- Practical, efficient and comfortable
- Two efficient engines to choose from
- Up to 34 mpg on the highway
- Expansive list of safety features
- Pricing starts at $25,345 | Price yours
Honda’s Small SUV Rises to the Occasion
It’s not easy to stay relevant and popular when every year brings such strong vehicles to the compact SUV segment. But Honda has found a winning combination in the CR-V, and simply improves upon it. All-new just last year, the CR-V is available with two fuel-efficient engines including a sprightly optional turbocharged option, a long list of safety features, an impressive list of standard equipment, and an interior that feels larger than the small SUV’s size would suggest. The CR-V’s model line has enough range to appeal to buyers on a budget and those who want a mainstream SUV with ample levels of luxury.
Interior Space and Features
While the CR-V is comparable in size to other compact SUVs, Honda has done a tremendous job with interior packaging. Both rows offer plenty of space, and there are a lot of clever storage areas and cubbies inside. Of the three vehicles we evaluated, the CR-V offers the easiest way to reconfigure the cabin when stowing long or awkwardly shaped gear: simple door handle-type releases on either side of the cargo area easily collapse either side of the rear seat. The back seats fold flat, creating 75.8 cubic feet of space.
The refined cabin is filled with plenty of available features, including Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, heated front seats, including a 12-way power driver’s seat with memory, leather and navigation. And all models but the base LX come with Honda Sensing, a suite of safety features that includes forward collision warning, lane departure warning, road departure mitigation and collision braking. Adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning with a cross-traffic monitor, and lane-keep assist are also standard on all but the base LX. Of the few critiques we have of the CR-V, it’s that some of the accent materials, such as the woodgrain pieces and the stitching on the dash, could use some sprucing up.
On the Road
This Honda feels tight and nimble on the road, furthering the “small outside, big inside” feel of the CR-V. It is a snap to maneuver around town and the turbocharged engine has plenty of passing power and zip for highway jaunts. Of the three SUVs we tested, the CR-V was the one that offered the best combination of comfortable ride, easy-to-drive nature, and responsive handling. That it does all that while netting admirable fuel economy is a plus that can be credited to the smartly designed engine and well-tuned CVT.
Value Now and Later
The Honda CR-V provides an excellent value proposition. Not only does it offer excellent fuel economy, as good as 34 highway mpg, but the Honda brand is known for strong resale value and reliability. This means that you save money with fewer trips to the gas station; taking it to the dealership for repairs less often for repairs reduces the cost of ownership; and when it comes time to sell, you get more money back on your initial investment.
See why the Honda CR-V is the KBB Compact SUV Best Buy of 2019
