2020 Honda CR-V Review

　　

2020 Honda CR-V Review

byRyan ZumMallenContributor

　　Ryan ZumMallen has worked in the automotive industry since 2012. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Ryan has also contributed to Road & Track, Autoweek, Trucks.com and more. In 2019, Ryan published his first book, Slow Car Fast, on the millennial generation and its unique take on modern car culture.

　　The headline news for the 2020 CR-V is the new hybrid model, which is reviewed separately on zzdcar. But for many shoppers, the expansion of standard features on the CR-V's LX trim level will matter more.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 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 $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$124/mo  for CR-V LX

　　CR-V LX

　　LX 4dr SUV (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $25,050 MSRPLX 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $26,550 MSRPEX 4dr SUV (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $27,560 MSRPEX 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) (Most Popular) - $29,060 MSRPEX-L 4dr SUV (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $30,050 MSRPEX-L 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $31,550 MSRPTouring 4dr SUV (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $33,250 MSRPTouring 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $34,750 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　Honda has discontinued the LX's former lethargic non-turbocharged engine and equipped it with the turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder that in the past was reserved for the CR-V's more expensive trim levels. The CR-V's suite of safety features is also standard for 2020, meaning even the most affordable CR-V provides adaptive cruise control and the latest crash prevention technology. Sleeker styling and improved interior storage are also part of Honda's 2020 updates.

　　Sadly, the 2020 CR-V remains stuck with the Honda's older infotainment system, which isn't as easy to use as the newer system in its latest models. But that's pretty much the only negative. While you might find a rival small SUV does one thing better than the CR-V — the Mazda CX-5 is a little sportier, for example — no other small SUV offers a better overall combination of utility, fuel efficiency, comfort and performance.

　　

What's it like to live with the CR-V?

Want to learn even more about what it's like to own a CR-V? zzdcar bought a Honda CR-V EX-L to find out. It proved to be comfortable, roomy and practical, but not without its flaws. It even required a few surprising repairs. You can read our long-term test coverage to find out why this generation of CR-V became our top-rated small SUV. Note that while we tested a 2017 CR-V, the current 2019 model is fundamentally the same.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar 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

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the CR-V drive? The turbocharged 1.5-liter engine provides quick acceleration, whether you've leaving a traffic light or needing a burst of speed for a highway pass. In zzdcar testing, the CR-V sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in a quick 7.5 seconds. We also like that the brakes are easy to control when it's time to slow down in a hurry.

　　The CR-V strikes an admirable balance between handling and ride quality. Midcorner bumps and other road irregularities don't upset it, and you can confidently snake up a curvy road without sickening your passengers. Another contributing factor is the CR-V's steering, which is precise and gives you a decent feel of the road.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the CR-V? Drivers of all sizes will find comfort in the driver's seat. The back seat is comfortable for long rides too. The CR-V is composed and settled over almost any kind of surface. Impacts occur once, and that's it. There's plenty of tire sidewall to absorb the bumps, resulting in a smooth ride.

　　At highway speeds, you'll notice some wind and tire noise. But the engine is only noticeable when you step hard on the gas — and it doesn't sound bad either. None of it is loud enough to drown out conversations or force occupants to raise their voices. 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.

　　

Interior

8.5/10

　　How’s the interior? The CR-V has wide front and rear door openings that provide plenty of 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 zero problems.

　　The main downside here 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 still feel clunky and the voice controls are somewhat cumbersome.

　　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 will sometimes send 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 easily 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.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The EPA rates the CR-V at 30 mpg combined (28 city/34 highway). But, as with many vehicles with small-displacement turbo engines, the CR-V is fairly sensitive to driving style. Our test vehicle averaged an impressive 35.4 mpg in our 115-mile mixed-driving evaluation route, but longer testing of another CR-V over thousands of miles averaged closer to 28 mpg.

　　

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, as does 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 turbocharged engine has enough punch to elicit a smile, and it feels stable around twisting mountain roads. The Honda CR-V isn't exactly fun, but it provides a very enjoyable drive. When you slam the gas, there's a faint reminder of the snarl from high-revving engines of Honda past.

　　

Which CR-V does zzdcar recommend?

It's great to see the base model get improvements this year. But the EX is still the right choice at the right price. It has the same turbocharged engine plus a lot of extra comfort features. If you can go without the EX-L and its leather seats and upgraded stereo, put the savings toward an EX with all-wheel drive. Or pad that Italian vacation fund.

　　

2020 Honda CR-V models

The 2020 CR-V is offered in four trim levels: the LX, EX, EX-L and Touring. All come with the turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine (190 horsepower, 179 lb-ft of torque) and a continuously variable automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional. There is also a new CR-V Hybrid for 2020, which is covered separately on zzdcar.

　　The LX is the entry-level trim and comes standard with features such as a 5-inch central display, automatic climate control, a four-speaker sound system, and the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver safety aids.

　　Stepping up to the well-equipped EX gets you a lot of extras. These include a sunroof, blind-spot monitoring, push-button start with keyless entry, heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver's seat, a 7-inch touchscreen, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.

　　The EX-L brings luxury into the equation. It has leather upholstery, an eight-speaker audio system and a power liftgate. Touring is the top level and comes with features such as LED headlights, integrated navigation, a premium nine-speaker audio system, and a heated steering wheel.

　　

2020 CR-V Highlights

Trim: LXEXEX-LTouringLX

　　

Base MSRP	$25,050
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	30 MPG
Cost to Drive	$124/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	39.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles