Honda’s small but satisfying compact SUV, the CR-V has a reliable model year for virtually any budget.
When Honda rolled out its first production CR-V for the 1997 model year, the automaker made a statement. In the world of offroading, camping, scenic road trips, and adventure, you can have your cake and eat it, too.
You don’t have to burn your gasoline budget within a few hours from home. With the Honda CR-V, you can take solace in the fact that you won’t have to be interrupted on your adventure by frequent visits to a gas station.
Obviously, the CR-V has never really been known for its towing capacity. Though, if you don’t have anything to tow, is there really any reason to have a vehicle that can do it?
For over 20 years, the CR-V has been blending the good times of offroading and adventure with Honda’s notoriety for fuel economy and remarkable reliability. Since its debut, the CR-V has grown to its fifth generation. There’s a vast range of affordable model years that can land you in one. No matter what one you wind up with, though, you’re sure to have a good time.
Honda CR-V First-generation (1997-2001)
Honda came out swinging with the first generation CR-V. The carmaker wanted to make a lasting impact on the compact SUV market. To say it did so would be an understatement. Instead of becoming a prime example of the class, the CR-V became the standard. It featured standard all-wheel-drive and adequate rear passenger legroom.
Additionally, the first-gen. CR-V came with a couple of adventure Easter eggs. Under the passenger seat, you’ll find a small storage cubby. Furthermore, beneath the trunk carpet, you’ll find a picnic table!
The first-gen. models came with a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine. This B series engine is very similar to the ones you’d find in the non- VTEC variants of the Acura Integra of the time.
While it didn’t have the most stellar power output at 126 horsepower for years 1997-1998 and 146 horsepower years 1999-2001, it did get great fuel economy. An EPA rating of up to 19 mpg city and 23 mpg highway nets a combined average of 21 mpg.
The 1998 model year brought on a front-wheel-drive option. Both manual and automatic transmissions are available. The manual variants do get a couple of extra mpgs, too.
The first-gen. CR-V has a couple of recalls to look out for. Two electrical faults, one with the wiring harness that could result in sudden failure of headlights and windshield wipers and another with the ignition switch, can result in the engine shutting off. The third recall is regarding the airbags and their possible rupture or under-inflation.
As always, run any used car through a VIN search to check for recall repairs and any prior incidents!
A budget of $5,000 is more than enough to get yourself a clean first-gen. CR-V. Some can even be found under $2,000 in pretty great shape.
Honda CR-V Second-generation (2002-2006)
The second-gen. Honda CR-V maintains the classic styling of the first-gen. models with some tasteful updates to the overall design. While the first-gen. spirit remains intact, the second-gen. brings along technological updates and a fairly significant boost in power.
Remaining relics from the first-ge.n models are the spare tire mounted to the back door, the availability of a manual transmission, and, of course, the picnic table.
The power upgrade comes from the switch to the 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder that has become worshipped among Honda fans. The K series engine is notorious for its powerful capabilities and longevity. The engine found in the second-gen. CR-V makes 160 horsepower and features the legendary Honda variable valve timing system; VTEC. Depending on year and transmission, the second-gen. CR-V will net you up to 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway.
The second-gen. models have a few more outstanding recalls. Many of them involve airbags, as this generation falls under the worldwide recall for faulty Takata airbags. While these are great cars, it is important to be sure these recall repairs have been done by checking the VIN.
If they haven’t, don’t be afraid to ask a seller to have them taken care of before purchasing. A faulty airbag is a serious matter that needs to be taken care of immediately. Additionally, there is a recall for tempered glass failure. And finally, a recall for faulty window motor switches.
A nice example of a second-generation CR-V can be purchased for around $5,000. Expect some lower-mileage examples to have an asking price north of $8,000 depending on the year.
Honda CR-V Third-generation (2007-2011)
The third-gen. models of the CR-V are where the styling and quirks depart from the norm. Gone are the days of the rear-mounted spare tire and manual transmission. It also received a lower step-in height, driving the CR-V toward being more of a practical daily driver than a compact adventurer.
Still, the third-gen. brought on some exciting new features. Voice-activated navigation and leather seats were some of the technological advances, though they were not available on every model. Safety features were added, too, as every third-gen. CR-V came equipped with side-curtain airbags.
The third-gen. models saw another increase in power but retained the K series 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder. The output was a brisk 166 horsepower, just six more than the previous generation.
However, fuel economy did take quite a step up. Ratings of up to 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway for a combined 24 mpg rating steps the game up a fair bit. As with previous generations, the front-wheel-drive examples offer a slight advantage in fuel economy. Though, only by one mpg in this case.
Once again, an onslaught of airbag recalls plagues the CR-V. According to the NHTSA, 12 of the currently active 14 recalls on third-gen. models are related to airbags and their inflators.
Another involves the ignition circuit, which may cause sudden engine stalls. Even more concerning is the automatic transmission module’s recall that can result in engine stalls and the car rolling away even when put in park.
NHTSA: Honda CR-V Recalls
Third-gen. CR-Vs are not explicitly hard to come by under $10,000, but one should expect to be north of five figures for clean low mileage examples. Later examples with higher trims and options can soar nearly to $15,000, too.
Honda CR-V Fourth-generation (2012-2016)
The Honda CR-V redesign for the model year 2012 brought back some of the original’s mojo. The compact SUV became much more appealing to look at with this redesign. It also saw the inclusion of some remarkable modern amenities. A five-inch infotainment screen with steering wheel controls became standard, Bluetooth included. Also standard on the fourth-gen. models is a backup camera.
Options include dual-zone automatic climate control and a rear-seat DVD system for those long road trips with the family.
Another jump in power comes with the fourth-gen. model. Again, a 2.4-liter i-VTEC inline four-cylinder is the powerplant of choice. This time, though, it packs a power output of 185 horsepower.
Up to 2014, the fuel economy was pretty great, with up to 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway for a combined total of 26 mpg.
However, in 2015 Honda switched the engine to the Honda Earth Dreams direct-injected variant, and the transmission was switched to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This combination netted an increase to 26 mpg city and 32 mpg highway for a combined total of 28 mpg. That is pretty stellar for an SUV.
The third-gen. has very few recalls. 2012 model years have an open recall for front door latch failure. 2012 and 2013 models also have an open recall regarding the shifter interlock, warning that switching out of park without your foot on the break will allow the car to roll away, which seems like more a common-sense issue, but we digress. 2015 and 2016 model years have an active recall for incorrectly installed connecting rod bolts, incorrect pistons and, you guessed it, airbags.
A budget of $15,000 will put you in a good example of a fourth-gen. Honda CR-V in just about any trim and configuration.
Honda CR-V Fifth-generation (2017-Present)
The current generation of the Honda CR-V is the biggest and most fuel-efficient yet. New technologies include the introduction of Android Auto and Apple Car Play, and Honda Sensing, their safety collection that includes things like collision warnings, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning.
A seven-inch touch screen infotainment system became available, as did an automatic rear liftgate. Optional dual-zone automatic climate control makes a return for this generation as well.
Multiple engine options are available for the fifth-gen. CR-V. Base models return the Earth Dreams direct-injected 2.4-liter four-cylinder and see fuel economy ratings up to 26 mpg city and 32 mpg highway.
However, higher trim models now come with a 190 horsepower 1.5-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine that is capable of up to 28 mpg city and 34 mpg highway, making it the first time a CR-V sees a 30 mpg combined rating.
The biggest shift in powertrain for the fifth-gen. CR-V is the addition of a hybrid model that debuted in the 2020 model year. The 212 horsepower hybrid-assisted engine is good for an outstanding 40 mpg city and 35 mpg highway for a combined rating of 38 mpg.
Additionally, a plug-in hybrid version is already available overseas and expected to be in the U.S. in the near future.
Fifth-gen. models are not exempt from recalls. Recalls include faulty welds holding in the fuel tank causing fuel leaks, failed steering wheel airbag wiring, and separation of the rear subframe, increasing the risk of crashing. This serves as a reminder that one should check even newer cars for open recalls.
If you aren’t searching for a brand-new car, used fifth-gen. CR-Vs can be obtained for as low as $20,000 with some ease. Expect to spend upwards of $30,000 for the latest years.
Which CR-V Model Year is the Best for You?
Given the massive spectrum of cost among the generations, it’s easiest to break the Honda CR-V options into two budget categories. If you are looking to spend less than $10,000, CR-V model years from 2002 to 2006 (second-gen.) are undoubtedly the ones to go with.
Keeping all of the original CR-V’s cool mojo with more modern amenities and a bit more power than the first-gen. makes it a perfect candidate to be your daily driver and your offroad adventure partner.
Plus, you can get it with a manual transmission, and you still get the picnic table. Who doesn’t want that?
If your budget soars north of $10,000, we have to give our recommendation to the CR-V model years 2012 through 2016 (fourth-gen). They offer a great middle-ground in terms of technology and features while maintaining an obtainable price range often less than half the cost of a brand new model. Couple that with the fact that 2015 and 2016 model years get well into the 30 mpg range on the highway, and you’ve got yourself a winner.
No matter what CR-V you go with, you’ll likely be pleased with your decision to go with Honda’s signature compact SUV.
Photos: Honda