2019 Honda CR-V Review

Just because something sells in massive numbers doesn't mean it's the best thing to buy. When it comes to fast food, for instance, popularity doesn't necessarily equal quality. The 2019 Honda CR-V, however, is one example where the masses are definitely on the right track: Honda sold nearly 400,000 last year and it's one of our top-rated small SUVs.

The 2019 CR-V checks virtually every box on car shoppers' list in this increasingly popular vehicle segment. It makes family life easier with a cavernous cargo area, abundant back seat room, easily accessed LATCH anchors and more clever storage solutions than an Ikea. It will also keep you safe. Crash test ratings are flawless, and accident avoidance technologies are standard on all but the base trim.

Behind the wheel, the 2019 CR-V responds smartly to inputs and handles well, yet its comfortable ride and quiet cabin won't wake the kids. Under the hood, the turbocharged engine found in most trim levels provides best-in-class acceleration and fuel economy. Wrapping everything up is the CR-V's excellent reputation for resale value and reliability.

Quite simply, the CR-V makes a ton of sense. If anything, its greatest flaw might be that it makes too much sense. There are rivals that definitely offer more memorable styling and personality, such as the Mazda CX-5 and the new Toyota RAV4. Technophiles may also find Honda's touchscreen to be frustratingly behind the times. Yet those are minor quibbles. In general, joining the CR-V owning masses would be a pretty good idea.

Notably, we picked the 2019 Honda CR-V as one of Edmunds' Best Family Cars, Best Family SUVs and Best Small SUVs for this year.

What's it like to live with?

Want to learn even more about what it's like to own a CR-V? Edmunds bought a Honda CR-V EX-L to find out. It proved to be comfortable, roomy and practical, but not without its flaws. It even required a few surprising repairs. You can read our long-term test coverage to find out why this generation of CR-V became our top-rated small SUV. Note that while we tested a 2017 CR-V, the current 2019 model is fundamentally the same.

The 2019 Honda CR-V is offered in four trim levels and virtually no options. The base LX is decently equipped, but the EX comes with a substantial bump in desirability. It provides an abundance of equipment, including more advanced driver safety aids, and a better engine. The EX-L really just adds leather and a few choice niceties, while the more luxury-oriented Touring piles on the features.

Honda CR-V LX

The base LX comes with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine (184 horsepower, 180 pound-feet of torque) paired to a continuously variable automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. Although the LX is a base model, equipment is still generous with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED running lights, a rearview camera, automatic climate control, cruise control, a height-adjustable driver seat, Bluetooth, two USB ports, and a four-speaker audio system with a 5-inch color display. As with all CR-Vs, front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional. Honda's various advanced safety technologies are not offered on the LX, however.

Honda CR-V EX

The EX ups the ante with a more powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engine (190 hp, 179 lb-ft), remote start, 18-inch wheels, foglights, heated mirrors, rear privacy glass, a retractable cargo cover, keyless entry and start, an upgraded driver information display, a sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power-adjustable driver's seat and heated front seats.

Infotainment features include a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Audio phone integration, satellite radio, an upgraded rearview camera and second-row USB charging ports. Numerous advanced safety features are also standard on the EX, including automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.

Honda CR-V EX-L

The EX-L's upgrades include a programmable-height power liftgate, driver-seat memory settings, leather upholstery, a power-adjustable passenger seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and an eight-speaker audio system with HD radio. A navigation system can be added and is the only factory option.

Honda CR-V Touring

The top-of-the-line Touring boasts LED headlights, dual chrome exhaust tips, roof rails, automatic wipers, hands-free functionality for the power liftgate, ambient interior lighting, the navigation system and a subwoofer for the audio system.

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our Full Test of the Honda CR-V EX-L (turbo 1.5L inline-4 | CVT automatic | FWD).