When it comes to SUVs, Hondas are consistently the leader of the pack. The CR-V has garnered high praise over the years, even earning the title of SUV of the Year from Motor Trend a few years ago. Since then, Honda has only continued to impress its audience and rise above its competition by putting out more successful SUVs.

Recently the CR-V got a big overhaul, adding even more features and upping its performance rating to make it stand out from other SUVs on the market. With all the hype surrounding this compact SUV, you may be wondering if it’s too good to be true. Whether the CR-V is right for you depends on your lifestyle and needs, but this car certainly has a lot going for it.

Interior

The two things you usually look for when shopping for an SUV are ample seating and cargo capacity. The Honda CR-V is able to seat up to five passengers in cloth seats with a stylish leather trim, instilling a feeling of comfort and luxury. The front seats can be heated and feature four-way lumbar support.

The CR-V can hold a substantial amount of gear in the back, with 39.2 cubic feet of space. When the rear seats are collapsed, you’ll gain an additional 36.6 cubic feet, putting the CR-V well ahead of its competitors in regards to cargo.

Engine and transmission

The standard Honda CR-V comes equipped with a 184 hp 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine. Those looking for a little more power have the option of a 190 hp turbocharged 1.5 liter four-cylinder engine.

The acceleration is decent, although you probably won’t see this car on a list of fast SUVs any time soon. However, it still makes for a smooth drive when paired with the CVT transmission.

Drivers will appreciate the great handling and powerful brakes. Both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are available. It’s worth mentioning that the CR-V doesn’t have the best towing capability, with a below-average limit of 1500 pounds.

Technical features

After its extensive re-engineering in 2017, the Honda CR-V got a nice technological upgrade. Bluetooth, an interactive touch screen, Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, six speakers, satellite or HD radio, and three USB ports included in every model besides the standard LX, which has a slightly more limited amount of features. Customers have reported that the touchscreen can be too sensitive and slow to respond, making it slightly frustrating to use.

The Honda CR-V also comes with some useful safety features. These include blind-spot monitors, sensors for rear parking and cross-traffic, automatic emergency brakes and high beams, lane switch assistance, and front collision warning. Unlike most competitors, all of these safety features are available to every base model, so customers won’t have to shell out more cash to have the safest ride.

Fuel economy

SUVs are typically better on gas than most vehicles, and the Honda CR-V is no exception. The standard 184 hp engine was able to score a rating of 25 mpg on city roads and 31 mpg on the highway, while the supercharged 190 hp engine achieved 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on highway roads.

Both of these engines are highly fuel-efficient for compact crossovers. The tank can hold up to 14 gallons of gas, giving you a little over 400 miles before having to make a pit stop.

With all of its wide variety of standard features, efficiently powerful engines, and generous interior space, the Honda CR-V is definitely worth your money if you need an SUV. While it’s not the most sporty car of its class, it’s hard to find a similar vehicle as highly-rated and dependable.