A perennial bestseller in the compact crossover segment, the CRV is known for its family-friendly features and truly impressive interior room. As plenty of buyers have undoubtedly discovered, it's one vehicle that knows how to please its target market to a T.
What's New for 2016
A value-oriented SE trim level joins the lineup.
Choosing Your Honda CR-V
Unlike some vehicles of similar size, the CR-V does an excellent job of accommodating three passengers in the back, even if they're all secured in child safety seats. There's no need to go crawling about inside to lower the split-folding seat. Just pull a lever in the cargo area while you're standing outside and the spring-loaded seatbacks flip down on their own. Cargo space leads this class at 71 cubic feet.
Every CR-V gets a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 185 horsepower and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This setup delivers an impressive 29 mpg in combined driving, or 28 mpg with all-wheel drive, which is available on all trim levels:
There are no factory options for the CR-V (besides navigation on the EX-L), so picking the right trim level is especially important. We recommend price-conscious buyers skip the LX and go to the new SE, which costs only $800 more. If technology is high on your list of priorities, advancing to the Touring is worth the extra outlay in our view.