2020 Honda CR-V vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Honda CR-V represented the fifth generation of Honda’s compact crossover, becoming familiar and beloved since its debut in 2017. Honda designers continued their soft, curvy approach, creating a vehicle with lines more indicative of a station wagon than an SUV, and it maintained a clear family resemblance to Honda’s sedan lineup. The overall look leaned more towards family transportation, emphasizing function over form.

Inside, the picture became more complex. The interior was a blend of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery on pricier models. However, these features clashed with lower-quality plastics, hinting at the vehicle's roots as a commodity car. The 2020 CR-V came in four trims—LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring—with a starting MSRP of $26,270 for the base FWD LX trim. Alloy wheels ranged from 17 inches to 19 inches on different trims, fabric seats on lower trims, and a retractable moonroof on all but the base trim.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda CR-V, despite revisions, maintained a largely similar exterior look. Critics noted that the CR-V’s design mimicked the generic styling common to many crossovers. The vehicle had eight color options, although three were shades of gray, plus black and white. More vibrant colors like Aegean Blue Metallic and Radiant Red Metallic were limited to higher trims, and availability varied by dealer stock.

Internally, the 2021 model provided a modern look, with angular seat designs and sharper details than some competitors. The color and material choices depended on trim levels, with more chrome and wood panels available as you moved up the trim ladder. The Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson were seen as having more distinctive styling options, potentially appealing to those for whom vehicle aesthetics were important.

For the 2020 Honda CR-V, Honda streamlined its engine offerings by making the 1.5-liter turbocharged engine standard across all trims. This engine produced 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT, despite some sluggishness, performed well, especially in the Sport drive mode. The CR-V's handling was commendable—nimble and car-like. The vehicle’s light curb weight of just 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model contributed to its agility and impressive fuel economy: 30 mpg combined for FWD and 29 mpg for AWD models.

The 2021 Honda CR-V continued with the same 1.5-liter turbocharged engine across its trims, excluding hybrids. With 190 horsepower, the CR-V provided smooth and steady acceleration, taking approximately 7.8 seconds to reach 60 mph. This was competitive within its class. Like its predecessor, the 2021 model featured a CVT, which provided a more continuous power delivery but lacked the engagement of conventional transmissions found in rivals like the Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, and Toyota RAV4. The CR-V's MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension ensured decent ride quality and handling.

In the 2020 CR-V, Honda's packaging mastery shone through. The cabin was spacious with ample head- and legroom for both front and rear passengers. Cargo volume was generous, matching the class-leading Volkswagen Tiguan with 75.8 cubic feet of space when the rear seats were folded. Clever storage solutions, like the deep center console and two-position load floor, enhanced the vehicle’s practicality. Door pockets were large, making it easy to stow away and access items.

The 2021 Honda CR-V exceeded its competitors in functionality, offering 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume—more than the Toyota RAV4. Cargo capacity matched the 2020 figure with 75.8 cubic feet. Depending on the trim, cargo access varied: LX and EX required manual operation, EX-L provided a power tailgate, and Touring included a hands-free power tailgate. Subaru’s approach of standard roof rails, except for the base, was more inclusive compared to Honda's offering.

Technological advancements in the 2020 CR-V were a mixed bag. The base LX trim featured an undersized 5-inch screen with minimal capabilities beyond Bluetooth and Pandora compatibility. Higher trims got a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though it was still too small compared to the competition, and lacked physical buttons making it cumbersome to use. USB ports were abundant in the EX trim and above, and the Touring trim benefited from a new wireless phone charger.

By 2021, the CR-V made minor tech improvements. The base LX still had a 5-inch screen, but all other trims featured a 7-inch HD touchscreen with better smartphone integration. The audio system's quality improved with trim levels, culminating in a 300-watt system on the Touring trim. The availability of multiple USB charging ports, including powerful 2.5-amp ports in the backseat, added convenience, with a wireless phone charger included in the Touring trim.

In 2020, safety was a strong suit for the CR-V. Honda Sensing was standard across all trims, providing advanced safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The NHTSA awarded it five stars, and the IIHS recognized it as a Top Safety Pick, with the caveat that only the Touring trim’s LED headlights scored well in visibility tests.

The 2021 CR-V continued this emphasis on safety, earning both NHTSA’s five-star rating and the IIHS’s Top Safety Pick award. Standard safety features encompassed the multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto high-beam headlamps. The comprehensive Honda Sensing system across all trims, except blind spot monitoring which was standard from the EX trim, set the CR-V apart from rivals.