Discover the Ultimate Value Trim in the 2024 Honda CR-V Lineup

Summary

• The 2024 Honda CR-V EX-L trim offers luxury and practicality for a slightly higher price, worth the upgrade.
• The Honda CR-V’s fuel economy is impressive, rivaling some hybrid models, adding to its overall value and appeal.
• The CR-V prioritizes comfort, with ample space for passengers and a redesigned interior to keep up with competitors.

The Honda CR-V has been a hero of the compact SUV class for as long as we can remember, offering great value, reliability, and comfort. While the CR-V has been around since well before the SUV boom, it has had to keep up with some pretty impressive competition in the last couple of years.

Last year saw the debut of a completely refreshed Honda CR-V and for 2024 it was met with a ton of praise. Honda has managed to keep true to the CR-V name and produce a compact SUV that beats out most of its rivals in terms of reliable performance, interior space, and engaging and enjoyable driving dynamics.

With the sixth generation of the CR-V entering its second year on the shelf, we take a look at all the different trim levels on offer. We dissect the different features that you can expect at each price point and what we think is the trim that packs the best overall value for money in a market that increasingly favors SUVs and crossovers over sedans. This article focuses on the gas-powered models, but the hybrid offerings are just as good.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including Car and Driver, IIHS and the EPA.

The Honda CR-V EX-L: A Blend Of Comfort And Practicality

Available across six trims in gas-only or hybrid powertrains, with either front or all-wheel drive, the 2024 Honda CR-V comes in a little more expensive than some of its toughest rivals in the compact SUV class. Even in its base form, the Honda CR-V delivers a ton of really desirable features.

It only gets better as you go up the trim ladder, but you’re going to have to be willing to shell out a few extra dollars to get the optimum CR-V experience. For those wanting higher fuel economy and that extra bit of power, the hybrid CR-V is also available.

Honda CR-V Trims

(Source: Honda)

While the base CR-V LX comes with enough equipment to quench the needs of just about anyone buying a modern-day car, we think that the price difference between the base model and the EX-L is easily justifiable due to the extras that you get along with it. Where the base model gets by on its practicality, the EX-L adds an air of everyday comfort that will make any trip that much more enjoyable.

CR-V EX-L Highlights

• Power tailgate with programmable height
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Smart entry with Walk Away Auto Lock
• Dual-zone automatic climate control system
• Driver’s seat with 10-way power adjustment
• Leather-trimmed seats

The Honda CR-V has long been revered for its robust reliability. This hasn’t necessarily changed, the CR-V has just evolved. When you go with the EX-L trim you’re adding on tons of benefits that the other trim levels just don’t see, all of which add an air of luxury to this small SUV, which is at a price point that helps it take on the stiff competition in this ever-growing class.

A Peppy 190 Horsepower Inline-Four Powers The Honda CR-V

Honda’s CR-V houses a powertrain that is equally sensible as it is efficient. While there are some nuances to the CR-V that you might not enjoy, all around it offers you exactly what you want when you buy a small SUV; it should keep up on the highway, give you good fuel economy, and it’s a Honda so its going to last you a very long time.

CR-V Performance

(Source: Honda)

Whether you buy the base LX or the EX-L, the CR-V sports its inline-four across the board. It isn’t going to break any records in terms of performance. It isn’t meant to be particularly sporty and isn’t going to raise the hairs on the back of your neck when you put your foot down. It also sits a little bit behind its hybrid counterpart in just about every metric.

Honda CR-V Fuel Economy

(Source: EPA)

Where the Honda CR-V’s powertrain really shines though is its fuel economy. In terms of gas-powered SUVs, the Honda CR-V achieves some of the best fuel economy figures out there. You also only lose out on one mile per gallon if you decide to go with the all-wheel drive option over the front-wheel drive model. It’s surprising how close the gas-powered model gets to the figures that some hybrid powertrains are achieving. Its economy adds to why it is one of the best compact SUVs that you can get.

Honda’s CR-V Sports A Handsome Interior And Tons Of Space In The Cabin

EX-L Interior Comfort

While the leather seats in the EX-L certainly portray a sense of luxury, they are more than just pretty. Jumping to the highest ICE trim means you get heated seats, two-position memory foam, and power-adjustable driver and front passenger seats.

All connectivity is also improved, with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay becoming wireless. Instead of the standard 7.0-inch infotainment screen, you get an upgraded 9.0-inch unit. Your audio is also improved, with the EX-L featuring a 320-watt Audio System with eight Speakers.

As for space, if you’re in the market for a compact SUV that is family-friendly then there are few options better than the Honda CR-V. One reason for this is its excellent cabin which is optimized so that everyone, whether in the front or back row of seats, has plenty of room and is comfortable even on long road trips.

Honda CR-V Interior Dimensions

(Source: Honda)

Honda has prioritized comfort in the 2024 CR-V. Not only have they improved on space, giving those in the second row an extra 0.6 inches of legroom, but they have also ensured that their seats are designed to reduce fatigue over long hauls. The rear seats don’t lack comfort either and they can even recline, giving passengers the space to relax. The redesigned interior helps Honda keep up with other competitors like the Toyota RAV4.

The 2024 CR-V Features A New Scheduled Maintenance Plan

Honda is known for their long-term reliability. Their name has become so synonymous with longevity that people joke about how if you buy a Honda now you can pass it on to your grandchildren. A CR-V has even been hailed as one of the highest mileage SUVs in the world. However, they haven’t always had the best aftermarket support. With the 2024 CR-V Honda has made some changes to hopefully give them more of an edge.

CR-V Warranty And Maintenance

• Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
• Complimentary scheduled maintenance for two years or 24,000 miles

When you spend so much money on a new car, you want to be sure that you’re not going to have to fork out tons more in the first couple of years of owning it. Honda’s warranties have never been anything to write home about and are about average on the CR-V for its class. However, this year they are offering a new complimentary service plan, which is a huge incentive in our eyes.

Key Safety Features

• Collision Mitigation Braking System
• Road Departure Mitigation System
• Lane Keeping Assist System
• Auto High-Beam Headlights
• Blind Spot Information System

Honda equips their CR-V with a ton of safety features as standard, which is brilliant. The only exceptions are parking sensors and a low-speed braking control system which are only available on the EX-L the Sport-L, and the Sport Touring. While this isn’t a case specifically for the EX-L, knowing that Honda’s suite of safety and driver assist features are available to you is certainly a plus for the CR-V as a whole. The 2024 Honda CR-V receives a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.