2021 Honda CR-V

History/Overview

This marks the fifth model year for the fifth generation of Honda’s popular CR-V compact crossover. It carries over unchanged following last year’s refresh, which brought updated styling and made active safety driver assists standard across the line.

Available Trims

Honda offers the CR-V in LX, Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Black Edition trim levels. All use a 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). LX trim starts with FWD and can be optioned to AWD; all other trims are standard with AWD.

Standard Features

LX trim’s exterior comes with a front wiper de-icer, heated/power-adjustable side mirrors, 17-inch alloy wheels, passive keyless entry, and auto on/off headlights.

Inside, you get an adjustable-height cargo floor, dual-zone automatic A/C, heated front seats, a four-speaker stereo, a 7.0-inch infotainment display, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and two front USB ports.

The CR-V’s standard driver safety assist package comprises forward collision detection with automatic braking, lane departure warning, tire pressure monitoring, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, and lane keeping assist.

Sport trim adds the LaneWatch blind spot camera display, LED fog lights, a sunroof, a power tailgate, roof rails, a garage door remote, a power driver’s seat, a heated/leather-trimmed steering wheel, leatherette/cloth upholstery, a leather-trimmed shifter, a six-speaker stereo, and two rear USB charging ports.

EX-L brings an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a power front passenger seat, heated rear seats, leather upholstery, an eight-speaker sound system, 18-inch wheels, and satellite radio.

Touring’s additions include blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, 19-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, rain-sensing wipers, a hands-free tailgate, LED headlights, navigation, ambient lighting, wireless smartphone charging, and a nine-speaker stereo with subwoofer.

The Black Edition is a cosmetic package that brings black woodgrain dash trim, trim-specific leather seating, and 19-inch trim-specific wheels.

Fuel Economy

Honda’s fuel consumption estimates for the CR-V are 8.3/7.0 L/100 km (city/highway) for LX FWD trim, and 8.7/7.4 for all other trims with the standard AWD system.

Competition

Just about every mainstream brand makes a compact crossover that competes directly with the CR-V. From Honda’s native Japan comes the Toyota RAV4, the Nissan Rogue, the Subaru Forester, the Mazda CX-5, and Mitsubishi Outlander.

Domestic competition comprises the Ford Escape, the Chevrolet Equinox, and the GMC Terrain.

From South Korea come the Hyundai Tucson and Kia’s Sportage.

Finally, Germany’s only compact crossover from a non-luxury brand is the VW Tiguan.