2016 Honda CR-V review
Honda CR-V highlights
Customer rating
Pros
- Exceptional EPA-estimated fuel economy for this type of vehicle
- Plenty of passenger space in the front and rear
Cons
- Touchscreen control is a bit finicky
- Some of the interior materials look and feel cheap
Mileage (EPA estimate)
25 city, 31 highway, 27 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
2016 Honda CR-V is a top compact crossover SUV pick
After a sizable refresh for 2015, the Honda CR-V is unchanged for the 2016 model year. This compact crossover SUV certainly isn't flashy, but its pragmatic mix of qualities puts it near the top of the pile among stiff competition. A Mazda CX-5 or Ford Edge offers a better, more engaging drive, while Toyota's RAV4 has a more stylish interior, but the CR-V counters with loads of passenger and luggage space for five people, great EPA-estimated fuel economy, a smooth, refined drive, and ample standard equipment even in its entry-level model. The only real criticisms with the CR-V are the lack of engine choices, a less-than-perfect touchscreen interface, and no option for a third row of seats if you have a big family.
All CR-Vs are powered by a 185-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable transmission that drives the front wheels as standard, with all-wheel drive as an option. Overall, the Honda CR-V offers a smooth drive that's pleasingly agile for a compact crossover SUV. Passenger space is superb, as is the trunk capacity, but the interior, while sturdy, feels a little cheap in places. The CR-V is a great all-rounder for family buyers that’swell worth your consideration.
All Honda CR-V years
Not sure what year to select? Learn about each Honda CR-V generation from 2011 to 2024
What is new for the 2016 Honda CR-V?
- The CR-V is available in a new trim called the SE.
2016 Honda CR-V trims
LX
Includes a five-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth streaming, cloth seats, a multi-angle rearview camera, cruise control, a 160W four-speaker sound system, and more.
SE
Adds 17-inch alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, and a security system.
EX
Adds automatic headlights, heated front seats, a six-speaker audio system, a seven-inch touchscreen, and more.
EX-L
Adds dual-zone automatic climate control, leather-trimmed seats, a 375W seven-speaker sound system, and more.
Touring
Unlocks 18-inch alloy wheels, a power liftgate, Honda Sensing driver aids, driver memory seats, and more.
5 reasons to buy the 2016 Honda CR-V
1. Comfortable interior
When taking family or friends out on the road, comfortable seats and a spacious interior can make a big difference. The 2016 Honda CR-V has soft, couch-like cloth seats in the LX, SE, and EX trims. Heated front seats (EX, EX-L, and Touring) help you stay warm on cold days, and dual-zone automatic climate control (EX-L and Touring) keeps the cabin at just the right temperature. Leather seating (EX-L and Touring) and driver's seat memory (Touring) add a touch of luxury.
2. Five feature-packed trims
There's a 2016 Honda CR-V for every budget, thanks to five different trims. Depending on the features you want, pick from the LX, SE, EX, EX-L, and Touring trims. The base-model 2016 Honda CR-V LX has Bluetooth® connectivity, cruise control, and a 160W four-speaker sound system. The trim-topping Touring offers premium features like leather seating, a power tailgate, and adaptive cruise control. The 2016 Honda CR-V EX sits in the middle, offering an attractive blend of tech and features.
3. Useful tech
The 2016 Honda CR-V Touring is equipped with a suite of driver aids called Honda Sensing®. This suite includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. Forward collision mitigation braking sounds an alarm and applies the brakes to help avoid a potential collision. Plus, every 2016 Honda CR-V model comes with a multi-angle rearview camera.
4. Go farther between fill-ups
A 185-hp 2.4L four-cylinder engine and CVT power every 2016 Honda CR-V. That's more than enough power for around-town driving and highway cruising. But you can expect to stretch trips to the pump in the FWD 2016 Honda CR-V, with an EPA-estimated 32 mpg highway.
5. Flexible cargo space
Being able to adapt to real life is one of the 2016 Honda CR-V's strengths. There's an impressive 70.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats—more than enough for a trip to the furniture store. You can use the 60/40 split-folding rear seats to customize the cargo space while keeping some seating in the rear. Finally, the 37.2 cubic feet of storage in the trunk can handle daily trips to the grocery store, day trips, and other adventures with ease.
Similar vehicles
If you're interested in the 2016 Honda CR-V, you should also check out these similar vehicles from Previous generation years.
Built to conquer everyday life, the Toyota RAV4 is packed with the functional space and features you want. Every 2017-2018 Toyota RAV4 has a suite of driver-assistance features and Entune™ audio. In addition, a kick-activated tailgate is available on the Limited and Platinum trims. If you want the best traction in a variety of conditions, choose a model with AWD.
Standard features on the 2017-2018 Toyota RAV4 include:
Suite of driver aids
Rearview camera
Automatic high beams
So many features and functions make the 2017-2019 Nissan Rogue great for everyday life. For example, a kick-activated tailgate (SL trim) makes loading the trunk more manageable when your hands are full. In addition, adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist are included in the SL Platinum Package. Finally, enjoy the sound of music in a 2017-2019 Nissan Rogue SL with the nine-speaker Bose® audio system.
Standard features on the 2017-2019 Nissan Rogue include:
LED daytime running lights
Rearview camera
Bluetooth audio streaming
Elegant design meets function in the 2017-2019 Mazda CX-5. Attention to detail is everywhere in the interior, featuring luxurious Nappa leather and natural wood trim on the Signature trim. In addition, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity are available on 2017-2019 CX-5 Touring and higher trims. Finally, technology like traffic sign recognition (Grand Touring Reserve) and a surround-view monitor (Signature) are helpful driver aids that make the CX-5 a great choice if you regularly drive long distances.
The 2017-2019 Mazda CX-5 Sport gets the model lineup started and includes:
Seven-inch color touchscreen and Bluetooth audio
Air conditioning with pollen filter
Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
Shop with your budget in mind
Ratings & reliability
Customer ratings
4.2 out of 5
38 customer reviews| 5 Stars | 22 |
|---|---|
| 4 Stars | 8 |
| 3 Stars | 4 |
| 2 Stars | 1 |
| 1 Star | 3 |
RepairPal gave the Honda CR-V an overall reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks Honda CR-V 6th out of 29 among Compact SUVs.
View RepairPal's full rating of the Honda CR-VHonda CR-V features and specs
SE 2WD 4D Sport Utility
Standard Features
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- AM/FM Stereo
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Bluetooth Technology
- CD Audio
- Cloth Seats
- Cruise Control
- Overhead Airbags
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Rear View Camera
- Side Airbags
- Traction Control
- Cloth Seats
- Full Roof Rack
- Parking Sensors
- Running Boards
- Tow Hitch
Drive Wheels
Front Wheel Drive (2WD)
Engine size
2.4L
Horsepower
185
Torque (ft-lbs)
181
Engine type
Gas
Fuel capacity
15.3
Wheelbase
103.1"
Overall length
179.4"
Width
71.6"
Height
64.7"
Leg room
F 41.3"/R 38.3"
Head room
F 39.9"/R 38.6"
Front tires
P225/65TR17
Rear tires
P225/65TR17
Seating capacity
5
Max towing capacity
150/1500 lbs.
Transmission
Automatic
2016 Honda CR-V FAQ
The 2016 Honda CR-V offers a good selection of modern technology, one powerful engine, and a range of trims.
Depending on what you're looking for, the 2016 Honda CR-V EX offers more features than the LX and may be a better fit.
The letters in the 2016 Honda CR-V models aren't acronyms; they indicate the trim level. The LX trim is entry-level, followed by SE, EX, EX-L, and Touring.
More about the 2016 Honda CR-V
Exterior colors:
Alabaster Silver Metallic
Basque Red Pearl II
Copper Sunset Pearl
Crystal Black Pearl
Kona Coffee Metallic
Modern Steel Metallic
Mountain Air Metallic
Obsidian Blue Pearl
Urban Titanium Metallic
White Diamond Pearl
Interior colors:
Beige
Black
Gray
Interior details
A functional and comfortable interior awaits you in the 2016 Honda CR-V. Cloth seating with support for long trips comes in the LX, SE, and EX trims, while soft leather-trimmed seats add a luxurious touch to the EX-L and Touring trims. In addition, there's up to 70.9 cubic feet of cargo space, and 60/40 split-folding rear seats provide flexible cargo configurations. Finally, heated front seats (EX, EX-L, and Touring) will keep you warm on cold morning starts.
Child seat details
There are three positions for child seats in the 2016 Honda CR-V's second-row seats. In addition, you'll find two upper and lower anchor sets on the outside positions. These anchors are compatible with LATCH-style forward and reverse-facing child seats. Because the lower anchors sit lower in the seats, they may be challenging to locate and use. However, connecting a child seat doesn't take much force, which should help make installation easier. While you can use the middle position with a LATCH-compatible child seat, there aren't enough lower anchors for three at the same time.
Performance
Powered by a 2.4L four-cylinder engine that makes 185 hp, the 2016 Honda CR-V uses a CVT to get smooth acceleration without the feeling of shifts between gears. The engine provides enough power for a full load and an estimated 1,500 lbs of towing capacity, when properly equipped.
Emissions
According to EPA estimates, the 2016 Honda CR-V's tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions are 309 grams per mile on FWD models and 326 grams per mile on AWD models.
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