You can’t drive down the street without seeing at least one version of the most popular SUV in the market today. That vehicle is the Honda CR-V. Why is this compact crossover SUV so much more popular than its competitors? What does the CR-V have that others don’t?
Rather than asking Honda, or a bunch of experts, the team at Cars.com polled current owners to find out the answers to these questions.
An overview of customer comments regarding the Honda CR-V
Blue Honda CR-V | Honda
Most CR-V owners enjoy the roomy interior area of the vehicle. They report it provides comfort, east of ingress, and a spacious cargo area. The flip side of this is the Honda CR-V has glitchy technology and slow acceleration. Overall, most owners state they enjoy their SUV and will purchase another when it comes time.
The 2022 Honda CR-V offers comfort in every seat
One of the most important factors for families is the comfort of their vehicle. This compact Honda does the job with easy entry and exit areas to ensure passengers of all ages can ride along together. Whether a family member is young and just learning to get into a vehicle or they happen to be older with trouble moving, the CR-V makes it easy for everyone to step in for a drive.
The cargo room behind the rear seats measures 37.6 cubic feet, expanding to 68.7 cubic feet with folded rear seats. This roominess allows families to carry the stuff they need whenever they go to an activity, run an errand, or during a daily commute.
Finicky tech is a turn off in this Honda
Many current owners of the CR-V live with but don’t enjoy the infotainment screen. The seven-inch screen, standard on all models but the base trim, is exceedingly small compared to others in the market today. The touch-sensitive controls are hard to use and make this system a bit frustrating.
Another drawback to this SUV and its wonky infotainment system is that you have to step up to the EX trim to enjoy the benefits of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This connectivity is expected in most vehicles in the market today.
Sluggish acceleration but a nice ride in this compact SUV
2022 Honda CR-V | Honda
The Honda CR-V takes a minute to get to the speed you want, especially when driving on the highway, but the ride feels good. The suspension, steering, and braking are predictable, giving you the confidence you desire during any drive.
Your driving experience improves with the inclusion of standard Honda Sensing, which is the safety package offered. This package gives you:
- Automatic emergency braking
- Road departure mitigation
- Lane-keep assist
- Adaptive cruise control
As you move up through the trims of the CR-V, the safety package improves with the addition of:
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Full LED headlights
Unfortunately, the added items only come in the Touring trim of this SUV.
What are the trims of the 2022 Honda CR-V?
Honda CR-V | Getty Images
Kelley Blue Book gives us the breakdown of the four trims of this compact SUV.
LX Trim (base model)
- Honda Sensing
- 60/40 split-folding rear seat
- Alloy wheels
- Bluetooth connectivity
- 4-speaker audio system
- One USB port
EX Trim
- 7-inch infotainment screen
- Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
- Power moonroof
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Power driver’s seat
- Heated front seats
- USB charging ports in the second row
- Dual-zone automatic climate controls
- LED fog lights
- Larger wheels
- Push-button start
- 6-speaker audio system
EX-L Trim
- Leather upholstery
- Power liftgate
- Power front passenger seat
- Memory driver’s seat
- Auto-dimming mirror
- 8-speaker audio system
Touring Trim
- 19-inch wheels
- Hands-free power liftgate
- Wireless charging pad
- Heated steering wheel
- Navigation system
- Roof rails
- Full LED headlights
- Chrome exterior trim
- 9-speaker audio system
How much does the CR-V cost?
Pricing for this Honda SUV is:
- LX trim – $26,400
- EX trim – $28,910
- EX-L trim – $31,500
- Touring trim – $36,200
Should you buy this compact crossover SUV?
The 2022 Honda CR-V continues a tradition of excellence and popularity. The secret sauce is the spacious cabin coupled with the smooth, comfortable ride. That’s all it takes to make most families happy with this SUV.
The CR-V is a good option when you want an affordable SUV that fits five people and carries all your gear. If you’re trying to find a compact SUV with a better infotainment system, more engaging drive, or off-road capabilities, the Mazda CX-5, Jeep Cherokee, and Toyota RAV4 offer more of what you want.
Keyword: What Makes the 2022 Honda CR-V the Most Popular SUV in the Market?