Honda CR-V 2022 Review

This latest-generation Honda CR-V debuted for the 2017 model year, meaning it's one of the oldest small SUVs on the market. And yet Honda has somehow come up with such a compelling overall package that the CR-V is still one of our top recommendations. Whether it's space, comfort, driver enjoyment or value, the Honda pretty much has you covered with the CR-V.

Other than the Touring trim adding standard all-wheel drive, the 2022 Honda CR-V is pretty much unchanged. That's hardly a bad thing, all things considered. The CR-V does face off against some other compelling small SUVs. The redesigned Nissan Rogue and Hyundai Tucson offer great value, for example, and the Mazda CX-5 stands out with its sleek styling and pleasing performance. Which one to get? Check out our CR-V Expert Rating below to help you decide.

What's it like to live with?

The current CR-V was hugely impressive when it made its debut, so MatoCar purchased one for our long-term test fleet. We racked up more than 40,000 miles before it left our hands, and you can read all about what it was like to own. Note that while Honda has made some updates since we tested that 2017 CR-V, most of our impressions still apply for 2022.

Which CR-V does MatoCar recommend?

The 2022 Honda CR-V is a five-passenger two-row crossover SUV that's available in five trim levels: LX, Special Edition, EX, EX-L and Touring. Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional for all trims except the Touring, which gets standard AWD. There's also a Honda CR-V Hybrid, which we review separately on MatoCar. Highlight features for the CR-V include:

LX Comes reasonably well equipped with:

• Turbocharged four-cylinder engine (190 horsepower, 179 lb-ft)
• Continuously variable automatic transmission
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Automatic climate control
• Manually adjustable front seats
• 60/40-split folding rear seat
• Four-speaker audio system

Driver aids include:

• Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
• Lane keeping assist (steers the CR-V back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
• Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Honda and the car in front)
• Automatic high beams

Special Edition Includes a few more creature comforts than the LX, including:

• Heated front seats
• 7-inch touchscreen display
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Six-speaker audio system
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Remote engine start
• Proximity keyless entry and push-button start

EX Adds a number of features on top of those on the Special Edition. Changes include:

• Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)
• 18-inch wheels
• Tinted rear windows
• Sunroof
• Cargo cover
• Power-adjustable driver's seat
• Rear-seat USB ports

EX-L Mostly mirrors the EX, but you do get:

• Power liftgate
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Leather upholstery
• Power-adjustable passenger seat
• Eight-speaker audio system

Touring The top-of-the-line Touring trim includes all of the EX-L's equipment plus:

• Standard all-wheel drive
• LED headlights
• Roof rails
• Integrated navigation system
• Nine-speaker audio system
• Wireless phone charger