2
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Compact SUV; Built in Japan, USA
  • 4-door wagon
  • transverse front-engine/front- or all-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $11,200 – $24,300*


2014 Honda CR-V


2014 Honda CR-V


2014 Honda CR-V


2014 Honda CR-V

Pros:
  • Build quality
  • Fuel economy
  • Passenger and cargo room
Cons:
  • Engine noise
  • Wind noise

CR-V continues to excel for its “just-right” blend of comfort, refinement, passenger room, and cargo versatility. An edgier look for 2012 makes it stand out from the competition. Though it’s on the pricey side of the compact-SUV class, plenty of standard safety and convenience features and Honda’s reputation for reliability and resale value further bolster its appeal.

Overview

Since its introduction for the 1997 model year, Honda’s CR-V has been one of the most popular compact SUVs on the market. For just as long, it has been a perennial favorite of Consumer Guide Automotive.

In the intervening years, the compact SUV class exploded in popularity – and with new entries. Top rivals of the CR-V included the Hyundai Tucson, Volkswagen Tiguan, Kia Sportage, Ford Escape, Subaru Forester, and Toyota RAV4. Like the CR-V, all those listed were 5-passenger vehicles except for the RAV4, which also came in a 7-passenger version. The CR-V was built in Japan and the United States.

Trim levels included LX, EX, and EX-L and there were no factory options.

The CR-V was available with front- or all-wheel drive. All models were powered by a 185-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, which gained five horsepower over the 2011 model. The sole transmission was a 5-speed automatic.

All the expected safety features were standard. Also standard was a rearview camera — a rather unexpected safety feature. No other safety features were offered.

Yearly Updates

2013 CR-V
Honda redesigned the CR-V for the 2012 model year and was, thus, unchanged for 2013.
2014 CR-V
CR-V was unchanged for 2014.
2015 CR-V
The Honda CR-V was substantially updated inside and out with new styling, a line-topping Touring trim level, an updated 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) in place of the previous 5-speed automatic, among several other revisions. Also added were a host of safety features, including Forward Collision Warning, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Lane Keeping Assist, and Honda’s LaneWatch monitor.
2016 CR-v
A new SE model that added 17-inch alloy wheels and rear privacy glass to the base LX.

Engines

transverse front-engine/front- or all-wheel drive

The CR-V was available with front- or all-wheel drive. All models were powered by a 185-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, which gained five horsepower over the 2011 model. For 2015, Honda modified the variable valve timing to allow peak horsepower and torque to be reached at lower rpm than before, and direct-injection was employed for more efficient use of fuel. The sole transmission was a 5-speed automatic, until a CVT automatic replaced it in 2015.

dohc I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 2.4/144
Engine HP 185
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 163
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
5-speed automatic
CVT automatic 		23/31
26/33 		26
24

Road Test

CR-V is not quick from a stop, especially compared with other compact rivals that offer V6 engines, but it never feels underpowered. The transmission is smooth and prompt. The redesigned all-wheel drive system works well and limits wheel slip by directing power to the rear wheels before slip occurs. All models have an Econ mode that optimizes fuel economy by altering throttle response, automatic-transmission shift points, and climate settings. This setting makes CR-V feel very slow in around-town traffic.

In Consumer Guide testing, we averaged 25.8 mpg in mostly highway driving on a front-drive model. CR-V uses regular-grade gas.

CR-V feels very car-like at all times. Its ride is a bit on the firm side, but CR-V absorbs everything fairly well. Only harsh bumps register in the cabin.

CR-V is compact-car maneuverable and reasonably fun to drive. Body lean in fast turns is kept in check. The steering is nicely weighted, communicative, and accurate. The brakes provide very good stopping control.

CR-V’s engine is loud during acceleration, and the noise intrudes into the cabin. Tire noise is well-checked but wind rush is very noticeable, due in part to large exterior mirrors.

Cars with navigation have both a center-mounted, large touch navigation screen and a 5-inch color vehicle info display screen set higher up on the dashboard. The info screen is very recessed and difficult to see from some driver seat positions. The navigation system absorbs audio functions and has a variety of small buttons, but it isn’t too hard to master. The newly standard rearview camera is a nice convenience. It displays three views of the rear of the car for help with backing up or towing. Climate controls are large, clear, and easy to reach. An “ECO Assist” light-bar readout glows green when the vehicle is being driven efficiently, but it’s too soft of a color and difficult to see in most lights. Apple iPhone users who have the Pandora streaming Internet radio app can plug the phone into the USB port and control Pandora through the navigation or vehicle display screens. Android phone users can plug their phone in and have text messages read through the car’s speakers and respond to texts using pre-selected commands.

Assembly quality is top-notch but some materials look and feel cheap. The cabin is trimmed in hard plastic, though the door armrests are nicely padded. Metal accents and contrasting colors go a long way toward making this interior look interesting, however.

Front headroom and legroom are plentiful. A comfortable, take-charge driving stance is aided by a standard tilt and telescopic steering wheel and generous seat travel. The seats are well bolstered and furnish long-distance comfort. Entry and exit are very easy. Visibility to the rear corners is hindered by thick C pillars. Large side mirrors with an expanded view panel help, though.

The supportive rear seat looses its reclining backrest for 2012 but still slides fore and aft to benefit passenger or cargo room. Space for legs and knees is plentiful, but the very tall will find headroom lacking. A flat floor makes three-abreast seating possible, though only for short trips. The door openings are wide and step-in is low, making entry and exit easy.

Cargo space is generous and loading packages is easy thanks to low liftover. The rear seat backs fold and tumble forward in a 60/40 configuration. Two standard cargo-area-mounted handles make this an easy operation and the resulting load floor is almost flat. Interior storage is very good, highlighted by a huge, standard center console that was previously optional. Note that the previous CR-V’s convenient dual glovebox is no longer available and the base LX model is not equipped with a cargo cover.

Ratings

Model Tested: 2012 Honda CR-V AWD EX-L with navigation

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 5
50%
Fuel Economy - 7
70%
Ride Quality - 6
60%
Steering/Handling - 6
60%
Quietness - 5
50%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 6
60%
Room/Comfort Front - 7
70%
Room/Comfort Rear - 5
50%
Cargo Room - 9
90%

Other

Value - 9
90%

Total: 65

Specifications

4-door wagon
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
103.1 178.5 71.6 65.1 3426
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
70.9 15.3 5.0
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
39.9 38.6 41.3 38.3
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 2012 Honda CR-V 4-door wagon

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 4
80%
Front Passenger Injury - 5
100%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - 5
100%
Rear Passenger Injury - 5
100%

Trouble Spots

Engine noise
Description: The camshaft Variable Timing Control (VTC) actuator can make loud noises when the engine is started while cold. (2012-1 5)
Water pump
Description: Out-of-spec water pump bearing can cause the pump to seize or the belt to shred. (2013-16)
Windows
Description: Front passenger door glass may separate from the window regulator. (2014)
Wipers
Description: Windshield wipers inoperable at certain speeds or fail completely. (2012-16)
Transmission problems
Description: The CVT belt could slip causing a surge in RPMs at highways speeds (2015-16)
Liftgate
Description: Liftgate’s outside handle won’t operate in near or below freezing temperatures. (2012-15)

Recall History

2012 CR-V LX
Description: The safety certification label has incorrect numbers for Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, Gross Axle Weight Rating front and rear, tire size, and rim size.
2012 CR-V
Description: The doors may not latch correctly and may open while driving or during a crash.
2012-13 CR-V
Description: Sub-freezing temperatures could slow the brake-shift interlock blocking mechanism, allowing the car to be shifted out of park without applying the brakes.
2015 CR-V
Description: Connecting rod bolt may have improperly tightened which could loss of engine power, stalls, or fire.
2015-16 CR-V with replacement engine
Description: Certain CR-Vs that received a replacement engine that could have incorrect pistons that could cause the engine to stall.
2016 CR-V
Description: The metal housing of the driver-side airbag inflator could rupture during deployment and metal fragments could cause injury.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

More about Tom Appel
Written by: Tom Appel on June 23, 2020.
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