. I poured over ALOT of research before this purchase. Low road noise, good engine pickup, roomy and lots of room for big items and that great Honda reliability and re-sale value. Try it yourself!

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  Special Edition CRV - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By Dennis - July 23 - 7:03 pm

  Although I have only had my CRV for three months, I am very happy with it. I am able now to transport my bike and kayak with no problem. I am particularly happy that Honda has decided to go with Leather Seats in the special edition and the heated front seats have been an added bonus during this cold winter. The only slight negative is with the higher than thought gas mileage and the small gas tank, it seems like I am filling the tank up quite often. This is my third Honda and the reliability seems to be there once again!

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  Wish it was made in America - 2004 Honda CR-V
  By AAAAmerican.US - July 21 - 10:00 am

  Wish this was also made and/or assembled in America. Fun, fairly thrifty, greater for the environment that really does count, and best in in class all around.

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  Best Mini SUV of the year - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By Linda365 - July 19 - 10:00 am

  Excellent safety features. Quality you would expect from Mercedes. Very roomy interior and versatile cargo area. Great horsepower, drives like a dream!

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  Depends what you will use it for. - 2001 Honda CR-V
  By EH - July 19 - 2:00 am

  Wife loves it, i think its okay. "Its cute" and has a tight turning radius. Great for short runs to the grocery store. Definitely NOT a highway car. Seats are uncomfortable, road noises way too loud. Steering wheel set at an ackward angle. No problems with it yet.

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  WONDERFUL AUTOMOBILE - 2009 Honda CR-V
  By Dennis - July 16 - 9:30 am

  It is a wonderful car to drive and it gives my fiance a thrill every time she gets in it and starts it up to drive. She is in sales and it has given her an extra incentive to get up and get going every day to make sales in this terrible world market.

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  Some bad surprises with an otherwise great car - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Tom - July 15 - 5:33 pm

  Theres a lot to like about the CRV Touring model. But a couple things really surprised me - and not in a good way. I traded in my 10 year old Civic for this new top of the line CRV. I expected - silly me - that this car would have at least as much going for it as s 2006 Civic. Wrong. 1) on my old car, the "voice" icon button allowed me do all sorts of things - including change radio stations by voice command. With the new CRV, if you are in the GPS mode and you want to change to a specific radio station, you have to punch four buttons on different parts of the screen. Very unintuitive and difficult to do while driving. Why couldnt they at least install physical radio station buttons under the screen? You can use the "source" button and scroll through all your stations, but again, that means sometimes pushing 7 or 8 buttons just to change a damn radio station to the one you want. 2) The many (MANY!) setting displays for the dash are mostly superfluous and navigating through them is not easy. And Ive yet to find one that prominently displays you speed -- again, a feature on the 10 year old Civic that worked well. Given that the speedometer is hard to read, there should be some other way to see how fast youre going. 3) The camera on the right side of the car for changing lanes and turning is great. But wouldnt one on the left side be even more useful? Why one on the right but none on the left? 4) The rear window is really hard to see out of, compared to many other comparable crossover makes and models. 5) Finally, I kick myself for not noticing that the storage compartments in the console and doors are teeny. Much smaller than the old Civic, and this is a much larger car. Is it too much to be able to carry a small pack of tissues, a pen, some change, a cell phone and tire gauge in your car?