2018 Honda CR-V Pros and Cons

The first-generation Honda CR-V went on sale in 1997 and it helped start the crossover craze that’s still going on today.

Now in its fifth-generation, the crossover underwent a total overhaul, bringing an extensive exterior makeover, a more premium interior, and a host of new features.

The CR-V has flawlessly continued the tradition of being a bestseller for Honda for 20 years now and the 2018 model should keep that flag flying. Here is a quick look at the pros and cons of the 2018 Honda CR-V.

Fuel Efficient Engines: In the U.S., 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 185 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque has been carried over from the previous generation, but this generation introduced a 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder engine derived from the current Civic. The CR-V’s version is bumped up to 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. Zero to 60 mph happens in 7.6 seconds and fuel economy is listed at 27 city, 33 highway, and 29 combined, which is tops in the segment. A CVT transmission is standard for all engines and the turbo engine is the sole engine option for Canadian customers.

Cavernous Passenger Space and Cargo Room: Cargo space behind the rear seats is improved by 2 cubic feet for a total of 39. Total cargo space is a class-leading 76 cubic feet. Rear seat passengers are offered a limo-like 40.4 inches of legroom.

Bulletproof Resale Value: The 2018 CR-V comes with Honda’s excellent resale value. Over the past 20 years, the CR-V has proven itself to be the benchmark for all compact crossovers in regards to dependability and durability. Purchasing a CR-V for long-term use means much lower ownership and maintenance costs than a lot of the competition over the lifespan of the vehicle.

Impressive Standard Features: EX trims and above CR-Vs come standard with a multi-angle reverse camera, smart key door entry system, and Honda Sensing (Honda’s suite of driver assistance technology). Even the base LX model comes with an attractive set of 17-inch alloy wheels and a single view reverse camera. The Canadian spec CR-V also has a panoramic sunroof that comes as standard on the Touring trim.

Refined Ride Quality: The CR-V has a firm but smooth ride. A completely revised independent suspension ensures suspension movements are well controlled and at highway cruising speeds, the interior is hushed and comfortable registering 69 decibels at 70 mph.

Noisy Drive: Although the 1.5-liter turbo and CVT transmission make a good pair in the CR-V, the way they get you up to speed is not as thrilling. Honda has revised the CVT transmission in all its models over the past few years, but it’s still not free from faults. In the CR-V, calls for moderate or aggressive acceleration cause the engine to make quite a bit more noise than expected and the CVT always insists on keeping the car in its highest power band in most driving situations.

Will Be Insanely Popular: The CR-V has cemented itself as the go-to product for families looking for a crossover that does many things very well. If you are intending to stand out while driving a crossover, then the CR-V is definitely not for you because there will be a lot of people driving the same car as you.

Finicky Infotainment System: The Honda Link infotainment system in the CR-V has a vibrant 7-inch touchscreen that comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard from the EX trim and above. The functionality is a bit lacking, though. The touchscreen lags and vital functions such as radio settings and phone settings are buried under confusing sub-menus.

Intrusive Driver Assistance Features: Some of the technology that is part of the Honda Sensing safety group are not as smoothly calibrated as they should be. The forward collision warning and automatic braking intervene too abruptly at times and occasionally react when there is no reason to. The adaptive cruise control sometimes brakes too late when adjusting for distances from the cars ahead of you in traffic. These assistance technologies end up serving as a distraction which is ironic because their function is to prevent collisions from driver distraction.

ALSO SEE: Full 2017 Honda CR-V Review

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