Used 2021 Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V is one of the best compact SUVs you can buy. Backing up that statement is a trophy case overflowing with accolades, including the Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award that garners it the benchmark in its segment.

Ingredients for the CR-V’s recipe for success include a decades-long history of reliability and high resale value, easy and efficient driving manners, practicality, and among the roomiest interiors in its class. And it all comes at a price tag that’s digestible to everyday buyers.

Last year was a big one for the CR-V, highlighted by the debut of a 40 mpg hybrid (reviewed separately) and the standardization of the Honda Sensing safety suite and a turbo engine in all gasoline-only models. The 2021 Honda CR-V carries over and is as appealing as ever.

But being king of the hill also makes you an easy target. The Toyota RAV4, the CR-V’s archrival, has just introduced a plug-in hybrid model, while Nissan has an all-new Rogue.

All standard Honda CR-V models now use a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional all-wheel drive (AWD). We like this plucky little powertrain as it offers excellent fuel economy and ample torque, helping it feel livelier than its 190-horsepower rating might suggest. It can’t match the performance of the turbocharged Ford Escape and Kia Sportage, but the CR-V has never been about blistering speed. In the CR-V, acceleration builds steadily, with the continuously variable transmissions (CVT) simulating stepped gear changes that mimic a traditional automatic.

The engine pulls well, even when performing low-speed passing maneuvers. It’s a much more satisfying experience than you’ll get from behind the wheel of a Subaru Forester or Toyota RAV4. The CR-V’s steering is nicely assisted, with enough feedback to make it enjoyable when the road starts to wind. The ride is compliant, softer than most, but also less jarring. That said, if you’re looking for a more sporty compact-crossover SUV, the Mazda CX-5, Ford Escape or Kia Sportage is probably going to be more to your liking.

The 2021 Honda CR-V’s 2-row/5-passenger interior space really is one of its best attributes — impressive given that the previous generation was already among the most spacious in its class. In addition to its above-average ability to hold people and gear, the latest CR-V’s space is easy to use. The 60/40-split rear seats fold with a simple pull of a lever, and the rear cargo area has a 2-tier setup in which the floor can be flat or set lower to keep objects secure. EX and above models have a pair of useful rear USB ports to keep mobile devices juiced. Up front is the CR-V’s familiar and enviable seating position that is comfortable and provides a good view out. This stuff may sound mundane, but trust us – over years of driving, it adds up daily appreciation.

Last year Honda gave a slight freshening to the CR-V crossover. It updated the front end, highlighted by a new bumper and blackout grille as well as larger openings for the fog lights. EX, EX-L, and Touring trims get new round LED fog lights, with the EX trims riding on new 18-inch wheels and the Touring rolling on 19s.

Though still unmistakably a CR-V, Honda’s best-selling SUV is slightly more muscular. It has a long, wide stance and some very aggressive wheel designs. Ground clearance is a respectable 7.8 inches for front-wheel-drive (FWD) models and 8.2 inches for all-wheel drive. This is especially good news for CR-V owners who will contend with snow and other foul weather.

HONDA SENSING SAFETY SUITE
Standard on all 2021 Honda CR-V models, this suite of safety systems and driver assists includes forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist, auto high beams plus adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow.

The 2021 Honda CR-V comes in four trims: LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring. The least expensive Honda CR-V LX includes Honda Sensing, single-zone automatic climate control, rearview camera, 6-way manual-adjust driver’s seat, cruise control, and a 4-speaker/160-watt audio system with a 5-inch color screen and Bluetooth wireless connectivity.

Most buyers will likely opt for the EX, which includes rear privacy glass, a 12-way-power driver’s seat with 4-way-power lumbar, dual-zone climate control, moonroof, push-button start, heated front seats and 7-inch-display audio/infotainment system that’s Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatible. Also standard are heated side mirrors, variable wipers, blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, LED fog lights, and auto up/down power front windows.

Major options come by climbing trims. Step up to the EX-L, and you gain leather seating, a power tailgate, 4-way power-adjustable passenger seat, HomeLink universal garage-door opener, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and 8-speaker audio system.

Top-line Touring models add a hands-free tailgate, navigation, LED headlights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, roof rails, a heated steering wheel, wireless charge pad, dual chrome exhaust outlets, and a 9-speaker/330-watt premium audio system. All-wheel drive is available on all trims of the 2021 Honda CR-V.

The Honda CR-V comes with a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder good for 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque, the latter coming on at a very low 2,000 rpm. Highway fuel economy is 34 mpg on front-drive models, with the AWD version giving up just 2 mpg. Also, it’s helpful to know that the CR-V’s turbocharged engine runs quite contentedly on regular unleaded gasoline.

The standard CVT automatic features a Sport mode for added responsiveness, although the CR-V has no illusions of being sporty. In both front- and all-wheel-drive models, towing is limited to just 1,500 pounds.

1.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 (LX, EX, EX-L, Touring)
190 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
179 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 28/34 mpg (FWD), 27/32 mpg (AWD)

Our Expert Ratings come from hours of both driving and number crunching to make sure that you choose the best car for you. We comprehensively experience and analyze every new SUV, car, truck, or minivan for sale in the U.S. and compare it to its competitors. When all that dust settles, we have our ratings.

We require new ratings every time an all-new vehicle or a new generation of an existing vehicle comes out. Additionally, we reassess those ratings when a new-generation vehicle receives a mid-cycle refresh — basically, sprucing up a car in the middle of its product cycle (typically, around the 2-3 years mark) with a minor facelift, often with updates to features and technology.

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Our editors drive and live with a given vehicle. We ask all the right questions about the interior, the exterior, the engine and powertrain, the ride and handling, the features, the comfort, and of course, about the price. Does it serve the purpose for which it was built? (Whether that purpose is commuting efficiently to and from work in the city, keeping your family safe, making you feel like you’ve made it to the top — or that you’re on your way — or making you feel like you’ve finally found just the right partner for your lifestyle.)

We take each vehicle we test through the mundane — parking, lane-changing, backing up, cargo space and loading — as well as the essential — acceleration, braking, handling, interior quiet and comfort, build quality, materials quality, reliability.