2019 Honda CR-V

Long a mainstay in the compact SUV segment, the Honda CR-V is the benchmark. When equipped with the available turbocharged engine, the CR-V benefits from improved efficiency and performance. Don't let the Honda CR-V's compact exterior footprint fool you because the SUV's genius interior packaging adds to its appeal. Available in FWD and AWD configurations, the CR-V blends family-friendliness with great road manners.

The Honda CR-V remains the gold standard among compact SUVs because it does nearly everything well. Nicely balanced ride and handling makes driving the CR-V a joy, and the available turbocharged engine has great power without suffering from excessive turbo lag. Even the CVT works wonderfully and rarely brings attention to itself.

Honda's interior packaging expertise shows in the CR-V. In addition to generous cargo and passenger space, the Honda CR-V has plenty of small cubbies for your small items and a cool reconfigurable center console. Interior fit and finish impresses, too, thanks to extensive use of high quality materials. The infotainment system is where the Honda CR-V falls apart; in addition to a small touchscreen by today's standards, the interface responds lazily, and load times are long compared to modern units found in competitors from Subaru and Hyundai.

The 2019 Honda CR-V is available with two four-cylinder engines: a 2.4-liter in the base LX or a turbocharged 1.5-liter on the EX, EX-L and Touring grades. A CVT is the only transmission available on both mills. Power outputs are similar at 184 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque for the 2.4-liter or 190 hp and 179 lb-ft on the turbo 1.5-liter.

If you're after the best fuel economy, the turbocharged models are the way to go thanks to their EPA ratings of 28/34 mpg city/highway in FWD guise or 27/33 mpg with AWD. The CR-V LX is rated at 26/32 mpg with FWD or 25/31 mpg if you get it with AWD.

If you're cross-shopping 2019s and 2020s, know that even the 2020 CR-V LX is powered by the 1.5T engine, unlike the 2019 CR-V LX's 2.4-liter engine.

The 2019 Honda CR-V received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA (out of five stars). The IIHS also gave the 2019 Top Safety Pick award to the 2019 CR-V after it scored Good on all crashworthiness tests and Acceptable on the headlights test with the Touring trim's standard LED headlights (Good is the highest score). LX, EX and EX-L variants, which have halogen headlights only received a Marginal designation. In the IIHS' front crash prevention test, the 2019 CR-V was rated Superior in both vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian tests (Superior is the highest rating).

The Honda Sensing driver assistance suite is standard on all but base LX grade. It bundles together forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, lane departure earning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are also included on the EX trim and higher.

With all seats up, the 2019 Honda CR-V has 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space (37.6 cubic feet on the Touring trim). Lowering the split-folding second row expands capacity to 75.8 cubic feet.

Base 2019 Honda CR-V LX models features a 5.0-inch display, USB port, and a four-speaker audio system. Moving up to the EX grade adds a 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, two extra charge-only USB ports, and a six-speaker audio system. The EX-L trim gets an eight-speaker audio system while the range-topping CR-V Touring comes with an unbranded nine-speaker "premium" audio system. Touring models also have built-in navigation as standard.

2019 Honda CR-V LX

Exterior: 17-inch alloy wheelsInterior and Convenience: Keyless entry, automatic climate control, cloth upholstery, four-speaker audio system, 5.0-inch screen, USB port, Bluetooth

2019 Honda CR-V EX

Exterior: 18-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, sunroofInterior and Convenience: Keyless start, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, 12-way power driver's seat, two extra charge-only USB ports, six-speaker audio system, 7.0-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert

2019 Honda CR-V EX-L

Exterior: Power liftgateInterior and Convenience: Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, auto-dimming rearview mirror with garage door opener, leather upholstery, four-way power front passenger's seat, eight-speaker audio system, memory function for the driver's seat

2019 Honda CR-V Touring

Exterior: Roof rails, dual chrome exhaust tips, LED headlights, hands-free power liftgateInterior and Convenience: Built-in navigation, nine-speaker "premium" audio system