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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  DO NOT PURCHASE 2015 - VIBRATION IS AWFUL - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By SANDRA SPURLOCK - November 4 - 3:40 pm

  Cannot believe Honda is still selling this vehicle with all its issues. There should be a class action suit against them. They are selling CR-V that they know have major problems. Really! Do not buy Honda CR-V.

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  Good car if honda solves vibration issue - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Jose - November 3 - 7:59 pm

  Overall a good car beside vibration issue. Good acceleration, good quality interior, good apearance. But vibration issue is annoying. It can make you sick if you have too many stops on your commute. I took my car to delership all they says it is characteristic of this vehicle and they dont thing anything wrong with it. They did software update and no improvement.

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  Did someone pay someone to report bad vibrations? - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By greg chick - November 3 - 10:55 am

  I bought, but did not take possession of a CRV while waiting for biz. issues to settle. I read many reports of road or car vibrations, I test drove "Mine" again and found very smooth drive in all situations. My current trade in is a 2013 Beemer, past cars have been Porsche 911 s and Audis and other fine cars. I have not been used to a rough ride. This Honda is my first Honda and while I do not "own" it yet, I feel the need to ask, Did someone pay someone to bad vibe this car? Or am I just lucky?

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  Sporty CR-V - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By Ruth Bolstad - November 2 - 10:59 am

  This is a fun SUV to drive. I bought it new and it is reliable and I would replace it in a snap. Ive had no problems with this car.

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  The vibrations are real - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By John Tully - November 2 - 6:39 am

  I bought a 2015 Honda CRV Touring in December of 2014. I noticed the vibrations shortly after buying the car. I have 12K miles on the car now. The vibrations have gradually become worse, and Im getting extremely annoyed by them. Its not only at idle when the vibrations occur. Its also at any speed while accelerating gradually. The whole car shudders, the vibrations resonate through the entire car, and my entire body. They seem to get very bad at highway speeds (70+ mph). Its to the point where I dread driving this car, and I dread pressing the gas pedal at all. Its by far the worst driving experience Ive ever had, especially for a new car (that I paid well over 30K for). I have finally had enough, so Im going to start voicing my frustration. If I could get a refund on this car, I would in a heartbeat. Im hoping Honda finds a solution, but Im certainly not holding my breath on that. I have debated posting this, because I know all these vibration complaints will kill the resale of 2015 CRVs. So I may be stuck with this lemon for a while, unless I want to take a huge monetary loss on a resale. If Honda cant come up with a fix, or compensate the CRV owners in some way, this will be my last Honda ever. I should note, if not for the vibrations, I would be mostly happy with the car. Since Im here, Ill make a few other comments on the car. I dont like the low beam headlights. They have a very sharp cut-off line on top. It makes if very difficult to see on rural roads, especially those that are curvy and hilly. On some hills/curves, you can only see 20 yards ahead. I dont think this is an issue specific to CRVs though. Other Hondas, and other makes of cars, also have this sharp cut-off line. The Collision Mitigation System (CMS). This is the system that (supposedly) detects a potentially collision, and will warn the driver via an audible warning, light breaking, or heavy breaking. I was driving to work one day, going around a curve to the right on a two lane highway, with traffic coming the other way. Out of nowhere, my CRV beeped, and applied light breaking. It scared the crap out of me. The CMS radar erroneously detected a potential collision, because of the angle of the curve Im sure. If I was on icy roads, this could have sent my car out of control. I was tempted to disable the CMS system (you do have that option via a push-button on the dashboard). I have not disabled it yet, but if this happens again, I will seriously consider it.

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  Bad Quality - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Robert Murray - November 2 - 12:58 am

  Vibration. CVT transmission shifts badly and jumps forward. Back hatch leaks and window not aligned. Should have stayed with 2012 Toyota

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  great vehicle until its not - 2012 Honda CR-V
  By mark weiss - November 1 - 3:46 pm

  My 2012 CRV developed a very common widespread problem in Honda 4 cylinder engines, at about 49000 miles. A defective vtc actuator which causes a loud grinding noise at start. This is clearly something that should be covered by Hondas 5 year 60k power train warranty. Honda claims they having been researching how to repair it for four years without success. Meanwhile my vehicle is worthless in trade. just google crv makes noise at start

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  VTC Actuator defect - 3 yr/36000 warranty useless - 2013 Honda CR-V
  By ckholmvik@gmail.com - November 1 - 9:40 am

  I bought my Honda CRV in mid-2013. By the time the car was 1 year old, with 10,000 miles, there was a grinding noise when I would start the car. The grinding noise lasts about 2 seconds. It has been into a Honda dealership several times. I was told Honda is working on a "fix" and that the problem would be addressed when the engineering department had the issue figured out. One year later (but still under warranty), the grinding noise is louder and longer than before, and happens almost every time I start the car. Upon doing some research, I learned that Honda has been installing the defective VTC actuator since 2008, in Accords. The defective actuator was also installed in 2012-2014 CRVs. It appears that Honda continued to use the defective actuator since 2008, yet customers are being told that a "fix" is in the works, 7 years later. American Honda has advised Honda service departments to not replace the actuator as it is likely that the replacement actuator will present the same grinding noise. A regional case manager also assured me that a "fix" was in the works but did not comment when I pointed out that Honda continued to use a defective part from 2008-2014. Honda repeatedly emphasizes that this is not a safety or performance issue, to which I have replied that is likely the reason it has been 7 years with no fix -- it is a low priority and Honda chooses to direct its engineering resources elsewhere. Dealerships will not do anything as American Honda will not allow replacements to be made. This is my last Honda. Their way of doing business is horrendous. What I have now is a vehicle that definitely attracts attention (but not in a good way) when it is started as everyone in the vicinity gets to enjoy the grinding sound of metal-on-metal.

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  a very expensive vibrating machine - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By rosa harris - October 30 - 7:08 pm

  not happy at all stop at light and if you have a drink you better have top on tight because it will shake it all out ,will not buy another one should have got the Toyota lesson learned will not recommend this to anyone very very disappointed

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  Dont buy this car - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Bergie Frazier - October 28 - 8:42 am

  I have two main problems with this car. The first is the vibration when at idle and at highway speeds. The vibration at 65 -70 mph is felt both in the driver and passenger areas and Honda has no solution for it. The dealer tried new software but did not correct the problem and said Hoda is working on more upgrades. In the meantime we have to drive a car thats shaking like crazy. The second is the hesitation at low speeds which I understand is caused by the transmission. When trying to accelerate through a intersection the car just hesitates then finally will start to accelerate. This is a safety problem. Dealer says thats the way the transmission is. I thought I was buying a car that would last a long time but now Im stuck with this thing with no solution in site. DONT BUY ONE.