The 2025 Honda CR-V is a compact crossover SUV. Compare it to the Toyota RAV4, Nissan Rogue, and Hyundai Tucson, among myriad others.
Absolutely. It’s popular for good reason, thanks to a great interior with lots of cargo and people space, plenty of features, and a frugal hybrid. The CR-V rates a 7.0 out of 10 on the TCC scale. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
Honda added a plug-in hydrogen fuel-cell version of the CR-V to the lineup, though it’s only available to lease and only in select California markets.
Inoffensive but derivative exterior styling gives way to a terrific cabin with just the right amount of flair and terrific ergonomics. Honda is an interior master; its exterior design is, well, just fine.
Honda’s CR-V comes in two basic flavors: a gas-only model fed by a small turbo-4 or the Sport Hybrid, which should have been called Refined Hybrid. The base engine in LX, EX, and EX-L trims puts out 190 hp through a CVT; it’s fine, but nothing special. The hybrid setup standard otherwise (except in the CR-V e:FCEV) is stronger and smoother.
Californians who lease the e:FCEV will find 29 or so miles of electric range on a full charge, after which the hydrogen tank starts to empty itself. It’s quiet and, frankly, drives mostly like a standard, if rather slow, gas-fueled car.
The CR-V is estimated between 37 and 40 mpg combined in hybrid guise, which is good for the segment but not quite as impressive as the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid’s 39 mpg with all-wheel drive. Gas-only CR-Vs check in at a reasonable 29 to 30 mpg combined.
Regardless of what’s underhood, the CR-V has a balanced, comfortable ride.
The CR-V stretches — literally — our notion of a compact SUV. It’s big outside and simply enormous inside, with a massive cargo area and plenty of space for four adults. Even five adults will find decent space, so long as the three in the back aren’t linebackers. The big cargo area nearly doubles in size when the rear seatbacks are folded, too.
A five-star NHTSA rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award are good news for safety-conscious consumers, though a closer look at those ratings reveals a few blemishes. Still, the CR-V has automatic emergency braking, active lane control, adaptive cruise control, and a driver-attention monitor, plus it can do limited hands-off driving at speeds below 45 mph.
How much does the 2025 Honda CR-V cost?
The base CR-V LX runs $31,450, which buys a relatively small 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a digital instrument cluster, and 17-inch alloy wheels. All-wheel drive will set you back $1,500 more.
We suggest the $33,700 EX, which has a power-adjustable driver’s seat, a sunroof, and heated front seats, though the $35,700 CR-V Sport Hybrid’s fuel-economy improvements may eventually pay for themselves.
Where is the 2025 Honda CR-V made?
In Greensburg, Indiana, East Liberty, Ohio, or Alliston, Ontario, Canada, depending on the trim configuration.
