It’s dizzying to think of all the different makes and models of cars on the market today. Compact SUV’s like the Honda CR-V began gaining popularity in the 1990s and remains one of the best-selling cars. Honda sells hundreds of thousands of them in a year. Impressive numbers. But does that mean the Honda CR-V is a good car? Read on as we explore the answer.
Yes, the Honda CR-V is a good car. In fact, it’s an excellent compact SUV. As the pioneer of this market segment, Honda continues to lead the way. Inside and out the CR-V is an ideal family car with outstanding safety scores and a spacious interior. Care and thought went into the design of the CR-V. It’s a smooth ride for all.
That was an easy answer. There is a lot more to consider what makes a car good though. In this post we dig into the finer points of why the CR-V is a good as it is. The Honda CR-V is consistently top-rated. Offering oodles of standard features and several trim packages to add even more, this car will check the boxes on your list.
Bang For Your Buck
The CR-V provides a quiet and comfortable ride. With its agile road handing it negotiates even the curviest of roads with ease. The interior is roomy and spacious especially in the back seat. Three adults can slide into the back for an enjoyable trip with their legs stretched out.
CR-V’s have a sporty, sculpted look at an affordable base price with plenty of features. You can upgrade a trim package and add perks like heated seats, driving assistance technology and a moonroof.
Fuel economy keeps money in your pocket as the CR-V gets up to 28 miles per gallon in the city and 34 on the highway.
Honda’s CR-V has an excellent reputation. These cars are reliable and are highly sought after in the resale market. In 2019, the CR-V earned Edmunds’ “Buyers Most Wanted Compact SUV” award. Edmunds is an independent resource on automobile information.
The Best Small SUV is Family-Friendly
Don’t let the word “compact” or “small” fool you. The CR-V may be branded this way but it fits the bill for a family car.
There is plenty of room for rear-facing and forward-facing child car seats in the back. There are two sets of LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) connectors that are clearly marked and easy to access. There’s no sweating getting these car seats in and out of the roomy back seat.
Three seat belts are also available in the back row and can be used with a child booster seat.
You’ll enjoy peace of mind while driving, knowing that you can lock the windows from the driver’s side controls and that the rear doors are equipped with child-proof (sometimes adult-proof) door locks.
Edmunds rated the 2019 CR-V: Best Family Small SUV.
You’ve Got Storage…and More
Pack the car! We’ve bragged about the CR-V’s roominess in this post and we haven’t even touched on how much stuff you can fit in the cargo hold. We are talking several large suitcases and then some. Get ready to tailgate and pack the back with big coolers and your portable grill.
Let’s get nerdy with numbers for a minute. The CR-V offers up to 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space when the rear seats are up. Fold those seats down and you get a whopping 75.8 cubic feet of space. This is more than most of the other cars in this class.
And, if you need to hit that home improvement store or unexpected furniture sale—that’s no problem for the CR-V. Simply fold down CR-V’s 60/40 splits seats and keep shopping.
Wondering what a 60/40 seat split is? It’s more space for your stuff. The CR-V seats can be folded down in sections. With the 40-split down, you still have room for two riders in the back. Meanwhile, with the 60 split section folded down you can seat a single passenger.
Honda has carefully thought about storage—it’s their jam. From drink holders to a deep center console, you won’t be short on interior space.
Safety Comes With Comfort
On multiple occasions, the CR-V earned TOP SAFETY PICK from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The CR-V is a safe but fun vehicle to drive. Not only has it won safety awards, its crash test ratings are superior.
Is the 2019 Honda CR-V reliable?
Honda has an exemplary reputation for reliability. Consumer Reports consistently rates it at the top of the heap. CR-V owners tend to keep their cars for more than a decade. They must be doing something right.
Is There a Recall on 2019 Honda CR-V?
Honda recalled specific 2019 CR-V specific models earlier this year. Owners with this model were contacted. The identified issue has since been resolved.
As a 2019 CR-V owner, you call contact Honda or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to determine if your model was recalled.
Does Honda CR-V Have Transmission Problems?
Honda CR-V owners have reported issues with their 2017 and 2018 cars that have a 1.5-liter turbo engine. If your CR-V experiences stalling, loss of power or you smell gas, you should head to the dealer and have it checked out.
Is Honda EX or LX Better?
The definition of better really depends on your expectations for a trim package or level. These packages are a set of features offered by Honda. Choosing EX or LX also depends on your budget. The price difference between these two packages can run $3,000 or more. More money should equal better, right? Maybe.
Honda CR-Vs come with lots of bells and whistles these days. The LX is considered a base trim but there are plenty of perks including a rear view camera, Bluetooth, USB ports, cruise control and a 5-inch LCD screen.
The EX trim enjoys some upgrades especially in the area of technology. An EX trim features driver assistance technology, a 7-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Heated front seats and a moonroof are a few other perks.
It’s up to the owner to decide which is better. You do get what you pay for.
What is the difference between the HR-V and CR-V?
Honda’s HR-V is considered a compact car and the CR-V a small SUV. There are two major differences between these cars: space and price.
Space
The CR-V is roomier. It offers more space for backseat passengers and cargo. If you have kids or need to haul stuff around, a CR-V might be a better option. As we’ve said in this post the CR-V is hands down the most spacious car in its class. Five passengers can sit comfortably for a spin in the CR-V. The fit in the HR-V is going to be tighter.
Price
CR-V’s base price can be more that $5,000 more than the HR-V’s base price. As the trim packages go up, the price gap widens. If money is an issue or if you don’t need the space and enjoy driving a smaller car, the HR-V is ideal. Either way, you will still get a reliable Honda.
CR-V’s are a reliable, award-winning car that is fun to drive. We started the post with the question: Is the Honda CR-V a good car? Our answer: Yes.