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:

• 

  Lemon - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By Kasey - January 19 - 9:33 am

  Numerous electrical problems. On slippery and snowy conditions, the AWD does not engage, and got stuck. The shifter also gets stuck frequently, and is awkward to operate. After spending more time in the shop than on the road, my battle with this thing finally came to an end during a snow storm. While doing only about 20 mph, the back end kicked out (again, AWD didnt engage) I lost control and went off the road into a tree. Thanks to the unibody frame and poor impact zones, I came out with a cracked head and some broken ribs. The only saving grace of the ordeal is that the stupid car was totalled.

• 

  My Last Honda - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Mike Landfear - October 9 - 1:47 am

  This is my fourth crv, and Honda has ruined it. It vibrates, hesitates, and has a general lack of power. The trim and interior look cheap and the new electronics suck. The superficial design flaws completely obscure the fundamental design flaws. I will be dumping this piece of garbage as soon as I can, as Honda will only fix problems that are life threatening.

• 

  Transmission failure after 15,000 miles - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Chad - August 24 - 7:05 am

  We leased our 2015 CRV for the fact we liked the new body style and the fuel economy was great. We leased for wife to drive and this gave me the peice of mind that the services would all be done at the dealership and she was in good hands. All was well with the suv, we drove it from ohio to florida and back for vacation and it had great fuel economy. However on our next trip to Tennessee we had major transmission problems over 100 miles away from home. On the way I was driving and noticed that the rpms would increase and decrease rapidly. I thought maybe some bad gas was causing the issue and stopped to assess the problem. At idle the car was fine and as I increased the throttle there were no issues. Back on the road about 15 miles and the car seemed to get worse rpms surging. We decided to turn back and limp it home to the dealership we bought it from. About 20 miles heading back the shifts got worse and the D light on the dash starts to flash. I immediately pulled over and safely got to a gas station. By the time I pulled into the gas station the rpms were at 4000 just to get the car to move a little and you could here squelling from the transmission. 3hrs later (I forgot to mention my wife was 4 months pregnant and very emotional as the trip was for valentines weekend) we got the car to the nearest dealership to assess the transmission. The CRV only has close to 15,000 miles on it and the codes thrown for the transmission were showing total failure. We tried to get a rental from the dealership, but we didnt have honda care just 24hr roadside assistance so they said no coverage. After many calls to our dealership and the 24 hr roadside assistance (got hung up on a couple times by them) we decided to give up on them. The dealership we were at helped us get a good rate on a rental that WE paid for and decided not to have the car ruin our valentines weekend and I am actually writing this review in Tennessee. I have been a honda fan as they usually have great cars (I have the ridgeline), but I think they may have tried something new and failed. The new cvt transmission seemed good at first, but now I do not have high hopes for it.

• 

  NEVER BUY ANOTHER HONDA SUV - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Sherry E - June 25 - 5:27 pm

  The 2016 CRV still has a serious vibration issue and there is no fix from Honda. I had a 2015 first and was told that the 2016 did not have the vibration issue but that was not true. Honda used to be a good car but really dropped the ball on this issue. I would never buy another Honda. Buyer beware!!!!!!

• 

  Issues with 2015 Honda CRV - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By pramodk - June 21 - 3:46 pm

  I have brought the new 2015 Honda CRV in NJ and from the day one I noticed a vibration on the front seats, I report that to local dealer and American Honda. Dealer checked it with other new 2015 models and confirmed that this is with all Honda CRV 2015 Models. I reported the same to American HOnda and they told me GET LOST. The vibration is not always but few times but is strong that you can literally feel it at the back. Very sad that HONDA put my feedback under the carpet and washed off their hands with there responsibility. I told them that the vibration is so strong that my driving get distracted and I get a feel of discomfort but they did not listen to me and closed my case :-(

• 

  Dont buy it!! Try another vehicle! - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Esther F - June 20 - 7:45 am

  I financed a CRV SE in September 2016 and two days or so after having the car I had to go back to the dealer complaining about this vibration that is only felt when the car is idle or when stopped at a light and/or traffic. I feel very disappointed in Honda for not having a fixable solution to this problem. The dead just tells that "its a V4 what you are experiencing/feeling its normal" there no way in hell that you can say that a car thats clearly vibrating and that you as the "tech or mechanics" is also feel that theres something not right on the vehicle you can tell me its normal!!! The worst part is that they tell me that they can get me into another car but its going to put me a negative equity or something thing like that which means that they are going to give me a quote on how much the CRV is valued as of now and they are going to deduct what the consider out it and then Ill owe the rest! Totally not fair.. I feel that as a "respectable" brand as Honda should have more respect and transparency with its customers and fully advice them of this problem! But, thats not all the "AWD"crap is BS.. I had such a hard time driving in the snow this Winter and to make it worst I was stuck!!! In the snow. I had to get out and shovel my way out and just so you know I have a bad back! No its totally unfair to be paying all that money to get into a car thats not even going to give you half of what you are paying for, so do yourself a favor and dont buy a CRV..

• 

  Honda cr-v 2015 still vibration after 3 modes - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Vale - May 28 - 2:14 am

  Honda company is disregarding the issue of the Honda cr-v vibration. It is been 7 months after some many vibrating trips to the Honda dealer to fix it and no solution. I am discouraged, disappointed, and unsatisfied with them . They trick people to buy this garbage with out letting them know that there is an issue. I am alerting those buyer dont be a victim like me. NEVER MORE BUSINESS WITH YOU HONDA FULL OF HYPOCRISY

• 

  dont buy this garbage - 1997 Honda CR-V
  By david - March 22 - 1:49 pm

  We bought this car thinking that it would be good (its a Honda) but were in for a big surprise. one year after we bought it, the car died on me on the highway and again when I was turning left onto a big road. we had the transmission replaced three years after purchase then we had an overheating problem. we sold the car five years later.

• 

  Good for 8 hours or 50 miles whichever comes first - 2017 Honda CR-V
  By mmruiz - January 11 - 5:10 am

  Had the car for 8 hours and it died. The car went crazy and all the lights started flashing on and off (interior, dashboard and exterior). Car would not start. Ultimately had the car towed back to the dealer on a flatbed.

• 

  So Disappointed - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By So Disappointed - December 22 - 11:04 pm

  Bought this as my first new car after driving it in 4 inches of snow and being very impressed at its performance there, and finding a 2007 on the lot in December. Since purchase, have been nothing but disappointed. Terrible gas mileage (21 on mostly highway), cheap radio, slow acceleration, rough ride performance, ridiculuously cheap-looking base wheels, no covered storage in front besides glove boxes, nearly-useless table between seats, uncomfortable driving position, difficulty in seat belting child in with booster seat, and much more had me looking up trade-in value in the first month. This car makes me miss my deteriorating 2000 Taurus with 110,000 miles greatly.