2025 Honda CR-V Review: The Final Boss of Family SUVs

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Through a survival process, a living organism adapts to its environment over time to become better suited to it. Insects have evolved leaf-like appearances, making it harder for predators to spot them. Birds have developed beaks shaped specifically to help them eat their favorite nuts, fruits, and nectar. And here's a fascinating tidbit: snakes originally had limbs, but after millions of years of evolution, they lost them, allowing them to fit into tight spaces more easily.

After over a century of experimentation, improvement, and the test of time, the CR-V Hybrid feels like the ultimate result of a well-rounded and practical automobile. It meets and exceeds the expectations of what the average person looks for in a vehicle, doing everything it's supposed to, in a manner that comes naturally to a car.

The Honda hybrid crossover is a perfect example of how well-designed a vehicle can be, balancing spaciousness with subtle styling, efficiency with smooth performance, all with a focus on everyday practicality.

The Basics

What I love about driving a car like this is that nobody gives me a second glace.

The exact words I told my partner on our last ride in the Honda CR-V still ring a bell. After its introduction in 2022, this sixth generation of the Honda compact crossover has been around long enough that it no longer draws attention when it appears on the roads. It blends into the background, becoming a common sight in normal traffic. And, if you're in the market for this type of vehicle, that anonymity is probably exactly what you're looking for.

If one decides to take a closer look, though, you'll be met with a design that's sharp yet elegant. Clean, direct lines and steep angles make it look more modern than some CR-Vs of the past, while vertical taillights that extend into the D-pillars are a distinct tribute to its heritage.

But it's inside where the magic happens, and Honda genuinely gets it right. In terms of striking the perfect balance between being easy to use and visually appealing, Honda's interior and user experience designers are arguably among the best in the industry. Climate controls are simple and straightforward with clear knobs and buttons, the touchscreen infotainment system, programmed for functionality, isn't overwhelming (measuring 7.0 inches standard and up to 9.0 inches in higher trims), and it's tastefully situated with a convenient volume knob within easy reach. The buttons on the steering wheel are actual buttons, not confusing interfaces, and the gear shift lever is ordinary. The entire interior still manages to look and feel crisp, sophisticated, and uncluttered.

The RAV4 compares to the CR-V on the road. Ignoring the numbers comparison, just driving it in person, the CR-V feels roomy for its size. One feature contributing to its practicality is the way its rear doors open extra wide, extending from the body at an angle almost 90 degrees. This is very helpful for getting in and out, as well as accommodating car seats.

Behind the rear seats are almost 40 cubic feet of cargo space, which provides ample room for a family of four on a road trip. There's an unexpectedly convenient array of cup holders, cubbies, and niches throughout the cabin to stash various personal items.

There are up to four USB ports available - two are USB-C in the back, and two are located in the front. One of the front ports is a USB-A port, because Honda realizes that an older family member, often the dad, might still be using USB-A devices.

Driving the Honda CR-V

The 2025 CR-V offers a base 1.5-liter turbo-four engine for the LX, EX, and EX-L models, or a hybrid featuring a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder and an electric motor for the Sport, Sport-L, and Sport Touring trims. I tested the top-of-the-line hybrid model, but given my experience with both engines, I highly recommend opting for the hybrid if it's within your budget. The hybrid system costs $4,550 more than the base model, and all-wheel drive is a $1,500 upgrade for most trim levels, except for the Sport Touring, which comes standard with all-wheel drive.

The Honda's two-motor hybrid system produces a total of 204 horsepower, but what's really notable is that the electric motor can generate 247 pounds of torque from a standstill, giving the CR-V Hybrid a nice burst of power when you need it. The car handles impressively, feeling agile and fun to drive, particularly around corners. The steering is precisely calibrated for comfortable handling, the ride is smooth, and the car never feels uncomfortable even when taken on a twisty road.

One long-standing virtue of Hondas is good outward visibility, thanks to slender A-pillars. Even when there is metal trim, blind spot monitoring and a cross-traffic monitor are available on all trim levels except the base LX.

The CR-V features Honda Sensing, which includes adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, lane keep assist, and traffic sign recognition. However, when combined, these technologies performed well in automating highway driving, even during slow, stop-and-go traffic. The lane-keeping system never caused significant issues and speed adjustments were smooth and prompt. Though it's still essential to monitor the vehicle, this system can be a helpful tool in reducing driver fatigue and freeing up your hands to relax on a long road trip, such as reaching for snacks.

What really gets me excited is optimizing fuel efficiency. A lot of hybrids achieve this, but the CR-V's hybrid system takes it a step further by showing a simple powertrain graphic on the digital display, giving me a clear view of where the power is coming from and how much charge is in the battery at any time. Watching the engine shut off when I slow down and seeing how kinetic energy is transferred back to the battery was fascinating. It made me a more mindful driver, and I was able to drive more smoothly and conservatively to keep the CR-V running on battery power as much as possible.

Fuel Economy

According to the EPA, the official fuel efficiency of the CR-V varies based on powertrain setup. Specifically, the AWD hybrid model gets an estimated 40 mpg in the city, 34 mpg on the highway, and 37 mpg combined. It's also possible to achieve 40 mpg in combined driving if you choose the front-wheel drive version, while the non-hybrid CR-V averages 29 mpg overall.

Here's how the AWD CR-V Hybrid compares to its direct competitors from Toyota, Honda, and Kia.

* Free maintenance for one year or up to the first 12,000 miles

The 2025 Honda CR-V begins at a price of $31,450. It comes with several notable standard features, including automatic headlights, a system for controlling vehicle descent on hills, a reminder for passengers in the backseat, a 7.0-inch touchscreen display, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster screen, Honda's active safety and driving assistance system, and connectivity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto through a wired connection.

These features are available on various trims, including CarPlay and Android Auto support, satellite radio, a wireless charging pad, leather seats, memory for the driver’s seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a power tailgate. The prices for these trims fall between $30,000 and $40,000. The top-of-the-line Sport Touring hybrid AWD model costs $42,450, including destination charges.

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You may also want to consider the Rogue if you don't need a hybrid, but in my opinion, the Honda CR-V is the best in its class.

The Verdict

Every detail in the 2025 Honda CR-V, from the folds in the body to the placement of each dashboard button, has been carefully considered based on Honda's experience designing and manufacturing vehicles for a large number of customers. The CR-V is remarkably practical. The CR-V is visually unobtrusive and has a pleasing appearance. Overall, the CR-V is a pleasant vehicle to operate.

If you're seeking a budget-friendly, hassle-free transport solution for two adults and two children that requires minimal decision-making, you've come across the ultimate answer. The modern family car has reached its ultimate refinement.