2011 Honda CR-V Review and Prices

By Chuck Giametta

Table of Contents
2011 Honda CR-V Review and Pricing
2010 Honda CR-V Review and Prices
2009 Honda CR-V Review and Prices
2009 Honda CR-V Quote

2011 HONDA CR-V BUYING ADVICE

• The 2011 Honda CR-V is the best compact crossover for you if you want a recently freshened version of America’s best-selling SUV.

• The 2011 Honda CR-V is likely to be a virtual rerun of the 2010 Honda CR-V. That would mean carrying over the styling update, new features, and slight power boost Honda gave this four-door crossover for 2010. Those changes constituted a mid-cycle freshening of a basic CR-V design introduced for model-year 2007 and due for replacement in model-year 2013.

• Should you buy a 2010 Honda CR-V or wait for the 2011 Honda CR-V? Honda isn’t apt to change the CR-V’s looks again before the all-new version arrives, so the 2010 model’s styling will probably stay current through the end of this design generation. Honda could, however, continue to expand available features. For example, it might make the recently added USB interface available on more than just the most-expensive CR-V models. Significant mechanical changes are less likely before 2013. So if you’re in the market, it’s not a bad idea to shop a 2010 CR-V and take advantage of a buyer’s market that might dissolve by the time the 2011s roll around.    

2011 HONDA CR-V CHANGES

• Styling: Expect the 2011 Honda CR-V styling to mirror the 2010 CR-V’s. That edition was treated to the first appearance changes since the current-generation CR-V was introduced for 2007. The changes were subtle: the grille was simplified with fewer horizontal bars and a mesh lower insert, and the look of the nose and tail was modernized by extending the body-colored bumpers into areas previously covered with black cladding. Inside, some dashboard backlighting was clarified. The essential shape of this five-passenger crossover didn’t change, and the CR-V continues to look upscale and friendly without appearing pretentious or feminine. Dimensions weren’t altered, either, and the CR-V remains among the smaller compact SUVs. That’s great for parking and maneuverability, yet smart packaging means it has good room for four adults (five if the back-seaters are fond of one another) and plenty of cargo space. Today’s CR-V is based on the same basic engineering as the 2006-2010 Honda Civic; it’s this car-type construction that qualifies the CR-V as a “crossover.”

• Mechanical: If the Honda CR-V has a weakness, it’s acceleration. This SUV moves along nicely in routine driving and it’ll stay with fast-moving traffic if it’s lightly loaded and the driver is willing to use lots of throttle. But put three or more aboard, start stacking the luggage, and the CR-V struggles to merge or pass without drama, and sidles into the slow lane on long inclines. Most rivals offer a V-6, but the CR-V’s only engine is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder. It gained 14 horsepower for model-year 2010, climbing 180. That’s competitive with most any four-cylinder rival, but the CR-V is among the heavier crossovers in the class. And it has less torque – just 161 pound-feet – than the norm and torque is more important to acceleration than horsepower. The 2011 Honda CR-V won’t solve the power deficit with a V-6 engine – that’s not part of its personality or in line with Honda philosophy.  But Honda would do CR-V buyers a service by squeezing even more power from this four-cylinder engine. A recalibration of the sole transmission, a five-speed automatic, would be in order, too. More decisive gear selection to end its annoying hunting and slow downshifts would aid drivability; so would enabling the driver to shift it manually. The 2011 Honda CR-V will remain front-wheel drive and be available with an all-wheel-drive (AWD) system that funnels power rearward when the front tires lose traction. The 2011 Honda CR-V won’t require much ride or handling help. Its suspension balances compliance with good control and it feels agile in turns and confident on the Interstate.

• Features: Expect the 2011 Honda CR-V lineup to continue in familiar LX, EX, and top-line EX-L models. Each is available with front- or all-wheel drive. Standard equipment will again include a laudable array of safety features, including antilock four-wheel disc brakes and an antiskid system. The “L” in EX-L denotes standard leather upholstery, among other comfort and convenience items. The EX-L has traditionally been the only CR-V model available with a navigation system. Don’t look for Honda to stretch the 2011 CR-V’s credibility by offering wheels and tires larger than the 17-inchers it was designed for; this isn’t that kind of crossover. Honda for 2010 did take the overdue step of modernizing the CR-V’s audio system to include USB connectivity for iPods and other MP3 devices. Similarly, it added Bluetooth cell-phone linking. However, it confined the USB interface to EX-L models, and Bluetooth to EX-L models with the navigation system. Expanding these features beyond the EX-Ls might give the marketing folks fits; they could argue it dilutes a drawing card for the EX-L, which accounts for about 25 percent of CR-V sales. But it’s a perk EX buyers deserve and would make the 2011 CR-V more competitive with rivals that install Bluetooth and USB on a wider range of models within their lineups.

2011 HONDA CR-V PRICES

• Prices for the 2011 Honda CR-V won’t be announced until mid 2010. But Honda has traditionally priced the CR-V in the upper-third of compact crossover SUVs. That’s partly a factor of Honda’s sterling brand reputation, but also because each CR-V model comes generously equipped, with no factory options offered. However, the EX-L with navigation tops $30,000, putting it in competition with compact crossovers that have more power, more off-road capability, and in the case of the arch-rival Toyota RAV-4, both those assets plus three-row seating.

• Judging by its sales leadership, however, the CR-V’s pricing strategy doesn’t need much adjustment and should see only modest increases for 2011. That suggests a 2011 Honda CR-V LX price of around $22,700 with front-wheel drive and $23,900 with all-wheel drive. (Price estimates in this review include the manufacturer’s destination fee; Honda’s was $710 for 2010). Power windows, locks, and mirrors, a tilt/telescope steering wheel, remote keyless entry, height-adjustable driver’s seat, cruise control, stereo with auxiliary jack for digital media, and 40/20/40 split folding rear seatbacks should again be standard on the 2011 CR-V LX.

• Look for the 2011 Honda CR-V EX price to come in around $24,900 with front-drive and $26,100 with AWD. Alloy wheels, a power sunroof, six-disc CD audio with steering wheel controls, and an outside temperature gauge are among features that have differentiated the EX from the CR-V LX.

• Figure a 2011 Honda CR-V EX-L price of around $27,700 with front drive and $28,900 with AWD. In addition to EX-level equipment, the EX-L has leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, automatic climate control, heated front seats and outside mirrors, an eight-way power driver’s seat, plus the USB interface.  

• The 2011 Honda CR-V EX-L with Honda’s voice-activated navigation system and backup camera should start around $29,800 with front-drive, around $31,000 with AWD.   

2011 HONDA CR-V FUEL ECONOMY

• New federal fuel-economy requirements kick in for the 2011 model year, and Honda will be counting on the CR-V to help meet its fleet mileage marks. Luckily, the CR-V has been among the most fuel-efficient compact SUVs, with EPA ratings of 21/28 mpg (city/highway) with front-wheel drive, 21/27 with AWD. If Honda wants to give the CR-V more power for 2011 it’ll have to reconcile that with the need to equal or exceed these EPA ratings.    

2011 HONDA CR-V RELEASE DATE

• The 2011 Honda CR-V should be in showrooms by autumn 2010.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE HONDA CR-V

• One way to give the CR-V more muscle without lowering mileage ratings is with diesel power. Honda offers the CR-V overseas with a turbocharged four-cylinder diesel, which offers substantially more torque than the 2.4-liter gas engine and promises 40-mpg on the highway. Some reports had a diesel slated for the 2010 Honda CR-V, but the slumping economy and relatively high diesel-fuel prices tabled that plan. Honda could revive the diesel for the 2011 CR-V or may consider it a possibility for the redesigned 2013 CR-V. A turbocharged gas four-cylinder or a gas-electric hybrid are also future CR-V powertrain possibilities, along with a six-speed automatic transmission. A V-6 engine does not appear to be in the cards.

• A substantial increase in size for the next-generation CR-V also is unlikely. Honda has settled on dimensions that allow this compact crossover to serve its target audience without encroaching on the three-row-SUV territory occupied by the larger Honda Pilot.

• An intriguing addition to Honda’s crossover lineup could come in the form of a small wagon that would slot in under the CR-V in size and price. This wagon would be based on the next-generation 2011 Honda Civic. Its presence might have some affect on the design and market positioning of the redesigned 2013 Honda CR-V.

2011 HONDA CR-V COMPETITION

• Toyota RAV-4: This crossover SUV attracts fans with its solid feel, Toyota genes, and available V-6 engine. It’s also larger than the CR-V with a longer body that makes room for an optional, child-sized third-row seat. The RAV-4 got a mid-cycle freshening for model-year 2009 and is slated for a full redesign around model-year 2012.

• Ford Escape: Hard to believe this ancient SUV – its basic design dates to 2001 – is among the top-selling compact crossovers. But handsome styling and competitive pricing have their appeal. Escape offers a 34/31-mpg hybrid model to go along with its four- and six-cylinder gas editions. An all-new Escape is due for model-year 2012.   

• Subaru Forester: A model-year 2009 redesign expanded its size from compact-car tiny to compact-crossover roomy. That helped elevate this cult favorite to the front ranks of small SUVs. Naturally aspirated and turbocharged four-cylinder engines give it plenty of oomph, handling is terrific, and off-road ability surprisingly good. This Subaru’s next redesign won’t come before model-year 2014.