Yahoo Autos 2022 Honda CR-V Review | What's new, price, colors, pictures
So you're shopping for a compact SUV? Well, it's probably best to consider the 2022 Honda CR-V as the best place to start the search since it basically checks off all the objective, practical, sensible-shoes criteria. It has a family-friendly back seat, a massive cargo area, strong and efficient engines (especially the CR-V Hybrid), well-balanced driving dynamics, competitive pricing and features, strong safety ratings and well-regarded reliability. Its popularity will likely mean lower discounts but it'll also mean higher resale prices. Basically, for the vast majority of compact SUV buyers, and especially families, it's the smartest choice.
So why doesn't everyone just get a CR-V? Well, people buy cars for things other than objective, practical and sensible-shoes criteria. Want something that's more engaging to drive and offers a more powerful engine? Try the Mazda CX-5 or Ford Escape. Want something with superior technology and bolder style inside and out? Look the Hyundai Tucson or Nissan Rogue's way. How about a small SUV that offers greater versatility and capability for outdoor adventures? Certain trim levels of the Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester would be better bets for getting dirty. All of the above are plenty practical in their own right as well, so it's not like you'll be sacrificing much, if anything to get something that meets your specific wants and needs more. That said, you can't really go wrong with a CR-V.
Interior & Technology | Passenger & Cargo Space | Performance & Fuel Economy
What it's like to drive | Pricing & Features | Crash Ratings & Safety Features
What's new for 2022?
The only change for 2022 is that the Touring trim can now only be had with all-wheel drive.
What are the CR-V interior and in-car technology like?
The 2022 CR-V provides a tasteful, if a tad dull, design aesthetic backed up with above-average materials and build construction for this segment. If you're a previous CR-V owner, you'll note that this most recent version features a higher-quality and more premium environment than past models. If you aren't, you'll still find it to have one of the nicest cabins in terms of quality, and also one of the most functional, as it boasts a number of clever storage solutions in the center console that we detail in our CR-V Interior Storage Driveway Test. The Touring trim, pictured above, also features wireless charging. While a good feature to have, it also shrinks the smartphone-holding bin that is usually there and does a poor job of preventing your phone from flying into the foot well.
Starting with the EX trim, the CR-V comes standard with an abundance of tech for a reasonable price that makes the base LX trim a bit of a moot point. You get three USB ports, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a variety of other smartphone integration apps and a six-speaker sound system. Controlling them is a 7-inch touchscreen, which is the CR-V's weakest element due to frequent glitches, iffy responses, lack of physical menu buttons and an occasionally confusing menu structure. Honda's newer interface found in the Accord and Civic corrects these issues, and rival systems, particularly the Hyundai Tucson, Subaru Forester, Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4, offer comparable features with more user-friendly interfaces.
How big is the CR-V?
The 2021 CR-V is one of the larger "compact SUVs," at least on the inside, as Honda typically does a better job than most of maximizing every bit of interior space possible. Although its overall exterior length and width are average for the segment, its passenger and cargo space are better than nearly every competitor. The 60/40-split reclining back seat provides genuine space and comfort for even large adults, while a rear-facing car seat easily fits in the middle position — even with taller passengers up front. Honda also provides LATCH anchors for all three seating positions (one reason we preferred it to the Subaru Forester for child seat fitment). Headroom is abundant regardless of the seating position or the presence of the available sunroof.
Behind that back seat is a massive 39.2 cubic-foot cargo area. To put that into perspective, you can see in the bottom-right photo below how much space was left after loading six suitcases aboard. The Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Tucson essentially matched it in our luggage tests, with the Nissan Rogue another rung down, but the CR-V's very low load floor and tall, boxy space arguably make it the easiest to load.
Folding the back seat down using the two remote pulls in the cargo area reveals 75.8 cubic feet of maximum capacity. That's better than most midsize SUVs like the Chevrolet Blazer and better than nearly all its fellow compact SUVs.
What are the CR-V fuel economy and performance specs?
Every 2022 Honda CR-V comes standard with a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four that produces 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. It's paired with a continuously variable transmission and standard front-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is optional on all but the Touring where it comes standard. Acceleration and fuel economy are among the best in the segment. Official EPA ratings stand at 28 mpg city, 34 mpg highway and 30 mpg combined with FWD and 27/32/29 with AWD.
That may be excellent fuel economy for an SUV, but they're crushed by the CR-V Hybrid, which is our recommended powertrain choice. It consists of two electric motors and a 2.0-liter inline-four that together produce 212 horsepower, making the Hybrid the most-powerful CR-V. All-wheel drive is standard. Fuel economy is 40 mpg city, 35 mpg highway and 38 mpg combined. The Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape hybrids are a tiny bit better (and the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid a tiny bit worse), but nowhere near enough to sway your decision one way or the other.
What's the CR-V like to drive?
The current-generation CR-V, which dates back to 2017, drives with greater refinement and sophistication than past versions. It's more comfortable, there's less wind and road noise, and the turbo engine's low-end power results in quieter, less strained noises when driven around town. These observations largely apply in comparison to most rival SUVs as well, and indeed, the CR-V is one of the best compact crossovers to drive.
In general, that's because the CR-V is well-rounded. Its steering is nicely weighted and imparts sufficient confidence, but doesn't make parking a chore. Its handling certainly isn't the most responsive or road hugging in the segment, but it inspires confidence while not taking away from the comfortable ride. As for the engine, that low-end power from the turbocharged engine makes the CR-V feel like a strong performer at more mundane, around-town speeds. Open it up and it starts to run out of steam, and you'll notice some droning from the CVT that doesn't really attempt to mimic a traditional transmission's gear changes as those of some competitors' do.
As such, you won't be missing out on much by opting for the CR-V Hybrid. In fact, the more frugal version is actually the more powerful version, and we appreciate its electric motor's smooth, torque-rich power delivery. And since it relies so heavily on that electric motor, it's inherently smoother and quieter, especially around town, than both the gas-only CR-V as well as the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid that operates differently. We think it's well worth the modest price premium over the gas-only CR-V.
