If you’re in the market for a used SUV, the Honda CR-V is probably at the top of your list of possibilities. Honda helped create the compact SUV category with its release of the original CR-V, and it remains one of the most popular cars today. Buying a used Honda CR-V is the best way to get the reliability and safety we’ve come to expect from Honda at a reduced price.
While you can probably find a used 2020 CR-V on the market, you won’t save nearly as much as you would buying a CR-V that’s a few years old. If you want more technologically advanced connectivity and safety features, you should focus on buying one of the more recent models. Newer used cars are also less likely to have the wear and tear you’d find on older models. Let’s take a closer look at the features as well as the pros and cons of each year from 2017 until now, so you’ll have all the information you need to choose the best used Honda CR-V for you.
2017
The 2017 model year marked the introduction of the fifth-generation Honda CR-V, which was massively redesigned to offer all the modern conveniences you could want alongside all the stability and practicality this compact SUV is famous for having. The revamped 2017 Honda CR-V features a larger interior, a state-of-the-art security suite on most models, automatic emergency braking, and earns up to 34 MPG on the highway thanks to its impressive turbocharged engine.
While the base model, the LX, still offers a remnant of earlier generations with its 2.4L 4-cylinder engine, the rest of the lineup features the new turbocharged 1.5L 4-cylinder engine. Despite its name, the turbocharged engine doesn’t give a massive difference in performance, though models with the turbocharged engine see a slight bump in fuel economy.
Longterm Honda CR-V fans praise its dynamic, quiet performance and smooth handling, and the fifth-generation CR-V is no different. The 2017 CR-V is slightly larger than previous models with higher ground clearance, making it a great choice for those in rainy or snowy climates. The spacious interior is another area where the 2017 Honda CR-V excels. When the rear seats are folded down, you’ll have a whopping 76 cubic feet of cargo space and close to 40 cubic feet when the seats are in the upright position.
If you’re looking for a used Honda CR-V that provides up-to-date infotainment features, the 2017 model is a great option. You’ll find Bluetooth connectivity, enable you to stream music from your smartphone, as well as HondaLink (not available on the base model), which allows you to surf the internet in your car. And if you need to charge your smartphone or MP3 player, you can do so easily thanks to the available USB ports.
Pros:
- Adjustable driver’s seat: The driver’s seat in the 2017 Honda CR-V can be manually adjusted six ways to better accommodate drivers of all shapes and sizes.
- Automatic climate control: Automatic climate control allows you to set the temperature to your preferred level, and then the system regulates it to maintain the perfect temperature.
- LED headlights: LED headlights are brighter than halogen lights, and they don’t produce as much heat. This means your headlights last longer while putting less strain on your car’s battery.
Cons:
- The Honda Sensing Safety Suite, which features blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and collision-mitigation braking, is only available on EX, EX-L, and Touring trims.
- Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and rear USB ports are only available on EX trims or higher.
The 2017 Honda CR-V offers some of the best features available at an affordable price point. Still, if you want the latest and greatest security upgrades and connectivity, you will need to opt for an EX trim or higher.
2018
As with the 2017 model, the 2018 Honda CR-V uses a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine in its base model and a 1.5 turbocharged 4-cylinder engine across the rest of the line. The 2018 Honda CR-V also has the distinction of being the Kelley Blue Book’s highest-rated compact SUV of the same year. The Honda Sensing Safety Suite, which offers blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and collision-mitigation braking, comes standard on all models except the base LX.
If you’ve been looking for a used car with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto integration, you can find it on most 2018 models. Trims EX and higher also offer dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, a moonroof, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, a push-start button, and a 7-inch color display that is a full two inches larger than the display found in the base LX model. In terms of infotainment, you’ll find Pandora and SiriusXM compatibility, allowing you to access your favorite music platforms with ease. On trims EX and higher, you’ll find rear USB ports so that your passengers can charge their devices on the go.
The Honda CR-V offers an impressive 40.4 inches of rear legroom, and power-adjustable driver’s seats are available. You can adjust your seat automatically in EX trims or higher. Best of all, you can find some of the most advanced safety measures available in the Honda CR-V thanks to the Honda Sensing Safety Suite, which helps you avoid potential accidents. The only real downside is that the Honda CR-V’s most impressive features aren’t available on the base LX model.
If you’re looking for top-of-the-line security features and some of the best infotainment connectivity available, the 2018 Honda CR-V is a great option. As with the 2017 model, the base LX doesn’t offer the best features, which is why most buyers will opt for the EX or higher trim.
2019
The 2019 Honda CR-V offers the same impressive security and connectivity features we saw in previous model years. Underneath the hood, you’ll find the same, reliable 2.4L 4-cylinder engine in the base LX model and the turbocharged 1.5L 4-cylinder engine in the EX, EX-L, and Touring models. As with all Honda CR-Vs, the 2019 model offers a smooth, quiet ride without any of the lag found on comparable SUVs. The spacious interior beats out other vehicles in its class, offering an impressive amount of cargo space while accommodating five occupants.
Recognized by Edmunds.com as one of the Best Family Cars of 2019, the Honda CR-V is a performance powerhouse that doesn’t skimp on safety or infotainment features. You can stream music, send and receive text messages, make phone calls, and get turn-by-turn directions with Apple and Android integration. HondaLink provides internet connectivity and is available in EX, EX-L, and Touring trims.
You won’t have to argue with your passenger over the temperature thanks to dual-zone climate control, and the Honda CR-V EX and higher come equipped with the most advanced security features available in the Honda Sensing Safety Suite. Our only complaint is the same as with the previous model year – the more advanced features don’t come standard with the base LX model.
Final Verdict
If you want the most bang for your buck, we recommend opting for the 2019 Honda CR-V. It offers the same amazing features found on the 2018 model with improved fuel economy. However, if you’re not interested in having the most updated security and connectivity features, the 2017 CR-V remains an affordable, reliable SUV.
