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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  Mistake - 2010 Honda CR-V
  By Dave - November 1 - 2:00 am

  Bought this for my wife with all of the options... This was our 4th CR-V and nothing but issues. Picked up from dealership took on road trip. Around 400 miles rack and pinion broke, hit rain storm no wipers, cant get more than 21 mpg on hwy, pieces coming off of dash, I have had it in the dealer for 5 weeks and they cant figure how to fix it. Keep getting run around. Will not buy another Honda and is a real shame as I have had about 10 over the past 20 years. I had also contacted Honda Corporate and they never returned a call or sent a note. They always want a good survey guess they cant take the bad and stick behind product.

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  Peeling grill paint & needs more power - 2010 Honda CR-V
  By Tim H. - November 1 - 2:00 am

  This could be a fantastic vehicle with a few changes. 1. Needs more power 2. Fix this inherent problem with the peeling paint in the grill. I noticed it a day after I got it home. Seriously folks. Who in the hell wants to pay twenty five grand for a brand new car with peeling paint ? 3. Front seats have ridges on the sides of the bottoms making it difficult to get in and out of. Dont know what they were thinking there! Aside from those items, a great car.

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  My second Honda! - 2010 Honda CR-V
  By 3 months ago - October 30 - 2:00 am

  I like everything about this vehicle except the lack of power. It has enough power to get you to point A,B,C,and all the way to z and back. I just think it can have a V6 engine. The door speakers could be larger to make that subwoofer sound like a BOSE system.

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  An above avg small SUV - 2010 Honda CR-V
  By urpapa - October 28 - 2:00 am

  Folks, this is just a small SUV, so dont expect too much on power and torque. And since its "SUV", so dont expect its MPG better than your CIVIC either. Overall, a well built car with better than average power and MPG. I have no problem merging on freeways, cruising on streets. Comb MPG is always around 26. Worst MPG ever got was around 20 (mainly driven on streets). Handling is Honda typical, meaning good. You can drive it like a sedan except when you cornering. After all its SUV. Nice thing to note is you can change oil once a YEAR. But to be kind to your car, and FGS, change the oil every 6 months.

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  Peeling Paint on Hood of Brand New CRV - 2010 Honda CR-V
  By Reggie - October 26 - 2:00 am

  As with some of the other reviewers this is my very FIRST new car ever. I had a 1998 SAAB prior. The CR-V is slow to accelerate in a pinch, does have multiple blind spots and now, peeling paint on hood which the Honda rep (brought in by the dealer) said was caused by BIRD POOP, that this happens all the time! They are fixing it as a "courtesy" since I first noticed it when the car was only 2.5 months old but, really, bird poop? There wasnt even bird poop on the car where it was peeling! Oh yeah, the other possible culprit was allegedly "tree sap" No noticeable tree sap in this area either. I have never, ever had a car with this problem, never mind a brand new car!! Seems totally crazy.

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  Love the CR-V - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By Harold - October 23 - 2:00 am

  The CR-V is fun to drive and has plenty of power. It has great visibility which makes in town driving and parking a breeze. Not a single problem in the first 30,000 miles. MPG is 24 around town and almost 30 on the road.

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  My pick - 2010 Honda CR-V
  By woody - October 23 - 2:00 am

  Good SUV some road noise do to tires wind noise average. Also drove escape rav 4 and Mitsubishi outlander. All 4 cylinder didnt like ravs dash escape was dated interior and rear seat fold design was poor. Liked mitsu but third row is a joke in this class and interior felt cheap in comparison to Toyota and Honda ex. Heater controls and seat adjusters. Mitsu was a close second but cost 2k more to get moonroof you had to get sound package I didnt want

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  Very Loud - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By NO NO - October 22 - 2:00 am

  This is a very loud cabin and the seat belt is not comfortable at all.

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  Quality and Reliability - 2010 Honda CR-V
  By PT Lewis - October 20 - 2:00 am

  After months of research the Honda CR-V won when comparing it with the GMC Terrain and Chevy Equinox. SAFETY: - The Honda CR-V has a track record that GM can not touch when it comes to safety. The CR-V wins in this category, a very important category. RELIABILITY: - GM has released its new 4 cylinder engine which does not have enough market time to reliably understand build quality. Honda wins here. EXTERIOR/INTERIOR DESIGN: - GM has done a wonderful job with its aggressive looks but the inside feels tight and shell like. Honda wins for better interior feel and room. RESELL VALUE: My final decision was based on resell value. An obvious Honda advantage = Honda Wins. Enjoy your Honda!!

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  Fantastic Car! - 2000 Honda CR-V
  By SalinaBeamer - October 19 - 2:00 am

  I had this car for 10 years (176,000 miles) and had absolutely NO problems. I changed oil every 3K miles but never had it tuned up in 10 years. I gave it to my daughter in law where it will have a new life. Fantastic car!