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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2011 Honda CR-V

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2013 Honda CR-V

Overview

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2011 Honda CR-V Review

By KBB.com Editors

KBB Expert Rating: 7.9

When the Honda CR-V first appeared in 1997, the CUV landscape had a far different look than it does today. Then, the market offered very few compact four-wheel-drive wagon/CUV crosses, and the new Honda was the head of a very small class. These days, small crossovers are all the rage, offering the tall ride height and cargo carrying ability of a mid-size SUV, ample ground clearance and the sure-footed traction of all-wheel-drive. Yet, while many of its competitors have grown larger and thirstier, the CR-V remains true to its roots, which may explain why it continues to top the compact CUV sales chart year after year.

You'll Like This Car If...

Few vehicles do as many things as well as the 2011 Honda CR-V. As practical as a backpack, this benchmark crossover is an easy, stylish one-size-fits-most car choice.

You May Not Like This Car If...

There's little pizzazz in practical. If you chafe in sensible shoes, a compact crossover may not be the right fit for you. If you're looking to venture off-road, the CR-V's part-time 4WD system is no match for the Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive system found in the more capable Subaru Forester.

What's New for 2011

For 2011 a fourth trim level, the Special Edition (SE), is added to the CR-V line up. SE models feature 17-inch alloy wheels, steering wheel mounted controls for cruise and audio, rear privacy glass, and a 160-watt AM/FM stereo with in-dash six-disc CD changer and six speakers.

Driving the CR-V

Driving Impressions On the road, the 2011 Honda CR-V has a well-integrated feel. The four-cylinder engine is right-sized for daily driving duties and the automatic transmission shifts smoothly. The only interruption to...

the quiet inside the cabin is some noise from the engine in high-demand situations, such as when the transmission kicks down to a lower gear for passing. Beyond that, there's not much road noise and little wind noise, even when the moonroof (standard on EX and EX-L) is open. The CR-V has a cushioned ride that belies its size and handling is stable and predictable. Visibility is good in all directions, even to the rear. The four-wheel-drive system is automatic, requiring no input from the driver, and shifts up to 70 percent of available torque from front to rear wheels as needed for improved traction.

Favorite Features

Refined Ride Quality
A compact car with a big-car ride, the CR-V has a composed feel, easily rolling over rough roads without ruffling the passengers.

Sensible Size, Flexible Floor Plan
Right-sized, real-world dimensions and a highly adaptable interior are two reasons why the CR-V is Honda's biggest seller worldwide.

2011 Honda CR-V Details

Interior

The 2011 Honda CR-V's defining feature is a highly flexible floor plan. Split rear seats fold easily and tumble forward. Doing so increases cargo capacity from a generous minimum of 35.7 cubic feet to a maximum of 72.9 cubic feet. The lift-over height in back is low, and the second-row seats recline slightly while the headrests have been designed for a visibility-enhancing low profile when not in use. Rear-seat travel is adjustable fore and aft, but long-legged folk may find the front seats don't have enough travel to fully accommodate them. All trim levels feature comfortably wide fold-down, inside armrests and, although rear-seat legroom is not as generous as in pervious generation CR-Vs, those under six feet can still fit front and rear simultaneously. The CR-V's dual-dial dash is an easy read, controls and switchgear are all within arm's reach and simple to operate and inside storage areas abound.

Exterior

The first two generations of the CR-V made their marks by combining exceptional utility with enviable reliability. They were high function, but low fashion. The current CR-V, however, has turned all that around. Honda aims to lay claim to that portion of the new buyers flocking to this segment who are style-conscious; to that end, the 2011 Honda CR-V's still-practical package is wrapped in a decidedly fashion-forward design. The side view is dramatically different than most boxy SUVs, with an elliptically-shaped greenhouse. Up front are slash-cut headlamps and a laid-back windshield, while around back is a large rear hatch with no hatch-mounted spare tire to complicate entrance. Ground clearance is a generous 6.7 inches.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The 2011 Honda CR-V is offered in four trim levels: LX, SE, EX, and EX-L. Standard across the board is a tire-pressure-monitoring system, 17-inch wheels, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, an MP3/auxilliary audio input jack, speed-sensitive volume control and a "conversation mirror" on the back of the sun visor. LX and EX models have a retractable center tray table between the front seats, while EX-L versions have a fixed, floor-mounted console. Two covered storage containers are included–-the larger of which is big enough to hold 24 CDs. EX and EX-L models gain a folding, removable, dual-level shelf in the cargo bay for added storage options, while the EX-L has a 10-way power driver's seat including power lumbar support, dual-zone automatic climate control and an upgraded audio system, with 270 watts of power, a six-disc, center console-mounted CD changer, seven speakers (including subwoofer), USB input and a digital audio-card reader.

Optional Equipment

Honda's Real Time four-wheel-drive system is available on all trim levels. A GPS navigation system with a large, six-and-a-half-inch screen, voice recognition, Bluetooth and rearview camera function is offered on EX-L models.

Under the Hood

The 2011 Honda CR-V has a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 180 horsepower and delivers its 161 pound-feet of torque across a wider power band than previously. The four-cylinder engine is linked exclusively to a five-speed automatic transmission. The omission of a five-speed manual transmission – formerly standard equipment on previous generation CR-Vs – may be lamented by mileage maximizers, but Honda says that the demand for stick-shift CR-Vs among buyers was just too low.

2.4-liter in-line 4
180 horsepower @ 6800 rpm
161 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/28 (2WD), 21/27 (4WD)

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2011 Honda CR-V Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.7

Out of 10

Based on 547 Ratings for the 2007 - 2011 models.

Review this car

Value

8.9/10

Quality

8.9/10
Reliability

9.2/10

Performance

8.6/10
Comfort

8.6/10

Styling

8.8/10

Great Car for Mountain driving! Love it!

By Melody (CA) on Wednesday, June 12, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 40,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Hill Assist, AWD, Comfortable, Storage Capacity"

Cons: "Push Break, no fog lights"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I love this car, I live in the snow and it is just what I needed. I have not had any problems with it and the AWD works great in the snow and ice. Just take it slow. The mileage is pretty good, because I have to go up and down the hill the mileage isn't as good as I wanted. But I am not complaining, the car is comfortable and has plenty of pick up and go!"

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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Perfect family car!

By Katie (MI) on Tuesday, May 28, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 54,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 7/10

Pros: "Great body style, sporty!"

Cons: "Uncomfortable back seat"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I love the CRV! It has great space, nice features, decent gas mileage. I have a dog gate in the back and carry my two bernese mountain dogs with me, along with having the ability to have my son and husband in the car, and two other passengers if I wanted. It does not have a lot of the bells and whistles, but I like that everything is simple and it has what you need for a comfortable ride."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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Love it

By MyHonda (TX) on Sunday, May 26, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 58,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Reliability, comfort, economy, audio"

Cons: "Can't think of any."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"My previous vehicle was a 1993 Honda Accord with 186,000 miles which I bought used at 150,000 miles. Soon after I got it, most features quit working: power windows, windshield washer fluid (kinked line that could not be fixed), interior lights, etc. For almost 5 years I could not go to a drive-thru. Otherwise, a few major repairs at first and then nothing more than regular maintenance until July 2011 when several things went at once. I hated to get a car payment after years without one, but I LOVE THIS CAR. After almost two years, absolutely no repair bills and only regular maintenance."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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good car

By kschou (NY) on Monday, May 20, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 99,500

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 8/10

Cons: "Don't like arm rest"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"good car for the price. Not a lot of bells and whistles to go wrong. I'm getting a new one and giving old one to my son who has my old cr-v with 200000 miles on it"

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Very disappointed in this vehicle.

By Sue (OH) on Tuesday, April 09, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 13,643

10 5.0

overall rating 5 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 5/10
Value: 5/10
Reliability: 1/10
Quality: 2/10
Performance: 1/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 5/10

Pros: "Love the color and design of exterior."

Cons: "Engine "surges" and not a comfortable ride."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"Have owned Hondas for many years. This CRV is not up to the Honda standards. The dealership continues to tell me that the "issues" I am having are "Within NORMAL limits." My lease will expire in 12 months and 21 days. I can't wait to hand over the keys."

2 people out of 7 found this review helpful

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Love my CRV!

By Sherry5582 (NY) on Saturday, April 06, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 48,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Lots of room, comfortable, easy to drive"

Cons: "hatchback-road noise"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I love my CRV. There are only two things that I dislike about it. One is the way the hatchback opens, because if it is raining or snowing, roads are wet, etc. water drips down on you. You have to stand back and wait for the dripping to stop before getting in the back. And there is a lot of road noise. Maybe the new 2013 style addresses the hatchback drip issues."

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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See all 547 reviews