If you’re a single driver or a couple looking for a car, a sporty little sedan will suit you just fine. Parents who have lots of kids will have to sacrifice fuel efficiency in order to get the extra space that a minivan or three-row SUV can provide. But what about small families who fall somewhere in-between? Well, a compact SUV like the 2022 Honda CR-V is a good choice. So let’s take a look at this practical model and what it has to offer small families looking for a versatile vehicle that can handle anything from daily errands to long road trips.
Plenty of Choices
Every family is different, and no solution is going to be right for everyone. So it’s important to look at the different trim levels that are available and figure out which one best fits your family’s lifestyle and budget. The LX is the most affordable option, and while it doesn’t have features like dual-zone climate control and power-adjustable seats, it does have a comprehensive suite of safety features, including Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, the Lane Keeping Assist System, and Collision Mitigation Braking System. So you can save some money by skipping a few creature comforts, but you’ll still have state-of-the-art safety.
If your kids have a full schedule of extracurricular activities and you know you’ll be spending a lot of time in this car, it may be worth it to upgrade to the EX trim, which comes standard with heated front seats, a moonroof, and push button start. The most luxurious trim available is the Touring. Its driver’s memory seat makes it easy for couples to share a car without having to manually re-adjust the settings every time they switch off who’s driving. Leather-trimmed seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel add an extra touch of class. The Touring also comes with second-row USB ports in addition to the ones up front, so kids who are old enough to have their own devices can charge them up from the back seat.
In addition to the various trim levels, CR-V buyers also have a choice between a gas-only powertrain and a hybrid option. While the hybrid powertrain costs a little extra upfront, it can save families money in the long run by cutting down on how often they need to refuel. Hybrid CR-Vs let you switch between three drive modes: Sport mode for optimal engine performance, Econ mode for improved fuel efficiency, and EV mode, which lets you bypass the gas motor and run exclusively on electricity.
Chauffeuring Your Kids
One of the most important jobs a family car has is transporting children. The CR-V has plenty of features that can keep kids comfortable and entertained on the go. The backseat has its own cupholders and climate control vents, so passengers can stay hydrated and be at a comfortable temperature. You can use the infotainment system to play music, podcasts, or audiobooks to prevent boredom on long car rides.
Every parent knows that children are prone to making a mess. So you might want to opt for some of the interior accessories available for the CR-V. All-season floor mats are made of hard plastic rather than hard-to-clean carpet, making them the perfect solution for wet rain boots and muddy shoes. If your children are still very young and prone to spilling drinks and snacks, you can get a set of rear seat covers that can easily be removed once your kids are old enough to be trusted with the upholstery.
Running Errands
Of course, being a parent is more than just driving to school and soccer practice. All kinds of errands need to be done to keep a household running. For grocery runs, the CR-V offers plenty of room for storage. The back seat folds flat and has a 60/40 split that lets you find the right balance between passenger space and cargo space. Some trims have a hands-free power tailgate that you can activate with your foot if your arms are loaded up with boxes or bags.
For anything that you want to keep handy in the front seat, there’s a center console behind the front cupholders. The shelf on top has a material that offers a bit of grip, preventing objects from sliding off once the car starts moving. It can also move between three different positions, letting you either cover the cubby underneath or leave it open and easy to access.
Road Trips
Family road trips can create lasting memories, and the CR-V has several handy features that can help them go smoothly. Remote engine start, standard on all trims except the LX, lets you start the car before you get to it, so the air conditioning or heating can get the interior to a comfortable temperature by the time you get inside. Cargo tie-down anchors can keep any camping equipment or luggage firmly in place, even if the road gets bumpy. If the interior isn’t big enough for all of your cargo, you can get a CR-V equipped with roof rails for extra storage on top.
AWD is available on any trim and comes standard on all hybrid CR-Vs. It uses a variety of sensors to automatically find a balance between fuel efficiency and traction in a wide variety of weather and road conditions. If you’re cruising along effortlessly on a smooth, dry road, then you save fuel by using FWD. But if the system senses rain, rough terrain, or another situation that calls for extra torque, it switches into AWD.
Arriving in Style
Searching for a practical family vehicle doesn’t have to mean leaving style behind. The CR-V offers aesthetic touches both inside and out that are sure to impress everyone from co-workers and fellow PTA members to in-laws and family friends getting picked up from the airport. The exterior has a sporty look that is designed to blend rugged features with classy sophistication. Inside, a variety of finishes come together to give the cabin a complex yet cohesive look, blending chromed plastic and brushed satin with faux wood accents.
Safety for Your Family
Of course, for any family, safety is the number one priority. Since the 2022 CR-V was named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, you can be confident in its crashworthiness and overall security. The Honda Sensing suite of safety features comes standard on all trim levels. Included features can prevent collisions, keep you from drifting out of your lane on the highway, and adapt to the speed of the vehicle in front of you when cruise control is active.
All CR-Vs also feature a multi-angle rearview camera that can come in handy while parking or backing out of a spot in a busy parking lot. Seats in the second row have LATCH anchors that can be used to safely secure compatible car seats for younger kids. The rear doors also feature child safety locks, so you can keep antsy little ones from opening the door while the car is moving.
The CR-V Is Perfect for Small Families
As kids grow and their needs shift, families need to be able to adapt to new situations. Having a versatile car like the 2022 CR-V can come in handy in all kinds of situations. Its fuel efficiency and safety features are always good to have in your corner, and its cargo space and interior amenities can be very useful for everything from grocery runs to family vacations. And since it’s a Honda, you can rest easy knowing that you have a reliable vehicle that’s sure to serve you and your family well for quite some time.
