Is it truly a surprise that one of the most popular compact SUVs in the market has so much going for it? While we’re all told to try and “think outside the box” or do things a bit differently, sometimes, there’s nothing wrong with following the crowd. This is certainly true when that crowd leads you to the 2022 Honda CR-V.

Why is the Honda CR-V such a popular SUV?

The CR-V isn’t big, it’s not powerful, and it’s not a luxury model, but it is one of the most popular SUVs in the market. When the conversation turns to a vehicle that checks off a lot of boxes, the CR-V almost always comes up. Kelley Blue Book starts the accolades with the positives of this SUV, which are:

• Spacious for passengers and cargo
• Good standard safety tech
• Safe and reliable
• Peppy and efficient engine
• Excellent resale value

What does Consumer Reports think of the CR-V?

Among the compact SUVs reviewed, Consumer Reports ranks the 2022 Honda CR-V fourth. The three models ahead of this crossover are:

• Subaru Forester
• Hyundai Tucson
• Toyota RAV4 Prime

Fourth isn’t a bad spot for the CR-V and it’s touted as being one of the better models in its class. The roomy cabin, good fuel mileage, and impressive handling all add to the benefits of this SUV. For an SUV that’s affordable, this Honda is pretty quiet, which adds to the enjoyment of the drive.

More praise for this popular Honda SUV

Trusted experts can’t get enough of the CR-V and what it delivers for a family of five or less. Car and Driver rates this SUV pretty high as well and tells us it offers what most drivers need. The cover the fact this Honda has:

• Spiffy and spacious interior
• Generous cargo area
• Stingy powertrain options

Enough with the accolades, what comes in the 2022 Honda CR-V SUV?

It’s easy to find more positive reports about this Honda SUV, but you might be more interested in what you’ll find in this popular SUV.

LX Trim

• Honda Sensing safety tech
  • Automatic emergency braking
  • Road departure mitigation
  • Lane-keep assist
  • Adaptive cruise control
• 60/40 split-folding rear seat
• Alloy wheels
• Bluetooth streaming
• Four-speaker audio system
• One USB port

EX Trim

• 7-inch infotainment screen
• Android Auto/Apple Car Play connectivity
• Power moonroof
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Power driver’s seat
• Heated front seats
• USB charging ports in the second row
•  Dual-zone automatic climate control
• LED fog lights
• Larger wheels
• Push-button start
• 6-speaker audio system

EX-L Trim

• Leather upholstery
• Power liftgate
• Power front passenger seat
• Memory driver’s seat
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• 8-speaker audio system

Touring Trim

• 19-inch alloy wheels
•  Hands-free power liftgate
• Wireless charging pad
• Heated steering wheel
• Navigation system
• Roof rails
• Full LED headlights
• Additional chrome exterior trim
• 9-speaker audio system

All trims offer the option of AWD to give drivers more control in the rain and snow.

What powers the drive of the CR-V SUV?

The standard powertrain for the 2022 Honda CR-V SUV is a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine attached to a CVT. This powertrain is good for 190 horsepower and 179 lb.-ft. of torque. You’ll have 28 city/34 hwy mpg in FWD models and 27 city/32 hwy mpg in AWD versions.

The CR-V Hybrid delivers a 2.0-lie four-cylinder engine and two electric motors to give you 212 horsepower. This fuel-sipping formula results in 40 city/35 hwy mpg. If you’ve got a lot of city driving to do, this is the CR-V you want to drive.

How much does the 2022 CR-V cost?

This Honda SUV is one of the most affordable models in the market. The starting price for the LX trim is $26,400 for an FWD model with the AWD model beginning at $27,900. The EX trim (which is the sweet spot for this SUV) begins at $28,910, with the EX-L starting at $31,500. The Touring trim comes standard with AWD and starts at $36,200.

Should you buy the 2022 Honda CR-V?

Unless you require a much larger vehicle, yes, you should buy this Honda SUV. The CR-V checks off all the right boxes for shoppers in the compact crossover SUV class.