12 Best Family Cars: 2019 Honda CR-V

The 2019 Honda CR-V isn’t just among the best smaller SUVs for families; it’s one of the best SUVs in its class. A perennial Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award winner in the Small SUV/Crossover category, Honda’s 2-row/5-passenger compact SUV is a complete package. It is safe, reliable, practical and, thanks to strong resale values, a smart financial choice. Inside it is roomy and technologically sophisticated. And both of its 4-cylinder engine choices are peppy and efficient. Add it all up and it’s easy to understand why the Honda CR-V is one of the most popular vehicles in the nation, in a segment it helped create over two decades ago.

Safety first

Driving a safe car is important to everyone, but it’s all the more so for families. While even a base 2019 Honda CR-V LX has features like multiple airbags and stability and traction control systems, we recommend stepping up to an EX trim or higher. That’s because all CR-V trims EX and above come with Honda Sensing, a suite of active safety and driver-assistance features that can save a life or simply make yours less stressful.

Included in the system are the Collision Mitigation Braking System that can automatically apply the brakes if a frontal collision appears imminent and you don’t take action, systems to keep you centered in lanes and from running off the road, and adaptive cruise control, which can be a real blessing in traffic and long highway commutes alike. EX trims and above also feature blind-spot monitoring and a driver-attention system.

Room to grow

One of the best traits about the CR-V is its interior room. Honda has a knack for hiding space, and the 2019 CR-V is remarkable in its ability to accommodate passengers and cargo in a relatively small package. This Honda SUV continues to boast some of the best figures in its class, making it all the more worthwhile for growing families.

With the recommended EX trim or higher, you’ll be more comfortable with features like power-operated seats, dual-zone climate control and illuminated vanity mirrors – because no one wants to walk into a PTA meeting with spinach in their teeth. If your budget is a little bigger, the Honda CR-V can feel closer to a premium crossover SUV with amenities like leather seats, hands-free power tailgate, navigation and upgraded audio system.

Power and technology

With CR-V EX models and higher you’ll also get more horsepower and better technology. Under the hood is a peppy turbocharged engine that delivers spry acceleration and returns up to 34 mpg in front-wheel drive models or up to 33 mpg in all-wheel drive variants.

Just as important, these models come with an infotainment system that bundles a 7-inch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto technology. If you have a phone that uses either – and you most likely do – you’ll soon discover how great these systems are. They replicate the phone’s major functions on screen, thus minimalizing driver distraction and allowing you to focus on what really matters – the road ahead and keeping your family safe.

More 2019 Honda CR-V

Build and price your own 2019 Honda CR-V to see this week’s Fair Purchase Price, 5-Year Cost to Own and more, or check out the CR-V models for sale today at dealers near you.