2025 Honda CR-V: Still the Benchmark Compact SUV
Pros:
- High-quality interior design
- Stylish aesthetics
- Exceptional hybrid model
- Comprehensive safety features
- Refined and responsive driving
Cons:
- No plug-in hybrid or off-road variant
- Hybrid model lacks a spare tire and folding rear seats
- Basic touchscreen interface
The 2025 Honda CR-V continues to hold its crown as the best compact SUV, despite some competitors like the Hyundai Tucson and Subaru Forester receiving updates. Although the base turbocharged engine isn’t the most powerful in its segment, the hybrid version (marked by the “Sport” trim) remains an outstanding choice, slightly edging ahead in overall value.
Why is the CR-V So Compelling?
Simply put, the Honda CR-V excels in nearly all aspects important to families. It offers ample space for passengers and cargo, impressive safety credentials, fuel efficiency, good equipment levels, robust build quality, and high reliability. Moreover, it boasts a refined interior and an engaging driving experience, making it a standout in its class.
While the CR-V stands out, it’s worth exploring other strong contenders. Vehicles like the Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Mazda CX-50, Volkswagen Tiguan, and the revamped Subaru Forester also present compelling choices in this competitive segment.
New for 2025
For 2025, the CR-V remains largely unchanged apart from a slight price increase, which is typical within the industry.
Interior and Technology
While some drivers may prefer the more ostentatious interiors of competitors, the CR-V’s cabin strikes a fine balance between elegance and functionality. Its clean, refined design features metal honeycomb vents and a mix of piano black and chrome knobs, evoking the timeless style of a classic Fender amplifier.
The interior feels well-built and user-friendly with ample storage space and strategically placed cup holders. Excellent visibility, combined with high-quality tactile switches and a traditional shifter, enhances the driving experience.
The instrument panel integrates an analog speedometer with a 7-inch screen, displaying additional data. The base infotainment system, also a 7-inch touchscreen, includes user-friendly volume and tuning knobs along with physical menu buttons, making it straightforward but maybe a bit simplistic for some tastes. The upgraded versions (EX-L, Sport-L, and Sport Touring) come with a more sophisticated 9-inch touchscreen featuring configurable menu shortcut buttons, providing a more modern interface.
Size and Space
Switching from an older generation CR-V won’t reveal a drastic size difference, though the 2025 model is slightly larger and remains highly passenger-friendly. The rear seats offer ample space for long-legged adults and rear-facing child seats and can recline for additional comfort. The front seats also score high for adjustability and comfort.
Cargo capabilities vary by trim. The EX and EX-L trims feature a two-level cargo floor system, allowing the rear seatbacks to be folded flat. However, the base LX and Hybrid (Sport trims) lack this feature, making them slightly less spacious by three cubic feet. Notably, the Hybrid variant also lacks a spare tire—unlike competitors like the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.
Performance and Fuel Economy
The CR-V’s LX, EX, and EX-L trims house a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine, providing 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard, with an optional all-wheel drive (AWD). Fuel economy for FWD models stands at 28 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined, while AWD versions offer 27/32/29 mpg.
Hybrid models labeled "Sport" use a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, generating 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. Both FWD and AWD options are available, but the top-tier Sport Touring trim exclusively offers AWD. Fuel economy for these models is rated at 43/36/40 mpg for FWD and 40/34/37 mpg for AWD.
Driving Experience
This latest CR-V generation brings back the engaging driving dynamics Honda is known for. Although unsubtle, the base turbocharged engine is smooth but less satisfying than the more powerful and responsive hybrid. The hybrid’s electric-dominant drive offers smoother, more consistent power delivery and better acceleration.
From a ride and handling perspective, the CR-V excels with controlled body motions and a comfortable ride quality, making it one of the segment’s most refined options. Steering precision and consistent weighting make it easy to feel connected to the road.
CR-V Safety Ratings and Driver Assistance
The 2025 CR-V includes a comprehensive suite of safety and driver-assistance features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control with lane-centering.
Structure-wise, the car performs well, earning a five-star overall crash rating from the NHTSA and an IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2024, though its active safety systems lag behind those from Hyundai and Kia.
Pricing and Manufacturing
The 2025 Honda CR-V is manufactured across three plants in Ohio, Indiana, and Ontario. Pricing starts at $31,450, including a $1,350 destination charge. Despite slight increases, the CR-V remains competitively priced.
Conclusion
The 2025 Honda CR-V continues to be a tough act to follow in the compact SUV segment. It checks all the boxes for families and individuals, offering ample space, top-notch safety features, and a mix of efficiency and enjoyable driving experiences. While exploring other options in the market is always worthwhile, the CR-V’s blend of reliability, performance, and refined design makes it an enduring favorite.
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Jack Carney, Editor of Automotive.fyi
