The CR-V has consistently been a best seller in the compact crossover segment and others have had trouble duplicating Honda's winning recipe. With its high-tech features, abundant cargo space, and spectacular fuel economy, the 2018 Honda CR-V is a triple threat and one of the best options in its class.
What's New for 2018
After a complete redesign last year, the Honda CR-V carries over with no changes for 2018.
Choosing Your Honda CR-V
The CR-V lineup has two engines for consumers to choose from. The base LX trim is powered by a 2.4-liter inline-four engine paired to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that produces 184 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque. The rest of the lineup features a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder motor that makes 190 hp and 179 lb.-ft. of torque that’s matched to a CVT.
Power can be put down through the front wheels or through all four with Honda’s real time all-wheel drive with Intelligent Control System. With the 2.4-liter engine and front-wheel drive, the CR-V gets an EPA-estimated 26 miles per gallon in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. Adding all-wheel drive to the crossover brings its fuel economy down by one in the city and on the highway. The turbocharged 1.5-liter engine is the more fuel-efficient motor, boasting a fuel economy rating of 28 mpg in the city and 34 on the highway for front-wheel drive models. Opting for all-wheel drive brings those figures down to 27 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.
As a compact crossover, the new CR-V offers consumers a spacious cargo area. With the seats in place, the vehicle houses 39.2 cubic feet of cargo volume, while the space opens up to 75.8 cu. ft. with the seats folded down.
The 2017 CR-V was an IIHS Top Safety Pick+, and the 2018 model should be the same, since it comes with all of the latest safety features, including: brake assist, a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, collision mitigation braking system, and road departure mitigation system.
The CR-V is available in four trims:
Since the 2018 CR-V lineup doesn’t have a lot of available packages, getting into a trim that has everything you want is crucial. While the LX is the most affordable, the EX model adds a lot of tech and comfort features, including the safety-focused Honda Sensing group.