2021 Honda CR-V | Review & Road Test

For the latest Honda CR-V pricing and information:

While there are no significant changes to this CR-V over the one you could get last year, we still think this Honda is significant enough to do a video about it. Wouldn’t you agree?


Chances are you would if you’ve recently been in the compact SUV market. If you haven’t, and you’re new here, welcome. The water is warm and full of players like the Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Chevy Equinox, Hyundai Santa Fe, and even the Ford Bronco Sport.


There are so many competitors in this segment, some manufacturers even have two.

But I digress. I’m talking about the CR-V and here at Kelley Blue Book we like it so much we’ve given it like a billion Best Buy awards.


The standard 1-5-liter turbocharges engine feels plucky! Yes, I’m okay with that word as long as it’s not describing me.

I don’t feel like this engine is lacking in power. 190 horses aren’t blowing anyone’s hair back, but you’re probably not buying a CR-V for its blistering track times.


When it comes to maneuverability, the CR-V does a solid job. There are other SUVs that might steer more precisely or feel a bit more performance-oriented when it comes to the suspension, but the CR-V is a great complete package.

If you’ve got a decent length commute and you’re looking for a ride that’s comfortable and doesn’t jar or jolt you around in any way, then the CR-V is like the weighted blanket of driving experiences. It’s going to feel very good to you. Sort of like when you subscribe to the Kelley Blue Book YouTube channel.


Of course, in the safety department, Honda nails it with their Honda Sensing suite of driver’s assistance features. Those include great features for avoiding accidents like forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warnings, and lane-keeping assist.


What doesn’t come standard on the base trim is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. That’s too bad. You do get it on all other trim levels though, so an upgrade isn’t a bad idea.


One of the CR-Vs best attributes is its use of interior space. For a 2-row 5-passenger SUV, it’s among the best in its class for cargo and passenger room.


There is also good visibility out of this car and a very functional layout up here. Again, more reasons why we’ve showered accolade after accolade on this sucker.

Trim levels offer up generous extras like that Smartphone connectivity I mentioned earlier, power sunroof, and heated front seats in the EX. The EX-L gets your power tailgate, leather-trimmed interior and a power front passenger seat.

The highest Touring trim makes that tailgate hands-free, throws in navigation, and a heated steering wheel.


The base price on the CR-V starts at about $25,400. While the Touring moves up to $33,650. All-wheel drive can be added on for $1500. You can also get a hybrid CR-V (Combined 212 hp) from between $30,600 and $36,400 depending on the trim level you select there.

AWD on all those models comes standard thanks to its two electric motors that pair with a 4-cyl engine.

Gas mileage is great in the CR-V (AWD: 27 city/32 hwy). The hybrid, as expected, does even better (40 city/35 hwy).

So, no, it doesn’t have a new horn or flashing lights and sirens, but this Honda CR-V has so much of what you want that we’ll still probably call it a Best Buy this, year, too.

00:00 2021 Honda CR-V
0:26 Competitors
0:55 Engine
1:14 Driving Impressions
1:58 Safety features
2:31 Interior
3:25 Pricing

[billwilliams]

My 2017 EX-L gets a steady 34-35 mpg around town, and on the interstates, if the conditions are right I have gotten 40 mpg. The zero-to-freeway acceleration is smooth, quiet, and powerful. It is almost as functional as a compact truck for hauling, as long as the cargo isn’t tall. I’ve owned a lot of vehicles and the CR-V is by far the best all-around.

[LANDIIIIIOFIIIIIFIRE]

CRV actually holding very good on SUV market over the years (2017 design) compared to other SUVs.
When you look at CRV, you can see more effort and hard work went into designing and engineering of this car.
When you shop for a SUV around $30k, it’s hard to find Swiss Army knife like CRV...

[VijayPatil-uivx]

Why KBB reviews usually ignore Nissan cars in their videos I don't know. Why Nissan Rogue wasn't mentioned as a competitor to this one amazes me. Nissan is killing it with that beauty!

[Phrancis]

Lots of complaints in the comments and yet this is one of the best selling compact SUVs for like 2 decades. Sure, you can cherry-pick the Rav being a little more reliable, the Forrester for having a better AWD sys, or the CX5 for being better looking and engaging, but the fact is this does everything well, making it a more rounded purchase for the target audience of these boring cars. It's nearing the end of this generation, so of course the upcoming gen will be more competitive.

[danialk]

We bought a new one. Love it. Good and honest review. CRV's are the best.

[bj_programme]

canadians get a panoramic moonroof option...the US needs this too, Honda!

[triggersafe]

I wonder the longevity of it with that 1.5 turbo engine.I have an 01 CRV with close to 200K miles and hardly a hiccup.Can it match that?

[paulsommer]

We have a 2021 CRV. A good all-around vehicle with decent storage space and performance. I’ve owned six Hondas in my lifetime and the only criticism I give the CRV is the 1 .5 L engine is probably the second to last rated engine I’ve had out of the six I would have preferred the 2.0 non turbo like we had in our 2018 Civic.

[jjinmisang]

I'm enjoying my 2015 Honda CR-V EX with 32 miles per gallon 😁 The passenger side blind spot camera is rock ✌

[carltongranston]

Love my 2021 crv when u on the highway its like u r in an aeroplane smooth like a silk when the rain start to fall u don't have to touch the whiper button it start itself it very unique anybody or any living thing come around it when the engine in motion it alert u and u can just swing ur feet under the sensor and the trunk open say ur hands are full nice vehicle

[theyouknew]

The doctor might prescribe this CRV if “having too much fun” is the diagnosis.

[frederickmoller]

You failed to mention the '21 Nissan Rogue which IMO is ahead of all the SUVs that you mentioned...Styling, Features, and Technology!

[emileblanche]

I got a 2017 CRV and I LOVE it after having it for 49 months.

[G]

Nice Review!! Looking at a new Passport or Ridgeline with the bulletproof V6 and a traditional trans, don't care for the drone of the CVT, although the CRV is a great SUV and a leader in it's class. You just can't beat a Honda in my opinion!

[ChrisG-glst]

I'm not big crossover fan but the CR-V is a pretty nice vehicle in my opinion

[WesLey-yvvi]

Just bought one. Does anyone else find the interior a little noisy? Idea on how to offset? I do have the EX trim with the 20' tires so maybe that's the price I pay for style?

[hoshgel]

Do the seats fold in the back? Are there vents for the back passengers? Any usb ports in the back row?

[steelerchuma]

How did this vehicle get all these accolades with all the oil dilution problems this 1.5L engine has? 🤔 KBB your credibility is on the line here.

[ejohnson]

The CR-V is a dependable, reliable choice with strong resale value and looks only its mother could love! Seriously, Honda needs a major redesign in its lineup. Everyone knows they’re reliable cars, but they’re too quirky-looking, like a nerdy guy who thinks he’s modern and hip wearing old clothes from a thrift store. With Hyundai/KIA and Mazda offering models that look premium and like they cost more than what you paid for and the technology to back it up, I don’t see a reason to buy a Honda product even if KBB says you should.

[eBikify]

Sooo outdated. But for people who want something basic and vanilla, look no further lol. Just to name a few missing features that others offer:
- No 360 cam
- No cooled seats
- No pano roof
- Generic Honda branded speakers (no high end branded system such as Bose or Harmon)
- Small screens
- Analog gauges (Rogue and Tucson offer fully digital gauges)

There are so many other cars that offer more for the same or similar cost. Honda is getting too far behind..