MSRP range: $26,800 – $36,600
Pros
- Quick acceleration plus thrifty fuel economy
- Roomy interior with cavernous cargo capacity
- Rides comfortably yet handles corners athletically
- Plenty of thoughtful storage areas
Cons
- Touchscreen can be finicky to use and lacks a separate tuning knob
- Below-average towing capability
2022 new
- All-wheel drive is now standard on the top-level Touring trim
- Part of the fifth CR-V generation introduced for 2017
This latest generation Honda CR-V debuted in model year 2017, making it one of the oldest small SUVs on the market.
Yet somehow Honda has managed to deliver a compelling overall package, and the CR-V remains one of our top picks. Space, comfort, fun to drive and price, the Honda CR-V has it all.
Aside from the Touring trim with standard all-wheel drive, the 2022 Honda CR-V is largely unchanged.All things considered, that’s hardly a bad thing.
The CR-V is up against some other attractive small SUVs. For example, the redesigned Nissan Rogue and Hyundai his Tucson offer excellent value for money, while the Mazda CX-5 stands out for its sleek design and compelling performance. Check out our CR-V expert review below to help you decide which one to take.
What’s it like to live with?
The current CR-V was so impressive when it debuted that Edmunds purchased one for our long term test vehicle. We racked up over 40,000 miles on him before it left our hands.
Honda has made some updates since testing his 2017 CR-V, but most of the impressions still hold true for his 2022.
Performance
How does the CR-V run? The CR-V’s turbocharged engine provides quick acceleration compared to other small SUVs with base engines.
In our test, his CR-V with all-wheel drive sprinted his 0-60 mph in 8.2 seconds. No, but enough for my daily commute.
I don’t really like continuously variable automatic transmissions because of their jerky power output, but the CR-V is an exception, as it responds fairly naturally in most situations.
The steering and handling of the CR-V is also outstanding. You can drive this SUV with confidence. Steering is precise and connected, and body movements are well controlled, which passengers appreciate.
Comfort
How comfortable is the CR-V? The CR-V’s ride is quiet and smooth. You may notice some wind noise, tire noise, or a change in engine rpm when accelerating, but it’s normal.
The CR-V is comfortable even on rough roads. This is also true in Touring trim with larger 19-inch wheels and shorter (less comfortable) tire sidewalls.
The front seats are well supported and comfortable for long journeys. The rear seats are also quite comfortable and can recline slightly towards the back.
When it comes to automatic climate control systems, we’ve found that they don’t always maintain exactly the temperature you set.
This can be a hassle, but the center-rear vent helps ensure some airflow for rear-seat passengers.
Interior
how about the interior? The CR-V has wide front and rear door openings that provide plenty of room when boarding. Residents have little trouble getting in and out.
Inside the car, the driver’s seat and the tilt and telescoping steering wheel offer numerous adjustment options. The CR-V’s interior dimensions are generally larger than those of its rivals, and the rear seat space is among the largest of any small SUV. Easily fits 4 full size adults.
The main drawback is the CR-V’s control settings. Using the physical controls is intuitive, but some on-screen buttons are small and difficult to find and press while driving. The digital temperature and fuel gauges on the side of the speedometer can also be exposed to sunlight.
Technology
How’s your technique? Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility are standard on all models except the LX trim model, and all Honda CR-Vs feature Bluetooth connectivity and streaming audio.
Taller fairings feature more USB ports, including two on the back. The navigation screen is clear, but some touchscreen menus are clunky.
Voice control is also difficult to use. Fully equipped with safety equipment. All CR-Vs are equipped with Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control and Forward Collision Warning with Automatic Braking. Collision monitoring can send unnecessary alerts when traffic is heavy, but the system is otherwise helpful.
Storage
What about storage? One of the CR-V’s features is its huge storage space. Behind the back seat he is 39.2 cubic feet. It can also be folded to increase its capacity to 75.8 cubic feet.
The storage capacity of small parts is also excellent. The deep center console can be configured with a sliding shelf that doubles as a cover for valuables.
For transporting a child, all rear seats of the CR-V have relatively accessible car seat anchors. The rear seats are spacious enough to fit a child seat without having to slide the front seats.
The outboard rear seats have a tether anchorage on the backrest of the rear seat. The center seat tether retainer is located on the roof and may slightly reduce rearward visibility.
The only downside to this category is that the CR-V has a maximum towing capacity of 1,500 lbs. That’s enough for a very small trailer, but other small SUVs can tow up to 3,500 pounds.
