2021 Honda CR-V | Review & Road Test

For the latest Honda CR-V pricing and information:
https://www.kbb.com/honda/cr-v/


While there are no significant changes to this CR-V over the one you could get last year, we still think this Honda is significant enough to do a video about it. Wouldn’t you agree?


Chances are you would if you’ve recently been in the compact SUV market. If you haven’t, and you’re new here, welcome. The water is warm and full of players like the Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Chevy Equinox, Hyundai Santa Fe, and even the Ford Bronco Sport.


There are so many competitors in this segment, some manufacturers even have two.

But I digress. I’m talking about the CR-V and here at Kelley Blue Book we like it so much we’ve given it like a billion Best Buy awards.


The standard 1-5-liter turbocharges engine feels plucky! Yes, I’m okay with that word as long as it’s not describing me.

I don’t feel like this engine is lacking in power. 190 horses aren’t blowing anyone’s hair back, but you’re probably not buying a CR-V for its blistering track times.


When it comes to maneuverability, the CR-V does a solid job. There are other SUVs that might steer more precisely or feel a bit more performance-oriented when it comes to the suspension, but the CR-V is a great complete package.

If you’ve got a decent length commute and you’re looking for a ride that’s comfortable and doesn’t jar or jolt you around in any way, then the CR-V is like the weighted blanket of driving experiences. It’s going to feel very good to you. Sort of like when you subscribe to the Kelley Blue Book YouTube channel.


Of course, in the safety department, Honda nails it with their Honda Sensing suite of driver’s assistance features. Those include great features for avoiding accidents like forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warnings, and lane-keeping assist.


What doesn’t come standard on the base trim is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. That’s too bad. You do get it on all other trim levels though, so an upgrade isn’t a bad idea.


One of the CR-Vs best attributes is its use of interior space. For a 2-row 5-passenger SUV, it’s among the best in its class for cargo and passenger room.


There is also good visibility out of this car and a very functional layout up here. Again, more reasons why we’ve showered accolade after accolade on this sucker.

Trim levels offer up generous extras like that Smartphone connectivity I mentioned earlier, power sunroof, and heated front seats in the EX. The EX-L gets your power tailgate, leather-trimmed interior and a power front passenger seat.

The highest Touring trim makes that tailgate hands-free, throws in navigation, and a heated steering wheel.


The base price on the CR-V starts at about $25,400. While the Touring moves up to $33,650. All-wheel drive can be added on for $1500. You can also get a hybrid CR-V (Combined 212 hp) from between $30,600 and $36,400 depending on the trim level you select there.

AWD on all those models comes standard thanks to its two electric motors that pair with a 4-cyl engine.

Gas mileage is great in the CR-V (AWD: 27 city/32 hwy). The hybrid, as expected, does even better (40 city/35 hwy).

So, no, it doesn’t have a new horn or flashing lights and sirens, but this Honda CR-V has so much of what you want that we’ll still probably call it a Best Buy this, year, too.

00:00 2021 Honda CR-V
0:26 Competitors
0:55 Engine
1:14 Driving Impressions
1:58 Safety features
2:31 Interior
3:25 Pricing