The 2005 Honda CR-V isn’t the cheapest SUV on the market, but it may be the best overall value you’re going to find in a used crossover. Built on top of a Civic with as much space as some mid-sizes and priced at under seven grand, the 2005 CR-V is simply an excellent choice.
Is the 2005 Honda CR-V a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – Simply one of the best vehicles on the used market today, in any size class, at any price.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – It’s more spacious inside than you’d guess from the outside, and the fold-flat seating allows you to haul more cargo than you can in some pickups.
- Reliability 8/10 – If you can find one with 150,000 miles on the odometer, you’ve got a good chance of doubling that before your first major repair.
- Safety 8/10 – Anti-lock brakes and stability control as standard features weren’t a given back in 2005, so that alone earns the CR-V an extra point.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – The 2005 CR-V averages 22/27 miles to the gallon, city/highway, in four wheel drive mode. That’s hard to beat.
- Value 9/10 – There are cheaper SUVs out there, and there are better SUVs out there, but there are none that are both cheaper and better.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2005 Honda CR-V?
Consumer Reports praise the 2005 CR-V as one of the most well-rounded SUVs in any size class, citing the responsive 5-speed automatic transmission, standard stability control, spacious interior, and sharp handling. Their one criticism: Road noise can be a bit loud.
Kelley Blue Book users simply love the 2005 Honda CR-V. They give the SUV an overwhelming 95% recommendation, praising the vehicle’s comfortable, roomy interior and crisp handling. One driver reports their CR-V going strong at over 300,000 miles, so longevity is a major positive here.
Edmunds found the 2005 CR-V to be comfortable, roomy, and packed with standard features, praising the SUV’s stability control and anti-lock brakes, as well as the excellent crash test scores. They found the lack of a V6 engine, and the limited off-road capability, to be disappointing.
What Common Problems Does the 2005 Honda CR-V Have?
Airbag issues take up more than a quarter of the 2005 Honda CR-V’s 462 total complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The SUV has been recalled ten times for airbag issues, the last in 2019, but complaints of airbag failure continue to roll in years later.
Another quarter of the CR-V’s complaints are comprised of exterior lighting issues, with drivers reporting low beam light bulbs burning out on a monthly basis. The issue has not been addressed with a recall as yet.
There are 73 electrical complaints on file, with a major issue being the smell of burning wires coming from the driver side door. The issue has to do with bad wiring in the power locks, windows, and mirror controls. Rate of incidence is low, but the problem is worrying.
In total, the 2005 Honda CR-V has 14 recalls on file with the NHTSA, which may sound a bit high, but considering there are just 462 complaints registered, it would seem that most of these recalls were issued before minor issues became major problems.
How Long Will the 2005 Honda CR-V Last?
A new Honda CR-V is a strong contender for the half-million-mile club. In a used CR-V you should expect a minimum lifespan of around 250,000 miles. You might push it all the way to 300,000, but you can’t vouch for the previous owner’s maintenance habits.
RepairPal estimate an annual maintenance cost of just $407 for the Honda CR-V, well below average for a compact SUV. The most expensive common fix is a new cylinder head, which can run up to $4,655, at which point it may be smarter to just buy a new car.
Nope. I have had no serious problems with it and the small one I have experienced they were fixed quickly and handled professionally. For being an older vehicle, I thought they would blow me off.
Very reliable. I have he no problems except factory recalls that are replaced for free at the Honda dealership.
The main complaint is that there is a lot of road noise. It helps to buy high quality tires and not use the factory tires.
Very reliable. Run's well in Wisconsin weather.Going from extreme Cold to Hot weather conditions, starts every time.
Very reliable. I have had no problems with my car. Just do the normal maintenance on it and it runs great and fairly quiet.
None, I have never had any problems or issues with this automobile in comparison to an American idiot car
It is very reliable and dependable. It has little to no problems and I can count on this car at any time.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology onboard the 2005 Honda CR-V is adequate for a 2005 compact SUV. You won’t find any DVD players or MP3 players here, but you get a CD player in the entry level LX, and the EX SE comes with a six-disc changer and a couple extra speakers.
Safety technology is better than average for the 2005 Honda CR-V’s model year. Anti-lock brakes and vehicle stability assist come standard.
Is the 2005 Honda CR-V a Good Value?
The 2005 Honda CR-V is a very good value. An entry-level LX will typically list for around $5,449, with the high-end SE listing at around $6,436. Those prices are fair for a 2005 compact SUV with around 155,000 miles on the odometer, but the low cost of ownership is what makes the CR-V a great deal.
Fuel economy is better than you’ll find in some new vehicles, and major repairs before you reach 250,000 miles are very rare. By the time you’re spending more than a thousand bucks on a repair, the CR-V will probably be about ready for retirement anyway.
What are the Different Models of the 2005 Honda CR-V?
The 2005 Honda CR-V is available in three trim levels, ranging from the base LX to the high-end SE.
With the entry-level SE you’re getting:
- Manual air conditioning
- CD player
- Cloth/vinyl seating
- Remote keyless entry
- Anti-lock brakes and traction control
The mid-range EX adds:
- Four wheel drive
- Power sunroof
- 6-disc CD changer with six speakers
With the top-of-the-line SE you’re adding:
- Heated mirrors
- Leather seating
- Heated front seats
- Leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls
- Leather wrapped shift knob
What Engines Come In the 2005 Honda CR-V?
- The 2005 Honda CR-V comes packed with a 2.4L inline-four engine delivering 160 horsepower and 162 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 5-speed automatic and configured in front wheel drive in the LX, and four wheel drive in all other models. The engine averages 23/29 miles to the gallon in two-wheel configuration, and 22/27 in four-wheel.
What Colors Does the 2005 Honda CR-V Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2005 Honda CR-V?
The 2005 Honda CR-V is a compact SUV that feels like a mid-size. You’ve got 53.5 inches of hip room in the back, so most adults should be able to sit three to a row with no problem. Suspension is smooth, seating is firm, and there are few complaints on file for issues with the shocks and struts.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2005 Honda CR-V Have?
The 2005 CR-V has 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space in the back, and you can more than double that to 72 cubic feet with the seats down. That comes out to about six full size suitcases, or enough space for small furniture items like chairs, coffee tables, and nightstands.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The 2005 Honda CR-V was the fourth model year for the SUV’s 2nd Generation, which launched in 2002 and was retired in 2006.
2002: Honda gave the CR-V a total redesign for the second gen, taking the seventh-gen Civic and adding a MacPherson strut system to the package.
2003: No big changes for 2003, but the center compartment big was expanded a bit.
2004: Power door locks became standard on the passenger side for 2004.
2005: 2005 was a facelift year for the CR-V with new 16 inch wheels and redesigned headlights.
2006: Honda were already gearing up the 2007 relaunch for the CR-V at this point, so no big changes for 2006 except for some new exterior paint options.
2007: The 3rd Generation CR-V was 3.7 inches shorter than the 2nd Generation model, one and a half inches wider, and it launched with stability control, tier pressure monitoring, and brake assist as standard features.
How Does the 2005 Honda CR-V Compare to the Competition?
A Honda CR-V is a better all-around value than a 2005 Ford Explorer. It’s going to last longer, it’s more fuel-efficient, and it’s cheaper to maintain. But, a 2005 Ford Explorer XLS sells for just $3,462. That’s about two grand cheaper than an entry level CR-V.
On the other end of the spectrum you’ve got the 2005 Toyota RAV4, which shows comparable numbers to the CR-V when it comes to reliability, fuel-efficiency, and overall performance. And it costs about a thousand dollars more.
Over the long haul, the extra money you spend buying a CR-V over an Explorer will be paid back in lower maintenance and refueling costs. In the short term, you might not have six, seven thousand dollars to spend on an SUV. In which case, a 2005 Ford Explorer is the best SUV you’re going to find for under four grand.
Do Owners Recommend the 2005 Honda CR-V?
Yes, very reliable for being an older vehicle. Still has great gas mileage and easy to maintain. Easy to change the oil.
Yes dependable safe and reliable great in the snow and safe for myself and son. Would consider purchasing a newer model.
Yes. It is reliable and big enough for hauling cargo and people. So far I have only had to do a few big repairs.
Yes.. Handles well in all weather conditions and we have 180,000 plus miles and never had to do any major repairs
Yes. Reliable, holds value. Good gas mileage. No bad blind spots. Rear seats recline for more comfortable seats. Can hold a lot of cargo.
I've not had problems, any issues, and has not caused any problems. In comparison to a 2012 Chevy
The Honda CR-V is very reliable and long lasting. I've had this car for several years with little to no problems. I can rely in this car at any time to take me to my destination.