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:

• 

  Shouldve gone with my gut instinct - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Accord lover - September 17 - 2:34 am

  Cant believe theres NOT a trunk release inside the car! If you dont think youll miss it, make yourself not use the one in your existing car and see if you miss it. Had a 1995 that even had it in there! Asked dealer (after I bought it) where it was & they said the only model that has it is the touring model. The back-up system is so generic, compared to Fords. When you back up with theirs, the visual is green (ok), yellow (getting closer) & red (youre right on top); the audio is beep beep (ok), beep, beep, beep (getting closer), & BEEP BEEP BEEP (youre right on top). Honda has no audio and bare bone yellow-no comparison. Im short and although I try not to hit my knee when I get in, Im frequently nailing it on the console below & to the L of the steering column, also hit my head a lot on the top. The radio is horrible! the buttons are SO small (& Ive got little fingers) Im constantly hitting the wrong buttons while driving, which throws the thing into la-la land; no matter how much I practice on it, its a pain & I despise it. Car doesnt do well in high winds for handling. Also sounds like the tires are out of round if it isnt driven every day. The AC and heating system take forever to cool/heat. For a $32K car, I would not buy another. I do, however, like the way the seats lie down in the back...thats what initially attracted me to it plus Ive owned Hondas since 1985; still have my 2005 Honda which I gave to my son for high school graduation as hell be using it to and from college. Feel like giving him the CRV but have payments...if I could do it over, Id buy another Accord. My husband wanted me to buy a SUV since we already had a new Taurus, the Accord and a pick up. Should have listened to my instinct and bought the new Accord!+

• 

  Greaty Little Buggy - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By Larry Reed - September 16 - 11:28 pm

  Ive been very happy with my CRV except for a few problems. First thing was the tires (especially the front) wearing out so quickly. I noticed in doing research I wasnt the only CRV owner with this problem. The next issue with my CRV is the lock actuator problem. The left rear door will no longer lock permanently. It locks and unlocks.....locks and unlocks. You come to a stop and the door unlocks. Start driving and it locks again...you cant trust it to lock so it is a security issue at all times. I had it fixed under lock problem warrant at Honda World in Downey but within a year it was the same problem. I couldnt get it back in there so went to Norm Reeves Honda in Cerritos and they replaced it in October 2015 under the same lock actuator warranty. In March 2016 it started the same thing again. I had to make an appointment a week out to even get it back to Norm Reeves and now they want $375 to fix it. Says its a different problem. Its the same door doing the same thing. Now this to me is a problem that Honda should gladly fix but they wont. The CRV is comfortable to ride in on trips, gets up to 32 MPG on trips. Im very satisfied with my CRV....except for the above noted items. Honda...step up to the plate. JUNE 30, 2017 I still really like this car. At 100,000 miles I took it in to the dealer to have a tune up. When I went back they told me they didnt do it because there was no need. Everything was just like it should be, spark plugs included. I asked how can that be, they had another service tech check it out with the same answer. This car is now 10 years old and has the original spark plugs etc and still getting excellent gas mileage. My biggest issue was the door actuator locks. The last time it cost me $200 and I dont think I should have had to pay that. The dealer worked with me at Auburn Honda since it had been done 2 times before but said Honda wouldnt stand behind the problem so I had to pay. Other than that Id buy this car all over again

• 

  Greaty Little Buggy - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By Larry Reed - September 16 - 11:28 pm

  Ive been very happy with my CRV except for a few problems. First thing was the tires (especially the front) wearing out so quickly. I noticed in doing research I wasnt the only CRV owner with this problem. The next issue with my CRV is the lock actuator problem. The left rear door will no longer lock permanently. It locks and unlocks.....locks and unlocks. You come to a stop and the door unlocks. Start driving and it locks again...you cant trust it to lock so it is a security issue at all times. I had it fixed under lock problem warrant at Honda World in Downey but within a year it was the same problem. I couldnt get it back in there so went to Norm Reeves Honda in Cerritos and they replaced it in October 2015 under the same lock actuator warranty. In March 2016 it started the same thing again. I had to make an appointment a week out to even get it back to Norm Reeves and now they want $375 to fix it. Says its a different problem. Its the same door doing the same thing. Now this to me is a problem that Honda should gladly fix but they wont. The CRV is comfortable to ride in on trips, gets up to 32 MPG on trips. Im very satisfied with my CRV....except for the above noted items. Honda...step up to the plate. JUNE 30, 2017 I still really like this car. At 100,000 miles I took it in to the dealer to have a tune up. When I went back they told me they didnt do it because there was no need. Everything was just like it should be, spark plugs included. I asked how can that be, they had another service tech check it out with the same answer. This car is now 10 years old and has the original spark plugs etc and still getting excellent gas mileage. My biggest issue was the door actuator locks. The last time it cost me $200 and I dont think I should have had to pay that. The dealer worked with me at Auburn Honda since it had been done 2 times before but said Honda wouldnt stand behind the problem so I had to pay. Other than that Id buy this car all over again

• 

  Greaty Little Buggy - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By Larry Reed - September 16 - 11:28 pm

  Ive been very happy with my CRV except for a few problems. First thing was the tires (especially the front) wearing out so quickly. I noticed in doing research I wasnt the only CRV owner with this problem. The next issue with my CRV is the lock actuator problem. The left rear door will no longer lock permanently. It locks and unlocks.....locks and unlocks. You come to a stop and the door unlocks. Start driving and it locks again...you cant trust it to lock so it is a security issue at all times. I had it fixed under lock problem warrant at Honda World in Downey but within a year it was the same problem. I couldnt get it back in there so went to Norm Reeves Honda in Cerritos and they replaced it in October 2015 under the same lock actuator warranty. In March 2016 it started the same thing again. I had to make an appointment a week out to even get it back to Norm Reeves and now they want $375 to fix it. Says its a different problem. Its the same door doing the same thing. Now this to me is a problem that Honda should gladly fix but they wont. The CRV is comfortable to ride in on trips, gets up to 32 MPG on trips. Im very satisfied with my CRV....except for the above noted items. Honda...step up to the plate. JUNE 30, 2017 I still really like this car. At 100,000 miles I took it in to the dealer to have a tune up. When I went back they told me they didnt do it because there was no need. Everything was just like it should be, spark plugs included. I asked how can that be, they had another service tech check it out with the same answer. This car is now 10 years old and has the original spark plugs etc and still getting excellent gas mileage. My biggest issue was the door actuator locks. The last time it cost me $200 and I dont think I should have had to pay that. The dealer worked with me at Auburn Honda since it had been done 2 times before but said Honda wouldnt stand behind the problem so I had to pay. Other than that Id buy this car all over again

• 

  Greaty Little Buggy - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By Larry Reed - September 16 - 11:28 pm

  Ive been very happy with my CRV except for a few problems. First thing was the tires (especially the front) wearing out so quickly. I noticed in doing research I wasnt the only CRV owner with this problem. The next issue with my CRV is the lock actuator problem. The left rear door will no longer lock permanently. It locks and unlocks.....locks and unlocks. You come to a stop and the door unlocks. Start driving and it locks again...you cant trust it to lock so it is a security issue at all times. I had it fixed under lock problem warrant at Honda World in Downey but within a year it was the same problem. I couldnt get it back in there so went to Norm Reeves Honda in Cerritos and they replaced it in October 2015 under the same lock actuator warranty. In March 2016 it started the same thing again. I had to make an appointment a week out to even get it back to Norm Reeves and now they want $375 to fix it. Says its a different problem. Its the same door doing the same thing. Now this to me is a problem that Honda should gladly fix but they wont. The CRV is comfortable to ride in on trips, gets up to 32 MPG on trips. Im very satisfied with my CRV....except for the above noted items. Honda...step up to the plate. JUNE 30, 2017 I still really like this car. At 100,000 miles I took it in to the dealer to have a tune up. When I went back they told me they didnt do it because there was no need. Everything was just like it should be, spark plugs included. I asked how can that be, they had another service tech check it out with the same answer. This car is now 10 years old and has the original spark plugs etc and still getting excellent gas mileage. My biggest issue was the door actuator locks. The last time it cost me $200 and I dont think I should have had to pay that. The dealer worked with me at Auburn Honda since it had been done 2 times before but said Honda wouldnt stand behind the problem so I had to pay. Other than that Id buy this car all over again

• 

  Greaty Little Buggy - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By Larry Reed - September 16 - 11:28 pm

  Ive been very happy with my CRV except for a few problems. First thing was the tires (especially the front) wearing out so quickly. I noticed in doing research I wasnt the only CRV owner with this problem. The next issue with my CRV is the lock actuator problem. The left rear door will no longer lock permanently. It locks and unlocks.....locks and unlocks. You come to a stop and the door unlocks. Start driving and it locks again...you cant trust it to lock so it is a security issue at all times. I had it fixed under lock problem warrant at Honda World in Downey but within a year it was the same problem. I couldnt get it back in there so went to Norm Reeves Honda in Cerritos and they replaced it in October 2015 under the same lock actuator warranty. In March 2016 it started the same thing again. I had to make an appointment a week out to even get it back to Norm Reeves and now they want $375 to fix it. Says its a different problem. Its the same door doing the same thing. Now this to me is a problem that Honda should gladly fix but they wont. The CRV is comfortable to ride in on trips, gets up to 32 MPG on trips. Im very satisfied with my CRV....except for the above noted items. Honda...step up to the plate. JUNE 30, 2017 I still really like this car. At 100,000 miles I took it in to the dealer to have a tune up. When I went back they told me they didnt do it because there was no need. Everything was just like it should be, spark plugs included. I asked how can that be, they had another service tech check it out with the same answer. This car is now 10 years old and has the original spark plugs etc and still getting excellent gas mileage. My biggest issue was the door actuator locks. The last time it cost me $200 and I dont think I should have had to pay that. The dealer worked with me at Auburn Honda since it had been done 2 times before but said Honda wouldnt stand behind the problem so I had to pay. Other than that Id buy this car all over again

• 

  Greaty Little Buggy - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By Larry Reed - September 16 - 11:28 pm

  Ive been very happy with my CRV except for a few problems. First thing was the tires (especially the front) wearing out so quickly. I noticed in doing research I wasnt the only CRV owner with this problem. The next issue with my CRV is the lock actuator problem. The left rear door will no longer lock permanently. It locks and unlocks.....locks and unlocks. You come to a stop and the door unlocks. Start driving and it locks again...you cant trust it to lock so it is a security issue at all times. I had it fixed under lock problem warrant at Honda World in Downey but within a year it was the same problem. I couldnt get it back in there so went to Norm Reeves Honda in Cerritos and they replaced it in October 2015 under the same lock actuator warranty. In March 2016 it started the same thing again. I had to make an appointment a week out to even get it back to Norm Reeves and now they want $375 to fix it. Says its a different problem. Its the same door doing the same thing. Now this to me is a problem that Honda should gladly fix but they wont. The CRV is comfortable to ride in on trips, gets up to 32 MPG on trips. Im very satisfied with my CRV....except for the above noted items. Honda...step up to the plate. JUNE 30, 2017 I still really like this car. At 100,000 miles I took it in to the dealer to have a tune up. When I went back they told me they didnt do it because there was no need. Everything was just like it should be, spark plugs included. I asked how can that be, they had another service tech check it out with the same answer. This car is now 10 years old and has the original spark plugs etc and still getting excellent gas mileage. My biggest issue was the door actuator locks. The last time it cost me $200 and I dont think I should have had to pay that. The dealer worked with me at Auburn Honda since it had been done 2 times before but said Honda wouldnt stand behind the problem so I had to pay. Other than that Id buy this car all over again

• 

  Love Me Some CR-V - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By SaraandMattLuvCRV - September 15 - 7:30 am

  WOW..I am still blown away at what a wonderful vehicle we have purchased. My husband and I switched to the CR-V from a 98 Honda Accord 6 cylinder. Loved my old Honda but as most people who owned 6 cylinder from that year up until about 2002 , Honda dropped the ball on transmissions.When we started looking for a new car we wanted reliability but we also wanted a good looking car. I dont think I can say enough good about this ride. Love the inside , outside ,the handling and the comfort. Love the fact that the range indicator tells you how many more miles you can squeeze out before a fill up.I usually have buyers remorse after a car purchase but when I think of my new CR-V all I can do is smile.

• 

  little fast truck - 2010 Honda CR-V
  By kiko - September 8 - 3:06 am

  Bouncy ride which is probably what is expected from an SUV. Felt that the acceleration is very good compared to my 1990 and 2001 Accord. Not as comfortable as the Accord. Very stable on the turns and curves and can handle the turns at a good speed. Steering feels like there is a subtle bias towards the left although when you take your hands off the steering wheel it goes straight. Wheels appear to be aligned by the even tire wear.The brakes are well adjusted and very good stopping, better than my 2001 Accord.Probably I got to get used to the SUV feel instead of comparing it to a car. Noise level is minimal to me.

• 

  What a smart purchase - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By BreezyNCC - September 8 - 3:03 am

  The 07 CR-V is a great vehicle. While some claim that the fuel efficiency is not what the company claims, this is largely due to your driving style. The mpg indicator on the dash shows you how your driving is effecting your MPG use...you learn to drive better with the CR-V. I am getting 25 city and 32 highway with the LX model. Interior cloth is very nice and easy to clean. Rear storage space is quite large, especially when you fold up the seats. Outside the CR-V is up to par with other, more expensive small SUVs.