OK boys and girls, let’s start this week with a pop quiz.
Can anyone tell me what Honda’s CR-V is an abbreviation for? Time’s up. Pencils down. The answer is (C)omfortable (R)oundabout (Vehicle). If that sounds quaint, it is. It’s the nomenclature from the original vehicle when it was introduced in 1997.
Unknowingly, it established a new breed of compact sport utility vehicle with car-like ride and handling thanks to its unibody construction, four-wheel independent suspension, and long wheelbase.
The CR-V has sold over six million units in the United States, and has been America’s top-selling compact SUV since its launch. And it has been the best-selling Honda vehicle every year since 2017.
Now in its sixth-generation of production, CR-V continues to set benchmarks for its SUV class. The 2025 CR-V Hybrid AWD Sport Touring is a solution for daily life or weekend escapes, with a rugged and sophisticated design inside and out, increased utility and functionality, with a more advanced hybrid system for a sportier driving experience.
CR-V comes in LX, EX, Sport Hybrid, EX-L, Sport L Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid trims with prices starting at around $30k and climbing to north of $40k.
My tester was powered by a 2.0-liter, direct-inject, four-cylinder engine and two powerful electric motor paired with an e-CVT automatic transmission. The combination generates 204 horsepower, 247 lb-ft of torque, and is rated at 40 miles per gallon by the EPA. It has a maximum towing capacity of 1,000 pounds.
Real Time AWD operates in four-wheel drive mode when the accelerator pedal is depressed. The moment it is released, the system stops distributing driving force to the rear wheels and switches to two-wheel drive.
The SUV transports up to five adults with a user-friendly cargo area behind the split-fold, second-row seats. Drop one side down and there’s enough room to accommodate four golf bags and adults, albeit a squeeze.d
Exterior highlights include a large, gloss black grille that adds character to the front fascia. It’s accented by a Sport Touring Hybrid exclusive platinum accent lower bumper. Other goodies include a power moonroof, tailgate spoiler, roof rails, and 19-inch alloy wheels. My tester came with a “Solar Silver” coat of enamel.
Interior features will knock your socks off, starting with heated leather-trimmed seats, steering wheel and shift knob. Creature comforts include a Bose premium audio system with 12 speakers, nine-inch touchscreen with Honda navigation, voice recognition and rear-view camera, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charger, dual-zone automatic climate control, and rear USB-C.
The Honda Sensing safety suite is standard on all trims. Highlights include adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation braking system, lane keeping assist system, blind spot information system, road departure mitigation, low speed follow and traffic jam assist.
Maybe this compact SUV was appropriately named out of the gate. It still is a Comfortable Roundabout Vehicle, only with 27 years more technology and imagination. And any vehicle that winds up being Honda’s top-seller, supplanting Civics and Accords, that says it all.
Base Price. $42,150
Price As Driven: 42,150
Destination charge is included in base price. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturer. List price may vary at local dealerships.
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