The 2021 Honda CR-V comes in four trims: LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring. All trims come standard with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), and a front-wheel-drive. All-wheel drive is optional in every trim for $1,500. 

We recommend stepping up to EX trim which has a strong value statement, thanks to standard features like a 7.0-inch touch-screen infotainment system, smartphone integration, blind-spot monitoring, heated front seats, and a moonroof. For premium amenities and equipment like leather upholstery, you'll have to get the EX-L trim or above.

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Just like the previous year, Honda offers the CR-V in four trims, starting from the base LX trim and going all the way to the top Touring trim. All the trims come with an optional AWD system which costs extra. The base trim starts with an MSRP of $25,350 for the standard FWD CR-V. Honda has cleverly divided the trims so you get exactly what you want, and it sure does come within budget. 

A host of safety and comfort features are available right from the base trim, and as you progress through the trims, you will see the addition of better tech and comfort features. Even the base trim comes with a host of features, so you will not be disappointed. One thing worth noting is that smartphone integration features like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are available from the EX trim and are absent in the base trim.

The 2021 Honda CR-V is powered by a standard 1.5L turbocharged engine paired with a CVT transmission across the range. The turbocharged engine puts out 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, which is adequate for the size of the CR-V. The whole power is directed to the front wheels as standard, with an AWD system available as an option. The 2021 CR-V LX FWD goes from 0-60 MPH in 9.3 seconds while the AWD models are quicker with an estimated 7.8 seconds 0-60 mph time. This compact SUV has a maximum towing capacity of 1,500 pounds, the lowest in the class. There is a hybrid trim available, which is slightly up on power with a 2.0L engine combined with an electric motor.

There is no lack of fun while driving the 2021 Honda CR-V. While the engine might not be able to reach high-top speeds, it sure is quick off the mark and would keep up with the traffic at highway speed with ease. The transmission does a pretty good job of keeping the engine at the right revs all the time, and Honda has been well praised for their CVT. At the same time, the CR-V's turbocharged engine is a blessing to your pocket, as it is one of the most fuel-efficient engines in the class.

With the improvement in the body, Honda also gave attention to the suspension which now gives a more plush and comfortable ride around town. The suspension does a pretty good job of flattening out bumps and imperfections on the road. Honda has also made the cabin even quieter and less road noise now enters the cabin, giving you a smooth and sound ride. 

Even the base trim of the CR-V comes with a standard FWD system with an optional AWD system that is more focused on keeping the car under control and providing better traction at all times. It does not have the biggest brakes, but they sure do a perfect job of stopping the car in time. The brake pedal has a sharp response, and the brakes offer quite a bite. It takes 128 feet to stop the CR-V from 60 mph to a standstill, which is very decent for the segment.

Ford is the quickest to 60 with the Inline-3 engine and also offers a top speed that matches that of the Toyota RAV4, which has a bigger engine and offers more power. Honda has better power output than Ford and Kia but offers less torque than Ford and Toyota. In short, Kia is the worst performer among them all, while the others stay ahead of each other in one way or another in terms of performance. 

With the standard FWD drivetrain, the 2021 CR-V returns EPA estimated 28/34/30 MPG for city/highway/combined cycles. When you opt for the AWD drivetrain, the figure will dip slightly to 27/32/29. Honda equips the CR-V with a 14-gallon fuel tank that offers a range of roundabout 420 miles in mixed driving conditions. In the class, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 offer unmatched fuel efficiency. There are hybrid versions available that take the MPG figures even further than what the standard engine on offer, which is already very impressive.

Honda has the highest fuel economy, with Toyota offering identical MPG figures, or even better on the highway with a bigger and more powerful engine, something which makes the Honda look bad. But Honda makes it up with better performance compared to Toyota. Kia Sorento has the biggest fuel tank which allows for way more range than the others.

While the 2021 Honda CR-V might not have the most luxurious interior you would get to sit in, it sure is the most practical interior. The CR-V's interior is roomy with one of the best passenger and cargo spaces, and its build quality is also very refined. Moving up to the higher trims, you also get leather upholstery which completes the overall look of the interior and gives a slightly upscale feel to it. The design remains minimalistic which would handle the rough use it would go through while carrying around a small family with children for a long time to come. The compact SUV manages to offer a cargo capacity of 39.2 cubic feet, which is the best in class.

No matter where you are seated inside, you have ample space at your disposal, and even on long trips, you won’t feel tired. The overseas market for the CR-V has a seven-seater trim, but the one available in the U.S. is a five-seater trim which feels more practical considering the size of the CR-V

The CR-V, without a doubt, has the most cabin space, followed by the Ford. The RAV4 lacks in terms of cabin space and also has a smaller trunk than the CR-V. Kia, on the other hand, offers seating for up to seven with the third row of seats suited for children. This, in turn, reduces the standard trunk space. Some of the highlights of the interior include the following:

• Front Bucket Seats with 6-way manual adjustable driver's seat
• 4-Way Passenger Seat
• 60-40 Folding Split Rear-seats
• Remote Keyless Entry
• Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control

What’s there to keep you entertained?

One thing that Honda needs to look after is their infotainment system which has now started to look and feel a bit dated, and rivals have better systems on offer. The LX trim lacks a lot in terms of infotainment features as it comes with a standard five-inch screen and four-speaker sound system with basic Bluetooth connectivity, whereas features like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard features in most other rivals. 

Moving up to the CRV EX trim, the screen size increases to seven inches and this system is available in the top trim as well. The sound system also gets better on the upper trims, with the EX-L getting a better 8-speaker system and the top Touring trim boasting a premium 9-speaker system. Some of the highlights of the infotainment system include the following:

• 7” touchscreen system
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay (available from EX trim)
• 9-speaker audio system
• SiriusXM 
• HD Radio
• Bluetooth connectivity
• 12-volt power outlet

Read more about the 2021 Honda CR-V interior >>

Honda has a typical design language that is a no-nonsense smooth flowing design for their cars, although the Civic is an exception. With a refresh last year, the 2021 Honda CR-V offers a flat-lined roof, which also provides more headroom. Features like LED headlights, panoramic sunroof, rear privacy glass, and LED fog lights are available in all the trims except the LX. The wheel sizes are also different for different trims, while the base trim has to make do with 17-inch alloy wheels, the top-end Touring trim comes with 19-inch wheels, and both the middle trims have 18-inch wheels. The base LX trim comes with multi-halogen headlights, while all the rest of the trims come with standard LED headlights. The crossover weighs 3,455 lbs and stands 8.2 inches above the ground.

The 2021 Honda CR-V complements the sleek and sophisticated exterior design. Honda offers the same palette of exterior colors on every trim level of the CR-V including striking pearl and metallic hues. There are 8 different 2021 Honda CR-V colors you can choose from including Sonic Gray Pearl, Radiant Red Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic, Obsidian Blue Pearl, Platinum White Pearl, Modern Steel Metallic, and Aegean Blue Metallic.

Ford Escape is the lightest of them all. The Kia Sorento is the heaviest, longest, and widest, which explains the more seating inside the car. The extra length and width, however, would make it slightly harder to fit in tight garages or parking spaces. The Honda CR-V is a perfect balance of not being too heavy and offering generous space for the passengers and cargo. Some of the highlights of the exterior include the following:

• 18” or 19” alloy wheels
• Integrated roof rails
• Automatic projector headlamps with LED DRLs
• LED Brakelights
• Active Shutter Grille

NHTSA gave the 2021 Honda CR-V the highest five-star safety rating in their crash test, while the IIHS gave it it's a top rating of ‘Good’ in all the crashworthiness categories. The higher Touring models with the LED headlights managed to grab the ‘Top Safety Pick 2021.’ Honda has given extra attention to the safety quotient of the 2021 CR-V. All CR-Vs include the Honda Sensing suite of driver-assist active safety tech as standard which includes automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control.  

Some of the standout safety features are as follows:

The standard list of safety features includes traction control, stability control, ABS and EBD, and six airbags.

• Forward collision warning system with pedestrian detection
• Collision mitigation braking
• Lane Departure warning
• Lane keep assist
• Adaptive cruise control

Read more about the 2021 Honda CR-V Safety >>

2021 Honda CR-V vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

The Toyota RAV4 gives a tough competition to the CR-V. It costs almost a grand more than the CR-V, and for the extra money, you get a more powerful engine, more infotainment features as standard, whereas the Honda offers better driving dynamics, costs less, and comes with more safety features as standard, and offers a more spacious and comfortable cabin.

2021 Honda CR-V vs 2021 Ford Escape

Ford Escape and Honda CR-V both come at a similar price and have almost every feature. There is no lack of safety or infotainment tech in either of the cars. The only thing that separates these two is the thought of personal choice and the fact that Honda has been deemed more reliable than Ford. If we have to choose, we’ll choose Honda’s reliability.

2021 Honda CR-V vs 2021 Kia Sorento

Kia Sorento is the only car that offers three rows of seats, but that doesn't make it any better than the rest, nor does it justify the price which is just shy of the $30,000 mark. Honda is affordable, spacious, and offers everything that the Kia does at a less price. If you want three rows of seats, then the Kia Telluride would be a better option than the Sorento, and it also falls in the same price range as the Sorento.

The 2021 Honda CR-V is an affordable, fuel-efficient, and comfortable compact crossover that offers tough competition to the class. The list of drawbacks is pretty small when it comes to the CR-V, and with slight improvements, it might just become the best-selling crossover. A lot of it can be attributed to the fact that it already has surpassed the sales of the automakers' sedans. All in all, the 2021 Honda CR-V is one of the best choices to buy in the compact crossover SUV class.