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2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid driving on city street

Why Is the Honda CR-V So Popular?

The Honda CR-V is one of the most popular mid-size crossovers on the market today and it likely will be for years to come. And why not? It’s sized right for almost any family of four and single people alike, has a bevy of storage space, and all the power that you would ever need. …

The Honda CR-V is one of the most popular mid-size crossovers on the market today and it likely will be for years to come. And why not? It’s sized right for almost any family of four and single people alike, has a bevy of storage space, and all the power that you would ever need. It’s a great formula for a winning car, but what else makes the Honda CR-V so popular?

The Honda CR-V is flexible with its fuel efficiency

As we mentioned before, the 2020 Honda CR-V has all of the power that you need for your daily drive. Every CR-V comes standard with a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine that produces 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque and can achieve up to 28 mpg in the city and 34 on the highway. However, if you need to tow anything, just make sure it doesn’t weigh more than 1,500 pounds.

If you need more fuel efficiency than that, you can always opt for the Honda CR-V Hybrid model, which sports a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine that’s attached to two electric motors. Together, the hybrid powertrain puts out 212 horsepower and is able to obtain 40 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway.

a side rear view of the cr-v in motion on a suburban road
2020 Honda CR-V Touring

The Honda CR-V’s styling caters to everyone

While the Honda CR-V might not look as elegant as the Mazda CX-5 or as pseudo-rugged as the Toyota RAV4, it’s safe to say that it’s styling can cater to just about everyone. Honda redesigned the CR-V in 2017, giving it bolder fenders and a more sculpted front and rear end and it looks like it’s paid off in spades. Considering the brand has sold more than 756,000 units in 2017 and 2018, after the redesign, we’re guessing consumers like it. After all, it’s a pretty safe design that will probably still look good in 10 years.

A sharp, gray 2020 Honda CR-V Touring model parked in the city.
2020 Honda CR-V Touring | Honda

The CR-V is reliable

Despite some issues with the early models for the 2017 and 2018 model years, the current generation of the Honda CR-V has proven to be reliable. Consumer Reports rated the 2017 to 2020 CR-V a 5 out of 5 on the reliability index, however, some CR-V owners on Carcomplaints weren’t as nice.

There were 293 complaints logged for the 2017 model year and 152 for the 2018 model year, mostly citing engine issues concerning an oil dilution issue. Honda has since responded to the issue by offering extended powertrain warranties and a software update to make the car warm up quicker in colder weather, which has seemed to help. There are far fewer complaints for the 2019 and 2020 model years.

2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid cargo space with seats folded flat
2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The Honda CR-V is an overall performer

Ultimately, the reason the Honda CR-V has been so popular throughout the years is that it’s one of the best all-around performers that you can buy on the new and used market. It has enough room for five adults and all their stuff, enough power and fuel efficiency to get you wherever you need to go, and the reliability to ensure that it lasts for years to come. And with all of that, Honda has proven that it knows a thing or two about making one of the best mid-size crossovers ever.

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