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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  Worst invention of Honda ever - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Vijay - January 8 - 11:37 am

  Alert! Those who want to purchase this car, please test drive it for at least 200 miles :) and go for a decision. Look for videos and blogs reporting vibration problem in this car. You will find a ton of them. Worst part is that, even though Honda is aware of this problem, it is getting rid of its stock with out fixing the problem. Customers have to go to the dealership and beg for the fix. Dealership is not ready to take the car back. Really disappointed with this purchase. Will never trust Honda. They have performed 4 repairs on the car in the first month. Now that they are completely exhausted with their solutions they are pretending that the car is in good condition now and nothing needs to be fixed.

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  Transmission Failure - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By MP - December 30 - 3:58 pm

  I purchases this vehicle in August of 2015. I put roughly 3,300 miles on it. While driving it on December 12 the transmission failed and I was stuck on the side of the Hwy waiting 4 hours for a tow truck. The dealer replaced the transmission and I was able to pick up my vehicle yesterday December 29th. On the way home I noticed a couple odd sounds while driving at highway speeds (55-60 mph). I now have about 3,400 miles on the car so it will be interesting to see if the transmission simply needs a break in period or if I will experience this trouble again. I love everything else about the vehicle, I am just hoping that it will be reliable from this point forward.

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  Vibration Makes You Sick - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By J Warner - December 28 - 7:20 am

  We bought our 2015 CRV wanting to keep it for a longtime, but with the vibration issues it doesnt look like thats going to happen. I cant believe that Honda would allow this vehicle to be sold without a notice to the consumer. If they disclosed the vibration issue it wouldnt be the #1 selling SUV. Honda really ruined the brand with me. I have owned 4 Accords, 2 Pilots, we just bought my daughter a HRV and now this piece of junk CRV. This is the last Honda I will buy.

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  Done with Honda - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Toonces - December 15 - 12:56 pm

  Yes, the SUV vibrates..As the driver, you dont notice too much. But literally 7 out of 7 passengers have said they feel dizzy or a bit sick whenever they are in it. The interior quality is like a Chevy, and thats not a compliment. Hard touch plastic everywhere. Yes, I bought the LX, the base, but I recently traded this for an Ouback, and the Outback is on another level of quality. Before the Outback, I drove the Touring, the top CRV made, its literally the same quality on the panel, dash, door...Even with leather seats, the rest of the interior is cheap...Im sure the transmission and engine will last 200,000 miles, but the engine does not work with the car, thus the vibration. And the interior is closer to a toy than a real car. I have owned 11 new Hondas, there will never be a 12th. My last civic was also pretty cheap feeling. I drive 50% on highway, 50% in town, and never got better than 21.6 mpg. The other day was the first day in Oregon we had frost on the window. I turned on the car to warm it up, waited 2, 2.5 minutes for it to warmup a bit, and turned on the defrost, 100% on high...It took 11 additional minutes before I could barely see out of the bottom of the windshield...At 14 minutes, with the help of wipers I could see safely enough to drive.

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  Stress, Depression & Sickness Due to Vibration. - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By AMarc37 - November 12 - 2:38 pm

  I have a very wonderful family with a typical normal life, and I bought this Honda CRV 2015 a month ago for my family to enjoy their everyday rides. But this car was a nightmare for all of us. It has a multiple Vibration modes such as, Acceleration at 30-40 Mph, 50 to 60 Mph and the worse is, when we stop and in Drive shift gear, its feel like the whole car is vibrating. Every time I get out of this car my hands feels like I use a "Jack Hammer" after a while. This is very unsafe to drive coz I am always getting out of focus on my driving, and it is very annoying and mentally stressful while driving it. This is frustrating, its caused Our Money, Our Safety and Our Health. I am not sure how long can I keep this car, but for sure, I will not recommend this Brand anymore to all my friends and to all people I know.

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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.

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  BUYER BEWARE - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By J.Booker - October 20 - 4:18 pm

  Do your research - search 2015 CRV vibration problems! It is terrible! When you are in drive and stopped in traffic or at a stoplight, the front seats vibrate so badly it is terrible. This is an issue Honda knows about and yet they keep selling these. The dealers "seem" to be in the dark because they dont want you to know. Do yourself a favor and if you still want one of these cars, take it on a good long test drive so it warms up. This starts once it is warm because the rpms drop so low. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND.

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  Vibration!... Everywhere inside. - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Amarc37 - October 12 - 2:14 pm

  I just bought my CR-V 2015 EX two days ago, and start to feel vibration everywhere inside the car (seatings, Steering Wheel, Side Doors, Arm rest) and more severe when I am on stop and on D-shift after a 30 miles of driving. I was so upset when I realized that there is no fix yet to this issue. I brought it back to the dealership two days after to ask for exchange or any option I may have but they refused to deal with anything except to cut-off you a 3K for buy back. I hate those dealership people in San Diego, they are totally liar, they hiding something just to sell their junk to consumers, they are the worst people I ever met. I tell you, you can not feel this problem during the test drive coz they will direct you on where to go for just one mile approx. and not enough to warm-up the vehicle. Now, every time I go out from this car, I feel my hands shaking and with headache and mentally affecting your driving concentration. This issue is a total recall, American Honda should do something so soon about this issue (or fix it) before anything happen to the consumer who experiencing this problems.

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  $$$ if your transmission goes out - 2011 Honda CR-V
  By Chris H - October 6 - 4:52 pm

  Beware if you need a new transmission. Mine went out at 125,000 ( my Honda Civic made it to 300,00 without issues). The bill to put in a new one $3,600. The is much higher than many other models of SUV

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  2015 CR-V AWD Touring Potential Death Trap! - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By William B. Brigman - October 5 - 3:43 pm

  My (top-of-the-line) 2015 CR-V which I purchase on July 22, 2015 has an engine that is malfunctioning. It frequently and unexpectedly fails to accelerate when the accelerator is depressed. In fact, the vehicle stalls/slows down during these occurrences. Getting through intersections and merging with traffic can get real exciting. These failures have been witnessed by as many as three licensed drivers. A Honda dealership has done two diagnostic test and driving test and can not replicate the condition. The dealership and American Honda Motors express they can not repair a vehicle if they cannot identify the problem. My question is if their technician is riding in the car and the acceleration fails how will they identify the cause especially when their diagnostic equipment does not identify the failure(s). At this time, both the dealership and American Honda Motors tells me there is nothing they can do for the malfunctioning car they made. This leaves me with a $40,000 piece of junk (in my opinion). A car for which I am paying over $40,000 and it is unsafe to drive.