Honda CR-V
Honda CR-V is the compact SUV that helped turn small crossovers into what most American families drive. It started in 1995 as Honda’s first in-house SUV, a tall, Civic-based wagon with all-wheel drive, and six generations later it’s a roomy five-seater with a turbo four or a 204-hp hybrid. In the first half of 2026 it even outsold every other vehicle in the US. Pick your year below to jump to the right generation, or read on for the history and which one suits you.
Honda CR-V at a Glance
First sold 1995 Japan, in October
US debut 1997 On sale in February
Built in (US market) Ohio, Indiana, Ontario US-built since 2006
Generations 6 From RD to today’s RS
Global sales 15 million+ Reached in August 2025
Power today 190–204 hp 1.5 turbo or 2.0 hybrid
Honda CR-V Generations
Years shown are US model years. The CR-V went on sale in Japan in October 1995 and reached the US in February 1997. Pick a card to open its full guide.
1997–2001
RD1–RD3
1st gen5 model years
Honda’s first in-house SUV: a tall, Civic-based wagon with a 2.0-liter four that made 126 hp, rising to 146 hp for 1999.
Guide coming soon
2002–2006
RD4–RD9
2nd gen5 model years
Built on Civic underpinnings with a 160-hp 2.4-liter engine, and a five-speed automatic from 2005.
Guide coming soon
2007–2011
RE
3rd gen5 model years
A lower, rounder CR-V with a top-hinged liftgate. It became America’s best-selling SUV and the first CR-V built in the US.
Guide coming soon
2012–2016
RM
4th gen5 model years
A 185-hp 2.4, then a direct-injected engine and a CVT for 2015, plus a lot more safety tech.
Guide coming soon
2017–2022
RW
5th gen6 model years
The first turbo CR-V, with a 190-hp 1.5-liter, and from 2020 the first CR-V Hybrid in the US.
Guide coming soon
2023–present
RS
6th gen4 model years
Today’s bigger CR-V, with a 204-hp hybrid on most trims, a TrailSport for 2026 and the hydrogen e:FCEV in California.
Read the 6th gen guide →
Honda CR-V History
The CR-V went from a quirky Civic-based wagon to one of the best-selling vehicles in the world. Here are the moments that shaped it.
- 1995 The CR-V goes on sale in Japan in October. Honda says the name originally stood for Comfortable Runabout Vehicle.
- 1997 US sales start in February, after a debut at the 1996 Chicago Auto Show.
- 2002 The second generation arrives with a 2.4-liter engine, and Car and Driver names it Best Small SUV two years running.
- 2006 The first US-built CR-V rolls off the line in East Liberty, Ohio, on September 26.
- 2007 The third-generation CR-V passes the Ford Explorer as America’s best-selling SUV, and it stays No. 1 in 2008.
- 2011 Global CR-V sales pass 5 million.
- 2017 The fifth generation brings the first turbocharged CR-V engine, a 190-hp 1.5-liter, and production starts in Greensburg, Indiana.
- 2018 Global sales pass 10 million.
- 2020 The CR-V Hybrid goes on sale in the US for the 2020 model year.
- 2022 The sixth-generation CR-V is revealed on July 12 and goes on sale in September as a 2023 model.
- 2024 Honda builds the hydrogen CR-V e:FCEV in Marysville, Ohio, and US CR-V sales top 400,000 for the first time.
- 2026 The CR-V is America’s best-selling vehicle in the first half of the year, with 226,114 sales.
Which CR-V Generation Is Right for You?
Every CR-V generation is known for being practical and fairly cheap to run, so the right one mostly comes down to budget and how much tech you want. Here’s how they line up.
| Generation | Years | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1st and 2nd gen | 1997–2006 | Tight budgets; simple and tough, but basic safety |
| 3rd gen | 2007–2011 | A cheap commuter with a proven 2.4-liter engine |
| 4th gen | 2012–2016 | Good value; 2015–2016 cars add a CVT and better mpg |
| 5th gen | 2017–2022 | More space and power; check oil-dilution history on 2017–2018 turbos |
| 6th gen | 2023–present | Newest tech and safety, plus the 40-mpg hybrid |
Our take: if you want a modern CR-V for less, a 2020–2022 model gets you the turbo engine with Honda’s fixes and the option of a hybrid. If you want the newest screens and the best fuel economy, look at a 2023-or-newer hybrid.
CR-V Owners Community
CR-V owners talk fuel economy, maintenance, hybrid ownership and which trim is worth it. Share your CR-V, ask questions and swap tips with other owners.
- Hybrid vs 1.5 turbo: which to buy
- Oil dilution on the 1.5 turbo
- Real-world hybrid mpg
- TrailSport tires and light off-roading
- Roof racks, hitches and towing
- CarPlay and infotainment fixes
- Recalls and dealer service experiences
- Keeping an older CR-V running past 200,000 miles
Honda CR-V FAQ
What does CR-V stand for?
Honda says CR-V originally stood for Comfortable Runabout Vehicle.
Which CR-V years should you avoid?
The 2017 and 2018 1.5-liter turbo models drew complaints about fuel mixing into the oil, mostly in very cold weather. Honda fixed it and extended the powertrain warranty on affected cars to 6 years with unlimited miles, so check that the update was done.
Where is the Honda CR-V built?
CR-Vs for North America are built in East Liberty, Ohio, Greensburg, Indiana, and Alliston, Ontario. The hydrogen e:FCEV is built in Marysville, Ohio.
What mpg does the CR-V Hybrid get?
The 2027 CR-V Hybrid is EPA-rated at 40 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 37 mpg with all-wheel drive. The TrailSport gets 35 mpg.
Does the CR-V have a third row?
Not in the US. Every US CR-V seats five, although Honda sells seven-seat versions in some other markets.
How much can a Honda CR-V tow?
The current 1.5 turbo can tow 1,500 lb and the hybrid can tow 1,000 lb, with the right equipment.
Keep Exploring
Explore Honda’s full lineup, compare the CR-V with its big rival the RAV4, or see the Civic it was originally based on.
Photo credits
- Header image: © M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, cropped and resized.
- Black sixth-generation Honda CR-V hybrid in Stuttgart: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- White fifth-generation 2018 Honda CR-V: EurovisionNim, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- White fourth-generation 2012 Honda CR-V EX-L in…: IFCAR, Public domain, cropped and resized.
- White third-generation Honda CR-V EX in College…: IFCAR, Public domain, cropped and resized.
- Champagne first-generation 1999 Honda CR-V: RL GNZLZ from Chile, CC BY-SA 2.0, cropped and resized.
- Chianti Red Pearl second-generation 2002 Honda CR-V…: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.