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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  I would save your money and shop other brands - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Jordan - December 2 - 10:08 pm

  Simply put, I would save your money and aggressively shop other makes & models. I really tried to fall in love with this car for over a year but Honda missed the target by many hundreds of miles! First and foremost, it has the dreaded vibration issue that Honda has now quietly admitted to and issued a TSB to dealers - only it moves the vibration from lower speeds to higher ones so the problem isnt really fixed. But I cant dock them for that because I was aware of this going into the purchase. I have owned this car for well over a year and I have found the build quality to keep progressively getting worse. Every time I drive this car I notice a new squeak, rattle or vibration. It has been taken into the dealership many times for things such as brake shoes makes noise when changing directions, on occasion the starter will make a grinding noise on start up, the AC in this car barely cools the car in the summer, the drivers master window switch needed replacing because the auto up/down feature would not work intermittently, the fan speed will not work on the highest setting at random, and finally the interior sounds like it is falling apart during normal driving because the interior materials seem to be so cheap. Now when I mentioned these things to the dealership I was advised "this is all normal" - go figure! My favorite though, and I havent mentioned this to the dealership yet because Im watching this myself - the oil reading on the dipstick keeps getting progressively lower each time i check it. In other words I have reason to believe it may be burning oil. Every time I unscrew the oil fill cap, it is always white and milky underneath - it is as if coolant is mixing with the oil. Im only suspecting this because the coolant overflow tank was almost empty until the dealer filled it during an oil change. This is my conclusion and advice to you: In theory, this car is phenomenal! Good looks, great gas mileage (yeah bull sh** Honda), plenty of storage space and AWD - in theory. In reality, you as the consumer should run far away from this car and realize that what Honda is doing is standing behind a well known reputation for quality and reliability while mass producing garbage and selling it off to consumers. Honda needed to quickly update the CR-V in 2015 to be competitive which other CUVs on the market. Unfortunately they rushed the CR-V through the design phase and onto production so now the consumer who buys this product is left to work out the design flaws and bugs that Honda should have addressed before producing this vehicle. My parents owned a 2005 Honda Pilot (excellent vehicle) with almost 200K when it was traded for a 2015 Honda Pilot (very well made vehicle) - so we are a Honda family! When I was shopping for my next vehicle it was a toss-up between a Ford Explorer (Had a 1996 at the time that I loved!) or the 2015 Honda CR-V. I went with the Honda because I figured I would have no issues with reliability and you could get a top-level Touring for around 30k - more car for your money. I regret that purchase decision each time I get behind the wheel or see a 2015/2016 Ford Explorer zoom by me. Im not saying Honda as a whole company is bad, but this 2015 CR-V (and Im assuming the 2016 as well) are absolute garbage and I would highly suggest you shop other makes and models because there are much better options out there.

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  Love this car! - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By Phil - November 30 - 12:03 pm

  Pros: Ride, handling, XM, navigation, looks, comfort. Cons: No automatic headlights. Driving experience I was afraid that I might be making a mistake by not buying a 6 cyl. vehicle such as the Toyota RAV4 which was my other choice. My fears vanished when I drove this car out of the showroom and on to the highway. The engine provides easy acceleration and plenty of power. The car handles beautifully, turns on a dime, offers great visuals and is fun to drive. I do not find road noise as described in other opinions to be an issue at all. I find the cabin very quiet. Comfort and convenience: This car is unbelievably comfortable, offers plenty of storage compartments.

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  Special Edition CRV is Outstanding - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By matt weidig - November 25 - 10:30 am

  I really like the way this vehicle rides and handles. The engine is really smooth. The back seats fold down and in to make for a lot of cargo room. I paid the extra for the Special Edition and the features seem are worth the extra pricing. I also got the sports package and it really make the vehicle look good. The Special Edition is assembled in Japan and imported,all of the other CRVs are assembled in the US. I love the heated front seats in cold weather. I plan to keep this vehicle a long time. I have two Accords and a Civic for our other family members. Hondas have always been a great value for us.

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  Great SUV - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By D - November 25 - 12:56 am

  This is a great SUV. Test drove many, Rogue (no nav), RAV4 (no nav), CX9 (very pricey), CX7 (too harsh), very close to buying the Ford Explorer Limited (great deals), but came down to a couple items Feature for price point, MPG, Roll Over Safety Rating, Resale, space based on overall size. This is a wonderful well built SUV. Our 1st honda ever, and love it. The ride is firm but supple, the leather seats are beautiful and extremely comfortable, worth the upgrade. The stereo is outstanding, the rear seats are very comfy and plenty of space, too many features to list. Drive it, youll buy it.

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  Great Fun! - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By Natalie Gonzalez - November 24 - 9:50 pm

  I purchased this crossover after exhausting research! The CR-V has redesigned itself to look and feel like a high end luxury crossover. Lots of leg room. I purchased the EX-L and love the look inside and out. My best friend also has one, and we compete to see who can get the highest mileage on the highway! You cannot go wrong with Honda. Resell and reliability are the main reasons that I purchase one!

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  Above all others - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By Spyke - November 24 - 10:00 am

  Well I spent most of the last year looking for an SUV that I like and the CR-V stood above the rest. I test drove all I could between the $15,000 and $30,000 and the CR-V has to be the best for its price. Buy one, youll love it.

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  i love my crv!!!!!!!!!! - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By garnerjo - November 24 - 10:00 am

  The car is smooth riding, comfortable, good on gas and has a functional 4- wheel drive. I like the size - its a bit larger than a small suv but not quite a medium sized - so i feel like im not riding a house but its bigger and higher than a car and very roomy.

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  Good but not great. - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By david12345 - November 24 - 10:00 am

  The seats are not comfortable. After awhile I realized I bought a version of the Civic with the basic Accord engine. It is more powerful than the average small suv and it is a definite improvement over the former crv, but it aint luxury. And the gas mileage is just average, about 24 mpg on the freeway or about town.

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  2017 CRV - 2017 Honda CR-V
  By Gail Downey - November 24 - 7:18 am

  Great car

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  Great value - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Martha Vitaliano - November 22 - 12:34 am

  pricey but worth it