2021 Honda CR-V

Honda builds the compact CR-V SUV in one versatile body style, with four doors and a rear liftgate. It comes in front-wheel-drive, while all-wheel-drive is available for an extra cost. The four trim levels -- LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring -- are also available to shoppers as hybrids. The entry-level LX starts around $26,000. Safety features include forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and a backup camera. The CR-V has comfort and convenience, with automatic LED headlights, intermittent wipers, cloth upholstery, a split-folding rear seat, keyless entry, automatic climate control, cargo area tie-downs and lighting, illuminated steering wheel controls, map lights, and floor mats. A 160-watt audio system, a 5.0-inch color display, Bluetooth hands-free calling and music, and Pandora compatibility are also included. The EX adds several popular amenities for $28,000, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, variable intermittent wipers, a power sunroof, fog lamps, a power driver's seat, heated front seats, keyless ignition, remote engine start, dual-zone climate control, wood interior trim, a six-speaker audio system, a 7.0-inch touchscreen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and satellite radio. The EX-L trim, which retails for roughly $30,500, adds leather upholstery, memory side mirrors, a power liftgate, a power passenger seat, driver's seat memory, a garage door opener, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. The top-of-the-line Touring trim costs about $34,000. Notable amenities are rain-sensing wipers, a motion-activated liftgate, a heated steering wheel, ambient lighting, a 330-watt premium audio system, nine speakers including a subwoofer, wireless smartphone charging, and navigation with voice recognition. Shoppers can add a few options to their CR-V. Notable among them are parking sensors, running boards, a trailer hitch, and various exterior styling packages.

The CR-V's standard engine is a 190-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder. It makes 179 pound-feet of torque and connects to a single-speed continuously variable transmission. Front-wheel-drive is standard; all-wheel-drive is available for added four-season peace of mind. The engine returns strong fuel economy, with an EPA-estimated 28/34/30 mpg city/highway/combined. Those are better numbers than some small sedans. Meanwhile, the engine's turbocharger helps give it swift acceleration, and the chassis balances agile handling with a smooth ride. The CR-V has one of the best driving experiences in its segment, with near-luxury levels of quietness. Honda is well-known for hybrids, and the CR-V recently added a gas/electric powertrain to its lineup. Shoppers can get any of the trim levels mentioned earlier in hybrid form for about $3,000 extra. The naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine's total power output is 212 horsepower and 129 pound-feet of torque. The EPA estimates 40/35/38 mpg, and that's with standard all-wheel-drive. All told, the hybrid system improves the CR-V's efficiency without hampering its on-road driving dynamics. The CR-V has a 1,500-pound towing capacity. Towing is not recommended with the hybrid.

The compact SUV segment is the most popular vehicle category on the market, and the Honda CR-V has remained amongst the top contenders for several reasons. A clean and user-friendly cabin is one of its strong suits. Honda mounted the CR-V's gear shifter to the dashboard, which opened up legroom and made the cabin feel airier. The shifter is easy to access, as is the large steering wheel. Outward visibility is excellent all-around. The CR-V has many in-cabin storage options, including door bins, a center console, and cupholders in both rows. Upper trim levels tastefully employ leather upholstery and wood trim while still prioritizing simplicity and ease of access. Passenger seating space is near the top of the class, with 40.1 inches of front headroom and 41.3 inches of front legroom. Rear occupants get 39.2 inches of headroom and a spacious 40.4 inches of legroom. The cargo area is equally generous, with 39.2 cubic feet of space. Honda has one of the easiest back seats to fold, and dropping it down expands cargo capacity to an immense 75.8 cubic feet. Hybrid variants' battery pack sits beneath the cargo area and impacts space somewhat, but it's still better than many non-hybrid rivals.