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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  Honda Thats SO Uncomfortable The Front Seats SUCK - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By Jimd2 - December 11 - 7:04 pm

  We are Selling a 58000 Mile Honda From my 89 year old Mother, She went to the store and back, I took This on a 6hr round trip and could not walk after the trip. The seats are the worst, I Hate the vehicle there is zero love !! We will take our 163000 mile 2004 Saab 9-3 the next time. The Honda is Junk. THE SEATS SUCK THAT BAD!!! I feel If I sell It the people buying it should have read the reviews, STAY AWAY from the CR-V!!! There are other problems but Honda is not as good as people think!!!! Its a crappy little car I dont like it at all, Good luck if your so foolish to buy it or Please read the reviews even the 2015 and 2016 Honda SUCK!!! >>PEOPLE GET THE AIR BAGS FIXED BEFORE YOU BLOW YOUR HEAD OFF!!<<

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  Honda Thats SO Uncomfortable The Front Seats SUCK - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By Jimd2 - December 11 - 7:04 pm

  We are Selling a 58000 Mile Honda From my 89 year old Mother, She went to the store and back, I took This on a 6hr round trip and could not walk after the trip. The seats are the worst, I Hate the vehicle there is zero love !! We will take our 163000 mile 2004 Saab 9-3 the next time. The Honda is Junk. THE SEATS SUCK THAT BAD!!! I feel If I sell It the people buying it should have read the reviews, STAY AWAY from the CR-V!!! There are other problems but Honda is not as good as people think!!!! Its a crappy little car I dont like it at all, Good luck if your so foolish to buy it or Please read the reviews even the 2015 and 2016 Honda SUCK!!! >>PEOPLE GET THE AIR BAGS FIXED BEFORE YOU BLOW YOUR HEAD OFF!!<<

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  My seventh and final Honda. - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By David. - December 2 - 4:07 am

  1. Navigation. Resets at toll booths. Continually recalculates. Requires three different shots on two screens to show a turn. Cannot adjust frequency, so you will be told 4 times in the last mile before approaching a toll booth. 2. Vibration. I have now had the car in 5 times. I have had all of the parts replaced, the software fixes. It still vibrates. It gives me a headache. I have driven seven Hondas. I will never drive another. It is, to be perfectly honest, an awful car.

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  Problems keep adding up - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By ncg - September 23 - 12:57 am

  Let me start by saying I am currently in arbitration with the National Center for Dispute Settlement http://ncdsusa.org/ and will move onto Lemon Law litigation. I have a 2015 Honda CRV AWD Touring currently over 13k miles and have experienced an array of problems which really has put a sour taste in my mouth because of the numerous problems with our CRV and the type of response from Honda. I have taken the car into service departments that have either took note of, tried numerous fixes or not at all, but in the end we are told that nothing can be done because this is a "characteristic of the vehicle" and no fix is needed . Ive even been told by my Honda dealer doing the warranty work that I can take my business to another dealer. I recommend you document all of your visits, even test drives with service advisors, log phone calls and make sure service records state what you reported, what work was done, what was noticed on test drives. I have met with District Parts and Service Manager, filed with Honda Customer Service, sent certified letters and all have resulted in the same response. This is a characteristic of the vehicle. Make sure to file these problems/complaints with Honda Customer Service 1-800-999-1009 and the NHTSA https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/ so the government takes notice. Here are some of the issues you may experience with the CRV. 1. Vibration issues for mode 1, 2 and 3 before and after TSB 15-046 -Driving Mode 1: While stopped with vehicle in gear. -Driving Mode 2: While between 1,000–1,200 rpm at takeoff. -Driving Mode 3: While driving between 1,800–2,200 rpm around 40–50 mph. 2. Vibration at highway speeds 70-80+ 3. Shudder, stall when in reverse 4. Steering issues -Pulls left under acceleration when wheel centered -Does not maintain center/neutral position or track straight down the road without excessive intervention. -Intermittently needs unexpected intervention through turns as the steering is not direct or does not reflect input from the driver. -The steering requires more input in one direction versus another. Intermittently steering becomes very heavy as if no power assist is given. 5. Car whines/whistles when driving These are the problems my car continues to have after taking them in to get "fixed".

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  Torture Chamber - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Chuck - September 3 - 7:35 pm

  This is the tenth Honda weve owned, so you know we WERE loyal! Traded in a 2007 CR-V that we loved. Our 2015 CR-V was the most uncomfortable car weve ever owned or ridden in. Couldnt stand to be in it for a trip longer than 45 minutes. The seats were awful, and the front passenger legroom was terribly restricted compared to our 2007. It was so uncomfortable that we traded it in after nine months on a 2016 Ford Escape Titanium. We love the Escape! Its better in every way than the Honda: comfort, power, quiet, handling, technology. We havent missed anything about our Honda once since the day we drove away from it.

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  Like riding Indiana Jones at Disneyland - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By AlexC - August 28 - 10:39 am

  Seriously losing confidence in Hondas quality. Ive owned 2 cars in my lifetime.. both Hondas.. and both have glaring defaults within. (Previous car: 2001 Honda Accord, which came w/ a bad transmission) The 2015 Honda CRV came out of the dealership lot driving great. I thought I finally scored a great deal of a car! Then I started reading about the VIBRATION issues the car supposedly had. The car still drove well for another 10,000 miles.. But now, Im near nauseous at every stop light I find myself at. I look over at the passenger seat, which is shaking madly.. which means that the driver seat I"m sitting on is also shaking likewise. This shaking at idle reminds me of the transmission issue I dealt with in my previous Honda Accord, where the car constant risk of shaking and dying upon acceleration at eery red light. I certainly hope Honda does something about their problems with the 21015 CRV. They received incredible ratings and reviews upon initial release and rode it all the way to best seller. This is very unfortunate that the car does not deliver up to value and no has many (and priorly non-returning) customers. Very disapointing

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  Horrible vibration and heater - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Springtime - June 21 - 10:48 am

  The vibration is ridiculous. I had two fixes and still have vibration. The amount of time it takes for the cabin to get warm is unacceptable. I live in the NE and if it wasnt for the heated seats Id freeze to death. I drive both city and highway and I havent even achieved the listed city mpg. This will be the last time we buy a Honda.

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  Dont buy this bucket of bolts - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Karen - June 19 - 8:57 pm

  Omg, I thought I was going crazy until I read the reviews. My car and passenger seat vibrate, I was told this was normal. Drive the car and it feels like I am stuck in cruise control. Car engine vibrates violently on first start up, brought back to deal and they told me and I quote"operating as designed". I thought bc I was a female they were giving me this crap, they are but reading these reviews the guys got the same story. Dont waste your money. Car is 9 months old and Ill be trading it in for a Guinean or Toyota. My Santa re was 8 yrs old and had182,000 Plus miles,no one issue.

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  Honda CRV-EXL vibrate during idle - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By cutylun - March 23 - 3:03 am

  Just picked up new 2015 Honda CRV EX-L few days and quickly figured out the problem that most people mention about the vibration during idle. When put on the brake at the stop sign or traffic light, driver can feel the vibration on the chair, steering wheel, some time the vibration is strong like having a massage on the back.

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  Im telling you, DONT DO IT! - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By M. Rexroad - March 17 - 11:07 pm

  I have had MAJOR problems with this vehicle and EXTREMELY poor support from Honda in getting it fixed. I bought this car in December by June, it had 3,000 miles on it and the a/c didnt work - in Texas - in the summertime. This was the first time I heard "it seems to be fine to me. Lets compare it to another 2015 CRV." I have heard that phrase EVERY SINGLE TIME I have taken this vehicle in for service. Each time I have replied "I dont need to compare it to another. I know how this car was performing X days ago and its not performing to that level today." Any, I am promptly dismissed. This exact scenario has taken place at EVERY dealership for EVERY service issue. And, the service issues have been many: the windshield wipers dont always work, the sound system works intermittently, the dashboard lights work sporadically, the windows leak, and the ever present a/c problems- in Texas. I believe that Honda once made a good vehicle. I also believe that Honda changed something after the 2014 model year. Now, anybody I speak with who owns 2015, 2016 or 2017 Honda expresses major disappointment with the vehicles quality. I wont be purchasing another Honda.