For most shoppers, the base LX trim suffices the purpose, but we recommend the EX-L for its extensive list of features that are desirable today. The 2011 CR-V EX-L comes at a price of $26,845 with FWD while the 4WD model goes up to $28,095. The 2011 Honda CR-V's five-year cost to own including costs for gas, insurance, maintenance, and repairs is estimated at around $23,965. That’s below average for a compact SUV.

Which model year of the Honda CR-V is best?

The 2011 CR-V is part of the third generation. Honda fully redesigned the CR-V for 2012, and later for the 2017 model year. The 2020 CR-V gets a styling refresh. Used car shoppers must check out the 2012 CR-V which gained many standard features like a rearview camera and Bluetooth. The consequent 2013 CR-V and the 2014 CR-V got no major change, thus for a little more money, the newer 2012 CR-V is a good deal.

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The 2011 Honda CR-V is available for sale in four trim levels - LX, SE, EX, and EX-L, at a starting price of around $21,895 for the base front-wheel-drive LX model. The 4WD LX trim starts at around $23,000, all-wheel drive on any trim costs a reasonable $1,250. The entry-level CR-Vs are well equipped with 17-inch wheels, keyless entry, cloth seats, a four-speaker audio system, cruise control, adjustable steering column, power windows/door locks, and tons of storage space.

Bodystyle: Crossover SUV, Engine: 2.4L I-4, Transmissions: 5-speed automatic

Added for 2011, the SE trim includes steering wheel-mounted audio controls, rear privacy glass, and a six-speaker audio system. With EX and above models, you get premium features such as leather and convenience features. The EX-L with navigation is the most equipped CR-V model but it is more of a package that adds a navigation system and shares the remaining features with the EX-L trim. Bluetooth is only available with the navigation package. 

Optional Features

In the list of available items, Honda’s real-time four-wheel-drive system is must-have equipment for shoppers looking for all-weather capability and mild off-roading. Technology options include a GPS navigation system with a six-and-a-half-inch screen, voice recognition, Bluetooth, and rearview camera function is offered on EX-L only.

"Organic steering feel and a quiet, composed ride on or off pavement conspire to make the CR-V one of the best drivers in the segment." - Motortrend.com

Every 2011 Honda CR-V feels adequately powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 180 horsepower and 161 pound-feet of torque. The four-cylinder engine comes paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. The 2011 CR-V has a stable ride and precise handling but is sluggish in terms of acceleration. There is no manual transmission, unlike previous generation models, favorably to maximize fuel efficiency.

Front-wheel drive is standard while an automatic all-wheel drive is optional across the 2011 CR-V range. The 2011 CR-V with AWD sprints from 0-60-mph in 9.9 seconds, with a quarter-mile time of 17.5 seconds - on the slower side. Still, it feels faster to drive and is a great crossover for daily driving duties. When properly equipped, the Honda rates the CR-V to tow up to 1500 lbs.

Even though the Honda CR-V's four-cylinder engine lacks low-end power, it is certainly competitive against other similarly specced crossovers. One downside is the lack of an upgrade option. Nevertheless, the CR-V delivers a cushioned ride and relatively nimble handling. Even braking is quite efficient, with a 60-0 mph stopping distance of 129 feet. The wind and road noise is excessive, making the 2011 Honda CR-V feel a little less refined than some rivals.

" it touts strong fuel economy numbers and below-average operating costs. " - Cars.USNews.com

The base 2011 Honda CR-V with front-wheel drive returns an EPA estimated 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, which is about average for the compact SUV segment. The AWD CR-Vs drop slightly to 21/27/23. The CR-V has a 15.3-gallon gas tank capacity, enabling a driving range of 321 miles in mixed driving conditions.

The highest combined range is returned by the Chevrolet Equinox of 488 miles, and then comes the Kia Sorento with a range of 396 miles, followed by the Subaru Forester with a range of 388 miles. The Honda CR-V stands last with a range of 367 miles despite having the second-best fuel efficiency to boast about in the competition.

"Though the five-seat cabin wasn’t particularly well-insulated from tire noise (with Bridgestone Dueler all-season tires) at highway speeds, it’s comfortable overall. " Cars.com

Overall, the 2011 CRV’s interior is functional and upscale with excellent passenger and cargo dimensions. The 2011 Honda CRV's key interior highlight is the ergonomics and flexible floor plan. The seats are comfortable, with a lot of headroom in the front seat. The split rear fold seats offer a generous cargo space, rated at a minimum of 35.7 cubic feet to a maximum of 72.9 cubic feet. The front row can be adjusted manually, while the rear seats have the feature of sliding and reclining.

Although rear-seat legroom is not as capacious as in the previous generation CR-Vs, still adults can jump onto the back. Heated leather seats are available on higher trims and standard on EX-L. There is no third-row option. If you will look inside the CR-V's cabin, the dual-dial dash is an easy read, while the controls are all within arm’s reach and simple to operate.

The CR-V doesn't offer the most features in the base trim level, but it does offer a CD/MP3 player mated to a 4 speaker audio system, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, leather seats, and more. The SE trim gives an upgrade to a 6-CD changer and 6-speaker audio system. With the EX trim you get steering wheel audio controls, while for the niceties like USB interface and a navigation system, you have to choose the EX-L trim, which starts at around $29,000. The EX-L trim comes with a seven-speaker audio system along with satellite radio. The optional navigation package also adds Bluetooth connectivity and voice controls. Key Interior Features include:

• CD/MP3 Player
• Available 6-CD changer 
• 6-speaker audio system
• Steering wheel controls
• Available 7-speaker audio system 
• Satellite radio

In comparison, it is seen that the most legroom is offered by the Subaru Forester in the front row. The rest of the cars are very similar in space to each other. On the backside, the cars are differentiated by just inches. However, The most cargo capacity is offered by the Honda CR-V at 35.7 cu-ft, whereas the least is offered by Kia Sorento at 9.1 cubic feet. Major interior features include:

• Manually adjustable front seats
• Reclining rear seats
• Cloth upholstery
• Leather upholstery (EX-L) 
• Dual-zone automatic air conditioning (EX-L)
• 8-way power driver’s seat (EX-L)

The current Honda CR-V, a third-gen model, sees a major departure from boxy design to a more fashion-forward styling. With an elliptically-shaped greenhouse, the 2011 CR-V offers slash-cut headlamps up-front and a large rear hatch with no hatch-mounted spare tire at the back. Unlike the first two generations which were more functional but not fashionable, the third-gen CR-V's styling and proportions attract the younger gen. Ground clearance is a generous 6.7 inches, decent for mild off-roading.

The base LX trim comes with 17-inch steel wheels and chrome exterior highlights. The EX and above models will get you more luxuries like the sunroof, automatic headlights, and heated mirrors. There are optional extras for the Honda CR-V that come in the form of accessories that can be added on when purchasing the vehicle, some of these are wind deflectors, roof rails, and even roof carriers.

Out of the above SUVs, the Chevrolet Equinox is once again the longest in length and wheelbase. The remaining dimensions of all the above SUVs are similar to each other. The notable difference is in the weight, and there the Subaru Forester is 100 pounds heavier than the Honda CR-V. The Chevrolet Equinox and the Kia Sorento are nearly 400 pounds heavier than the Honda CR-V. Major exterior features include:

• 17-inch wheels 
• Chrome exterior highlights
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Rear privacy glass
• Heated mirrors
• Sunroof 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2011 CR-V four out of five stars in the front, side, and rollover crash tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the crossover the rating of Good in most crashworthiness categories, though it received a score of 'Marginal' for the roof strength. Overall, the Honda CR-V comes with many safety features and has a pretty good safety record.

The 2011 CR-V comes equipped with 3-point seatbelts, dual-stage, multiple threshold front, front-side, and side curtain airbags, active head restraints, stability/traction control, and braking aids including ABS, EBD, and BA.  Apart from this, the crossover has many active safety features available, some of the important safety features are:

• Anti locking brakes
• Electronic brake distribution
• Brake assist
• Vehicle stability assist
• Traction control
• Side-impact door beams
• Daytime running lights

2011 Honda CR-V vs 2011 Subaru Forester

Both the CR-V and the Subaru are Japanese, and this is where the similarities end. While the CR-V is comfortable and the go-to-choice of most family guys, the Forester is something that will pull the heartstrings of an enthusiast. With its flat-four and symmetrical AWD system, the 2011 Subaru Forester is as practical as a CR-V, however, you’re more likely to go for the CR-V, just because your family likes it more!

2011 Honda CR-V vs 2011 Kia Sorento

It's just one of those odd days, where a Kia just feels a little better compared to the ever-charming Honda CR-V. And once you’re done reading the brochure, you realize that the 2011 Kia Sorento is just as competitive as the 2011 CR-V. That said, the CR-V outshines and overpowers in every department, once you check both of them out one after another. Make no mistake, the Sorento is pretty competitive, however, the CR-V is just better. Isn’t Honda CR-V always a better choice of the two?

The 2011 Honda CR-V might not be the best looking or the most powerful car or the most massive one among the segment, but it is a car that can provide what is just right for its owners. Also, this car with its affordable pricing manages to give out good value for money and is a good bargain. This car might prove to be a great choice for the family short drives or will do great as your daily driver. 

Moreover, the CR-V received a significant refresh in 2010 that included a freshened grille and bumpers, a 14-horsepower bump, and as well an increase in fuel efficiency. Also, the 2012 Honda CR-V is a completely redesigned model and marks the start of the fourth generation.