Compact SUV Crossover

2021 Honda CR-V: Reliable, Comfortable and Safety Features You Need

By 05/12/2021 8:14am

Adapted Video Transcript

While there are no significant changes to this CR-V over the one you could get last year, we still think this Honda is significant enough to do a video about it. Wouldn’t you agree?

Chances are you would if you’ve recently been in the compact SUV market. If you haven’t, and you are new here, welcome. The water is warm and full of players like the Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Chevy Equinox, Hyundai Santa Fe, and even the Ford Bronco Sport. There are so many competitors in this segment some manufacturers even have two.

But I digress. I am talking about the CR-V, and here at Kelley Blue Book, we like it so much we have given it a billion Best Buy awards.

2021 Honda CR-V Engine and Driving

The standard 1-5-liter turbocharges engine feels plucky! Yes, I’m okay with that word as long as it’s not describing me. However, I don’t feel like this engine lacks in power – 190 horses aren’t blowing anyone’s hair back, but you are probably not buying a CR-V for its blistering track times.

When it comes to maneuverability, the CR-V does a solid job. There are other SUVs that might steer more precisely or feel a bit more performance-oriented when it comes to the suspension, but the CR-V is a great complete package.

If you have a decent length commute and you are looking for a ride that is comfortable and doesn’t jar or jolt you around in any way, then the CR-V is like the weighted blanket of driving experiences. It is going to feel very good to you.

2021 Honda CR-V Safety Options

Of course, in the safety department, Honda nails it with their Honda Sensing suite of driver’s assistance features. Those include great features for avoiding accidents like a forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warnings, and lane-keeping assist.

Honda CR-V Tech Features and Interior

What doesn’t come standard on the base trim is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. That is too bad. You do get it on all other trim levels, though, so an upgrade isn’t a bad idea.

One of the CR-Vs best attributes is its use of interior space. For a 2-row 5-passenger SUV, it’s among the best in its class for cargo and passenger room. There is also good visibility out of this car and a very functional layout up here. Again, more reasons why we’ve showered accolade after accolade on this sucker.

Trim levels offer up generous extras like that Smartphone connectivity I mentioned earlier, a power sunroof, and heated front seats in the EX.

The EX-L gets you a power tailgate, leather-trimmed interior, and a power front passenger seat. The highest Touring trim makes that tailgate hands-free, throws in navigation and a heated steering wheel.

2021 Honda CR-V Price

  • The base price on the CR-V starts at about $25,400, while the Touring costs $33,650.
  • All-wheel drive can be added for $1500.
  • You can also get a hybrid CR-V, with a combined 212 hp, from between $30,600 and $36,400, depending on the trim level you select there.

AWD on all those models comes standard thanks to its two electric motors that pair with a 4-cyl engine. Gas mileage is great in the CR-V (AWD: 27 city/32 hwy). The hybrid, as expected, does even better (40 city/35 hwy).

So, no, it doesn’t have a new horn or flashing lights and sirens, but this Honda CR-V has so much of what you want that we will still probably call it a Best Buy this year, too.

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