The Honda CR-V is available in four trims for the 2019 model year, with the LX kicking things off as the cheapest and most basic offering. It features an older 2.4-liter naturally aspirated motor and CVT transmission, with available front- or all-wheel drivetrains while making do with 17-inch alloy wheels, cloth upholstery, air conditioning, and a basic four-speaker sound system and a five-inch infotainment screen. The EX upgrades to 18-inch wheels, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats a power sunroof, and crucially, a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, while also equipping a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system boasting Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality, and Honda Sensing safety features. The EX-L adds leather seating surfaces, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a power tailgate, and power passenger seat adjustment, but it’s the Touring that tops the range with LED headlights, navigation, and a premium audio system with nine speakers.
The 2019 Honda CR-V has a base MSRP of $24,350 in its base front-wheel drive LX trim, excluding tax, license, registration, and a $995 destination charge applicable on all models. The front-wheel drive EX has a suggested price of $27,250, while the EX-L costs a little more at $29,750. The fully-loaded, range-topping Touring derivative carries a base price of $32,750. All-wheel drive is available on all trims for $1,400 extra.
There aren't too many standalone packages or options for the CR-V, as it's mostly trim dependent. Across the range, the $528 back-up sensors are sure to come in handy. The Honda Sensing package is included from EX trims upwards – not optional on EL – and comprises collision mitigating brake systems, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control, and lane keeping assist. If it's leather you're looking for, that's a built-in option only and comes standard with the EX-L trim, where a heated steering wheel is an available option. But, if premium audio is something you prioritize, then you'll need to fork out for the EX-L at the very least, with its 180-watt, eight-speaker audio system. If money is less of an issue, the Touring trim bags you a 330-watt, nine-speaker audio system, including a subwoofer, that isn't available as an option on any other trim.
Of the four trims available, the EX represents exceptional value for money, equipping the must-have turbocharged engine and seven-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, while you also get a power adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, a power tilt-and-slide sunroof, and the entire range of Honda Sensing safety features, all for an acceptable price. If leather is a must-have item, then the EX-L is as far as you should go, as anything more just gets pricey with limited improvements that you really can do without.