In the highly competitive compact crossover SUV segment, it's hard for models to stand out from the crowd. However, the model year Honda CR-V remains a fan-favorite among consumers thanks to its decidedly steadfast balance of luxury, affordability, and practicality. Among the five CR-V trims, you'll be able to prioritize fuel efficiency, luxury features, and driving capabilities to end up with the right car to fit your preferences.
Choosing between the trims might prove challenging, as each trim has its pros and cons. To help with your decision, we'll go over the unique details specific to each trim level. We'll also go over the build options for all CR-V trims.
As the base trim of the Honda CR-V, the LX is the lowest price at $28,410. There are a lot of standard safety features, including a collision mitigation braking system, traffic jam assist, and a traffic sign recognition system. You'll also be able to enjoy technology features like Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, a push button start, and a 7-inch touchscreen display.
There are four standard exterior paint colors available, as well as four premium colors available at an additional cost. On all LX models, the standard is 17-inch steel wheels with covers. But you can also pay extra for a couple of different wheel options. In the cabin, the only option for seating is black cloth.
There are two different options for the powertrain. Both options use a 1.5-L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that is able to generate up to 19 horsepower @6000 rpm. The only difference between these two options is that the standard, no-cost option is 2WD, while the all-wheel drive costs extra.
The EX is more expensive than the previous trim, costing $31,610. With this bump in price, you can expect more upscale features throughout the cabin, including a moon roof, heated front seats, and a dual-zone automatic climate control system.
The exterior paint colors are the same as the previous trim. Additionally, black cloth is the standard interior choice. However, there is also an optional gray cloth available paired with certain paint colors. The standard wheels are an 18-inch alloy set with upgrade options available. Also, the powertrain options remain the same as the LX.
The Sport Hybrid has a starting price of $32,950. At this level, you'll get great fuel efficiency at an estimated 40 combined city/highway mpg rating (2WD). You'll also get sporty exterior fixtures, such as roof rails and dual chrome exhaust finishers. In terms of style, the Sport Hybrid gets a couple of updates by adding a leather-trimmed steering wheel and a leather-wrapped shift knob.
The exterior paint colors remain the same as the previous trims. The interior is also the same standard black cloth with no other options available. The wheels are an 18-inch gloss black alloy set.
There are two powertrain options available for the Sport Hybrid. Both utilize the same two-motor hybrid system that is able to generate up to 204 horsepower @6100 rpm. However, the standard option is two-wheel drive. If you want the all-wheel drive, you'll need to pay extra.
On the EX-L, you'll pay slightly more than the previous trim for more premium features. The starting price for one of these trims is $34,260. Some of the upgraded features include parking sensors, a power tailgate, a 9-inch color touchscreen, SiriusXM, an 8-speaker sound system, and a wireless phone charger.
The exterior paint color options remain the same as the previous trims. The interior has been upgraded to standard leather seating with a choice between black and gray. The standard wheels are an 18-inch alloy set. Additionally, the powertrain options are the same as the LX and EX trims.
This trim level is the most expensive option out of all CR-V trims, costing upwards of $39,100. Building off the Sport Hybrid trim, you can expect the same driving capabilities and fuel efficiency, but with more upgraded features. Some of the trim's unique features include a hands-free tailgate, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a Bose premium sound system, a heated steering wheel, and a Honda satellite-linked navigation system.
The exterior paint colors remain the same as all of the other trims. The interior is outfitted with leather and a choice between black or gray. The wheel option is a 19-inch gloss black alloy set. Additionally, the standard engine option is the all-wheel hybrid powertrain.
There are a few kinds of packages available for different trim levels, including an all-season protection package (splash guards, floor mats, and cargo tray) and a utility package (crossbars, running boards, a trailer hitch, a seat back protector, and a hands-free power tailgate attachment.
However, if you only want one of these features from the packages, you can opt to purchase them as an individual accessory. There are a lot of accessories available, including exterior, interior, and electronic options. Some of the features available include a bike attachment frame, a cargo net, and an engine block heater.
Overall, choosing between the CR-V trims can be challenging as there are many great features at varying price points. If you're on a budget, you might want to consider the LX or Sport Hybrid trims. They have the same driving capabilities as the higher trims but without all of the extra luxury features. However, if you have a larger price range, you may want to consider some of the premium features and accessory options to ensure that you end up with a car that you love. If you would like to start test-driving CR-V trims, head to our dealership or contact us for more information.
