Compact SUV; Built in USA, Canada
  • 4-door wagon
  • transverse front-engine/all-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $NA – $NA*

Pros:
  • Entry/exit
  • Passenger and cargo room
  • Ride
Cons:
  • Engine noise
  • Instruments/controls

Honda’s perennially popular compact SUV was redesigned for 2017. The CR-V grew a bit larger overall for better passenger and cargo room, and added several new comfort and safety features. In light of the deep roster of continuously improving rivals, the CR-V wasn’t the class standout it once was. However, its space efficiency, economy, and all-around refinement still make it a must-see when you’re shopping used compact SUVs.

Overview

Compared to the 2012-16 CR-V, the new for ’17 CR-V was slightly larger, roomier, and dressier, and it was offered with a host of new features including its first turbocharged engine.

Trim levels ascended through LX, EX, EX-L, and top-line Touring, all available with front- or all-wheel drive. While the base LX carried on with the 2.4-liter, 184-horsepower engine offered previously, all other models got a turbocharged 1.5 with 190 horsepower. Both were mated to a CVT automatic transmission. The case for the turbocharged engine was made not only in more power, but also better fuel economy: In front-drive models, it earned an EPA rating of 28 city/34 highway/30 combined; with all-wheel drive, it was 27/33/29. In both cases, that was 2 mpg better than with the LX’s 2.4.

The 2017 CR-V’s newly available features included rear cross-traffic alert, remote engine start, dual-zone climate controls, heated power mirrors, and a hands-free power liftgate with an adjustable height setting.

Yearly Updates

2018
Honda CR-V was unchanged for 2018.
2019
The 2019 Honda CR-V gained Honda Sensing (forward-collision warning and mitigation, pedestrian detection, road-departure mitigation, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and low-speed follow and lane-keep assist) as standard on all models except the base LX.

Engines

transverse front-engine/all-wheel drive

The base LX model has a 184-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder. All other models have a 190-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Both engines are mated to a CVT automatic transmission.

dohc I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 2.4/144
Engine HP 184
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 180
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
CVT automatic

25/31

NA

Turbocharged dohc I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 1.5/91
Engine HP 190
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 179
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
CVT automatic

27/33

26

Road Test

Compared to the previous generation, the 2017 Honda CR-V rides a 1.6-inch-longer wheelbase with slightly smaller increases in overall length, width, and height. The combination affords two inches more rear legroom along with notable increases in cargo area, both with the rear seat up (+2 cubic feet) and with it folded (+4.9 cu ft.). The latter results in a total capacity of 75.8 cubic-feet, a figure that puts this compact SUV on par with some 2-row midsize SUVs in terms of cargo space.

Although “dressier” might be a subjective evaluation, there’s much to back it up. The interior is fitted with lots of soft-touch surfaces and is available in two-tone color combinations (black/grey and black/tan), and higher-line models boast rich-looking wood trim.

Trim levels ascend through LX, EX, EX-L, and top-line Touring. While the LX comes fairly well equipped – including such features as a multi-angle (including 180-degree) rearview camera, capless fuel filler, automatic climate control, Bluetooth cell-phone link, Pandora capability, and text-message function – it’s the EX that brings many convenience and safety items most people want. These include heated power mirrors, power moonroof, keyless access and starting, remote engine start, auto on/off headlights, a power liftgate, 7-inch touchscreen, dual-zone automatic climate control, adaptive cruise control, smartphone-based navigation app and assistance system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio, forward-collision warning and mitigation, lane-departure warning and mitigation, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitor. Added with the EX-L are auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather upholstery/steering wheel/shift knob, heated front seats, 8-way power driver seat with 4-way lumbar adjustment, and – optionally – a navigation system with voice recognition and traffic information. The top-line Touring brings the navigation system along with rear cross-traffic alert, rain-sensing windshield wipers, automatic high beams, and hands-free power tailgate.

In the last-generation CR-V, the “knobless” high-end audio interface suffered its share of criticism. (Other Hondas use something similar – with the same results.) So the company made a big deal that an on/off/volume knob had been added to the new generation. That helps, and though it still leaves much to be done through the 7-inch touchscreen, at least it’s fairly easy to reach and use. Climate controls include rotary temperature knobs but a less-convenient repetitive-step push-button for fan speed, and – worse – mode selection has to be done through the touchscreen. Granted, with dual-zone automatic climate control you probably don’t have much call to do manual adjustment, but it’s still nice to have simple knobs when you do.

Then there’s the engine.

One problem with most small, turbocharged engines is that it takes a moment for power to arrive if you have to hurry away from a stop. In most driving, you don’t really notice anything lacking, which makes it all the more surprising when you slam your foot down and not much happens. And that’s the case here. However, full-throttle acceleration is quite linear if not overly strong, and the moaning engine leaves no question that it’s working hard to satisfy. On the plus side, “kickdowns” from the CVT automatic are fairly quick to arrive when the throttle is stabbed at speed, which isn’t always the case with CVTs. But Honda claims the ’17 with the 1.5 turbo is quicker than a ’16 with the 2.4, and then there’s better EPA numbers to consider – so overall, perhaps the new engine can be counted as a plus.

As the CR-V has never really been about “sport,” its chassis tuning tends to favor ride comfort over handling. The CR-V rides quite smoothly. Handling was fine if still not really sporting – which is acceptible for this type of vehicle – and we appreciated the quicker steering ratio used for the new model (you don’t have to rotate the steering wheel as far to make the same turn).

Two more notes in this vein. First, wind and road noise seemed low at highway speeds, and Honda says it has increased ground clearance by about 1.5 inches, leaving front-drive versions at 7.8 inches, AWD versions at 8.2 – the latter, especially, being pretty generous for a compact SUV.

What the CR-V always has been about is space and utility. While really tall folks might wish for a bit more headroom and legroom in front, it’s really tough to criticize the room in back, as 6-footers should fit easily even with the seat ahead pushed all the way rearward. Furthermore, step-in height makes egress a breeze, which is aided further by rear doors that open nearly 90 degrees, far wider than most. Visibility is good except to the rear corners, where it’s only fair, though the standard 180-degree rearview camera really helps when backing.

Cargo space is impressive. It’s wide at the rear and includes side bins, and the floor can be set at two levels: raised, it lies level with the folded rear seat backs and has underfloor storage space, and it can be lowered to take up the underfloor space and make for a taller load area. All but the base LX include a power liftgate, which can be easily adjusted for opening height. Spring for the top-line Touring, and the liftgate can be opened simply by kicking your foot under the bumper.

Ratings

Model Tested: 2017 Honda CR-V

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 - 6
60%
Fuel Economy - 8
80%
Ride Quality - 6
60%
Steering/Handling - 6
60%
Quietness - 5
50%

Accommodations

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

Other

Value - 9
90%

Total: 69

Specifications

4-door wagon
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
104.7 180.6 73.0 66.5 3421
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
75.8 14.0 5
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
40.1 39.2 41.3 40.4
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 2017 Honda CR-V 4-door wagon

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

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

Side Impact Test

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

Trouble Spots

Brakes
Description: Possible brake fluid leak. (2017-19)
Fuel odors
Description: Cars with 1.5-liter turbocharged engine may experience gasoline dilution of engine oil. This can cause engine hesitancy or stalling, gas smell in the cabin, and reduced engine longevity. (2017-2019)
Oil leak
Description: Oil may leak from valve cover. (2017-19)
Battery
Description: Possible defective battery or software bug that allows the battery to drain when vehicle is shut off. (2017-18)
Electrical problem
Description: A problem with the radar software could cause the vehicle speed fluctuations with adaptive cruise control, false “Radar Obstructed” messages and unexpected automatic emergency braking. (2017-18)

Recall History

2017 CR-V
Description: A faulty fuel supply pipe could disconnect resulting in engine stall or fire.
2017 CR-V
Description: The certification label was printed with ink that can be wiped away.
2017-18 CR-V
Description: An improperly installed magnet in the power steering system may dislodge resulting in power steering assist to be applied in the opposite direction of what was intended during a full-lock turn.
2019 CR-V
Description: The rear subframe bolts may have been improperly installed resulting in seperation of the rear subframe and increasing the risk of a crash.
2019 CR-V
Description: Incorrect passenger-side airbag information in the owner’s guide. The passenger may not understand how the airbag functions.
2019 CR-V
Description: A fuel tank weld may fail resulting in the risk of fire.
2019 CR-V
Description: The steering-wheel core could damage airbag wiring and the airbag might not deploy in the event of crash or might deploy unexpectedly,

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.

Share this: