Have your eye on the 2020 Honda CR-V? Then stop scrolling! Today’s article is your one-stop-shop for all things CR-V. By the time you finish reading, you’ll know everything you need to know about this dependable and versatile crossover SUV, so when you show up at a Honda dealer near you, you’ll know exactly what you’re looking for.
Five Generations Later
There’s a reason the Honda CR-V is one of the three top-selling crossover SUVs and has been since its debut in 1997. With twice the cargo space of regular size sedans and nearly unrivaled fuel economy for a vehicle of its size, it’s no surprise the CR-V has such an impressive track record.
The folks at Honda have relentlessly redesigned and refined this fan-favorite over the years, adding state-of-the-art technological upgrades and higher quality safety features with each new generation. Since 2017, Honda has been selling their 5th generation CR-V, which has over 20 years of expertise built into it. And with its bold, confident new exterior design, that expertise shows.
What’s more, 2020 has been a landmark year for the CR-V. Honda rolled out its first hybrid CR-V model in March, which became the first-ever hybrid SUV model that Honda produced for the US market. Additionally, Kelley Blue Book awarded the 2020 Honda CR-V with the Best Buy Award in the Compact SUV category. And the US News & World Report gave the CR-V the Best Compact SUV for the Money award.
So, what does all this mean for you? It means two things:
- You have great taste in cars, and
- You might want to hurry over to your local Honda dealer after you finish reading this because if they have a 2020 Honda CR-V in stock, they probably won’t have it for long!
What To Look for At Your Local Honda Dealer
When you get to your local Honda dealer, they’ll more than likely have a few different trims for you to choose from. Let’s go over what each of them has to offer so you can decide which one is right for you and your budget.
Trim Levels
The 2020 Honda CR-V comes in four different trims: the LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring. Sitting under each model’s hood is a 1.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that delivers 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque, with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to boost fuel efficiency. This front-wheel-drive powertrain boasts 28 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway, with an optional all-wheel drive powertrain that reduces efficiency slightly to 27 MPG city and 32 MPG highway. Fuel efficiency and luggage space are the 2020 CR-V’s superpowers, making this fun and functional car an excellent choice for families or anyone who wants to take advantage of its best-in-class cargo space.
The LX
The base CR-V LX model starts at $25,150 with 17-inch alloy wheels and sleek, supportive black cloth interior seats coming standard. Complete with a 5-inch infotainment screen, the LX supports Bluetooth Hands-Free Link, features a rearview backup camera, automatic high-beams, auto-climate control, and a 160W 4-speaker audio system.
Optional fun and adventure-friendly add-ons like a bike, kayak, ski/snowboard, or surfboard rack are available, as are various aesthetic accessories to choose from. And if you like all the help you can get while parking, a set of color-matched parking sensors are available to warn you when you’re getting too close for comfort. The LX is a match made in heaven for anyone looking to take advantage of the CR-V’s top-rated fuel economy and spacious interior without breaking the bank.
The EX
Starting with the EX trim, you get a large 7-inch touchscreen with Apple Carplay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio, a one-touch power moonroof, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The EX is push-to-start and equipped with smart entry and walk-away auto lock, remote start, heated front seats, and a 180W 6-speaker audio system. You also get a couple more vibrant exterior colors to choose from and two extra wheel options.
The faux wood-trimmed dash and doors with the gray cloth seats leave the futuristically-designed interior feeling polished yet homey and comfortable. Fitted with 18-inch alloy wheels standard, you can upgrade to 19-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, or if you want your CR-V to look like it means business, you can add a fierce set of black 19-inch alloy wheels. The EX sits at $27,660 to start and strikes the perfect balance between convenience and affordability. If you can spare the extra money, the CR-V EX is worth every penny.
The EX-L
If the Honda dealer near you has a CR-V EX-L on the lot, then you’ll have the luxury of choosing between black or gray premium leather seats and enjoy a power tailgate with hands-free access. Coming in at $30,150, the EX-L includes some advanced features for all the tech-conscious buyers out there.
Features such as a 2-position memory driver seat with power-adjustable seating, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and the Honda Homelink remote system are all part of the EX-L package. Honda Homelink allows you to connect to your garage door and front gate, as well as your home security system and interior electronics. The EX-L is an excellent option for anyone who enjoys some of the finer driving conveniences and has a little more wiggle room in their budget.
The Touring
Starting at $33,350, the 2020 Honda CR-V Touring comes with all the frills and accessories you could ask for. If you opt for this top trim, you’ll be driving off the lot of your local Honda dealer on standard 19-inch alloy wheels sporting dual chrome exhaust finishers, with a Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System at your disposal. Also included in the Touring’s long list of remarkable features is a hands-free access power tailgate, wireless phone charger, a 330W 9-speaker audio system, heated steering wheel, ambient lighting, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.
Not surprisingly, Honda knocked it out of the park with the Touring by creating a luxurious yet affordable model that’s perfect for long commutes or spontaneous adventures. The CR-V Touring is a fantastic, family-friendly choice for those who like to have all the modern amenities that technology has to offer and have a more comfortable budget to play around with.
It’s Electric
Last but certainly not least of the available 2020 trims is the CR-V Hybrid. Conveniently enough, you can upgrade each trim level that we’ve covered so far to a hybrid model for an additional $2,700. That puts our starting costs for each option at the following:
- LX Hybrid: $27,850
- EX Hybrid: $30,360
- EX-L Hybrid: $32,850
- Touring Hybrid: $36,050
A 2.0L VTEC engine is paired with a potent electric motor to create a revolutionary crossover SUV powertrain that delivers 212 hp (69 hp more than the standard model) and top-notch fuel efficiency. Upgrade to the hybrid model and get a phenomenal 40 MPG city and 35 MPG highway, for a combined fuel economy of 38 MPG. To top it off, every hybrid model comes standard with all-wheel drive.
You can monitor the Hybrid Driver Interface on your dash to see which motor the power is coming from and if you’re currently recharging the battery as you drive. You can also switch between three available driving modes with the touch of a button to divert power to where you need it most. ECON mode maximizes fuel efficiency, Sport mode boosts engine performance, while EV mode solely relies on the electric motor.
All hybrid models feature deceleration selectors behind the steering wheel that allow you to increase or decrease regenerative braking at your leisure. The regenerative braking system works to recharge the electric motor’s battery whenever you lift your foot off the gas pedal, allowing you to take full advantage of the hybrid system and save more money on gas.
The 2020 CR-V Hybrid is a great way to reduce your impact on the environment and save money in the process. And if for some reason, a compact SUV with groundbreaking fuel efficiency and best-in-class cargo space at an extremely affordable price still isn’t doing it for you, the 2020 Honda CR-V gets even better.
Safety Features and Ratings
When you go to your local Honda dealer, one of the most important questions you’ll have is about the safety of the CR-V. But not to worry, this model’s safety ratings and features are just as impressive as its chart-topping popularity for the last 20 years. All CR-V models come equipped with the Honda Sensing package, which includes a series of valuable driver assistance features that will keep you and yours traveling safely:
- The Collision Mitigation Braking System helps you slow down and come to a stop when the car senses that a forward collision is about to occur.
- The Road Departure Mitigation System pays attention to when you start to drift out of your lane without signaling and can turn the steering wheel for you to get you back on track. Or, if you’re
- veering off the road entirely, it will apply brake pressure to slow you down.
- Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow helps maintain a set following distance from the car in front of you. If they slow down, your CR-V will slow down. If they stop, you’ll stop too.
- Tap on the gas when traffic picks up again to continue following.
- The Lane Keeping Assist System is perfect for long commutes or road trips. This Honda Sensing feature makes sure you stay in your lane by slightly pulling on the steering wheel whenever it feels you veering off-center.
These systems, paired with an overall 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA, mean you’ve got the green light for all the CR-V family fun and adventure you desire.
Visit A Honda Dealer Near You
It’s challenging to design a car that looks as comfortable driving on mountain roads as it does rolling up to soccer practice, but Honda nailed it with the CR-V. It looks cool, but it doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s polished and modern, yet roomy and cozy on the inside. Not only did Honda nail the exterior design, but they also fitted the car to make it as functional as it is visibly striking.
This award-winning crossover deserves all the praise it gets, and it’s sure to satisfy your automotive needs at a reasonable price. Now, you can stroll right up to a Honda dealer near you and confidently choose the 2020 CR-V that best suits you. Whichever choice you make, you’ll have yourself an exceptional vehicle and precisely zero regrets.
