Honda CR-V: Safety Ratings Explored

Sandy B
Mar 5, 2021

Gray 2020 Honda CR-V From Front-Driver Side

Whenever a person buys a used car, safety is a big factor in making a buying decision. The Honda CR-V has a lot to offer in terms of performance and space insight, and even though it is a compact SUV, it seems to be solid and safe.

How safe is the Honda CR-V?

The 2020 Honda CR-V received a 5-Star Overall Safety Rating from NHTSA and the highest possible score of “Good” from IIHS. Combined with a 4.39-Star Owner Rating and 4.8/10-Star Expert Review rating from Vehicle History, this vehicle is impressive for most.

Before you pull the trigger to buy a pre-owned Honda CR-V, make sure you get more insight into how safe it is. We’ll review the test ratings here as well as check out the onboard safety features and driver assist technology to determine just how safe this car is.

2020 Honda CR-V Crash Test Rating

The biggest factor with safety is how well the vehicle performs if it’s in an accident. We can get some idea of this by looking at the crash test ratings assigned by reputable third-party groups. Here’s what happened in the 2020 Honda CR-V crash tests.

Insurance Institute Traffic Safety Administration Test Results

There’s good news, overall, from IIHS for the 2020 Honda CR-V. The agency gave this car the highest rating across all factors in Crashworthiness. That includes things like side impact, overlap risks, roof strength, and head restraints. That “Good” rating is important.

In Crash Avoidance and Mitigation testing, IIHS gave this vehicle “Superior” ratings for front crash prevention for vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian accidents. While it gave the standard headlights a “Good” rating, it marked down the trim and optional headings as “Acceptable” and “Marginal.” It gave the LATCH system an “Acceptable” rating.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Test Results

The NHTSA gives the 2020 CR-V a perfect 5-Star Overall Safety Rating. That comes from having a full 5-star rating for overall front safety and side crash safety. It did take off points for the results of the front passenger side crash results, though.

The other component to note is the rollover rating. In this test, called the dynamic tip test, the vehicle did not tip over. That’s good. However, it does have a rollover risk of 16.4%. That’s slightly high, and, as a result, NHTSA gave it a 4-Star Rollover Rating.

2020 Honda CR-V Available Safety Tech

Honda has invested a good amount of money and performance in Honda Sensing. It’s a suite of driver assist features and technology that aids the driver in remaining safe. Using cameras and radar sensors throughout the car, it can provide a range of benefits like these.

Road Departure Mitigation System (RDM)

This feature allows the vehicle to monitor the lane markings on the road. If you reach over or become distracted, you may move outside of your lane. This feature senses that and alerts you. It then adjusts steering to keep you in your lane, avoiding an accident as a result.

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)

Car Adaptive Cruise Control

Honda’s ACC system is very helpful when you use cruise control a good deal. It allows you to pre-set a distance figure into the system. Then, while you’re on the road, it will brake and slow the car down if the distance between you and other drivers falls too low.

Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR)

You may not always like this feature if you have a lead foot! The technology automatically picks up on road signs and alerts you if you’re traveling at a speed over the posted speed limit. It doesn’t slow you down but does use warnings to help you to get back in line.

Honda LaneWatch

This is an available (not standard) feature on some Honda CR V vehicles. When you put the turn signal on, it will automatically adjust the mirror to capture more of the roadway. It then displays this in a live feed right on your Display Audio Tough-Screen.

Cross Traffic Monitor

Using the multi-angle rear view camera, this feature will tell you if there are cars crossing behind your car. If you’re backing out of a parking space, it will warn you if someone is dashing past you, potentially eliminating the risk of an accident.

Here’s What Other People Also Ask About the Honda CR-V

Making a smart buying decision means paying close attention to the details. Here’s what others are asking. It may help you, too.

Do all Honda CR-V cars feature Sensing?

Honda Sensing is becoming more readily available on modern vehicles. The company started incorporating it in 2018 models. However, not all vehicles have all components and features. Make sure to check the make, year and trim to find out what’s really in your vehicle before you decide to buy.

Is the Honda CR-V a safe car?

With solid ratings overall from NHTSA and IIHS and good reviews from most owners, it’s easy to say this vehicle is safe to drive. It also has optional high-grade brakes and tires as well as a strong body design that can handle most incidents.

How many miles does a Honda CR-V usually last?

With good overall maintenance and upkeep, most drivers can expect this vehicle to last for a long time. There are a number of different reports from owners stating they had no extensive repair needs until 100,000 to 150,000 miles were on the car, and some were much longer.

Does the Honda CR-V come with an anti-theft system?

Most of the trim models do have an anti-theft feature. It’s important to check the specs for the specific year and the trim to determine what is included on your vehicle.

Should You Buy a Pre-Owned Honda CR-V? Is it Really Safe?

The good news is you can do even more research with one simple click. We’ve gathered data from various sources – NHTSA, J.D. Power, and KBB – as well as 140 million owner comments to help you determine if this is the car for you.

Check out our free Vehicle History report for more insight.

Owner Reviews

accountCircle James & Elizabeth on June 26, 2022
Purchased CRV honda on 12,120 miles white
I purchased a 2020 Honda CRV on 6/23/2020 from Gwinette Honda dealer didn't go to trade in nothing it was such a deal motor is cleanout and inside was clean. The only thing I don't like is when to come to a light or complete stop engine start idle position and starts back up again. Other than that I'm sitting up higher drives very good.
accountCircle AnnaBeth D on September 10, 2021
Great car for a college student!
I love my CR-V! Assistive cruise control is great for interstate driving. I love having a backup camera as well. The only feature I do not care for is the automatic engine stop. Luckily there is a button to turn that feature off, but you have to do so every time you start the vehicle.
accountCircle Caitlin S on July 4, 2021
This is the car for you!
This car has features that include, but not limited to: brake assistance, out of lane detection, and motion sensors to alert you of any cars in your blind spots. It also has a great feature when you are backing up it will beep at you and show you which direction a car is behind you.
accountCircle Sebastian J on September 12, 2021
Cheap and safe for the whole family.
My vehicle is incredible. It has all of the latest safety features and comes at a ridiculously low price. I haven't noticed any problems. It does have automatic engine shut off, in order to save gas. But the best part is that it is not a hybrid. I'd recommend it to anyone.
accountCircle Kate C on September 4, 2021
2020 Honda CR-V best features.
I like the features of heated seats even though there is cloth. I also like the feature of having apple carplay and automatic steering on my steer wheel that also notifies me if I departure a lane. I also like that when a car comes in my blind spot my mirrors light up.
accountCircle Giselle G on August 19, 2021
I have not had any vehicle problems this far with my Honda CR-V.
My only complaint would be that the “off road” feature which detects when the vehicle may be veering out of the lane is very distracting and still needs some improvement as the roads may not have straight lines and I find it veers off in roads that are like that.
accountCircle David G on June 2, 2021
New 2020 CR-V has great looks.
It drives great and has great features like brake hold that are perfect for stop and go traffic. It has more cargo space than expected. I do not like that the idle stop feature is defaulted to on and you have to manually turn it off each time you start the car.
accountCircle Fatima M on June 26, 2021
Apple CarPlay is a big bonus also lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control.
Good performance, very comfortable to sit and drive in, roomy, apple carplay and many other cool features in the dash. Sunroof, AWD adjustable lumbar support in drivers seat, smooth lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control. Sound system sounds great.
accountCircle Kristy Suttles on May 11, 2021
I absolutely love my Crv exl. I have a little less than 4500 miles on my 2020.
I use the brake hold faithfully... Actually one of my fav features... But if I forget to take my foot off the brake like at a red-light or something, it occasionally will feel as if it's locking and makes a loud grinding kind of sound then its fine.
accountCircle Patricia C on April 22, 2021
2020 Honda CR-V handles nicely and averages 30 mpg.
I like the safety features like lane departure prevention, blind spot warning, computer assisted cruise control, braking notification if you get too close to another vehicle. I had a 2017 model of the same vehicle which I really liked also.
accountCircle Brayan L on June 9, 2021
Why the Honda CR-V is the car for you!
The Honda CR-V provides a luxury feel for a smaller price than what you pay with competitors. I love all of the safety features that it comes with and the upgrades you can add on will only make it better.
accountCircle Ajay D on September 4, 2021
Great value for a safe, spacious, comfortable car.
The safety features, part of the Honda sensing suite, are especially useful and come standard. The only downsides are the noise the engine makes and the relatively antiquated looking user interface.
accountCircle Anna C on September 9, 2021
Brand new 2020 Honda CR-V!
I appreciate the extra features for safety including blind spot indicators, lane detecting, backup cameras and easy adjusting mirrors. I have not experienced any problems.
accountCircle Larry G on July 17, 2021
Gas saver! Get this thing!
It is very fuel efficient has a lot of safety features. It drives very well, it handles well, it can go fast and it can cruise safely, it is a very good car.
accountCircle Taylor H on August 24, 2021
Awesome storage space, and features.
The radio is awesome and gives you an option for car play which allows you to have your phone plugged in. My car can read me my text messages and even reply!
accountCircle Jen N on July 31, 2021
CR-V is the best car on the market.
I have no problems I just bought the car. It has a lot of great safety features and gets great gas mileage. They really thought of everything with this car.
accountCircle Colin M on June 16, 2021
It is a Honda so you cannot go wrong.
No problems at all. High quality with great safety features such as back up camera, blind spot indicators. Adaptive cruise control which is great.
accountCircle Don S on March 9, 2021
Honda CR-V review rated 4 stars.
Has good safety features. Good visibility. Brake system is a little funky. It feels like the car is stuck after holding brake down for a while.
accountCircle Abigail M on July 19, 2021
Amazing and safe daily driver.
The performance of this car is beyond amazing and smooth riding. I love all the features of this car that make it safe to drive.
accountCircle Harry S on June 16, 2021
My review of the Honda CR-V.
Ample safety features. It is my first time as a Honda owner and at this point I'd consider buying another.
accountCircle Alexis A on August 15, 2021
Great for travel with your family and pets.
We love all the safety features like the lane departure assist. The technology on the dash is great too.
accountCircle Stacey L on August 4, 2021
Currently no problems.
The automatics engine disable and lane departure are probably the 2 features I most dislike.
accountCircle Danielle L on September 13, 2021
I would definitely buy this car again!
The safety features are great. It has backup camera, blind spot alert and lane detection.
accountCircle James Y on May 1, 2021
2020 Honda CR-V review 10/10 car.
The 2020 model has many touch screen features which are helpful while driving.
accountCircle Mary S on July 30, 2021
Spacious and comfortable with excellent added features, well worth the money.
Very reliable, comfortable, and has excellent safety features!
accountCircle Ashley J on April 16, 2021
Hondas safest car is the Honda CR-V.
I love the safety features of the car.
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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