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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  Vehicle stopped/not starting out of no reason - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Cheyyene - September 7 - 9:16 pm

  I dont know whether other 2015 CRV owners are facing similar issue or not. My vehicle once stopped all of a sudden for no reason while I was driving on highway. All the maintenance indicators of my car like Low Engine Oil Pressure, Vehicle Stability, Tire pressure, Battery etc got switched on and my vehicle came to stop. After several attempts to start it, it finally started after 40-45 minutes. Honda on-road support told that it would take around an hour to reach me, even though I was within the city limits. The same issue occurred when once I was starting the car. The car stopped within a few seconds of my starting it. After several attempts to start it, it finally started after 20-25 minutes. This happened twice for my 8 months old car.

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  Vibration Problem - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Judy Nelson - August 29 - 12:57 pm

  Please.please...before you buy one do your research on the vibration problem that Honda is saying is a characteristic of the new Honda 2015 CRV. Met with a Honda America guy 2 weeks ago and he is saying All the 2015 Honda CRV have a characteristic of vibration. It comes with all the new cars. Honda not willing to do anything about it. Driven Hondas all my life. Never agin. Even if you do not know it your car will vibrate. My car started vibration problem.. 2 months after I bought it. Please do not buy one. You will be sorry.

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  Vibrations in a new 2015 CRV - Really!!! - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Dan Steimle - August 27 - 4:42 pm

  I Purchased a new 2015 Honda CRV about 3 weeks ago. It had only 4 miles on it. When I started driving it I noticed a vibration at stop lights. I thought maybe it was a beak in issue or maybe something was wrong with the gas in the vehicle. Well now I have around 1,500 miles on the car and the problem only seems to be getting worse. Whenever the vehicle is at a stop and idling in drive the car has an excessive amount of vibration. At times it seems as if it is going to stall out. I have a scheduled appointment with the dealership. Disappointed to see others are having the same issue with no real solution from Honda.

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  Worst riding new car we have ever bought!!!!!!!!!! - 2014 Honda CR-V
  By Ronald Lee - August 25 - 9:56 pm

  We bought this 2014 Honda CR-V ELX new from Howdy Honda and have had problems since we purchased it. The radio is useless because you cannot hear it for the road noise. Brakes are bumpy when applied with an uneven brake, release, brake motion. There is a noise that increases and decreases with speed (sounds almost like a belt in one of the tires has shifted or a bad wheel bearing). The actuators on the back hatch door are bad and will be replaced. The pneumatic tire pressure indicator is always coming on. Steering is too quick ( There is no comparison between a CR-V and an Accord with the Accord being far superior. There are other makes that offer more options for around the same cost. Rough riding vehicle. We tried to tell Howdy Honda we were having problems with this car and they would drive it and say there is nothing wrong with it. Finally at my request a service manager (AND MYSELF) took the car for a test drive (he drove it) and he admitted it had problems. Bear in mind your complaints are (concerns at Howdy Honda). I also asked him how about driving a new CR-V to compare rides (mine has had these problems since the first time I took the car in for an oil change) and the service manager quickly stated it wouldnt be a good idea as the technology has changed from 2014 to 2015 (can you believe that). Honda has become a company that makes excuses for its flaws instead of standing behind them and doing what is right. On the defective hatch actuators (support arms) a service person tried to tell me I would have to duplicate the problem (the hatch has become locked in the open position twice and I thought I was going to break it if I applied more force in trying to close it). I felt like telling this individual he was an idiot and he really made me angry at doubting my integrity. I told him what was I or my wife supposed to do----drive the fifty miles to the dealership with the hatch stuck up in the air!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This CR-V ELX may have 26,000 miles on it but the problems listed have existed since we purchased it and complained during the time of the first oil change. Ronald Lee

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  carefully think to buy from honda - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By joe - August 21 - 12:16 am

  i bought the car 3 weeks , the fog lamp glass broken,,if the screen glass maybe easy broken when you driving on the highway,,so be carefully to think about buy this honda car

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  CR-V AC Condenser Rip-off!! - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Rebekah Conatser - July 20 - 5:04 pm

  I purchased a 2015 CR-V in April of 2015. I have always had Honda vehicles and have never been as disappointed as I am right now. On this past Friday afternoon, I got into my CR-V in 96 degree weather and my AC was not working. I immediately called Honda and made an appointment for the following morning. When I got home, my husband, who is a mechanic, checked it out just to see. He said the compressor was working and the belts were all running. So the sensor was sensing freon. Well we got to Honda the next morning, waited for 2 long hours, for them to say a rock or something hit my condenser and all my freon leaked out. And, of course, MY WARRANTY DOESNT COVER IT. It will cost me $400 to replace all of this. They did offer a $100 discount since the car was so new, however, I asked how a dent in my condenser that is smaller than a dime could take out my AC in the 3 months Ive had it. They said the condenser is made out of aluminum and is very fragile. There is NOTHING guarding this on the front of my car. I called the Honda Customer Service in my warranty book. The woman I spoke with flat out refused to reimburse me as well. I understand that an act of nature CAUSED this. However, if the condenser had been made out of stronger material or had protection covering it, this would never have happened!! I should not have to be replacing my AC after having my car for 3 months!!!

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  Pre-certifired means nothing - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By Mary Bailey - July 20 - 1:05 pm

  I have a Honda 2007 CRV LX 4WD. It is my third one to own. I have always bought brand new until the 2007. It was pre-certified, and I thought that meant something. Although it was going 4 years old and had a scratch on the hood, it only had 35,000 miles on it, and Hondas are supposed to do 300K, right? The certified meant it had nothing wrong with it, etc At 86000 miles and 3 years later, the air conditioner has stopped working. I got online to see that the 2002 - 2007 Honda CRV has a design defect that guarantees the AC will fail. A class action law suit resulted in Honda agreeing to do a 8 year/100,000 mile recall. I took it to my local Honda to be told there was no recall on my vin# and two day later, the air went to blowing only hoth wit the heat index at 110 degrees! The condenser broke and the whole system has to be replaced. I called the dealership I bought the certified Honda from to be told that although it was 2015 and it might sound like Honda would cover it until 2015 ended (the 8th year) my particular Honda came off of the line 1/29/07. The eight years are up as up 1/28/15. I was 13 weeks too late. What troubles me is that the dealer knew the Honda had this problem and that it was not a case of if it would break but when. It is a design defect! I am stuck. How could they certify a vehicle with a design defect that guaranteed the AC would go bad somewhere around 85,000 miles? Trading it in will give me low value and keeping it with no AC in the South could be a health hazard. I consider what Honda did to be unethical. Their certified still carries a "buyer beware." It is a way to dump defective vehicles.

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  A/C Compressor Black Death - RIP HONDA - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By Rob Kientz - July 20 - 12:33 pm

  I purchased, used, a 2007 Honda CRV LX. I have owned Hondas all my life (24 years driving), and my family has owned Hondas since the 1970s. The two things I could always count on in Honda were a) excellent quality and therefore value and b) leading customer service. I am extremely disappointed to report that both may no longer hold true. As happens to many people since 2003 (I am now finding out) with a CRV SUV, the compressor clutch freezes and causes the compressor to explode. When this happens, the entire system (hoses, lines, evaporator, etc..) are contaminated, and the entire cooling system has to be replaced. I called Honda Corporate in California and found out they had an extended warranty, for this part, to 7 years/100k. My car is at 106k miles at the moment. So I am screwed. Not only that, but my mechanic told me the problem can recur because the replacement parts have the same issue. He has one customer who has brought in the system to be replaced 3 times over 115k miles. 3 times! So even if I pay the $2000 estimated repair cost, I could end up paying that again in a few thousand miles. So to recap: Honda has a known issue on CRV A/C compressors for 12 years, does NOT issue a recall, offers a limited parts warranty, and then kisses their customers goodbye. At this point, I told Honda Corporate I will never purchase a Honda again after 40 years of my family owning them. I have two Hondas in my driveway (also have a 2008 Civic) that I will now promptly sell and replace both with another brand. RIP Honda, I am done with you!

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  My last Honda - 2010 Honda CR-V
  By fcgllc - June 8 - 8:40 am

  My wife and I recently bought a one-owner. dealer maintained CR-v with just under 100,000 miles on it based on Hondas reputation and Consumer Reports ratings. So far, Ive discovered that it uses about 1 qt of oil every 1000 miles. The AC compressor just died (a typical problem for Hondas that was never mentioned by Consumer Reports), and the squeaks and rattles in this thing drive me nuts. Ive got a Nissan and a Mazda in my driveway with double the miles of the CR-V and I trust either of them more than I will ever trust another Honda. Once I get the AC working again, this car will be out of my driveway and never again will I own a Honda product.

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  Faulty A/C and Electronics - 2013 Honda CR-V
  By jlmedina - April 22 - 12:43 am

  Bought a new 2013 from Whittier Community Honda. 14 months later a/c goes out & battery dies. After doing some research, both are known defects. Honda even lost a class-action lawsuit in 2013 for the a/c but never corrected the problem for newer models. Honda refused to repair a/c saying its my problem. Honda shouldve at least warned me about the design flaw & problems so I could make an informed decision whether to buy or not. I had 2 previous Hondas. One had a recall that they never told me about & the other had a class action lawsuit regarding brakes that Honda again lost but they forgot to tell me. I dont trust Honda anymore especially Whittier Community Honda.