Apr 30, 2019, 13:12 PM by Mike Blake

The Honda CR-V debuted in 1995 as a small crossover that took its alphabetical name from the manufacturer’s marketing campaign labeling it a “Comfortable Runabout Vehicle,” or CR-V. The small SUV dual-purposed as an urban daily driver and an off-road or soft-road vehicle, that was part van, part passenger car, part activity roader. Since then, CR-V has evolved into an elegant and sporty crossover imbued with state-of-the-art tech and entertainment, while upgrading with increased power and better fuel economy.

With a freshening on tap for 2020, only minimal changes were made for this year. A new exterior paint has been added – White Pearl – and Honda pretty much stays the course otherwise. 

But staying the course has made it a media favorite and an award-winner, as automotive experts have heaped praise on CR-V. For example, the 2019 CR-V earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest pedestrian detection and crash prevention rating of “Superior” based on new testing of CR-V’s available Honda Sensing® suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies, which includes the award-winning Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™). Additionally, the experts at Edmunds named the 2019 CR-V as “Best SUV” in their inaugural “2019 Editors' Choice Awards”. Also, for the third straight year, CR-V has won U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Cars for the Money” Award. And the 2019 Honda CR-V beat out all other tested compact SUVs in Motor Trend's car comparison test “The New Normal”. Furthermore, CR-V was named an overall winner in AutoWeb's Buyer's Choice Awards, taking home “Best Utility Vehicle of the Year” honors.

Fully redesigned in 2017, CR-V rolls on with its assertive design cues, refined demeanor and energetic character in a sporty package, with a footprint that measures 180.6 inches in length, 66.5 inches in height and 73.0 inches in width on a 104.7-inch wheelbase. Ground clearance is 7.8 inches for the 2WD and 8.2 for the AWD. Curbweight comes in at 3473 lbs. for the EX trim I tested.

The 2019 CR-V in EX and higher trims are powered by CR-V's turbocharged 1.5-liter DOHC, Direct-Injected in-line 4-cylinder engine with Single-Scroll MHI (Mitsubishi Heavy Industry)TD03 Turbo and Internal Wastegate. The CR-V LX trim is powered by a 2.4-liter DOHC direct-injected i-VTEC engine with Variable Timing Control. Both engines are coupled with an efficient and smooth continuously variable transmission with Honda G-Shift control logic. The 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine produces 184 hp and 180 lbs.-ft. of torque, and the 1.5-liter turbo is rated at 190hp and 179 lbs.-ft. of torque. In AWD, the 1.5 is EPA rated at 25mpg/city, 31mpg/highway and 27mpg/combined mpg. My test week in a turbo AWD EX trim was mixed-use with in-town, highway and soft-road miles, for an average of  28.8 mpg, well within the EPA rating range of 27/city, 33/highway and 29/combined.

Acceleration was predictable and sufficient in all ranges on the highway; and on the track, my CR-V was deliberate, but steady, with a zero-to-60mph sprint finished off in 7.7 seconds, during a 16.1-second quarter-mile (hand-timed). Handling was niche-solid and the riding experience was family-oriented – smooth and stable, with less road feel than in a driver’s vehicle. The MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear, both with stabilizer bars, smoothed out rough surfaces. Steering was road responsive, but not auto-cross efficient, with some perceptible understeer.

Inside, the 2019 CR-V continues unchanged, as the cabin remains sophisticated, quiet, comfortable and intuitively laid out. High-tech instruments, infotainment and premium features permeate the compartment. Interior accommodations come in a bit low at 38.0 inches of front headroom and 39.1 in row two; legroom is 41.3 inches in front and 40.4 inches for the second row; and shoulder room measures 57.9 and 55.6 inches. 

Honda incorporates premium active safety, passive safety and driver-assistive features in the CR-V, including Honda Sensing™ technology, offered as standard equipment on EX and higher trims. Utilizing Honda's innovative Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ body structure, the 2019 CR-V has been rewarded with the highest available collision safety ratings, including a 5-star Overall Vehicle Score from the NHTSA and a TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating from the IIHS, including a SUPERIOR rating for frontal crash prevention when equipped with Honda Sensing™.

CR-V is offered in four trim packages in both AWD and 2WD. The Base LX starts at $24,350 (an increase of $200 over last year) and the EX trim I tested starts at $27,250 (up $300) for the 2WD -- and you gain the Turbo engine, Honda Sensing™, Smart Entry and a 7-inch display audio touchscreen. EX-L starts at $29,750 (a gain of $300) adding leather inside, a power liftgate, power seats and auto-rearview mirror. The top-of-the-line Touring trim starts at $32,750 (an increase of $355) in 2WD and picks up a hand-free access power tailgate, full LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers and satellite-linked navigation. My EX in AWD (for $1400 more – same increase as last year) based at $28,650. With an Obsidian Blue Pearl exterior and a Gray Cloth interior, my CR-V EX added Body side molding for $225, Door Edge Guards for $99, Door Visors for $184, and back-up sensors for $528. With destination and handling charges of $1045, my sticker-as-tested was $30,731.

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Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>