Cars

Is the New 2025 Honda CR-V Worth Buying? Expert Review

JH
John H
Senior Cars Expert
8 min read

Is the New 2025 Honda CR-V Worth Buying? Expert Review

The 2025 Honda CR-V has arrived with a wave of excitement, promising enhanced performance, cutting-edge technology, and refined interior comfort. As one of the most popular compact SUVs on the market, the CR-V has consistently delivered reliability, efficiency, and value. But with increasing competition from rivals like the Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, and Mazda CX-5, the question remains: Is the new 2025 Honda CR-V worth buying? In this expert review, we dive deep into every aspect of the 2025 CR-V — from design and performance to safety, tech, pricing, and real-world value — to help you make an informed decision.

Exterior Design: Evolution Over Revolution

The 2025 Honda CR-V continues its tradition of sleek, modern styling with subtle refinements. While not a complete redesign, Honda has tweaked the front fascia with a bolder grille, sharper LED headlights, and revised lower air intakes that give the SUV a more assertive look. The profile remains familiar, with clean lines and a high roofline contributing to a spacious feel, while the rear features updated taillights and a slightly restyled bumper.

The overall aesthetic is both functional and fashionable, appealing to buyers who prefer a mature, understated design rather than flashy overstatement. Available in nine exterior colors — including new metallic and pearl finishes — the 2025 CR-V offers enough variety to suit different tastes. With aerodynamic improvements aimed at reducing drag and enhancing fuel economy, the exterior evolution supports performance gains without sacrificing visual appeal.

2025 Honda CR-V exterior design front view

Interior Comfort and Space: Premium Feel, Practical Layout

Step inside the 2025 Honda CR-V, and you’ll notice a significant leap in interior quality. Honda has upgraded materials, with soft-touch surfaces, real stitching, and available leather-trimmed seats contributing to a more upscale ambiance. The cabin layout remains intuitive, with a driver-focused center stack and ergonomically placed controls.

One of the CR-V's strongest selling points is its interior space. Despite being a compact SUV, it offers near-midsize levels of legroom and headroom for both front and rear passengers. The rear bench slides and reclines, allowing buyers to customize legroom or cargo space — a feature that remains rare in this segment. With the rear seats upright, the CR-V delivers 37.9 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 76.5 cubic feet when folded flat.

Honda has also addressed previous complaints about cramped third-row options by sticking with a two-row, five-passenger layout across all trims. This focus on passenger comfort over seating count pays dividends, especially for families or frequent travelers who prioritize quality over quantity.

Technology and Infotainment: Smarter, Faster, More Connected

The 2025 Honda CR-V comes equipped with the latest iteration of Honda’s infotainment system, now running on an Android Automotive OS platform. This brings native Google integration, including Google Assistant, Google Maps, and the Google Play Store — a major upgrade over previous generation systems.

The base model features a 7-inch touchscreen, but most trims come standard with a vibrant 10.2-inch display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included across the lineup, eliminating the need for cords. The system is responsive, with crisp graphics and intuitive menus. Physical volume knobs and shortcut buttons make it easier to use while driving, a thoughtful touch in an era of touch-heavy interfaces.

Additional tech highlights include:

The 2025 CR-V also supports over-the-air (OTA) software updates, ensuring the infotainment system and driver assistance features stay current throughout ownership. This forward-thinking approach positions the CR-V as a tech-savvy contender in a rapidly evolving market.

Performance and Powertrain: Efficiency Meets Responsiveness

The 2025 Honda CR-V is available in three powertrain configurations: a standard 1.5L turbocharged inline-4, a hybrid variant, and a new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model. All versions are paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), though Honda has refined the CVT tuning to reduce the typical “rubber band” sensation often associated with such transmissions.

1.5L Turbocharged Engine

The base engine produces 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque — a solid output for daily driving. It delivers smooth acceleration and is well-suited for city commutes and highway cruising. Fuel economy is rated at an estimated 29 mpg city and 34 mpg highway, making it one of the more efficient non-hybrid options in its class.

CR-V Hybrid

The hybrid model features a 2.0L Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine paired with dual electric motors, producing a combined 204 horsepower. With an EPA-estimated 43 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, the hybrid offers exceptional fuel efficiency without sacrificing performance. The transition between electric and gas power is seamless, and the system operates in EV mode at low speeds for short distances.

CR-V Plug-in Hybrid (New for 2025)

The most exciting addition to the lineup is the new CR-V e:HEV Plug-In Hybrid. With a larger battery and increased electric-only range, it delivers up to 43 miles of all-electric driving before the gas engine kicks in. Total system output jumps to 240 horsepower, making it the most powerful CR-V ever. Combined fuel economy is a class-leading 80 MPGe in electric mode and 37 mpg when running on gas.

All powertrains are paired with standard front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available on non-hybrid and hybrid models. The AWD system is intelligent, sending power to the rear wheels only when needed, which helps maintain efficiency.

Ride and Handling: Composed and Confident

The 2025 Honda CR-V continues to prioritize comfort over sportiness, but that doesn’t mean it’s dull to drive. The suspension has been retuned for better damping and reduced body roll, resulting in a more composed ride over bumps and uneven surfaces. Steering is light and precise, making the CR-V easy to maneuver in tight parking lots and responsive on winding roads.

Noise insulation has also improved, with additional sound-deadening materials and acoustic glass contributing to a quieter cabin. Road and wind noise are well-controlled, enhancing long-distance comfort. While it may not match the driving dynamics of a Mazda CX-5, the CR-V strikes an excellent balance between ride comfort and handling stability — ideal for daily drivers and road-trippers alike.

Safety Features: Honda Sensing 2.0 Takes Center Stage

Safety is a major strength of the 2025 Honda CR-V. Every trim comes standard with Honda Sensing 2.0, an advanced suite of driver assistance technologies designed to prevent accidents and reduce driver stress.

Key features include:

Higher trims add advanced features like:

The 2025 CR-V has earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, reinforcing its status as one of the safest compact SUVs on the road.

Trim Levels and Pricing: Options for Every Budget

The 2025 Honda CR-V is available in five main trim levels: LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, and Touring. Additionally, hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions are available starting at the EX trim. Here’s a breakdown of what each offers:

LX (Starting at $28,990)

The base LX includes essential features like LED headlights, a 7-inch infotainment screen, Honda Sensing, and cloth upholstery. It’s a solid choice for budget-conscious buyers who still want reliability and safety.

Sport ($30,990)

The Sport trim adds 18-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, black exterior accents, and sport-tuned suspension. Inside, it features sport fabric seats and paddle shifters. A good middle ground for those who want style without overspending.

EX ($32,490)

The EX is the sweet spot for many buyers, adding dual-zone climate control, a power driver’s seat, a larger touchscreen, and proximity key entry. It’s the first trim to offer the hybrid powertrain as an option.

EX-L ($35,990)

Now stepping into premium territory, the EX-L adds leather-trimmed seats, heated front seats, a power moonroof, and an eight-way power passenger seat. The infotainment system includes navigation and a premium audio upgrade.

Touring ($38,990)

The top-of-the-line Touring trim includes everything: ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, a head-up display, a 360-degree camera, and hands-free power tailgate. It’s the most luxurious CR-V ever offered.

Plug-in Hybrid (Starting at $41,990)

The CR-V e:HEV Plug-In Hybrid starts at the EX trim and is available up to Touring. While pricier, federal and state incentives can significantly reduce the effective cost, especially for eco-conscious buyers.

Competitor Comparison: How the CR-V Stacks Up

To determine whether the 2025 Honda CR-V is worth buying, it’s important to compare it to key competitors. Here’s how it fares against three top rivals:

Honda CR-V vs. Toyota RAV4

The RAV4 remains the CR-V’s biggest competitor. Both offer hybrid variants and strong resale value. However, the 2025 CR-V edges ahead with a more refined interior, better infotainment system, and quieter ride. The RAV4 offers more aggressive styling and a wider range of trims, but the CR-V wins on comfort and tech.

Honda CR-V vs. Hyundai Tucson

The Tucson impresses with bold design and a long list of standard features. It also offers a hybrid and plug-in hybrid option. While the Tucson’s value proposition is strong, the CR-V counters with superior build quality, a more reliable reputation, and better long-term ownership costs.

Honda CR-V vs. Mazda CX-5

The CX-5 is the driver’s choice in the segment, offering sharper handling and a premium interior. However, it lags behind in rear seat space and cargo volume. The CR-V offers more practicality and better fuel economy, especially in hybrid form. If you prioritize driving engagement, the CX-5 wins; for family-friendly utility, the CR-V takes the crown.

Reliability and Ownership Costs

Honda has long been synonymous with reliability, and the CR-V continues that legacy. According to J.D. Power, the CR-V scores above average for predicted reliability. With proper maintenance, it’s expected to easily surpass 200,000 miles — a testament to its durability.

Ownership costs are also competitive. The CR-V’s maintenance schedule is straightforward, with service recommended every 7,500 miles. Parts are widely available and relatively affordable compared to European or luxury brands. Insurance rates are average for the segment, and fuel costs are low — especially for hybrid and plug-in models.

Resale value is another strength. The CR-V consistently ranks among the top compact SUVs for retained value, with Edmunds estimating it will retain about 65% of its value after five years. This makes it a smart financial choice for buyers who plan to sell or trade in down the line.

Who Should Buy the 2025 Honda CR-V?

The 2025 Honda CR-V is ideal for: