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What Is a Honda CR-V?
Built from the same platform that underlies the Honda Civic, the CR-V is a compact five-seat SUV with a four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive. Like most crossover SUVs, it drives like a small car as opposed to a truck, but because of its elevated suspension and seating position, the driver retains the feeling of being in a larger vehicle. Auto critics consistently praise CR-Vs for their spacious interiors, long lists of standard features, and usable cargo storage.
Our rankings of used compact SUVs are divided among those in the under-$15,000 price range, the $15,000-$20,000 price range, and the $25,000-plus price range. A Honda CR-V ranks No. 1 in each of those lists, so choosing the right one for you will come down to the model year you prefer. Although the Honda CR-V has been on sale since 1997, we've chosen to focus on models from the past decade or so, because they'll have the best combination of price, features, and reliability.
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Third Generation (2007-11)
The CR-V that tops the $15,000-and-under list is the 2010 model, which is a third-generation CR-V. That generation began in 2007. One of the major changes for the 2007 model year was the replacement of the side-opening rear door with a rear liftgate. Along with that, the spare tire was moved from the outside of the rear door to the rear cargo area. A new five-speed automatic transmission came along that year as well, and Honda did away with the optional manual transmission.
The CR-V got a midgeneration facelift for 2010. Along with some updated styling to the front fascia, rear taillights, and rear bumper, horsepower jumped from 166 to 180 and fuel economy came up one mile per gallon to 21 in the city and 27-28 on the highway, depending on whether or not the car had the optional all-wheel drive system.
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Third Generation: Performance
Critics didn’t think much of that 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, calling it underpowered and pining for a V6 option, but the buying public hardly seemed to care, buying 12,500 more CR-Vs than they had the year before. Still, making passes on the highway is not this vehicle’s forte.
A firm suspension and precise steering gave the driver a confident feeling; the CR-V's overall handling and maneuverability outshone its competition.
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Third Generation: Interior
The big selling points were the CR-V’s relatively enormous cargo area, large, high-quality, comfortable interior, and great safety ratings – plus Honda’s overall reputation.
Standard features included keyless entry, an auxiliary audio input, and cruise control.
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Fourth Generation (2012-Present)
The CR-V got a redesign for the 2012 model year. Power went up by another five horsepower to 185, and fuel economy also went up, with front-wheel-drive versions getting 23 miles per gallon in the city and 31 on the highway (all-wheel drive sacrificed 1 mpg in both scenarios).
A 2012 CR-V will go for $15,000-$22,000, depending on mileage and options; those prices will be more like $20,000-$26,000 for a 2014 model.
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Fourth Generation: Performance
Despite its large feeling inside, most reviewers agreed the CR-V behaves like a smaller car on the road. Light-feeling and maneuverable with a tight turning radius, the CR-V makes good-enough use of its four-cylinder engine for zippy in-town driving, though buyers looking for towing capability should be aware of its 1,500-pound trailering limit. The suspension is tight, the brakes are firm, and the ride is quiet.
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Fourth Generation: Interior
Most reviewers liked the design of the CR-V’s interior, but many felt it was a little on the cheap side, with more hard plastics than you’d find in competing vehicles.
The rear seats fold down (though not 100-percent flat), giving way to 70.9 cubic feet of cargo, a very high number for the compact SUV segment. The cargo floor is also low, making it relatively easy to load and unload cargo.
Standard features in the 2012 CR-V include Bluetooth, a USB port, and a rearview camera. Leather upholstery and a power driver’s seat are available as options.
Most test drivers agreed the CR-V made good use of its already cavernous interior, with a lot of small storage spaces throughout the cabin to complement a large and useful cargo area in the rear.
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So Which CR-V Should You Buy?
There isn’t a wrong choice here, but the extra power and fuel economy offered by the fourth-generation CR-V make it a clear favorite over the previous generations. Although the 2012 and 2013 CR-Vs are virtually identical, the 2012 edition was the first year of a re-design, and Honda ironed out some minor wrinkles for 2013, resulting in a slightly higher overall score each of the next two model years.
Buy a 2013 or 2014 CR-V if you can, but if getting the absolute lowest price is a chief concern, any model year of the CR-V would be a great choice. Check out used CR-Vs on our used cars listing page and see how it ranks in our used car rankings.
Your Guide to Buying a Used CR-V
If you’re like most Americans, you or somebody in your family has a Honda CR-V, used to have a Honda CR-V, or will eventually have a Honda CR-V. Honda has sold more than 3.5 million CR-Vs since introducing the model in 1997.
The CR-V owes its popularity to a number of factors, but, put in a nutshell, it offers a high level of practical utility and a high ride height in a vehicle that drives like a Honda Civic (because, at its core, it is one), all from a manufacturer known for build quality and reliability. So, which used CR-V should you buy?
When it comes to the CR-V, that depends mostly on how much money you have to spend, how many miles you’re willing to accept, and what kind of technology you want.