2020 Honda CR-V Test Drive Review: A Highly Appealing Package

While in the past the Civic may have been the staple of the Honda lineup, the changing automotive landscape has seen the Honda CR-V become arguably the most pivotal model for the brand. In fact, compact crossovers tend to be the best seller in every automaker's lineup for both mainstream and luxury brands. In a crowded compact crossover segment, the Honda CR-V remains competitive with its versatility and a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS, but against fierce rivals like the best-selling Toyota RAV4 and near-luxury Mazda CX-5, it has its work cut out.

Thanks to a recent redesign, the CR-V still remains competitive with a 1.5-liter turbo engine now standard across the range developing 190 horsepower and the choice between front- or all-wheel-drive. Add one of the most spacious interiors around, high-end materials, solid reliability, and peppy driving dynamics, and there's no reason the CR-V shouldn't be on your shortlist. To find out how well the CR-V stacks up to the other hot-selling vehicles in this segment, Honda sent us a 2020 Honda CR-V Touring model with AWD for a week of testing involving a move to a new apartment.

What's the Price of a 2020 Honda CR-V SUV?

Four trims are available for the Honda CR-V in the USA with one powertrain and the option of all-wheel-drive can be added to any model for an additional $1,500. The skeletal base model LX has an MSRP of $25,050 in FWD guise, and the EX will cost you $27,560 with the same drivetrain. The upper trim levels increase the price by a slightly bigger leap, with the EX-L's for-sale sticker reading $30,050. The top-of-the-range Touring trim has an MSRP of $33,250. All of these Honda CR-V prices are applicable to FWD models and exclude the $1,120 destination and handling fee.

2020 CR-V Exterior

Dimensions

2020 CR-V Performance

Handling and Driving Impressions

There are more impressive handling compact crossovers - the CX-5 springs to mind - but the CR-V is no slouch in driving enjoyment. You can feel a subtle hint of Honda's fun-to-drive characteristics in the CR-V, though they are fainter here than in a Civic. The steering is light and agile but still communicates enough with the driver so as to not feel boring. Getting the CR-V up to speed is a painless affair, though mashing the throttle serves as a friendly reminder that 190 horsepower isn't an intimidating amount and a CVT will always groan when pushed to its limits. There is an S setting on the shifter that represents a sport shifting pattern, but it only makes the CR-V feel meagerly more willing to accelerate. An Eco button on the center console does the opposite, keeping the engine and transmission lazy to preserve fuel efficiency.

But sporty handling isn't why most people buy compact crossovers and by other measures, the CR-V shines. It provides a comfortable ride over rough pavement and on the highway, it is far quieter than its main rival, the Toyota RAV4. You'd expect the CR-V to exhibit a large amount of body roll when taken through the corners, but the dynamics of the car come together perfectly to mitigate that without sacrificing any plushness. It must be said that the Mazda CX-5 offers more agility, but hardly any other rivals combine merits as the CR-V does in terms of handling dynamics and comfort. The Japanese crossover manages to deliver a cushioned ride, minimal body roll, and responsive steering, all under the same roof.

2020 CR-V Interior

2020 CR-V Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

US NHTSA Crash Test Result

Verdict: Is the 2020 Honda CR-V A Good car?

The 2020 Honda CR-V is just what it needs to be and more. A spacious compact crossover that will get families from A to B safely, comfortably, and enjoyably. Honda's best-selling crossover boasts a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and it doesn't end there. The 1.5-liter engine coupled with the CVT returns impressive fuel economy figures from the EPA and respectable passing power in traffic. If hauling large items is a frequent task for you, the CR-V's massive cargo hold boasts more space than pretty much all competitors.

While the base models are relatively unimpressive in comparison to the upper trims, even the most affordable CR-V is decked out with safety tech to keep your family protected. Upper trim levels come with impressive standard features and up the luxury of the cabin significantly, though competitors do offer more available features (albeit at a higher cost than the Honda CR-V). The CR-V is a fantastic all-rounder and deserves to be at the top of your shortlist going into 2021.

What New Honda CR-V Model Should I Buy?

We'd recommend ignoring the LX completely if you're after a crossover with a respectable number of standard features, and budget-oriented shoppers should at least look at the EX model. It adds valuable features inclusive of full smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. SiriusXM and HD Radio are also standard on this model, and all of the above are enabled through an upgraded seven-inch touchscreen. This trim level also bumps up the safety suite with the addition of blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. We think the Honda CR-V EX-L is the best value, though, since it adds a leather interior and power liftgate. The Touring trim's LED headlights and built-in navigation are features we could live without.

2020 Honda CR-V Comparisons

2020 Honda CR-V vs Toyota RAV4

You really can't go wrong with either of these two. There's a reason that both of these crossovers lay claim to some of the highest sales for the segment. The 2.5-liter engine found in the Toyota offers slightly higher power outputs of 203 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, and it doesn't sacrifice on fuel economy either, with the FWD-equipped base model returning EPA estimates of 28/35/30 mpg. Neither offers the option of a V6. The Honda offers an arguably more premium interior from its upper trim levels, and also offers a near-unbeatable suite of standard safety features that greatly outshines the RAV4's standard offering. Both crossovers share a similar convenience and tech offering, but the RAV4 does lack the character of the CR-V on the road and isn't as thrilling to drive. One thing the RAV4 does cater for is some serious off-roading capability from its TRD Off-Road trim, despite not being a genuine 4x4 or offering a proper 4-wheel-drive system. In the USA, the Honda CR-V would be the better choice of the two.

2020 Honda CR-V vs Honda HR-V

Quite a few thousand dollars separate the CR-V and the HR-V, with the former bearing the heftier price tag. The latter is considerably smaller and more like a car than the 2020 CR-V and ultimately offers less interior space and a much smaller trunk. The inside of the HR-V is noticeably more discounted and offers less comfort than the CR-V, but its smaller size affords it some extra agility and nimbleness over its larger relative. The two share similar estimated fuel economy figures from the EPA, so you'll be getting excellent fuel economy regardless of which Honda you opt for. What the CR-V excels at is its extensive list of standard safety features that is absent from its little brother. Ultimately, the better one comes down to what your needs are, and a larger family would be most at home in the CR-V.