2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid

If you're seeking a compact SUV with impressive versatility, know that the 2021 Honda CR-V does just about everything well. The two-row Honda provides an attractive and spacious cabin bolstered by bountiful storage solutions that are perfect for pack rats and road trips. While neither of its four-cylinder powertrains—one turbocharged, one hybrid—are especially quick, both have notable fuel-economy ratings. Compared with the Mazda CX-5 and Volkswagen Tiguan, the CR-V is less entertaining from behind the wheel, but it has a pleasant ride and never feels uncoordinated. It also comes equipped with myriad active-safety features and offers all manner of popular technology. These qualities and a sophisticated appearance make the 2021 CR-V one of the best compact SUVs for small families.

Honda did its homework planting its first turbocharged engine—a 1.5-liter unit that makes 190 horsepower—in a CR-V and pairing it with one of the best continuously variable automatic transmissions (CVTs) available—praise we don’t give lightly. While most compact crossovers have meager towing limits, the CR-V has one of the lowest at 1500 pounds. Any parent moonlighting as a street racer might be disappointed with the CR-V’s acceleration. On the other hand, they—along with everyone else—will appreciate its refined ride, enthusiastic steering, and strong brakes. The composed and compliant ride of the CR-V makes for pleasant commutes, long or short. Its responsive brake pedal means you receive the stopping power you want when you ask for it. The CR-V hybrid is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder and two electric motors that combine for 212 horsepower. We found the hybrid system to be smooth and unobtrusive, and we appreciated that Honda mitigated engine drone at wide-open throttle by adding sound-deadening materials and giving the audio system an active noise-cancelling feature. This provided a much quieter experience than the base engine, which was one of the loudest in its class when matting the gas pedal.

A stylish and spacious interior creates a cool and comfortable environment in the CR-V. Quality materials and a familiar layout combine for a contemporary look and feel. A tasteful balance of faux-wood accents, chromed plastic, and brushed-satin finishes looked particularly upscale in the Touring version we tested. Supportive and nicely sculpted front seats hug their occupants in all the right places. Leading its class in cargo volume and luggage space, the CR-V not only earns high marks in those subjects, but also by way of its inclusion of user-friendly and useful equipment. We managed to fit 10 carry-on suitcases behind the rear seat, which matched the CX-5 and the Ford Escape. Fold the back seat flat, and the Honda offers best-in-class luggage space.

An otherwise excellent presentation is offset by Honda’s frustrating infotainment system. Base LX models come with a 5.0-inch color radio screen, but all other models get a 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio; navigation is optional, as is a nine-speaker audio system. Honda reintroduced a rotary volume knob last year and we appreciate that, but a lack of other controls, slow infotainment responses, and the absence of an auxiliary input can’t be forgiven.

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