2025 Honda CR-V

Space, quality, safety, efficiency… the CR-V does so well in so many aspects that it’s easy for us to recommend. This generation (the sixth) launched for 2023 and has won our Best Buy Award for its category ever since. The CR-V has been a big seller for Honda and a benchmark of the class for many years, deservedly so. Now it has evolved to the point where it can pretty much please all the people all the time.

Like the Accord midsize sedan, Honda has made a hybrid drivetrain standard in higher trim levels, while lower trims go with a combustion-only setup. We like both versions.

The Honda CR-V Hybrid is reviewed separately.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of compact SUVs, including the Honda CR-V.

A hydrogen-powered fuel-cell version of the CR-V — the Honda CR-V e:FCEV — becomes available in California exclusively, while the rest of the lineup continues as before.

The competition is intense, with rivals like the Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-50, Subaru Forester (new for 2025), and the Nissan Rogue all starting in roughly the same financial ballpark as the CR-V. The Subaru Forester and Mazda CX-50 both come with all-wheel drive as standard. Several contenders offer hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions.

Before buying a new CR-V compact SUV, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. The CR-V’s resale values are comfortably above average, with the hybrid version faring a little better. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

Here’s a little snippet from our notebook after driving the CR-V: “Beautifully tuned suspension, comfortable yet precise.” To be honest, earlier incarnations of the CR-V have been a bit of a yawn to drive. This one is different. We’ve found it responds quickly and sweetly to inputs like steering and braking, so the driver feels completely in control — as well as being kept aware of what’s going on with great outward vision.

The CR-V appeals to anyone who wants a stable, comfy, quiet and reliable compact SUV for everyday driving. In our experience, it can be enjoyable as well. Not that the 190-horsepower engine could ever be described as too muscular, but we’d say that’s yet another well-judged aspect of the CR-V. For comparison, the Toyota RAV4 has 203 horsepower while the Kia Sportage starts out with 187 horsepower.

Fuel Economy

A CR-V with front-wheel drive achieves 30 mpg in combined city/highway driving. All-wheel drive costs just a couple of miles per gallon. That’s about level with the Toyota RAV4 and both are among the best in this respect. For those with a keener interest in fuel efficiency, the CR-V Hybrid can manage an impressive 40 mpg combined (and it’s quicker).

Up front are what Honda calls Body Stabilizing Seats, designed to promote ideal posture and reduce fatigue. We’ve found that they do indeed feel comfortable, supportive and fine for long stints. The rear seats have seat belt reminders and their occupants enjoy an expansive 41 inches of legroom.

We like the crisp, pleasant-looking graphics in the driver information display between the two round gauges, as well as the overall quality of materials. And the mesh strip running across the dashboard is cool. The L of EX-L signifies leather seating surfaces, by the way.

With rivals fitting 12-inch infotainment touchscreens, the 9-inch display in the highest EX-L trim level seems a little on the small side. And the 7-inch touchscreen in the LX and EX feels extra-small. At least there’s a physical volume control, which always gets our approval.

Behind the rear seats is a massive 39.3 cubic feet of cargo space — visibly more than, say, the Mazda CX-50. Our backs have also appreciated how the cargo floor is set conveniently low. With the rear seats folded down, maximum volume is 76.5 cubic feet, as good as this compact SUV class gets.

There’s a maturity to the CR-V’s exterior design. As there should be, considering this is the sixth generation. But where previous models tried to be the most anonymous thing in the parking lot, there’s now greater presence — in a tasteful way. Some of the subtler touches include a wide and upright windshield, contributing to excellent outward vision. The base LX comes with 17-inch steel wheels. Alloy wheels are fitted to the rest of the range. Running boards, fender flares, and a tailgate spoiler are all optional.

Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
Phone integration is rather ubiquitous at this point, but that hasn’t dulled its appeal. It’s standard in the CR-V, and the higher EX-L trim also enables wireless connectivity for both systems.

Wireless charging
Another EX-L feature. Just place a phone on the charging pad in the center console and it all happens automatically.

Smart Entry with Walk Away Auto Lock
Fitted to the one-up-from-base EX trim and beyond, we’ve found this self-locking/unlocking function both convenient and comforting.

All-wheel drive
For buyers living in areas where the weather gets rough, we’d say it’s worth the extra money for the added reassurance of all-wheel drive. It’s optional in each of the three CR-V trims.

Hill descent control
This is not just a feature accompanying the all-wheel drive system, it comes as standard with front-drive versions as well. The driver sets a slow speed (between 2 mph and 12 mph) to negotiate a treacherous downward slope. The CR-V handles the throttle, transmission and brakes. With feet off the pedals, the driver can focus on steering.

Parking sensors
We always think that extra help when parking is handy. These come in at the EX-L level, with four at each end.

Turbocharging has evolved to such sophisticated heights that it can perform the neat trick of maximizing power output while still achieving decent fuel economy. The CR-V’s output is 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque. An automatic transmission sends drive to the front wheels in standard form. All-wheel drive is optional. For reference, the CR-V Hybrid comes with 204 horsepower. A maximum tow rating of 1,500 pounds is on the weak side, but people rarely use a compact SUV for towing.

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

The basic new-vehicle warranty for the CR-V compact SUV is three years or 36,000 miles, whichever happens first. The powertrain’s warranty lasts five years or 60,000 miles. These terms are typical for the class. Honda also adds complimentary maintenance for the first two years or 24,000 miles.

Safety Ratings

The Honda CR-V is rated as a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the agency’s second-highest accolade. It also took a maximum 5-Star overall score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Standard safety features include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, plus road departure mitigation, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control with a low-speed follow function.