2020 Honda CR-V EX: A Trim With Personality

Sandy B
Mar 2, 2021

Silver 2021 Honda CR-V EX With White Background

Spunky, fun to drive, solid fuel economy, and maybe enough room for all of the kid’s stuff in the back? Are those the features you need? Having a good starting price point matters, too. The 2020 Honda CR-V EX offers a lot of those features.

What does the 2020 Honda CR-V EX have to offer?

As the second trim option, the 2020 Honda CR-V EX offers a 1.5-L I-4 engine with 190 horsepower and a two-speed CVT transmission. It’s available as either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and has a starting price of $27,660.

That’s a solid start, but there’s much more to this vehicle. We’ll go through those details here. There’s also a thorough review video of this vehicle from MikesCarInfo that you have to see if you’re at home surfing through your vehicle options. Don’t stop there. Get all of the specs in the 2020 Honda CR-V EX’s Vehicle History.

Check out This In-Depth Look at the EX

The EX is the second trim option in the 2020 Honda CR-V lineup. The base trim is the LX. There’s also the EX-L and Touring upper trim options.

To give you an overview of this smaller SUV, start by checking out the video here. It’s the ideal overview of this model.

As you can tell, there’s a lot to like about this car, including the cool new tech. Let’s break down the performance for this vehicle.

The Honda CR-V EX is available as both a front-wheel-drive and an all-wheel-drive vehicle. It features a 1.5L I-4 engine that gets 190 horsepower and a 2-speed CVT transmission with overdrive. That’s a good basic starting point but certainly not your big power engine.

The EX doesn’t offer any other transmission or engine options, which can feel limiting. This is the only engine available across the board.

One of the benefits of that engine is that you’ll get to and from work with ease and without breaking the bank on fuel. The EPA-estimate on this vehicle is 28 city and 34 highway for 30 combined miles per gallon. That’s solid for a moderately sized car.

This vehicle aims to be more environmentally friendly and easy to drive. The CVT transmission gives it some of the pep you’re looking for, and with the mode select transmission, you can choose the type of riding experience you desire. It also comes with standard speed-sensing steering and 18-inch wheels.

The body is sporty and fun with its rear lip spoiler and bodyside cladding. You can upgrade with a few optional features, including running boards, trailering with hitch, and even a nice looking black grille.

There’s also an optional roof rack for all of your gear for those long trips. It also features heated power side mirrors, including integrated indicators. That adds a nice modern tech touch.

What’s it Feel Like?

When you get into the 2020 Honda CR-V EX, you’ll feel as though you’re in a higher-valued vehicle. The interior is black with ample tech right in your hands. This is where the EX starts to stand out.

It offers Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, a 7-inch display with touchscreen, a 180-watt audio system with six speakers, and a pretty sweet one-touch power moonroof with Tilt Features (that’s optional).

Sirius XM Radio, HD Radio, and SMS Text Message functioning are all nice features on this vehicle.

HondaLink is loaded onto this vehicle to give drivers even more control.

The seats are cloth in the EX with a higher upholstery option available in the upper trims. The vehicle also offers heated front seats that have good overall support. There’s enough room for five in this SUV. Another benefit – it comes with a dual-zone automatic climate control system. The push-button start is also a nice feature.

For those who want safety, the 2020 Honda CR-V EX offers in with a suite of driver-assist features. This includes Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Monitor and driver attention alert. Front and rear parking sensors are optional.

It also has LED fog lights and a security system built in to add to the overall safety you’ll feel in this vehicle. Privacy glass also helps.

Speaking of safety, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gives it a five-star crash rating. You can feel good about driving it with the kids.

Is This the Trim for You?

With numerous trim options to choose from, the 2020 Honda CR-V is a solid working car. The EX does well in comparison to the upper trim models. Those offer more tech and nicer interior features.

Overall, it’s a solid choice for most of today’s fuel-conscious car buyers.

To find out if it’s really for you, read what other owners of this vehicle are saying. You can do that by checking out the 2020 Honda CR-V EX’s Vehicle History.

avatar Sandy B
Sandy B. has written for The New York Times, Cleveland Magazine, and many online publications. She long-ago ditched the minivan life for the off-roading Ford Explorer (and hoping to restore a Shelby Mustang!)
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