Used 2019 Honda CR-V

The 2019 Honda CR-V continues to be one of the nation’s best-selling compact-crossover SUVs, but it’s facing stiff competition from such equally good rivals as the new Hyundai Santa Fe, Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester. While not as off-road-capable as a Jeep Cherokee, the CR-V’s available all-wheel drive can easily handle deep snow and poor road conditions, and the CR-V’s strong resale values place it well above competitors like the Ford Escape, Chevy Equinox and VW Tiguan. With room for five passengers, an ample cargo bay and an available turbocharged engine, Honda’s CR-V for 2019 shines bright. We just wish Honda would follow Toyota and Subaru’s lead and make its Honda Sensing suite of driver assists standard on every trim level.

There are two engine choices for the 2019 Honda CR-V, but any trim above the EX comes standard with Honda’s peppy 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder. Only the base LX retains the older 2.4-liter engine offering six less horsepower and about two fewer miles per gallon. And while the CR-V’s turbo doesn’t elicit the same kind of performance you’ll get from a Ford Escape, is does offer better acceleration than the base engine. In fact, the turbo is almost imperceptible, devoid of the usual lag or sudden rush of power that sometimes accompanies turbocharged engines. Honda’s excellent continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) handles power distribution for both engines and even simulates stepped gear changes for a more traditional feel. On the road, the CR-V is an exceptional highway cruiser, with a soft ride and quiet cabin. In the curves, the CR-V’s steering, braking and body motions are acceptable, but nowhere near as precise as the Mazda CX-5 or the aging Ford Escape.

As noted, the 2019 CR-V’s 2-row/5-passenger interior space is one of its best attributes — an impressive feat given that the previous generation was already among the most spacious in its class. In addition to its growth, the latest CR-V’s space is easy to utilize. The 60/40-split rear seats fold with a simple pull of a lever, and the rear cargo area has a 2-tier setup in which the floor can be flat or set lower to keep objects secure. EX and above models have a pair of useful rear USB ports to keep mobile devices juiced. Up front is the CR-V’s familiar and enviable seating position that is comfortable and provides a good view out.

Though still unmistakably a CR-V, Honda’s best-selling SUV looks like it has hit the gym, with a long, wide stance and some very aggressive wheel designs. Ground clearance is a respectable 7.8 inches for front-wheel-drive (FWD) models and 8.2 inches for all-wheel drive (AWD). This is especially good news for CR-V owners who will contend with snow and other foul weather. To our eyes, the latest design is just what the CR-V needed, making it appear less bulbous in the rear, and more substantial and slightly tougher in general.

HONDA SENSING SAFETY SUITE
Honda Sensing includes a suite of driver assists and comes standard on EX and higher trims. Included in the package are lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control and collision-mitigation braking with forward-collision warning and pedestrian detection.

INTERIOR SPACE
Honda has a way of maximizing interior space and the 2019 CR-V is no exception. Its 40.4 inches of rear-seat legroom bests that of the Ford Escape and Mazda CX-5, while the nearly 40 cubic feet of cargo room handily beats just about every other compact SUV, the Toyota RAV4 and Nissan Rogue being the only two exceptions.

The 2019 Honda CR-V comes in four flavors: LX, EX, EX-L and Touring. The least expensive Honda CR-V LX includes single-zone automatic climate control, rearview camera, 6-way manual-adjust driver’s seat, cruise control, and a 4-speaker, 160-watt audio system with 5-inch color screen and Bluetooth wireless connectivity. The LX is the only CR-V with the carryover 2.4-liter engine. Most buyers will (and should) opt for the EX, which includes the turbo engine, power driver’s seat, dual-zone climate control, moonroof, push-button start, heated front seats and 7-inch-display audio/infotainment system that’s Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatible. Significantly, EX models include the Honda Sensing safety suite (see Favorite Features).

Major options come by climbing trims. Step up to the EX-L and you gain leather seating, a power tailgate, 4-way power-adjustable passenger seat, HomeLink universal garage-door opener, auto-dimming rearview mirror and 8-speaker audio system. Top-line Touring models add a hands-free tailgate, navigation (optional in EX-L models), LED headlights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, roof rails, dual chrome exhaust outlets, and a 330-watt/9-speaker premium audio system. All-wheel drive is optional on all trims of the 2019 CR-V.

For 2019, the Honda CR-V compact SUV can be had with a choice of engines. In the base LX trim, the standard engine is a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder used by Honda for years. With 184 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque, this engine is fine for most purposes, but lags behind the competition. EX and higher trims get a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque, the latter coming on at very low 2,000 rpm. Fuel economy is better with the turbo as well, and unlike many of its rivals, this engine runs quite contentedly on regular unleaded gasoline. The standard CVT automatic features a Sport mode for added responsiveness, although the CR-V has no illusions of being sporty. Both front- and all-wheel-drive models can be had with either engine, but regardless of trim, towing is limited to just 1,500 pounds.

2.4-liter inline-4
184 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
180 lb-ft of torque @ 3,900 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 26/32 mpg (FWD), 25/31 mpg (AWD)

1.5-liter turbocharged inline-4
190 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
179 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 28/34 mpg (FWD), 27/33 mpg (AWD)