2019 Honda CR-V vs 2020 Honda CR-V

2019 Honda CR-V
2019 Honda CR-V
$24,450MSRP
Overview
Overview
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2020 Honda CR-V
2020 Honda CR-V
$25,150MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2019 Honda CR-V
$24,450MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Honda CR-V
$25,150MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2019 Honda CR-V is 8 out of 10, while the 2020 Honda CR-V scores 7.5 out of 10. Based on these evaluations, the 2019 Honda CR-V presents a slightly better value proposition, primarily due to its more refined balance of style, performance, and interior design, making it the recommended choice between the two. The slight downgrade in the 2020 model's score likely stems from the ongoing issues with infotainment and slightly less cohesive design elements despite its technological and safety advancements.

Overview

MSRP

$24,450

MSRP

$25,150

Average price

$22,773

Average price

$24,463

Listings

1784

Listings

1288
Ratings & Reviews
User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

8.0 out of 10

Expert reviews

7.5 out of 10
Pros
  • Great handling
  • Fuel-efficient
Cons
  • Outdated technology
  • Interior materials feel cheap

2019 Honda CR-V Reviews Summary

Refined, roomy, and historically reliable, the Honda CR-V has earned its status as one of the best selling vehicles in America. This is a safe SUV, too, and it returns good fuel economy while delivering lively performance. There are few reasons to cross the 2019 Honda CR-V off of your shopping list, and numerous reasons to drive one home from the dealership.

2020 Honda CR-V Reviews Summary

Honda’s compact SUV has been satisfying buyers for more than two decades, with more than five million CR-V’s sold. Such a legacy means the CR-V has long had its wrinkles smoothed out into a comfortable and capable crossover package that’s only downside may be its sheer inoffensiveness. This year’s model gets engine and safety upgrades, which improve fuel economy and help to make Honda’s bestseller an even better value.

Search for a Honda CR-V on CarGurus

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Popular Features & Specs

Engine

2.4L 184 hp I4

Engine

1.5L 190 hp I4

Drive Train

FWD

Drive Train

FWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

184 hp @ 6400 rpm

Horsepower

190 hp @ 5600 rpm

MPG City

26

MPG City

28

MPG Highway

32

MPG Highway

34
2019 Honda CR-V
2019 Honda CR-V
$24,450MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Honda CR-V
2020 Honda CR-V
$25,150MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2019 Honda CR-V
$24,450MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Honda CR-V
$25,150MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2019 Honda CR-V is 8 out of 10, while the 2020 Honda CR-V scores 7.5 out of 10. Based on these evaluations, the 2019 Honda CR-V presents a slightly better value proposition, primarily due to its more refined balance of style, performance, and interior design, making it the recommended choice between the two. The slight downgrade in the 2020 model's score likely stems from the ongoing issues with infotainment and slightly less cohesive design elements despite its technological and safety advancements.

Overview
MSRP
$24,450
$25,150
Average price
$22,773
$24,463
Listings
Ratings & Reviews
User reviews
4.3
4.6
Expert reviews

8.0 out of 10

Read full review

7.5 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Great handling
  • Fuel-efficient
Cons
  • Outdated technology
  • Interior materials feel cheap
Summary
Refined, roomy, and historically reliable, the Honda CR-V has earned its status as one of the best selling vehicles in America. This is a safe SUV, too, and it returns good fuel economy while delivering lively performance. There are few reasons to cross the 2019 Honda CR-V off of your shopping list, and numerous reasons to drive one home from the dealership.

Honda’s compact SUV has been satisfying buyers for more than two decades, with more than five million CR-V’s sold. Such a legacy means the CR-V has long had its wrinkles smoothed out into a comfortable and capable crossover package that’s only downside may be its sheer inoffensiveness. This year’s model gets engine and safety upgrades, which improve fuel economy and help to make Honda’s bestseller an even better value.

Search for a Honda CR-V on CarGurus

Video
No video found
Popular Features & Specs
Engine
2.4L 184 hp I4
1.5L 190 hp I4
Drive Train
FWD
FWD
Seating Capacity
5
5
Horsepower
184 hp @ 6400 rpm
190 hp @ 5600 rpm
MPG City
26
28
MPG Highway
32
34
Look and feel
2019 Honda CR-V
9/10
2020 Honda CR-V
7/10

The 2019 Honda CR-V maintained a sleek and modern exterior with available body-color trim and attractive 18-inch wheels on higher trims. The rear privacy glass added to the premium tone of the vehicle, and the interior was marked by a combination of high-quality materials and strategic use of high-end plastics that avoided feeling cheap. This model year Ford CR-V came across as a well-designed car both inside and out, albeit with a front end that some could find less appealing.

By contrast, the 2020 Honda CR-V highlighted a slightly evolved exterior appearance, closely matching the family look seen in Honda’s sedans. Its car-like approach catered well to those seeking a family-oriented vehicle that stood out less as an SUV and more as an integrated element of everyday driving needs. Inside, mixed material quality hinted at both premium aspirations and budget constraints, feeling less cohesive compared to the 2019 model though roomier, which some might argue, detracts slightly from its overall appeal.

Performance
2019 Honda CR-V
7/10
2020 Honda CR-V
8/10

The 2019 model featured two engine options; the base model's 2.4-liter engine offered a solid 184 horsepower, while the upgraded 1.5-liter turbocharged variant available in higher trims produced a peak of 190 horsepower. Issues with the turbocharged engine in cold conditions and potential battery problems marred an otherwise robust performance report, which included commendable handling and economy especially when paired with its CVT and AWD options.

In 2020, Honda streamlined the engine choice to only include the previously optional 1.5-liter turbocharged engine across all trims, enhancing uniformity in performance. Despite the CVT's typical drawbacks, the car's tuning managed to deliver a satisfactorily responsive and efficient driving experience, markedly improved by the new standard powertrain setup. This model also boasted superior fuel efficiency and slightly better handling due to its reduced weight, despite carrying forward some of the infotainment and operational hitches of the previous year.

Form and function
2019 Honda CR-V
9/10
2020 Honda CR-V
8/10

The 2019 CR-V was a masterclass in how to maximize interior space without sacrificing comfort. The absence of a front passenger seat height adjuster was a notable drawback, overshadowing the otherwise generous space offerings and exceptional cargo capacity – 39.2 cubic feet expanding to 75.8 with rear seats down. Its design smartly accommodated family needs with ample room and easy-to-access storage areas.

Meanwhile, the 2020 CR-V continued with the brand's emphasis on smart packaging. Interior space was once again a highlight, with thoughtful storage solutions and flexible cargo arrangements that mirrored the utility of the 2019 model but with advanced configurations like a two-position load floor. Both models offered exceptional room but the 2020 CR-V made a slight edge with its smarter accommodation of modern storage needs.

Technology
2019 Honda CR-V
7/10
2020 Honda CR-V
6/10

In terms of technology, both the 2019 and 2020 CR-V models showed strength and weaknesses. The 2019 model featured a decent blend of technological enhancements from the EX trim upwards, including a 7-inch touchscreen that though critiqued for being small, hosted a range of connectivity options. However, it was also noted for its somewhat cumbersome user interface.

The 2020 version, despite its updates, continued to struggle with infotainment system issues. While it upgraded some features like the addition of a wireless phone charger in the Touring trim, the system itself remained finicky, with its usability lagging behind competitors, despite incremental improvements like increased USB ports.

Safety
2019 Honda CR-V
8/10
2020 Honda CR-V
8/10
Both the 2019 and 2020 Honda CR-V models displayed commendable dedication to safety. The older model's Honda Sensing features, although reserved for higher trims, and subsequent IIHS ratings underscored a solid safety premise. The 2020 CR-V expanded on this safety promise by standardizing many of these advanced features across all trims, including gaining a slightly better edge in federal and insurance testing ratings, despite the slight hiccup with a recall.
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