2021 Honda CR-V Review

Name: 2021 Honda CR-V Review
Brand: Honda
Price: 20413 USD

Honda CR-V Touring 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

The Honda CR-V is a brilliant small SUV due to its high competency across the board. It has exceptional storage space and functionality, plenty of features, a comfortable ride and enjoyable performance. And all of that comes at a competitive price for the class.

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2021 Honda CR-V Review

byReese Counts^{Vehicle Test Editor
Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at Edmunds in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at Edmunds and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.}

Pros

Quick acceleration plus thrifty fuel economy
Roomy interior with cavernous cargo capacity
Rides comfortably yet handles corners athletically
Plenty of thoughtful storage areas

Cons

Touchscreen can be finicky to use and lacks a separate tuning knob
Below-average towing capability

What's new

No significant changes for the 2021 CR-V
Part of the fifth CR-V generation introduced for 2017

Overview

In a broad sense, the 2021 Honda CR-V is the quintessential small SUV. It's spacious without being overly bulky, comfortable without feeling soft or bouncy, and endlessly usable thanks to lots of cargo space. It's also easy to drive and offers available all-wheel drive. Yet the key to the CR-V's appeal is that it typically manages to do these things just a little bit better than the competition.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Honda CR-V LX 4dr SUV (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.42 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$139/mo

$196/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

The CR-V competes in one of the most fiercely contested classes around, with just about every mainstream automaker building a crossover SUV that's roughly the same size and price as the Honda. Other top alternatives include the upscale Mazda CX-5, the well-equipped Nissan Rogue and the outdoorsy Subaru Forester. So is it for you? Check out the categories of our CR-V Expert Rating for our in-depth evaluation.

What's it like to live with?

When the current Honda CR-V debuted in 2017, we were so impressed that we went out and bought one for our long-term test fleet. Read our coverage to learn more about the CR-V's comfort, reliability and performance over the long haul. Note that while we tested a 2017 CR-V, the 2021 model is of the same generation and the majority of our coverage still applies.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Great

8.1

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

8.0/10

How does the CR-V drive? The CR-V's turbocharged engine provides quick acceleration compared to other small SUVs with base engines. In our testing, our all-wheel-drive CR-V sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in 8.2 seconds. Thrilling? No, but it's more than adequate for the day-to-day commute. We're generally not fans of continuously variable automatic transmissions because of their awkward power delivery, but the CR-V's is an exception, delivering a fairly natural response in most situations.

The CR-V's steering and handling are also standouts. You'll have confidence piloting this SUV around turns. Steering is precise and connected while body motions are nicely controlled, which is something your passengers will appreciate.

Comfort

8.0/10

How comfortable is the CR-V? The CR-V's ride is quiet and smooth. You may notice some wind and tire noise, even the occasional engine revs when accelerating, but nothing out of the ordinary. The CR-V is comfortable on rougher road surfaces too. That's the case even in the Touring trim, which has the larger 19-inch wheels and shorter (less cushy) tire sidewalls.

The front seats provide good support and comfort for long drives. The rear seats are also decently comfortable and have a small amount of available recline to the seatback. As for the automatic climate control system, we've found it doesn't always maintain the precise temperature you've set, which can be annoying. However, the rear center vents will help ensure backseat passengers get a share of the airflow.

Interior

8.5/10

How’s the interior? The CR-V has wide front and rear door openings that provide ample clearance on the way in. Occupants will have little difficulty entering or exiting. Once inside, the driver's seat and tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel offer plenty of adjustability. The CR-V's interior dimensions are generally larger than those of rivals, and rear-seating space is among the biggest you'll find in a small SUV. Four full-size adults will fit with little problem.

The main downside is the CR-V's control setup. Using the physical controls is intuitive, but some on-screen buttons are small and difficult to locate and press while driving. The digital temperature and fuel gauges flanking the speedometer can wash out in sunlight too.

Technology

8.0/10

How’s the tech? Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility is standard on all but the LX trim, and Bluetooth connectivity and streaming audio are equipped on every Honda CR-V. Higher trims come with more USB ports, including two in the rear. The navigation screen is clear, but some touchscreen menus are clunky. The voice controls aren't that great to use either.

You do get plenty of safety equipment. Every CR-V comes with lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and forward collision warning with automatic braking. Collision monitoring sometimes sends unnecessary alerts in dense traffic, but otherwise the systems are helpful.

Storage

9.0/10

How’s the storage? One of the CR-V's defining traits is its massive storage space. There's 39.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats. You can also easily fold them down and increase capacity to 75.8 cubic feet. Small-item storage is also exceptional. The deep center console is configurable with a sliding tray that doubles as a cover for valuables.

For child transportation duty, all of the CR-V's rear seats have relatively accessible car seat anchors. The large rear passenger area means car seats fit without the need to move the front seats. Each of the outboard rear seats has a tether anchor on the rear seatback. The center seat's tether anchor is in the roof, which can slightly obstruct rear visibility.

The only shortfall in this category is the CR-V's 1,500-pound maximum towing capacity. That's enough for a really small trailer, but other small SUVs can tow upwards of 3,500 pounds.

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the all-wheel-drive CR-V will get 29 mpg in combined city/highway driving. Front-wheel-drive models get 30 mpg combined. While those figures make it one of the most efficient vehicles in its class, we've found that the CR-V is fairly sensitive to driving style. For reference, a previous test vehicle averaged an impressive 35.4 mpg on our 115-mile evaluation route, while another CR-V averaged about 28 mpg over longer testing.

Value

7.5/10

Is the CR-V a good value? The CR-V does not disappoint when it comes to build quality. Flowing interior panels and trim inserts fit together nicely. The same holds true for the leather on the seats and steering wheel in higher trims. Considering all trims now come with the turbocharged engine, the CR-V earns high marks for overall value in our book.

Honda delivers a three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty that are typical for the segment. Roadside assistance is available for the duration of the limited warranty.

Wildcard

7.5/10

The CR-V offers little in the way of outright excitement, but it overdelivers when it comes to competency across the board. We make that trade happily with a compact SUV.

Which CR-V does Edmunds recommend?

There's really no wrong trim level to pick, so a lot of your decision will come down to your budget and which features you want. Can't decide? Go with the midtier EX model. You get a few more desirable features than the LX (blind-spot monitoring, for example) while keeping the price reasonable.

2021 Honda CR-V models

The 2021 Honda CR-V seats five and is available in five trim levels: LX, Special Edition, EX, EX-L and Touring. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available across the board. Note that there is also a CR-V Hybrid, which is reviewed separately on Edmunds.

LX
The base LX comes reasonably well equipped, especially after last year's update. Features include:

Turbocharged four-cylinder engine (190 horsepower)
Continuously variable automatic transmission
Automatic climate control
Manually adjustable front seats
60/40-split folding rear seat
Four-speaker audio system

Driver aids include:

Forward collision warning (alerts you of a possible collision with the car in front)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
Collision mitigation braking (applies the brakes automatically to stop the vehicle to avoid or minimize a collision)
Lane keeping assist (steers the CR-V back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Honda and the car in front)
Automatic high beams

Special Edition
The Special Edition trim includes some former EX trim features, including:

Heated front seats
7-inch touchscreen display
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
Six-speaker audio system
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Remote engine start
Proximity keyless entry and push-button start

EX
Stepping up to the EX trim adds a number of features on top of those on the Special Edition. Changes include:

Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)
18-inch wheels
Tinted rear windows
Sunroof
Cargo cover
Power-adjustable driver's seat

EX-L
This trim mostly mirrors the EX, but you do get:

Power liftgate
Auto-dimming rearview mirror
Leather upholstery
Power-adjustable passenger seat
Eight-speaker audio system

Touring
The top-of-the-line Touring trim includes all of the EX-L's equipment plus:

LED headlights
Roof rails
Integrated navigation system
Nine-speaker audio system
Wireless phone charger

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4.5/5Excellent

#6 out of 29 among Compact SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Honda CR-V from 2008-2022.}

$358/yr

vs. $465/yr
for Average Compact SUV

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.81x/yr

vs. 1x/yr
for Average Compact SUV

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

8.3%

vs. 11.5%
for Average Compact SUV

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Honda CR-V.

5 (63%)

4 (10%)

3 (8%)

2 (7%)

1 (12%)

4.1

122 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Love My 2021 CR-V EX--L

Nancy Pullaro , 05/12/2021

2021 Honda CR-V EX-L 4dr SUV (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT)

This is my second CR-V (still have my 07 which is still going strong with 175k miles:) I love everything about the 2021. Drives like a bigger car in a good way, substantial and safe. The interior is lovely. Luxury feel without Luxury price. Also, regarding all the reviews that complain about confusing infotainment system, if I can figure it out (without the manual) ANYONE can. Love my …

Approaching two years Update

Robert of Myrtle Beach, 10/07/2021

2021 Honda CR-V EX-L 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT)

There is a national car shortage of new cars and most dealers will laugh when presented with advertised lease specials. We had a 2009 Honda Accord EX-L which had been mostly rock solid and had 129,000 miles, mostly trouble free. One Saturday I took it in for a scheduled oil change. The dealer is literally within eyesight of my house. While there I strolled around and was shocked to … see only one new vehicle in the showroom. The front lot was full of used cars for the most part. I then observed a 2021 CRV EX-L AWD in Sonic Pearl Gray. The dealer had 2 grand of add ons plastered on. I started talking to a salesman and the story was a lady had ordered it and didn't like the color upon seeing it on the lot. It had 10 miles on it and it was the only CRV they had. On impulse alone I told the salesman to write up a lease based on their loaded sticker. So I paid a few bucks over list and I don't care. It's the way things are at the moment. Two days later I sold the 2099 Accord to the first person who came to look at it. The CRV is a good, solid reliable vehicle with many good features. And decent gas mileage. I also have another vehicle with a 250 HP V8 and I like the acceleration of the CRV. It isn't a Lexus nor is it meant to be. The leather interior is comfortable, passable and fine for everyday use. There is plenty of room in the rear for storage. I like the power rear gate. The turbo engine is more than adequate. The stop/go feature is annoying but easily disabled. We plan on keeping Sirius. The sound system is above average. In short, it's the first new car I have bought in over 50 years and I'm impressed with the fit and finish. It's quiet enough for me and both my wife and I enjoy driving it. Love the memory seat function although I also have it on the other car this one is more accurate. We leased it for 3 years and at that point we will decide to buy or lease again. Update. April 2022. After 6 months we have put 4,000 miles on the vehicle. The memory seats are very handy Mileage for our shorts trips is about 18 MPG The occasional highwayvtrip is in excess of 30. It's a smooth car we like it. So far, so good. Update June 2022:. The CR-V is an ok car. In 9 months we have put 5300 miles on it. We needed a second car so I happened to stop by a Hyundai dealership and look at a 2022 Tucson Limited. It's a few more bucks than the EX-L but it puts the Honda to shame. The difference is amazing Honda has failed to keep up with market. CarMax has offered to purchase this Honda so we actually come out slightly ahead. Next we will be buying another Hyundai. Update December 2022:. After further review I am discovered that the gas mileage in this car was much better than I first realized. It actually clocks in at between 27 to 34 on house per gallon around town at times. So we've decided to keep it after all it's actually a pretty good car. After a year and 4 months we have about 8,500 miles on it. Update July 2023. The car and we have settled into a happy relationship. There is no maintenance to speak of and materials are holding up well. The paint job on the car appears to be way above average. We used to have a station wagon when I was young and this is beginning to remind me of a modern day station wagon. My wife is the primary driver and she really enjoys the vehicle. We currently have about 11,000 miles on it after 1 year 11 months. We will most likely purchase it at the lease end.

Good car with good milage

Nancy, 02/28/2021

2021 Honda CR-V EX 4dr SUV (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT)

Awesome space. Brought the car for the spacious cargo and got it around for 28325 for EX trim. Guys, nowadays dealers are giving a good price. Please check with another dealer to get the price. Initially, I was hesitant to get this car. Now I am happy with the price they offered. Drove 3000 miles and super cool

Buyer beware

Aj, 10/28/2021

2021 Honda CR-V EX-L 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT)

Purchased a new 2021 CRV in August. We have only put about 3,000 miles on it and went to start it the other day and it wouldn't start. The whole dash started flashing with all kinds of failures. We checked the battery, fully charged. Had to call for a tow. The Honda dealership couldn't start it either. The codes were U0100 F-can malfunction and U0038 IMA Can Malfunction. They …

See all 122 reviews of the Honda CR-V

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2021 Honda CR-V video

Best Small SUV Comparison 2021: CR-V vs. RAV4 vs. CX-5 vs. Rogue vs. Tucson

Small SUVs are the go-to for just about every shopper, and it's easy to see why. They seamlessly blend comfort, cargo space, technology and fuel economy into one compact SUV package. In this video, Alistair Weaver and Carlos Lago compare the best and most popular small SUVs in America…

2021 CR-V Highlights

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$25,350
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	30 MPG
Cost to Drive	$139/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	39.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the CR-V models:

Collision Mitigation Braking System: Detects and warns of potential front impacts and automatically engages the brakes to mitigate or prevent a collision.
Lane Keeping Assist: Monitors the vehicle's position in its lane with a camera and automatically corrects your course to prevent accidentally leaving the lane.
Blind Spot Information System: Monitors your blind spots for cars lurking back there. Flashes lights and emits an audible warning if necessary.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover16.4%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Poor
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Acceptable
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2021 Honda CR-V Review

2021 Honda CR-V Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Honda CR-V LX 4dr SUV (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.42 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.

What's it like to live with?

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which CR-V does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Honda CR-V models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Love My 2021 CR-V EX--L

Approaching two years Update

Good car with good milage

Buyer beware

2021 Honda CR-V video

Best Small SUV Comparison 2021: CR-V vs. RAV4 vs. CX-5 vs. Rogue vs. Tucson

2021 CR-V Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Honda CR-V LX 4dr SUV (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.42 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}