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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  Cheesy Vehicle - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Nydia Diaz - February 4 - 8:44 pm

  Cheap interrior. Horn is terrible. The rear back window poor visually. The rear Camara is not the greatest. I regret getting this car. The quality of this car is poor.

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  2016 CRV vibration issue still there. - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By pjtr73 - September 23 - 12:09 am

  I can said now that I’m a proudly ex-owner of a 2016 CRV (very expensive washer machine, massage chair…you name it), it was known to happen with the 2015s( service bulletin 15-046) but honda claims it was fixed(which is a lie), so I got a new crv 2016, my mistake, I only had it for 3 months and about 1500 miles but I had enough with the vibration issue, lucky me I felt all the 3 modes described in the 2015 bulletin,. The vibration started @ about 500 miles and getting worst every day, took the car back to the dealer (2 of them) first one told me it was normal, they all vibrate and this is a “characteristic of the car”, the second one agreed with me that it was vibrating but after 10 mins., came back with the same b**l S**t as the first one, what a waste of my time, I called honda and created a case, they assigned me a case manager that called me and kept repeating that’s a “characteristic of the car”( if so, how come is not listed in the brochure?), his only goal was to get me to agree with his stupidity, which I didn’t, I will never purchase a honda again, quality went down the toilet, is not a reliable car anymore and of course their service department sucks.

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  Honda knowingly sells lemons - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Dennis clarkin - April 13 - 10:57 am

  Do not buy the Honda CR-V Honda knows there is a serious problem with vibration,shaking and poor gas mileage. This car will make you sick driving it. It shakes like a 20 year old car and the gas mileage is at least a third less than advertised. You will get no satisfaction from Honda concerning the shaking as they claim this is characteristic of the vehicle. The sleazy dealer Metro Honda in Johnston RI sold us this vehicle with full knowledge of the defect in it. This is by far the worst vehicle I have ever purchased. Dont make a huge mistake by purchasing this car

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  Unhappy with my 2016 Crv - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By F.Litt - April 10 - 7:08 pm

  This car is so noisy its embarrassing, I brought it in June of 2016, I have been complaining to Honda about the noise and vibration since, they keep telling me thats normal, I have never in my life heard such a noisy brand new car, the driver chair is so uncomfortable Ive been having back and leg problems since driving this car, I almost got into accidents a few times because when it rains the rear camera gets blurry, I feel like Im always driving with the Windows down because I can hear every wind that pass by, Honda was no help at all no matter how friendly the staff is that do not help the problems with the car, so basically Honda told me to wait until other people have problems with their Crv then maybe they will accept the fact that the car have problems, this car is such a turn off, I am sooo dissatisfied with Honda, Im stuck with a noisy vibrator, every time I get in my car I hate it. Honda is deceiving people because satisfaction and warranty means nothing, they tell you everything other than they will fix the problem.

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  Save yourself a lot of grief...look elsewhere - 2018 Honda CR-V
  By amazed99@hotmail.com - February 16 - 4:03 am

  I purchased my 2018 CRV new. I have had nothing but issues with the heat and defrost functions. I took it back to the dealer four times already and their standard response is that is just the way new cars are now, they dont produce heat. I have even purchased a thermostat for the interior because there is just no heat. The ONLY way I can get the stupid car to heat is if I drive it longer than 40 minutes, then it finally starts to warm up around 70. The windshield is a nightmare, the defrost does not keep it clean of snow and ice. In this area of Wisconsin, that is a necessity, not an option. Either I missed this, or the reviews by Consumer Reports and Edmonds are not reporting this defect. Shame on you, as had I know this, I would never have purchased this car. I cant say enough negative about Honda and the CR-V.

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  Medium/Low Mile Maintenance Nightmare - 2011 Honda CR-V
  By Tucker W - January 25 - 9:47 am

  Heres the deal: Im a car guy and die hard Toyota guy, but I respect Hondas and I promise you I am taking all my bias out of this. My father bought this CRV for my mother with 80,000 on the odometer from a HONDA dealership who did a "pre-sale inspection" and said it passed with flying colors. The car currently has 87,000 and has been a maintenance nightmare. Brakes had to be replaced at 83,000, an easy job and only takes an afternoon in the garage, but it was frustrating that the dealership pre-sale inspection missed simple maintenance like that. Then, at 86,000 the alternator died and fried the battery as well. Ive done a lot of alternator jobs before, and this one is the most difficult to get to. I do not recommend doing this at home as you have to pull the power steering pump. An OEM honda alternator was also $425, and a $60 serpentine belt. Not 300 miles later, the clutch on the A/C compressor seized and broke the brand spanking new serpentine belt. I dont mess with A/C systems at all, so we took it to a mechanic friend. $1700 down the drain. At this point Im just expecting the next $3000 repair job. Its slow to accelerate, handles terribly, what more is there to say? So much for Honda Reliability...DO NOT BUY WITHOUT A WARRANTY.

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  Medium/Low Mile Maintenance Nightmare - 2011 Honda CR-V
  By Tucker W - January 25 - 9:47 am

  Heres the deal: Im a car guy and die hard Toyota guy, but I respect Hondas and I promise you I am taking all my bias out of this. My father bought this CRV for my mother with 80,000 on the odometer from a HONDA dealership who did a "pre-sale inspection" and said it passed with flying colors. The car currently has 87,000 and has been a maintenance nightmare. Brakes had to be replaced at 83,000, an easy job and only takes an afternoon in the garage, but it was frustrating that the dealership pre-sale inspection missed simple maintenance like that. Then, at 86,000 the alternator died and fried the battery as well. Ive done a lot of alternator jobs before, and this one is the most difficult to get to. I do not recommend doing this at home as you have to pull the power steering pump. An OEM honda alternator was also $425, and a $60 serpentine belt. Not 300 miles later, the clutch on the A/C compressor seized and broke the brand spanking new serpentine belt. I dont mess with A/C systems at all, so we took it to a mechanic friend. $1700 down the drain. At this point Im just expecting the next $3000 repair job. Its slow to accelerate, handles terribly, what more is there to say? So much for Honda Reliability...DO NOT BUY WITHOUT A WARRANTY.

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  It is bad experience to have honda CR -V. - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Kim, kiyoung - November 10 - 10:34 am

  I have a honda CR-V 2015 only 3000 miles drive. I felt my brand new car shaken a lot. When I visited dealership, one answer there is normal. How can it be? Brand new car vibration was like 20 years old car. I am very disappointed. I will never buy honda car at all.

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  DO NOT BUY CRV OR ANY HONDA - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Jason - October 16 - 9:50 am

  I wrote 2 letters to Honda about the vibration they keep replying to me its a feature of the car.. I never get a written letter back only voice mail.. DO NOT BUY HONDA BOYCOTT HONDA.. They screw a lot of people on a car and they wont buy it back because its not a "safety" issue.. Car was fix the only way to not feel it is to use headlights.. I buy a car and I get a lemon I WOULD NEVER EVER BUY HONDA.... no body even the lemon lawyers wont help.. God bless America.. Going back to American cars I will never buy Honda again. Also cheap car I wounded how many beer cans they use lol

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  Stay away from this vehicle at all costs - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Michael Tomaso - May 2 - 1:51 pm

  I had a 2013 Vw Touareg tdi, and it was my wifes decision to buy this vehicle. Worst mistake I ever bought. First off they didnt tell you at the dealership that the vehicle has a special traction control system that automatically works when engaged and almost cost me three accidents because it slams on the brakes then the drivers view on the dashboard goes all nuts. The lights are very distracting on the dashboard and to me can not be turned off. Then the radio setup for blue tooth and radio stations sucks! First off they only give you 10 presets for your Sirius radio which is not good. Especially if you want to hear other things. Functionality of this radio is system is horrible and not very user friendly. Finally the worst thing about this vehicle is the gas consumption. I feel like Im only 200 miles a week but I had to fill the truck up three times. Im not impressed if it wasnt for my wife I would never buy this vehicle! Just because its made from Honda doesnt mean its a great car. As soon as I can I will get another Vw and stay away from Honda products! Dont waste your money! Get a nicer sub with better gas Mileage.