Used 2009 Honda CR-V SUV Consumer Reviews
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Smart Car for Local Driving
This is my third Honda; previously I had owned a 99 Accord and 04 Accord, both 4 cylinders. This cr-v actually shares the same engine as the 04 Accord, so given its bigger size, it lacks some power. Yet it had the most comfortable ride of the other cars I test drove - the rav4 and rogue. This car is great for local driving to run errands and stuff but for long distance driving it lacks the horsepower to make it up the hills easily. I also feel and hear the engine having to work too hard which isn't good.
alright suv
We bought the CRV to replace a Town and Country. My wife wanted something smaller to use for work. It is very noisy on the Houston roads, the car has 23,000 miles and the tires are already showing alot of wear. If you put the back windows down at highway speeds, there is a deafening noise that sounds like a jet is taking off in your back seat. The mileage is also not as good as we expected. Sitting in both front seats on long trips isn't all that enjoyable
- LX 4dr SUVMSRP: $11,999100 mi away
- EX 4dr SUVMSRP: $9,955153 mi away
- EX 4dr SUVMSRP: $8,99587 mi away
Noisy!
I bought the LX new in September 2009. I am still not used to the SUV differences from my previous Toyota Camry. I find it noisy, my #1 complaint, even though I had it undercoated, there is still a lot of road noise and there is a lot of wind noise in the windshield area. The gas mileage is also not as good as advertised. I would spend a lot more time test driving other makes next time.
Awesome car
I’ve had this car for a few months now and I’m loving it. Great visibility. Handles well in all weather conditions. Quiet ride. Sound system pretty good.
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One of a kind.
Car is in outstanding condition and represents an excellent candidate for someone seeking reliable, dependable transportation.
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CRV FUN
Great performance and reliable. A slight road noise but not bad. Solid build and comfortable. Very few problems. Always dependable, great styling.
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Best car I’ve ever had
Hands down the best car I’ve ever had.
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CR-V review
I recently purchased my CRV in Nov 2008 to replace an aging Nissan Frontier. While the vehicle drives well and gets great fuel economy (about 25 mpg), there are some minor things that bother me. The seats are very stiff and get to be uncomfortable on long drives, the dash slants away from the driver, so you have to lean forward to get to the the controls (radio, HVAC, etc) and the external mirrors are too small. They LX model has a foldable tray, for about $10 in material they could have put in a full center console as well. Other than those minor issues, this is a great vehicle.
Did not like it.
If I would have had it for a week I would have never bought it. I bought it because of the reviews on Edmunds. I owned it for three weeks and traded it for a new Chey Silverado quad cab that gets 14 mpg and lost a lot on the deal. I do not regret it. I'm a truck guy anyhow. I should not have purchased the CR-V.
Perfect SUV
Given the price, everything is amazing. Honda has a tradition of reliability and value; this is clearly evident in the CR-V. The only problem I have is the fuel mileage. I'm a little confused how the other critics on this page are getting over 20 mpg. I mostly drive in NYC and have never broke the 15.3 mpg average. Maybe when EPA tests out the fuel mileage, they are conducted in very spaced out suburbs? Anyways, I recommend this car to everyone, ranging from that cliche fast and furious 18 year old to the neutered family man.
Seats from Hell
Love the 2009 Honda CR-V I just bought with one glaring exception, the seats are from hell. After about a 100 mile trip they are so uncomfortable I just about traded it in with less than 500 miles total on the CR-V. Probably will not keep this vehicle much longer, cannot stand to be so miserable. Am asked "How do you like your new car?" I answer "I hate it, want to buy it!" That just about sums it up!!
Horrible Seats
Just got back from a 500 mile road trip and am seriously considering trading this vehicle in with only 2200 miles on it. I have owned 2 Hondas before - a 2001 Honda CRV and a 2005 Honda Accord and would never have expected the lousy design of the front seats in this vehicle. My right leg went numb after 100 miles. When I switched to the passenger seat I found out it is even worse. I'm a normal size guy (5'11"/190 lbs) and could not find a comfortable position. The seat cushions are too short. The headrests are too far forward. The seats are rock hard. What happened Honda? Is this cost-cutting? I won't buy another Honda ever after this.
Quality, Fun, Reliability
My second Honda car, 2009 CR-V oozes quality and good taste. I love it! The MPH is not great though for a 4 cyl, 2.4 L engine.
My Honda CRV is the best car I've had in long time
Buy it from a refutable deal backed by Edmunds.com .... Used dealers will use and abuse you at every turn and every chance they get!
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The Little Motor That Could!
Great Car runs well but was rusty all over and had a hole in spare wheel compartment. Fixing it up little by little.
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Honda Happy!
I love my new Honda CRV!! It is so fun to drive, easy to operate, and very kid friendly. I am getting 21-22 mpg (mostly city driving) but I've only owned the car for 3 weeks. Hopefully, that will improve a little as time goes on. I just added two accessories, the roof rack and the moon roof visor which really added to the overall appearance of the car. I traded in a Pontiac G-6 for my CRV. All of my groceries fit into this car - all $350.00 worth! I test drove a Pontiac Torrent, and a Rav4 before the Honda. I definitely made the right choice. Love it!
None
Have driven 1600 miles. Added Remote start and Back-up sensors at the dealer. Two things really bother me. I am getting no better gas mileage with this 4 cyl on the highway than the 3.9 6 cyl Impala I turned in. The other thing is the Remote start. Why would you have to turn off the engine before you can open the door and get in. You have to restart the car. Double work for the battery and starter. On the GM vehicle you just enter the car and insert the key and drive away. Come on Honda, if GM can do it, so can you. If they can correct this and add a 6 cyl like the Rav-4, I think I would be close to a perfect vehicle in this class.
Initial Impressions After 1 Month
Firstly I'm pretty picky and I haven't had the car long. The driver's seat could use better lumbar support and a bit more leg room. Cloth seat durability is ? + meant for smaller person. Backup sensor add-on although nice isn't something really needed. Its not hard to get used to backing it up. Cheap carpet floor mats are not going to last long. Rear door doesn't latch w/o slamming. Addon compass/rear view mirror sits too high on window. Too close to top console (no clearance). Wind impacts mileage a LOT. Very limited range (350ish and much less in wind). Bit rough shifting out of 1st sometimes. Braking is great. Handles well. Good visibility. For its size, I like the car. Hard to beat new.
It's just OK
I purchased the CR-V about a month ago and find it OK. It has horrible road noise and a very jumpy ride on rough roads. I do not like the shape of the rear side window. Gas mileage is only fair 21 around town. I traded in a 2005 Toyota Camry and in many ways liked the Camry better. The Bridgestone tires on this vehicle get a very poor rating. I am surprised that Honda would put these tires on this vehicle.
Uncomfortable
There is much to recommend the 2009 CRV, including a well-built car with many fancy features for a reasonable price. But after only two months, the horribly uncomfortable driving position - and the neck and shoulder pain I am experiencing - is causing me to sell it back to the dealer. I am 5'7" - and would not recommend this car to anyone my size or smaller. When seated a comfortable distance from the steering wheel (which telescopes only minimally), my knees hit the steering column. In addition, the active restraint headrests are horrendous, and there is nothing to be done about to modify their angle, which pushes the head forward.
Wonderful car, nice experience
I have been driving my CR-V LX AWD for 2 months, the performance is really wonderful, but a little bit more power would be perfect, I am very nervous when passing over or merging on the highway.
Just Right! Could use more!
Have had the CRV for three weeks, and drove 1700 miles so far. Comfortable front seats, decent back seat with three sections that individually recline. I carry two children booster seats on the outboard sides and a third child that doesn't require a booster in the center. Not a rocket, does not need more power for sensible drivers. First tank yielded 25.5 mpg, subsequent tanks yield 26.1 mpg in 70/30 mix of highway and city. Like the trip computer and maintenance minder system. Surprised to see no coin holder. Center console has a place for CD Changer on the Navigation Model that is not accessible for storage on EX-L model. The LX and EX have the folding tray.
What I was looking for!
I test drove most similar sized models so that I could have my own comparison information. I chose the CRV because of the value for my dollar. I have been thrilled with the performance so far (6 weeks). I live in outer suburbs, so gas mileage was an important factor and so far I am averaging around 21 MPG in town. I have not taken it cross-country but am sure that I will be happy with those results too.
Not as good as I hoped
I have had my CRV for about a week and have put on about 600 miles. The fuel economy stinks for a 4 cylinder! I am averaging just around 20 MPG. The average meter moves up very slowly on the freeways and I seemed to max out at 21 MPG. However, it plummets rapidly when driving in the city getting around 15MPG. This is a lot worse than the 2008 Equinox that I was driving and it was a V6 with a lot more power and interior room. The other reviews are correct about the limited storage option in the CRV. Honda really needs to put in a coin holder. The three slots that are at knee level are small and difficult to access. Actually, they are kind of useless.
Horrible Wind Noise!
It seems that I am not the only one with a problem when it comes to interior noise. When I go over 55mph there is horrible wind noise. I have taken my CRV in for service and they have yet to fix it. I will take my CRV back to service and hope that they can fix it soon- the noise is loud and annoying!!
Great SUV for the price
My Wife and I finally sold our 1993 Honda Civic. My wife and I both have had spine surgery, The seats are very comfortable, the shift is placed towards the top, you don't have to lean over to shift gears. Car has a very smooth ride even over the pothole streets of Brooklyn. Good acceleration for a 4 cylinder. We paid cash for the car, we got a great deal.
It's ok, but needs much improvement
So I have about 8k miles on this cr-v. It is ok so far but is begging for improvement. First off the gas mileage is no where near advertised unless you are going to drive pure interstate which I rarely do. My driving is 65% highway (at 65mph-70mpg) and I've been averaging 20 mpg. I did drive this car pure city before and got approx 18mpg. Next is the engine. Do not even think about passing someone with this SUV. The engine is very underpowered, it's almost like this car is begging for a v6. However, the engine is very smooth, and very quiet below 75mph. Ride wise this is a firm ride, Honda could have made the suspension a little softer. Finally THE ROAD NOISE! On the Highway it is very loud.
Surprise! I really like the CR-V...
The CR-V is a nice package of creature comfort, good handling, decent economy and overall high quality. I consider it a real bargain. In the first couple of weeks of ownership and after only one long trip I can find no faults.
Unhappy with gas mileage
I have yet to see 20 miles per gallon even on long trips and not going over 60 miles an hour.
Somewhat Disappointed
Before buying the 09 CRV, I owned a 2000 CRV EX-L, a 1996 Honda EX, and a 1990 Civic (Honda owner for 19 years). I really loved those cars, but not this one. It averages about 18mpg (inc. hwy), the temperature controls have to be reset each time, I wish it had an analog dashboard, and there is a serious hesitation right before acceleration. The mirrors are skewed in some way which makes it difficult to park--I have no problem like this in any other car. The steering is a bit stiff, and I've developed tendinitis from gripping it, and the ride is bumpy like it has sports suspension. The floor of the cargo area is flimsy cardboard. Am thinking of trading it in for a Forester or RAV4. Sigh.
I love this SUV!!!!
I traded my 2007 prius in for this SUV. I am sure glad I did, this car drives great, very smooth. I got the 4 wheel drive and can't wait to take it to Tahoe, but this car is still perfect for city and highway driving. The voice activated navigation feature is fantastic!! I love this car!!
Said goodbye to my MINI
It was tough, but I was ready to say goodbye to the modified MINI Cooper S that's been my pride and joy since 2002. We've owned other Hondas and every one has been bullet proof. We chose another Honda because of our positive experiences with our local dealer and service department and because our Civic and previous Accord have never required any service other than routine maintenance (affordable even after the warranty has expired). I'm really enjoying the quiet smooth ride that the CR-V provides. I got black w/ ivory interior, looks sharp.
Great Vehicle
I've had it a month now and love it. Don't notice road noise others have mentioned. I have the AWD with the Bridgestone tires. Been getting 21-22 mpg combined driving and around 28 mpg on all highway. I'm 6ft.2in. and have plenty of room. There is plenty of power for me. It's a very nice ride on the highway.
Pretty much a great little car
I am happy I purchased this car because I love the way it looks and drives. Very practical. Lots of compliments from retirees. Car looks like it costs a lot more than it does.
Wood seats would be more comfortable
I have written a previous review about this vehicle. This has to be one of the most uncomfortable vehicles I have owned. So bad that I traded in a 8 month old 2009 CRV with 12,150 miles for a Mercury Mariner. Dealer said I was the first to trade this vehicle in because there was no data on 2009 trades. My biggest complaint on this car is that they seats are like rocks. I drive 60+ miles per day and bought it for the gas mileage. I was averaging 25.3 mpg, but I was driving a 2001 Nissan Frontier with 162,000 miles more than I was driving this vehicle. I simply hated driving this car.
2009 Honda CRV
Not pleased with overall ride. Gas mileage excellent. Went on a 300 mile highway trip and crv was very bumpy, felt almost every bump on highway. Could hear the tires going over every bump inside the car. Outside noise extremely loud inside crv. Needs more insulation to eliminate noise. Headrest very uncomfortable. Other than that crv is ok. Will wait and see how brakes hold up. Other reviews complain about possible brake pads and rotor replacements sooner than most cars. Would not recommend this crv. Unfortunately daughter bought same car and she also experiences same loud noises.
A Great Alternative
We test drove a lot of SUV's-a lot. The sticker shock was, well, shocking. With this Honda, though too small to classify as an SUV, was exactly what we were looking for. The interior quality really sets it apart and was not seen anywhere in this price range. It is very roomy, drives exceptionally well, is quite nimble and gets good gas mileage. However, it is woefully underpowered. This "car/suv" is a great alternative to spending mid forties on another vehicle. And what's really nice, in five years this Honda will have the same trade in value as that 45K SUV we liked and almost bought.
Just purchased our 2nd 2009 CR-V LX AWD
We purchased a CR-V LX AWD in January and have been so pleased with it that we just purchased an additional one today. Price was right - $21,100 for an LX AWD plus tax and title. We have about 4,000 miles on our other CR-V and still have 60% of our oil life remaining. The CR-V was easy to drive in the winter and we didn't have any trouble with driving in the snow.
Just picked it up and LOVE it
I just picked this car up tonight and already am in love. I just came off a lease of a Nissan Murano (2006), and while I enjoyed the Murano, I love my Honda. This is the first Honda I have owned. I did plenty of research before leasing this SUV. I looked at the Rav 4, Rogue, Escape, etc. The reviews on the CR-V blew the competition out of the water. I read all of the previous reviews, and again, just picked it up 4 hours ago, so at this point I have no complaints about anything. Looking forward to 36 months of BLISS in this car. LOVE IT!!!
So far, so good
Picked up my CRV 10 days ago. Have about 650 miles on it, including one trip of 450 miles round trip. I have no real complaints. The vehicle appears to be very well built. The seats are not the best though. I have the leather. They are OK, but I wouldn't really recommend this vehicle for long trips. Maybe mine will get more comfortable as they get broken in. Also the leather has a very plastic look and feel to it. What can you expect, I guess, when you are only paying 26K for a new vehicle fully loaded, especially when that vehicle has AWD. I have been averaging about 19 mpg in suburban driving, and got around 26-27 mpg on my highway trip, and that was mostly around 70-80 mph. Power is fine.
Headrest and Parking Brake Defect
I admired the new CR-V body style for a couple of years before buying one. I did a test drive and mentioned to the salesman that the headrest was uncomfortable. He said not to worry, it was adjustable. After purchasing the vehicle, the dealership did not provide an overview of any of the features -- all they wanted to do was make the sale. I recently drove my CR- V on a 6 hour day trip. By the time I got there, I had a massive headache. I also had a bruise on my left leg because the parking break is placed right where I normally rest my leg. Can you say buyer's remorse? I hate this car. The headrest is not adjustable and the parking break is going to stay where it is. Back to Toyota next time.
Love it but Keep in Mind...
I just bought a beautiful 2009 Tango Red AWD CR-V EX and I have to say I love it. The steering and the front view you get is the best! It has a very secure feel to it including when it's pouring rain. The only down fall to it is that even though it claims to make 22 city and 26 hwy miles (for gas) and it has only given me an average of 16 which means that I've had to refill my tank after only 250 miles. :( It should be at least after 350 miles. I don't drive much in the city so I was extremely concerned. I just spoke to two different Honda dealerships that told me that it takes up to 5000 miles on the car before it gives the average of 22-26 miles on gas. I was relieved to hear this news!!!
CR-V doesn't run upto its fame
I bought my CR-V from Peoria, IL on December 4, 2008. In summer, I found the AC was not cooling properly I took to the same dealer, they tested and said I should run the AC at Max, CR-V AC performance as it is. This summer, AC was not cooling I took a different dealer, they filled up with gas and they couldn't found the leakage. - When I start the CR-V it makes buzzing noise, it started at beginning of last winter, I took it to a Honda dealer, and they said it's not a safety problem and they are not going to fix it. Besides, I have problems with door lock too. My CR-V is 1.5 years old with a mileage of 18,000 miles and should be covered under warranty?
Needs bigger gas tank/better tires
Nice vehicle, second Honda, poor quality tires, small gas tank, otherwise a good vehicle. Tires made 30K, NOT GOOD. 22-32 mpg comfortable ride.